LE 5002 Non Invasive Blood Pressure Meter
USER MANUAL
29
To check the tail cuff, insert a solid element (i.e., a pencil) into it as a substitute for the
animal’s tail and repeat the procedure described above. You can thus check for possible
leaks in the membrane/cuff set.
12.2.
SIMULATING SYSTOLIC PRESSURE
A fast way to manually check if the unit is detecting maximum pressure is to suppress
the pulses supplied by the tail transducer using GAIN.
If no results are being obtained when taking measurements on an animal because
pressure is above 300 mmHg, check whether it is due to non-occlusion of the
blood flow (problems with vasodilatation or the cuff) by manually zeroing the GAIN
control during a measurement and while pressure is increasing. This simulates a
collapse, and the pressure should start to fall. The unit will return a fictitious systolic
pressure reading, but the “manual” interruption of pulse will have served to check that it
is working properly.
Another way of checking without using an animal is to manually press the transducer
until the READY level is achieved and then press START. Wait until the pressure
increases to a given value and then interrupt the vibrations (pulses) and check that the
pressure falls again.
12.3.
TROUBLESHOOTING
SYMPTOM
SOLUTION
The pulse transducer gives off signals
(sometimes erratic, regular) without the
animal connected (the BEAT light flashes
erratically).
The transducer is damaged. It must be
replaced.
The sign signal cannot be adjusted and the
“Insufficient Pulse Level” signal stays on
all the time.
Check that the transducer is properly fitted
to the tail of the animal.
The pulse signal (given by the animal) is
insufficient; increase the level of
vasodilatation.
Pressure increases to the maximum
(330mmHg ) but systolic pressure is not
detected.
Collapse did not take place because the
animal is nervous. Check vasodilatation.
Pressure does not increase (the air pump
definitely works).
There is a filtration or leak somewhere in
the pneumatic circuit. Try to check the
circuit by sections. If the filtration or leak
is in the expansion of the cylinder, replace
the whole pump.
The CUFF membrane is perforated.
Pressure does not increase; the air pump
does not work.
The whole cylinder must be replaced.
