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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots unresponsive controls, touchscreen problems, or missing alarm audio caused by contamination, power conditions, accessories, settings, or device-level faults.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Remove an Unreliable Control or Alarm System From Patient Dependence
Do not continue using a tourniquet system if controls cannot be trusted or required alarm audio cannot be heard. Provide another verified system before technical troubleshooting. Expected outcome: Patient care is not dependent on compromised controls or alarm annunciation.
2. Confirm Which Function Has Failed
Determine whether the touchscreen is completely unresponsive, only certain areas fail, physical controls do not respond, alarm audio is absent or distorted, or the problem is intermittent. Record any displayed messages. Expected outcome: The complaint is narrowed to a specific control or alarm function.
3. Verify Normal Power and Startup
Confirm the unit is receiving stable power and completes normal startup without freezing, rebooting, or displaying unrelated faults. Expected outcome: The device reaches its normal operating screen and remains powered.
4. Inspect the Touchscreen and Controls Externally
Look for liquid contamination, residue, cracks, impact damage, protective coverings interfering with touch response, or objects contacting controls. Clean only according to approved facility and manufacturer methods. Expected outcome: Control surfaces are clean, dry, and unobstructed. If cleaning restores normal input, complete verification and stop.
5. Verify Control Inputs Methodically
Test normal user-accessible buttons and touchscreen selections one at a time with the unit off the patient. Do not repeatedly activate pneumatic functions without an appropriate test setup. Expected outcome: Each intended control responds consistently.
6. Check Alarm Audio During an Approved Functional Test
Use an appropriate functional test or manufacturer-approved procedure to verify audible alarm output without creating a patient-care condition solely to trigger an alarm. Expected outcome: Alarm audio is present, clear, and consistent with normal system operation.
7. Check User-Accessible Audio or Display Settings
Verify that normal user-accessible settings have not been adjusted in a way that explains the complaint. Do not enter unauthorized service menus or alter restricted configuration. Expected outcome: The symptom is not caused by an ordinary accessible setting.
8. Power Cycle Only When Clinically Safe
With the unit removed from active patient use, perform a normal shutdown and restart if permitted. Observe whether control responsiveness returns and remains stable. Expected outcome: The unit restarts normally. A recurring failure after restart requires further evaluation.
9. Perform Full Functional Verification
Verify the repaired or recovered unit's controls, display, alarm audio, indicators, inflation and deflation controls, and other affected functions using an approved test setup. Expected outcome: All tested controls and alarm functions respond normally. Troubleshooting can stop if the condition does not recur.
10. Escalate Persistent Input or Alarm Failure
If a touchscreen area, control, or alarm speaker remains unreliable, do not attempt board-level, display-module, or internal speaker repair outside authorized service procedures. Expected outcome: The device is removed from service and sent for qualified evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
External contamination, obstructions, accessible settings, power conditions, and basic software recovery have been ruled out. Remaining causes may include touchscreen hardware, control electronics, alarm-audio circuitry, software, connectors, or another internal service-level fault.
Remove the unit from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for bench evaluation using appropriate Zimmer Biomet service documentation and approved test equipment. Internal repair or software/configuration work should be performed only by qualified personnel.
Before return to service, verify all user controls, displays, indicators, alarms, and tourniquet functions affected by the fault.
Clinical Use Tip
A tourniquet system with unreliable controls or inaudible alarms should be exchanged immediately rather than relied upon because the primary pneumatic function still appears to work.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported that several touchscreen selections on the A.T.S. 4000 did not respond consistently."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found dried residue on the touchscreen surface interfering with reliable touch input."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Cleaned the touchscreen using the approved method and verified consistent control response, alarm operation, and normal functional testing."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Failed control or touchscreen area
- Alarm audio behavior
- Intermittent or constant failure
- Visible contamination or damage
- Power and startup status
- Accessible settings observed
- Result after restart
- Controls tested
- Alarm test result
- Final device status
- Failed control or touchscreen area
- Alarm audio behavior
- Intermittent or constant failure
- Visible contamination or damage
- Power and startup status
- Accessible settings observed
- Result after restart
- Controls tested
- Alarm test result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Control and alarm reliability are essential safety functions. Rule out contamination, settings, and basic power conditions first, verify every affected function after correction, and remove the device from service if responsiveness remains questionable.
That is successful troubleshooting.