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What This Guide Helps With
Addresses scan initiation, interrupted acquisition, probe connection, positioning, gel, controls, battery, patient selection, and environmental causes.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Continue Care
Do not delay necessary assessment while troubleshooting. Use another verified bladder scanner or the approved clinical alternative if the scan is clinically time-sensitive.
Do not continue using equipment that repeatedly stops, produces unreliable acquisitions, or has visible probe or cable damage.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues safely while the scanner is evaluated away from active dependence.
2. Confirm the Exact Scan Failure
Determine whether:
- The scan control does nothing
- Acquisition begins but stops
- The image appears but no result is calculated
- The problem occurs with one operator or all operators
- The failure occurs with one patient, body type, or position
- A message appears before or during acquisition
Repeat the sequence using the normal clinical workflow without changing restricted settings.
Expected outcome: The failure point is clearly identified. If the scan completes normally, perform repeat verification before returning the device to service.
3. Verify Device Power and Battery Condition
Confirm that the scanner is fully powered, not in a low-power state, and has adequate battery charge. Connect approved power or place the device in its charging system if the battery is low.
Observe for dimming, restarting, or shutdown when acquisition begins.
Expected outcome: Stable power is available throughout the scan. If charging resolves the interruption, complete final verification.
4. Verify the Correct Patient and Exam Workflow
Confirm that the required patient, operator, exam, or mode selections have been completed and that no mandatory field is preventing scan initiation.
Do not alter protected configuration or access-control settings without authorization.
Expected outcome: The device is at the normal scan-ready screen with all required workflow entries completed.
5. Inspect the Probe and External Cable Path
Inspect the probe, cable, connector, strain relief, and accessible connection points for cuts, kinks, contamination, looseness, bent contacts, or impact damage.
Reseat any accessible connector using the approved method. Do not twist or force connectors.
Expected outcome: The probe path is intact and securely connected. If reseating restores scanning, continue to final testing.
6. Check the Probe Scan Button
Press the probe scan button deliberately and observe whether the device acknowledges the command. Compare operation with any alternate approved scan control available on the system.
If one control starts scanning and the probe button does not, isolate the issue to the button, cable, or probe assembly.
Expected outcome: The scan command is recognized. If the alternate control works reliably, remove the affected probe or control from service as appropriate.
7. Verify Probe Preparation and Gel Application
Confirm that the probe surface is clean, undamaged, and prepared according to the approved clinical process. Apply an appropriate amount of approved ultrasound gel and eliminate large air gaps.
Remove dried gel or residue that may interfere with acoustic coupling.
Expected outcome: The probe has consistent contact and a usable acoustic path. If acquisition completes after proper preparation, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
8. Check Patient and Probe Positioning
Confirm that the patient is positioned appropriately and that the probe is centered and oriented correctly over the expected bladder location.
Avoid excessive probe movement during acquisition. Consider whether dressings, anatomy, recent surgery, catheters, body habitus, or patient movement may affect acquisition.
Expected outcome: The probe remains stable and the device receives a consistent signal through the complete scan.
9. Remove External Interference
Move the device away from equipment producing strong vibration or electromagnetic interference. Ensure that the cart is stable and that the probe cable is not being pulled during scanning.
Disconnect nonessential peripherals temporarily and repeat the scan.
Expected outcome: Acquisition completes without environmental or accessory-related interruption.
10. Compare With a Known-Good Probe When Authorized
If the probe is detachable and an approved compatible probe is available, connect a known-good probe and repeat the scan using an approved test method.
Do not interchange incompatible probes or accessories.
Expected outcome: A successful scan with the known-good probe isolates the original probe or cable. If both probes fail, the scanner requires further evaluation.
11. Perform Final Functional Verification
Complete several test acquisitions using an approved phantom, verifier, or facility test method. Confirm that each scan starts, progresses, completes, displays a result, and can be saved as expected.
Expected outcome: Repeated acquisitions complete without interruption. The device can return to service when scan reliability is verified.
If the Problem Persists
External causes involving power, battery state, workflow entries, probe connection, scan controls, gel, positioning, patient movement, peripherals, and environment have been ruled out.
The remaining cause may involve the probe assembly, scan-button circuit, ultrasound acquisition system, software, configuration, or another internal service-level condition. Do not perform deep disassembly or unauthorized calibration.
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
Return-to-service testing should include repeated scan initiation and completion, probe operation, result display, record handling, and any required safety or performance verification.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not rely on a scanner that intermittently stops acquisition; repeat the assessment with another verified device.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that scans began normally but stopped before a bladder volume result was displayed."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that the probe connector was partially unseated and lost communication when the cable moved."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the probe connector, secured the cable routing, completed repeated test scans, and verified normal acquisition."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Point at which acquisition stopped
- Exact displayed message
- Battery and charging status
- Probe and cable condition
- Scan control used
- Gel condition
- Patient or test positioning
- Peripherals connected
- Known-good probe result
- Number of successful repeat scans
- Final device status
Final Thought
Begin with patient continuity, then verify power, workflow, probe connection, acoustic coupling, positioning, controls, and environmental conditions. Confirm repeated successful acquisitions before return to service and escalate any unreliable scanner with complete CCR documentation.
That is successful troubleshooting.