Arjo Flowtron Excel

Preventive Maintenance Procedure

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Asset Type

Sequential Compression Device (SCD)

Manufacturer

Arjo

Model

Flowtron Excel

Manual Reference

Arjo Flowtron Excel Instructions for Use, Document 247933ML_10 (12/2020), and configuration-specific Service Manual SER0019.

Manufacturer Recommendation / AEM Status

Arjo recommends that the Flowtron Excel pump be serviced every 12 months by an Arjo-authorized service agent. The pump is designed to be maintenance-free between service periods, while routine care includes inspection of electrical connections, the power cable, tubeset, and connectors. Return any pump that has been immersed, dropped, or otherwise abnormally treated to an authorized service center.

The Instructions for Use supplies the operational and calibration checks used here; internal annual service and repair remain governed by Service Manual SER0019 and authorized training. Apply stricter regulatory or facility requirements when applicable. Any alternative interval belongs under the facility's approved AEM program.

What This PM Procedure Covers

Required Tools and Equipment

Step-by-Step PM Procedure

1. Verify Identity and Configuration

Action: Record asset tag, serial number from the rear label, manufacturer, model, line voltage/frequency, department, tubeset length/type, and included accessories. Confirm the unit is the Flowtron Excel/ACS550 covered by the current instructions.

Expected outcome: The pump matches CMMS and the correct manual, power configuration, and accessories are identified.

2. Review History and Maintain Therapy Coverage

Action: Provide a suitable replacement pump before removing an in-use unit. Review alarms, pressure complaints, intermittent operation, drops, liquid exposure, previous calibration/service, repairs, electrical-safety results, and open corrective actions.

Expected outcome: Therapy coverage remains available and abnormal treatment or unresolved faults are identified.

3. Decontaminate Before Inspection

Action: Disconnect mains power. Wear required PPE and clean visible contamination using the OEM-compatible process before handling. Do not reuse or clean single-patient garments.

Expected outcome: The pump and reusable tubeset are safe to inspect, and single-patient garments are excluded from reuse.

4. Inspect the Pump Exterior and Mounting

Action: Inspect the housing, carry handle, bed bracket/mount, feet, seams, pressure-control knob, pressure display, power switch, single-leg button/indicator, garment outlets, labels, and fasteners. Check for cracks, looseness, deformation, contamination, missing parts, or evidence of impact/liquid intrusion. Do not open the case unless authorized under SER0019.

Expected outcome: The enclosure, mounting, controls, display, labels, and connectors are secure and undamaged with no evidence requiring authorized-center evaluation.

5. Inspect Power Connections, Cable, Tubeset, and Connectors

Action: Inspect every electrical connection and the full power cable/plug for excessive wear, cuts, exposed conductors, bent pins, strain-relief damage, scorching, or insecure attachment. Inspect the tubeset and snap-lock connectors for cracks, kinks, obstruction, leakage, deformation, or insecure engagement.

Expected outcome: Power components and pneumatic connections are intact, secure, unobstructed, and free of excessive wear.

6. Verify Safety Classification and Ratings

Action: Confirm the rating label is legible and compatible with the available supply. Verify the pump is identified as Class II, double insulated with functional earth; Type BF; IPX0; continuous operation; and 35 VA maximum.

Expected outcome: Safety classification and supply ratings are legible and appropriate, with no incorrect assumption that the functional earth is a protective earth.

7. Set Up the Functional Test

Action: Connect known-good approved garments or authorized test accessories to both outlets. Route the tubing and power cable without trip, strangulation, entrapment, or moving-bed hazards. Set the pressure-control pointer to the middle of the 40 mmHg arc before power-up.

Expected outcome: The test setup is secure, unobstructed, and ready at the recommended 40 mmHg setting.

8. Verify Power-On Self-Test

Action: Connect to mains and switch ON. Confirm the switch illuminates green and the pump completes its approximately two-second self-test of the pressure display, LEDs, and audible alarm before entering inflation.

Expected outcome: Power indication, display segments, LEDs, alarm sound, and automatic transition to inflation pass.

