METI troubleshooting
From WickedSim
This is a quick overview of steps you can take to troubleshoot your METI setup. As of this moment, it's based on the ECS Adult, but feel free to make it universal if you have experience with other mannequins from METI.
Contents |
Hardware Startup Order
The acronym ABC used in emergency medicine as a memory device to remember priorities for critical patient care steps is the same acronym we use here. In this case, it stands for:
- Air Compressor
- Box
- Computer
In other words, make sure that air is coming into the mannequin unit first. Then, turn on the unit. Finally, turn on the computer attached to the unit. Give each step 30 seconds or so to complete before moving on to the next step and you should have very few connection issues.
Connection Issues
If your Mac laptop doesn't 'see' the mannequin on the network, you won't be able to connect to it. Normally, this connection is set up in the patient screen by clicking on connections and choosing the right mannequin, usually the only one listed. Each mannequin can accept one laptop control at a time, but they are otherwise interchangeable for the most part.
If nothing shows up in the connections window, click on the taskbar icon at the bottom of the screen for System Preferences. It will look like a light switch with the Apple logo next to it. Under System Preferences, click on Network in the third section from the top, titled Internet & Network.
In the location menu at the top of the screen, you should see HPS LAN selected. If you see Public LAN it's probably because you've plugged the computer into an ethernet port that leads you to the outside world. That causes the Apple to immediately switch you to that network and should never be done. If it does happen, choosing HPS LAN here again may fix the problem.
Make sure that Network Status is selected under the Show menu directly under Location. Under Built-in Ethernet, you should see 'Built-in Ethernet is currently active and has the IP address ...' If it says that you're not plugged in, you don't have an IP address, or some other flavor of error, then the link is down between your box and your computer and this is causing your problem. If the connection flicks back and forth between a connection and no connection, this is just as bad. If the connection stays connected for a while, but then disconnects momentarily, this is also the same problem. The connection must be consistently connected for several minutes at a time for this problem to be ruled out. At this point, you could call METI's technical support for help. However, there is more you can do if you feel technically comfortable.
This paragraph is technical in nature. If that statement makes you even slightly queasy, don't try this at home. When you have a connection problem, the issue can be in one of several places: your computer internals, your computer connection, your ethernet cable, the box connection, or inside the box. Generally, the best way to rule out any one problem is to isolate it with parts that are known good. A known good ethernet cable is one that you've tested on another computer with positive results (a stable connection). The same goes for the other parts. If you only own one mannequin, it may be hard to find a known good box or computer, but try your best. You can still attempt to troubleshoot without known good parts. For computer internals, check the Network under System Preferences. Is Configure IPv4 set to manual? Is there an IP address there? Are changes under lock, assuring you at least somewhat that you haven't accidentally changed something? Are you fairly sure you have not plugged the computer into an outside internet outlet? If you can answer all these positively, then the computer is probably alright. For your computer connection, inspect the port visually. Are any wires missing in the ethernet plug? Are any bent? Are any crossed and touching? If so, fix it if you feel comfortable. If not, call tech support. If this isn't the problem, we move on to the ethernet cable. It's fairly easy to find a known good ethernet cable. In the worst case, you can buy one at a local electronics store for about $10. Next, inspect the box's connection. Does it click? I should mention here that the box only need electricity to communicate with a computer. That said, bring it close to your laptop so you can inspect both at the same time and not have to walk all over your lab. If the connection appears good on the outside, it's time to open up the box. You are strongly advised not to do this if you feel uncomfortable. If you wish to go on, the box can be opened up by removing the screws along the outside of the top panel and pulling the panel off. Note the router attached to the top panel. Note the ethernet cables running to the ports where your ethernet cord is plugged in. Check to make sure the router is getting power. The status lights should be on or blinking. Try plugging the outside cable into a different port and then routing that port to the appropriate plug on the router so that the connection is essentially unchanged. If this solves your connection problem, relabel that new part and use it from now on. Once you run out of ports, call METI for a new box, or at least ask for their blessing to cut another hole in their box to put your own cable all the way to their router. Putting holes in your product will void the warranty and should be avoided. Has none of this worked for you? If so, then it is probably an issue with the box itself. Inspect its insides in a general way, noting anything that might have caused it to no longer work. Coffee stains, holes, and unplugged cables are all bad. When all else fails call up METI and give the tech support personnel your report. They're very helpful people, and if you tell them what you've done to rule out certain problems they'll be happy to help you and will come to a solution faster.
