Page 33 - Abbott

Locating Sensor Signal

This section outlines procedures to help locate the sensor signal.
A. Optimize Signal Strength
Follow this procedure if the signal strength is not optimal (<70% or not green). Use fluoroscopy to improve the position of the
antenna relative to the implanted sensor.
1. Align the center of the antenna with the sensor and adjust the antenna to maximize the signal strength.
If the signal strength is optimal (>70%), return to the section Acquire Sensor Signal and resume where you left off. If not, go to
step 2 below.
NOTE: The system reads the PA pressure by sending out RF signals to the sensor and then detecting a return signal from the
sensor. These RF signals can reflect from the building structure and can cause the system to detect a strong signal level that is
not the true sensor signal. These technically suspect readings do not have a pulse like the pulmonary artery pressure. The
software aids the user in identifying whether or not a signal is pulsatile. If the system detects that the signal is pulsatile, the
Signal Strength bar will turn green. If the system determines that the signal is not pulsatile, the Signal Strength bar will turn
blue. It is possible that the system could identify an actual signal with extremely low pulse amplitude as non-pulsatile, so user-
discretion is advised when using the colored pulsatility indication.

Figure 54. Pulsatile signal strength.

Figure 55. Non-pulsatile signal strength.

2. Adjust the pressure search scrollbar on the left side of the acquisition screen signal tuner up or down in small increments. Try
to match the Search pressure value displayed next to the scrollbar to the mean pulmonary artery catheter pressure value.
If the signal strength is optimal (>70%), return to the section Acquire Sensor Signal and resume where you left off. If the signal
is not acquired after changes in the scrollbar position, return the slider bar to the original starting position and go to step 3
below.
3. Shift the antenna position.
If the signal strength is optimal (>70%), return to the section Acquire Sensor Signal and resume where you left off. If not, go to
step 4 below.
4. If the sensor orientation is fully lateral, lift the outer edge of the antenna into a partially tilted or lateral orientation from the side
of the rib cage to detect the sensor.

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