How can more than one channel on the IDA 4 Plus be used when the IDA 4 Plus is used as a stand-alone instrument without Hydrograph?
Start the first channel.
Select STATUS to return to the "Status All Channels" screen.
Select the next channel you want to start.
Follow the same start procedure for each channel.
I don't have a serial port on my PC, what can I use to communicate with the IDA 4 Plus?
There are a number of USB-to-Serial adapters that can be connected to the IDA 4 Plus for communication. We recommend the Digi Edgeport/1 (DB-9) adapter for use with the IDA 4 Plus.
I'm having difficulty priming the IDA 4 Plus. What do you suggest?
The syringe must be filled with water, not saline or any other liquid. Inspect the water in the syringe, purge out any air before priming.
Add a single drop (per 100 mL) of dishwashing detergent (Dawn works well) to your water. The detergent is not used as a cleanser, it is used to make the water "slippery", this helps prevent drops that cling to the IDA 4 Plus internal measuring tube.
When priming, infuse steadily and slowly. This won't slow you down, priming only takes a moment.
The Air Bubble Detected error keeps showing up and when this happens the test has to be repeated. What can be done to clear the bubble?
It is very important to clear all air bubbles from the infusion set tubing and the priming syringe and stop-cocks before any testing begins. Sometimes, even when this has been done, an air bubble will form inside the measurement system of the IDA4. This bubble may not affect anything until the internal burette empties and the bubble is sensed by the optical sensors, causing the error described. Such bubbles must be cleared in order to continue.
To clear internal bubbles, disconnect the infusion set tubing, stop-cock, and priming syringe from the IDA4 PLUS channel fitting. Fill a syringe with water which has been treated as prescribed in the IDA4 Operators manual, and flush the IDA4 PLUS measurement channel via the affected channel's input fitting. This may need to be repeated to clear pesky bubbles. Reconnect the infusion set tubing, stop-cock, and priming syringe being careful not to introduce a new bubble in the process. Repeat the measurement.
When I use my medTester 5000C with the Wedge, the medTester won't communicate with the IDA 4 Plus, but when I connect the IDA 4 Plus RS232 cable directly to the medTester everything works fine
In order to use the Wedge Adapter, a specific cable must be used to allow the medTester to communicate with the IDA 4 Plus. This cable can be ordered from Fluke Biomedical, part number 2201042.
Why can't I get the Hydrograph for Windows software to work on my computer?
To run Hydrograph for Windows on Windows 98/2000/XT, Hydrograph for Windows Version 2.05 is required.
Why do I see an air-lock and/or air-bubble error when running the flow-rate test?
It is very important that no air is present in the pump, bag, syringe or tubing.
Add a single drop (per 100 mL) of dishwashing detergent (Dawn works well) to your water. The detergent is not used as a cleanser, it is used to make the water "slippery". This helps prevent drops that cling to the IDA 4 Plus internal measuring tube.
Use only water. Use of saline or any liquid other than water is not recommended. Use of a liquid other than water can dirty the IDA 4 Plus internal glassware, resulting in poor priming, error messages, or loss of accuracy.
Why does my IDA 4 Plus fail to communicate with my computer?
The RS232 ports (Serial Port) on your computer and IDA 4 Plus must be configured the same way. Hydrograph for Windows assumes the IDA 4 Plus RS232 port to be set to its default: 19,200 baud.
Verify that your IDA 4 Plus RS232 port is set to 19,200 baud. RS232 settings be viewed in the Utilities menu.
If using Hydrograph for Windows, verify that Hydrograph has configured your RS232 port to 19,200 baud. In Hydrograph, RS232 port settings can be viewed and changed, by clicking "Control" on the menu bar, then by selecting the "Com Port Settings" option.
If your computer has more than one RS232 port, follow the directions shown above to verify that you have selected the RS232 port used to connect your IDA 4 Plus to your PC.
Verify that the correct serial cable (P/N 2392046) is being used.
Why does my infusion pump give me an occlusion alarm when testing at high-flow rates?
The IDA 4 Plus computes flow rate by measuring the time it takes to fill a glass tube of known volume. The IDA 4 Plus senses when the measuring tube is filled, then drains the measuring tube, and the cycle begins again. While the measuring tube is being drained, the IDA 4 Plus occludes its inlet. This is the clicking sound the IDA 4 Plus makes.
The measuring tube used by the IDA 4 Plus is about 1 mL. When testing flow at high flow rates, (over 800 mL/hr, for example), the measuring tube fills very quickly, and must be drained more frequently. Your infusion pump may be sensing the brief (but more frequent) occlusion of the IDA 4 Plus inlet.
Suggestions:
- Increase the length of tubing connecting your infusion pump and the IDA 4 Plus inlet. This may act to "cushion" the effect of the occlusion of the IDA 4 Plus inlet.
- Check that your tubing has no kinks or sharp bends, and that the tubing interior diameter is at least 1/8".
- Check that the drain receptacle is placed lower than the IDA 4 Plus.
- If the above steps fail, try testing a different (same model) infusion pump. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to test at a lower flow rate.
Why doesn't my IDA 4 Plus seem to be communicating with the Hydrograph for Windows, version 2.05?
Your IDA 4 Plus requires Firmware Version 2.10 to work properly with Hydrograph for Windows, Version 2.05. The required firmware was included with Hydrograph for Windows, Version 2.05, along with installation instructions.
Hydrograph for Windows attempts to connect with your IDA 4 Plus when it is launched. Your IDA 4 Plus should be turned on and connected to your computer before Hydrograph is started.
If Hydrograph failed to connect for this reason, you can force Hydrograph to connect with your IDA 4 Plus by clicking the "Control" option on the menu bar, then scrolling down to, and clicking on "Connect".
