Troubleshooting Your Mallard 2800 System for Leaks

If you're dealing with a ventilator system leak, it can be frustrating and time-consuming to pinpoint the source of the problem. However, with the right steps, you can quickly and easily troubleshoot your system and find the leak. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process step-by-step, so you can isolate the leak and take the necessary actions to fix it. By following these simple steps, you'll be able to check the bellows, absorber section, and vaporizer circuit, and determine where the leak is coming from. So let's get started and troubleshoot your ventilator system like a pro!

Step 1: Isolate the Bellows

The first thing you need to do is determine if you have a leak. To do this, fill up the bellows most of the way and then take the hose/black coupler off the absorber elbow. Quickly place your hand over the bellows. If the bellows stop dropping, it means there's no leak in the bellows or hose, and you can conclude that the leak is somewhere else in the system. If you determined that there's no leak in the bellows, the next step is to check the absorber section.

Step 2: Check the Absorber Section and Breathing Circuit

First make sure the flow control on the cart is turned down to zero. Next connect the breathing circuit hoses to the absorber inspiratory and expiratory pipes. Then use the black 2” rubber plug provided to close off the system by putting one plug into the absorber elbow using a push and twist motion. Then take the other plug and plug it into the end of the breathing circuit “Y” using the same push and twist motion. Now the system should be closed. Next slowly turn the flow control up to 60 cmH2O, observing it on the gauge located on top of the Absorber. Once it reaches 60 cmH20, quickly turn the flow control back down to zero while observing the needle drop rate on the gauge. The needle won’t drop too quickly if you have a good seal. Watch the gauge on the absorber Lid go from 60 down to 50 cmH20. Ideally it should last longer but 10 seconds, which is the acceptable minimum. If you determine that there are no leaks in the absorber section either, then the last area to check is the vaporizer circuit.

Step 3: Isolate Vaporizer from the Ventilator

If the two above sections pass leak testing checks, then there is one more thing you can check. On the vaporizer there is an Inlet and outlet connection. Please take these two connections off the vaporizer, twist off, leaving the elbows on the hoses, then connect these two elbows together, with a push and twist action. Then check for leaks again in the system.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting your system for leaks doesn't have to be a difficult task. By following the above simple steps, you'll be able to isolate where the problem is and then be able to take the appropriate actions to fix the problem. 1.) Check the bellows, 2.) Check the absorber section, (the absorber section and breathing circuit together) and lastly if needed, check the vaporizer circuit. With this guide, you'll be able to find the leak and then take the needed steps.