Smiths Medical BCI Advisor
Smiths Medical · Model BCI Advisor
• Basic parameters include 3-lead ECG, respiration, NIBP and SpO2 • Optional parameters of 5-lead ECG, invasive pressure/temperature and capnography • 10-inch color display
Key tips
- ·A no-signal/flatline alarm gets checked on the patient first, not the monitor - rule out a real clinical event before troubleshooting.
- ·Recalibrate NIBP against a reference manometer, not just a self-test pass.
- ·Reused patient cables (SpO2, ECG leads) are a common source of intermittent-fault complaints - swap the cable before the module.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
ECG lead-off / artifact
MediumSymptoms: Flat or noisy ECG, frequent lead-off alarms.
Root cause: Worn electrodes, loose leads, or dry gel.
SpO2 probe / sensor failure
MediumSymptoms: No pleth, SpO2 drops to --- or false low.
Root cause: LED/photodiode aging or cable damage.
Internal battery depletion
HighSymptoms: Short backup time, battery alarm on transport.
Root cause: Aged backup battery.
Display / touch panel fault
LowSymptoms: Dim, flickering, or unresponsive screen.
Root cause: Backlight or digitizer failure.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
SpO2 sensor (adult/ped/neo)
Class Frequent wear itemRel. cost $$R&R Easy
NIBP cuff & hose
Consumable per patient.
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $R&R Easy
Rechargeable backup battery
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Fairly easy
Display / touch assembly
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpO2 sensor (adult/ped/neo) | Frequent wear item | $$ | Easy |
| NIBP cuff & hose Consumable per patient. | Periodic replacement | $ | Easy |
| Rechargeable backup battery | Periodic replacement | $$ | Fairly easy |
| Display / touch assembly | Periodic replacement | $$$ | Difficult |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Routine cable and lead-wire inspection for fraying/wear
- ·Battery conditioning cycle
- ·NIBP calibration check against a reference manometer
- ·ECG / SpO2 accuracy verification against a patient simulator
- ·Annual electrical safety test
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: ECG lead-off / artifact
- Confirm the presentation - typically flat or noisy ECG, frequent lead-off alarms - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: worn electrodes, loose leads, or dry gel.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the eCG patient cable & lead set per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: SpO2 probe / sensor failure
- Confirm the presentation - typically no pleth, SpO2 drops to --- or false low - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: lED/photodiode aging or cable damage.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the spO2 sensor (adult/ped/neo) per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- ICU / CCU
- Emergency Department
- OR / PACU
- General med-surg floors
- Step-down units
- Telemetry units
Documents & Manuals
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
Due to a manufacturing defect, users may experience inaccurate pressure monitoring, an interruption in pressure monitoring, or an inability to zero the device due to either a leak within the TranStar Disposable Pressure Transducer or from a defect within the TranStar Disposable Pressure Transducer chip.
- RECALL
Some printing modes on the devices may not function properly (tabular data printing, real-time continuous printouts, and automatic interrupt print feature).
- RECALL
The Auxiliary Serial Input/ Output Modes on the Advisor do not function as expected, resulting in data formatting issues or incorrect data being transmitted in or out of the serial port into a data collection system.
- RECALL
Smiths Medical is conducting a voluntary recall of a limited number of medical device AC power cords, manufactured by Electri-Cord Manufacturing Co., for use with BCI 3180 Pulse Oximeter(Human), 9200 Advisor Vital Signs Monitor(Human or Veterinary), 8400 Capnocheck II Capnometer(Human or Veterinary) and V6400 Invasive Pressure Monitor (Veterinary). The affected Electri-Cord AC power cords are eq
- RECALL
Recent improvements were made to the Advisor case plastic resulting in the inserts being deeply embedded into the plastic. This affects the ability of the monitor to be adequately secured on the wall mount bracket or roll stand bracket, resulting in the monitor falling off. There have been no adverse events or injuries reported.
- RECALL
Turn off unexpectedly/ Not turn on : monitors turned off unexpectedly sounding the critical failure alarm. Advisor Vital Signs monitors that were off, would not turn back on.
- RECALL
Potential Safety related problem associated with the pace detect function on some Advisor monitors that have impedance respiration capabilities in that random pace markers may appear when the pace detect function is turned on and the primary lead is set to Lead II, III or any of the augmented leads, AVL, AVR or AVF on the Advisor monitor.
- RECALL
Altitude testing of the Advisor with Capnography module found the CO2 (End Tidal and Inspired) values are incorrect when the Advisor is configured to display in the relative units of percent (%) at elevations above 4,100 feet (at standard temperature pressure). The % CO values displayed will be lower than the actual CO2 value.
- RECALL
An issue with the pace detect function was discovered on a 9200 II monitor. Could result in a falsely high or low heart rate reading.
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