Dealing with issues in medical equipment can be stressful, with both cost and downtime adding up quickly. While sending your Cardioline unit to a Biomedical Engineer for repair is sometimes unavoidable, what if you could troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue yourself, right where you are?
This guide is designed to equip you with insider knowledge on addressing unexpected issues with your Cardioline ECG (100S/L/+ and 200S/L/+ series) and offers helpful tips along the way!
What we will cover
- Paper
- Power
- Battery
- Printer
- Patient cable
- Keyboard/touchscreen
- Motherboard
Feel free to jump ahead to a section you think will help you. Otherwise, use this as a step-by-step process to diagnose and resolve your issue.
PAPER
If you are having problems with paper sliding.
Is the right paper being used?
First, it's essential to note that only Cardioline-branded paper is compatible with your Cardioline unit. Take a quick look to confirm that the paper in your unit has the Cardioline logo printed at the bottom.
Cardioline units detect authentic paper through an 'advancement sign'—a small black rectangle located in the top left corner.
If the paper in your unit is not Cardioline-branded, you'll need to obtain the correct paper before continuing. Depending on your model, you can purchase the necessary paper using the following links:
Is the paper loaded correctly?
After verifying that you’re using Cardioline paper, follow these steps to ensure proper paper loading.
Here’s a revised version with clearer instructions:
Step 1:
Start by removing the outer plastic packaging from your new stack of Cardioline paper.
Step 2:
Open the printer compartment by lifting the panel to access the printer’s interior.
Step 3:
Place the Cardioline paper in the printer drawer with the orange grid side facing up and the paper advancement sign (small black rectangle) positioned at the top left for recognition by the black mark sensor.
Note for models 100L and 200L:
If your unit uses roll paper, that’s perfectly fine. Insert the roll so the orange grid side faces up, the black mark is in the left corner, and the paper extends out to the left.
Step 4:
Pull the paper from left to right so that it rests over the screen with the white side of the paper facing up.
Step 5:
Close the panel, making sure the paper can exit on the right side. You’ll hear a click when the panel is securely closed.
POWER
If you are having problems with your device shutting down unexpectedly
Will your device turn on?
First, connect your device to mains power and switch it on. If it powers up, let the battery fully charge—this will be indicated when the thunderbolt icon disappears.
Charging can take over 7 hours from a low battery level. Once fully charged, the ECG can be used in battery mode (without mains power).
Tip: To ensure your ECG is always ready, keep it plugged into mains power when not in use, so it's fully charged for your next session.
If, after a full charge, the device provides less than 20 minutes of continuous use or if the battery indicator drops quickly, the battery may need replacement. (Refer to the following section for battery replacement details.)
BATTERY
If your device is failing to turn on completely
If you're certain your device is correctly connected to mains power but it still won’t switch on, or it fails to provide at least 20 minutes of continuous operation, there may be a deeper issue with the battery.
At this point, you've done all you can, and it may be necessary to send your device to us for repair. Once we identify the issue, we’ll replace the battery with a brand-new one and return the unit fully functional. Additionally, we’ll ensure that your device meets Australian electrical safety standards.
If your device is shutting down during the printout phase
Another issue you might encounter is your device shutting down during the printout phase, which also indicates a battery problem that requires replacement.
If you need to return your unit to us, please start by completing a product return form. We’ll then contact you to discuss the next steps. PRINTER
If you are having trouble printing in Auto or Manual modes
Can your device print the Auto strip?
First, check your unit’s Auto mode by pressing the AUTO key. If the device doesn’t allow you to print the auto strip, it’s likely due to a broken patient cable, preventing the device from registering the 10-second strip. At this point, you may need to purchase a new set of patient cables, which can be found here.
If your printouts are printing faintly
If your printouts are becoming faint, first ensure the battery is fully charged, which may require over 4 hours of charging. To prevent this issue in the future, always plug in your device after each use so it’s fully charged and ready for the next time you need it on battery mode.
If you are receiving other printing errors.
Other printing errors you may encounter include a printer initialization error, printer timeout error, or an unknown printer driver error. If any of these occur, try a classic IT solution: turn off the cardiograph and restart it. This simple step could resolve the issue.
Have you cleaned the thermal head recently?
If you’re experiencing any intermittent or abnormal printing, there’s one more step you can take before sending your unit in for repair. Follow these steps to clean the thermal head of your printer:
- Open the printer cover.
- Gently clean the thermal head with a cloth soaked in alcohol.
- Wipe the area with a clean cloth to remove any alcohol residue.
- Allow the thermal head to air-dry.
- Clean the plate using adhesive tape: apply the tape and lift it off, then rotate the roll and repeat until the entire roll is clean.
- Finally, clean the sensor photocell.
Following these steps may help resolve your printing issues.
PATIENT CABLE
If you are having trouble with obtaining a good ECG trace
Are the alligator clips attached securely?
First, ensure that the alligator clips are securely attached and try again. If you’re still unable to obtain a good signal, consider using different electrodes, such as banana electrodes, which are generally more reliable for capturing patient traces.
Is the patient connection secure?
If neither of these suggestions resolves the issue, check the patient connection on the device. Sometimes, the screws on the connection may become loose or even come off. Tighten these screws to ensure a secure connection when plugging in the patient cables.
KEYPAD/TOUCHSCREEN
If you are having trouble working the touchscreen or control panel
Is there any physical damage?
If your machine is not functioning due to physical damage, you may need to consider replacing it with a new unit. If the issue lies with the touchscreen as a result of physical damage, we can replace it; however, this repair will not be covered under warranty.
If you discover that the buttons on your keyboard are not functioning, you've unfortunately reached a dead end. At this point, you’ll need to send your unit in for repair. We will replace a part on the board, and your unit should be restored to full functionality.
To initiate the repair process, please start by filling out a product return form.
MOTHERBOARD
If your device is causing any other issue.
If you've followed all the suggestions in this guide and your device is still causing issues, the underlying problem may lie with the motherboard. This is a worst-case scenario, and you will need to arrange for a repair.
At this stage, it's also important to consider the age of your device. If it is over 7 years old, it may be time to invest in a new unit.
Can I receive any other support?
Absolutely! We’re here to assist you. If, after reading this guide, you find yourself at a dead end and would like to speak to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly to discuss your issue.