9. Verify Dual-Leg Inflation Sequence and Cycle Timing

Action: With two garments connected, observe alternating operation. Time a garment through a complete cycle: approximately 12 seconds inflation followed by approximately 48 seconds deflation, for approximately 60 seconds total. Confirm the second garment begins its sequence in the alternating pattern described by the manual.

Expected outcome: Both outlets alternate normally and the observed inflation/deflation cycle is consistent with 12/48 seconds and 60 seconds total.

10. Verify Single-Leg Mode

Action: Connect one approved garment to either self-sealing outlet and press SINGLE LEG. Confirm a beep sounds, the yellow single-leg indicator illuminates, the connected garment cycles, and an unused-outlet fault is not generated. Return to dual-leg configuration afterward.

Expected outcome: Single-leg selection, audible confirmation, indicator, self-sealing outlet, and therapy cycle operate correctly.

11. Verify Pressure Output and Calibration Alignment

Action: During active inflation, confirm the display reaches the desired output. At a displayed 40 mmHg, verify the pressure-control pointer lies within the marked 40 mmHg arc. The recommended setting is 40 mmHg unless another pressure is prescribed. Confirm the control adjusts across the specified 30-60 mmHg range without erratic display behavior. If the display reads 40 while the pointer is outside the 40 mmHg arc, stop and refer the pump for recalibration.

Expected outcome: Displayed pressure responds normally, the 40 mmHg control/display alignment passes, and the usable range is consistent with the 30-60 mmHg specification.

12. Verify Audible/Visual Alarm and Recovery

Action: Using a controlled, nonpatient setup, create a reversible pneumatic fault permitted by the current service procedure, such as disconnecting a garment hose or obstructing a tube. Confirm a fault message flashes and, when the same fault persists for 10 successive inflations, the audible alarm sounds and the message remains. Correct the fault, reset by power cycling or allow a normal inflation, then monitor the display for approximately one minute.

Expected outcome: Visual and audible fault indication operate as specified, the alarm clears after correction/normal inflation, and no flashing message returns during the one-minute observation.

13. Verify Failure Indications and Escalation

Action: Confirm there is no pump-failure indication, no loss of all display/operation with known-good mains, and no rapidly flashing yellow top-panel LED (approximately four times per second). Do not intentionally create an internal fault.

Expected outcome: No internal electronic or pump failure is present. Any such indication causes immediate removal from service and referral to an authorized service engineer.

14. Complete Cleaning and Decontamination

Action: Disconnect mains. Wipe exposed surfaces with neutral detergent and water, preventing pooling. When disinfection is required, follow the manual and facility policy: a chlorine-releasing agent at 1,000 ppm available chlorine (policy may require 250-10,000 ppm) or 70% alcohol may be used. Rinse/wipe as directed and dry thoroughly. Do not use phenolic or abrasive products, spray directly onto the pump, immerse electrical parts, or immerse the tubeset.

Expected outcome: Reusable components are clean, disinfected as required, dry, and free of chemical or liquid damage.

15. Perform Electrical Safety and Final Restoration

Action: Qualified personnel shall perform the electrical-safety tests required by the current SER0019 procedure and facility policy for a Class II, Type BF device. Do not apply a protective-earth resistance criterion intended for Class I equipment; the label identifies double insulation with functional earth. Record analyzer, standard, test mode, and measured leakage results. Reassemble the approved tubeset/accessories, set 40 mmHg, run a final startup/cycle check, document the seven-year expected-service-life review, and return only a fully passing unit.

Expected outcome: Applicable electrical-safety results pass the governing limits, original accessories are restored, final operation is normal, and the pump is returned to service or clearly removed from service.

Electrical Safety Testing

The Flowtron Excel is mains powered but classified Class II, double insulated with functional earth, Type BF. Perform leakage/applied-part testing only under the current Arjo service procedure and the facility's adopted electrical-safety standard. The public Instructions for Use does not publish numeric routine leakage acceptance limits, so this procedure does not invent them. Do not record a Class I protective-earth resistance test as applicable solely because the pump has a functional-earth connection.

Pass / Fail Criteria

Pass

Remove From Service

Copy/Paste CMMS Work Order Procedure

Follow the current Arjo instructions and Service Manual SER0019 for the exact pump configuration. Internal service, recalibration, and repair require authorized training and are not replaced by this field guide.

Sources

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