Anyone experience this and have a solution?
EKG will randomly cut out during scans. Replaced UPMM 3 times. Same issue. It will cut out mid scan won't come back up either afterwords. Reboot doesn't bring it up either. Have to do full UPMM reset procedure to get it back. Also tried new leads and trunk cables.
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Good afternoon, I am no MI expert, but I am an expert on the Definition series CT systems so here’s my best shot at your issue.
I am familiar with the PMM as it’s called on the CT system and some of the “odd” problems it can cause. You mentioned that the UPMM has been replaced x3, I am assuming that means the PCB interface located at the foot end of the PHS. You also mentioned replacing the leads and “trunk cable” all with no change.
Question #1
Does this ONLY happen with ECG Gating?
Question #2
What does the Siemens service Eventlog list as errors?
Without answers to these questions, I will give you the best information I can as an “overview” of troubleshooting the UPMM option.
Here’s the thing about an ECG interface to any system. It’s entirely related to timing and trigger control. From some of my support documentation, I can see that the UPMM interface connects to what I believe is the Connector Module located in the heel of the PHS support column. From there it runs through the cable chains within the Table Tray to the PET gantry.
In the PET gantry, the UPMM interfaces to the Gantry Interface Module (GIM). Basically, everything to do with the operational functions of the PET goes through the GIM. The GIM then connects to the Universal Master Stationary Control Unit (UMAS) located in the CT gantry and the Acquisition Control System PC (ACS) for PET image acquisition.
The UMAS passes the “Gating Data” received from the GIM through to the Patient Table (PHS) Master Control Unit (LMAS) as well as the Image Control System PC (ICS) for CT image acquisition and overall PHS position control. This is the “timing and trigger control” mentioned earlier. If all this is not happening in the correct order, in the correct amount of time, the scan will “lose its relative PHS location/position or fail to trigger the Start/End of the scan sequence” thus causing a Scan Abort.
Additionally, these appear to be the “Minimum” connections necessary and there can be several more depending on the age of the system, specific optional hardware configuration, and the optional software licensing and configuration.
I strongly recommend verifying all cable connections throughout the UPMM cable chain and to any interface device those cables connect. There may be a mix of D-sub 9-pin serial, RJ-45 Ethernet, 2-pin VDC power, and fiber optics off the top of my head but there may well be others too. Special attention to FO and RJ-45 cables as these are the primary “signal” carrying cables between all the primary control units and PCs.
Good luck,
Ken Hable, MD, BSRT
Director of CT
Arch Medical