Control Issues
Slightly different from connection issues, this is when you can connect to your mannequin, but cannot control it. The mannequin's vital signs may become wacky. This could even be dangerous for your equipment, as the lungs can begin inflating well past rated limits up to 40 liters before the program stops and resets. If you're experiencing any problem like this, it's probably an issue with the umbilical cord. You should remove both ends of it from mannequin and box and then reattach them, making sure to tighten them until you cannot see the red line on the threads. If this doesn't solve the issue, you may have bad hardware and will want to call METI tech support.
Electric Overdose
If you use real electricity to defibrillate your mannequin, you run the risk of shocking him inappropriately. Whether you use sticky pads, paddles, or snaps, make sure that they are placed correctly by you and your students. If a pad is touching another metal part on the mannequin such as another electric port, the internal load cell of the mannequin could get fried. Even if the pad is not touching metal, it could arc to this other port, or just arc over the mannequin's body causing burns and possibly electrocuting your students. Using electricity on the mannequin is safe when it is done appropriately, but you must be careful using it, as in a real life scenario. This load cell is a black rectangular box inside the mannequin's torso. You cannot fix it, you need to order another one from METI. They're expensive and difficult to replace.
Lung Problems: ECS
The ECS mannequin has a bag lung rather than a mechanical lung. Problems can develop if the lung pops. To check for this, remove the lung and fill it with air. If you spot a leak, replace the lung or try to seal the leak. The connectors to the lung can also tear. If this is a problem, carefully try to seal this tear with super glue. Be careful not to glue the lung shut or glue it to the connector tube inside the mannequin. If this happens, you need to replace the lung. The connector tube can also leak. If this happens, you can tape it heavily to seal the leak, but you will lose mobility in the connector so make sure you are happy with its position. If somebody has a better solution, feel free to put it here. The airway can also leak in the valve, which is located deep inside the mannequin's body. If the lungs are over-pressurized, this valve can crack. It can also crack spontaneously or if the mannequin experiences some kind of trauma (like a fall). If this valve has even a hairline crack, or if the valve mechanism inside is damaged, your lung will no longer function. If you've eliminated all other sources of lung malfunction, this is probably the cause. Removing these mechanisms is a pain, but they can be replaced on your end, rather than sending it to METI.
Eyelid
The mannequin's eyelid can often become stuck as the face is moved around and the skin deforms. When this happens, cutting away a small portion of the eyelid and surrounding face so that the piece moves freely seems to be the best way to fix this.
Pulse
If the mannequin loses a pulse point, check the tubing inside the mannequin to make sure that it is connected and hasn't popped off. Check his other pulses. Check the tubing itself, following it through the body, to make sure that you haven't pinched it or sprung a leak.
Note that if you want to enable a brachial pulse for measuring blood pressure, the associated radial pulse will become enabled as well regardless of how you set it in the software. This is not a bug, it's a feature.
Other
If you have any other problems or solutions you've come across, feel free to post them here. Even a problem with no solution is good as it draws attention to it and somebody else may come along and post the solution. Alternatively, you can use this page's discussion feature to ask for help with problems, but all solutions should be posted here to help others.
Finally, if you experience a problem for which you have no solution available, you can always call METI. Do as much troubleshooting on your own as you can without exacerbating the problem. This will make the process easier for everyone. Remember that the people who work tech support are folks just like you. They aren't magical beings, they can't see what you see, they can't read your mind, and they too feel crappy after a long day/week/month/year/life so they might not be able to figure out a solution to your problem in the first 30 seconds of a call especially when you've just spent half a day troubleshooting it and they have to digest all your findings before deciding where to go next. Also, they have no affect on your hold time and being upset with them over that won't expedite your technical recovery. Good luck troubleshooting!
