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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses no-power, intermittent shutdown, depleted battery, AC power, docking, charging-contact, accessory, and environmental causes before service escalation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Continuity of Care
Do not troubleshoot the scanner while it is required for an active patient assessment. Move the examination to another verified bladder scanner or follow the approved clinical alternative.
Inspect for liquid intrusion, impact damage, overheating, smoke, odor, exposed conductors, or a swollen battery condition. Remove the device from service immediately if any unsafe condition is present.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues with verified equipment, and the i10 is safe for external evaluation.
2. Confirm the Reported Power Condition
Ask whether the device:
- Does not respond at all
- Starts and immediately shuts down
- Shuts down only during scanning
- Operates on AC or dock power but not battery
- Operates on battery but not through the cart or dock
- Shuts down after being moved or handled
Attempt a normal power-on using the approved control. Observe the display, indicators, sounds, and any startup messages.
Expected outcome: The exact failure mode and power source involved are identified. If the device starts and remains stable, continue with functional verification.
3. Check the External Power Source
Verify that the wall outlet is active using an approved outlet tester or known-good device. Confirm that any switched outlet, power strip, isolation system, or cart power control is turned on.
Avoid using damaged extension cords, unauthorized adapters, or overloaded receptacles.
Expected outcome: A stable and appropriate AC source is confirmed. If correcting the outlet restores reliable operation, troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
4. Inspect the Power Supply and Cables
Inspect the external power supply, AC cord, low-voltage cable, connectors, strain reliefs, and plug blades for damage, contamination, looseness, pin deformation, or intermittent connection.
Reseat each accessible connection. Confirm that the power supply is the approved type assigned to the device or cart.
Expected outcome: All external power components are secure and undamaged. If reseating a connection restores stable operation, proceed to final functional testing.
5. Evaluate Battery and Charging Status
Place the device on its approved charging system or connect approved external power. Observe whether charging indicators appear and whether the displayed battery state increases.
Allow sufficient charging time before evaluating short runtime. Do not assume battery failure when the charger, dock, contacts, or outlet have not been verified.
Expected outcome: Charging begins normally and the device remains powered. If the battery accepts charge and supports normal operation, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
6. Inspect Docking and Charging Contacts
Remove the device from the dock or cart cradle. Inspect accessible charging contacts for debris, dried gel, oxidation, misalignment, recessed pins, or physical damage.
Clean only by the approved external cleaning method. Reinstall the device squarely and confirm that it fully seats without obstruction.
Expected outcome: Contacts are clean, aligned, and making reliable connection. If charging or power operation returns, proceed to final testing.
7. Isolate the Device From Accessories
Disconnect nonessential external accessories such as printers, barcode scanners, USB devices, network cables, or other approved peripherals.
Restart the scanner and observe whether it remains powered without the accessories connected. Reconnect accessories one at a time if operation is stable.
Expected outcome: The scanner remains powered with nonessential accessories removed. A specific accessory or cable can be isolated if shutdown returns after reconnection.
8. Check for Environmental Causes
Confirm that ventilation openings are unobstructed and that the device is not exposed to excessive heat, condensation, direct fluid spray, or rapid temperature change.
Allow equipment moved from a cold or humid location to reach the clinical environment before testing.
Expected outcome: The device operates in a suitable environment without overheating or moisture-related instability.
9. Perform a Controlled Restart
With the patient disconnected from the workflow, shut the scanner down normally. Disconnect external power, remove it from the charging dock, wait briefly, reconnect approved power, and restart.
Do not use unauthorized reset procedures or enter restricted service menus.
Expected outcome: The scanner completes startup and remains stable. If it repeatedly resets, freezes, or shuts down, remove it from service.
10. Complete Final Functional Verification
Confirm that the scanner:
- Powers on from the intended source
- Remains on without interruption
- Recognizes charging status
- Starts and completes a test scan using an approved test method
- Saves or displays results normally
- Shows no abnormal heat, odor, or warning condition
Expected outcome: Normal power and scanning functions are verified. The device may return to service only when operation is stable and all required checks pass.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes involving the outlet, power supply, cables, charging contacts, accessories, battery charge state, seating, and environment have been ruled out.
The remaining cause may involve the battery, internal power distribution, charging electronics, system software, dock electronics, or another service-level condition. Do not perform board-level troubleshooting or deep disassembly.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Verathon documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
After service, complete electrical safety testing when applicable, battery and charging verification, startup testing, scan acquisition, data handling checks, and all required return-to-service testing.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Provide another verified bladder scanner before removing an intermittently powering device from the patient-care area.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the BladderScan i10 shut down during use and would not remain powered on."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that the scanner was not fully seated in the cart dock because dried gel contaminated the charging contacts."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering cleaned the accessible contacts, reseated the scanner, verified charging, completed a test scan, and confirmed stable operation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the device was on battery, dock, or AC power
- Battery level at failure
- Outlet test result
- Power supply and cable condition
- Charging indicator behavior
- Dock contact condition
- Accessories connected
- Shutdown timing
- Any heat, odor, noise, or damage
- Test scan result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the patient first, verify the complete external power path, confirm charging and accessory conditions, and do not assume internal failure until simple causes are ruled out. Escalate unsafe or unstable equipment and document the complaint, verified cause, corrective action, and final testing clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.