Change the helium tank

Procedure AC3 · helium-tank-exchange

Overview

Replacing the helium (HE) cylinder in the compartment behind the left rear door, for either the 500 psi disposable tank or a disposable or refillable tank of 2000 psi or more. With a patient on the pump the clinician first suspends the pneumatic alarms for 10 minutes, which also disengages automatic refill, and must re-enable them when the new tank is confirmed on the display.

When to perform

HELIUM TANK LOW OR EMPTY alarm (tank pressure below 100 psi); helium icon RED (below 125 psi) or BLACK (empty or tank off); before any transport with a low tank; weekly checkout reading of 100 psi or less.

Equipment

• a full Arrow® helium tank of the correct type (IAH-09045 500 psi disposable; IAH-09046 disposable or IAH-09047/IAH-09048 refillable, 2000 psi or higher)
• a helium washer (SS/Neoprene) for tanks of 2000 psi or more
• the 500 psi regulator yoke adapter when switching to a 500 psi disposable tank

Steps

1. If the IABP is in use, select the Alarms tab in the upper left of the display, press the Alarms Off key and select 10 minutes.¹

   Alarms Off temporarily disengages the automatic refill system, so the pump does not attempt to draw helium from a tank that is being removed.

2. Open the helium compartment door at the left rear of the main unit.¹

   The tank, regulator yoke and condensate bottle all live behind this door.

3. Identify which tank type is installed and follow the matching branch below.²

   The 500 psi disposable screws directly into a yoke adapter, while tanks of 2000 psi or more clamp into the regulator yoke with a washer, so the removal motions differ.

4. 500 psi disposable tank: pull the bottom of the tank toward you.²

   Angling the tank out gives room to unscrew it from the adapter.

5. 500 psi disposable tank: unscrew the tank (counterclockwise) and dispose of it; do not remove the yoke assembly.²

   The yoke and its adapter stay on the regulator; only the cylinder is replaced.

6. 500 psi disposable tank: remove the cap or seal from the new cylinder and screw its threads into the regulator adapter (clockwise).³

   The threads and adapter form the gas seal for this tank type.

7. 500 psi disposable tank: open the valve on the tank adapter by turning counter-clockwise if needed, following the direction marked on top of the valve.²

   The pump cannot fill from a closed valve and reports the tank as off (black icon).

8. 500 psi disposable tank: verify the HE tank pressure on the display; a 500 psi tank shows as half full on the icon.⁴

   A pressure reading confirms the valve is open and the seal holds before the tank is stowed.

9. 500 psi disposable tank: push the bottom of the tank in and close the compartment door.²

   The tank must sit inside the compartment before the door will close.

10. Tank of 2000 psi or more: close the tank valve on top of the tank using the tank device on the chain, following the direction marked on the valve.⁵

    Closing the valve stops high-pressure gas escaping when the yoke is loosened.

11. Tank of 2000 psi or more: loosen the handle (large black knob) on the regulator yoke.²

    The yoke clamp holds the tank against the regulator inlet.

12. Tank of 2000 psi or more: angle the tank out and pull it out and down to remove it.⁵

    The tank lifts off the locating pins once the clamp is slack.

13. Tank of 2000 psi or more: check the helium washer on the regulator input and replace it if needed.²

    A helium washer must sit between adapter and yoke for a leak-proof seal; a worn one leaks helium and shows as a tank that loses pressure faster than expected.

14. Tank of 2000 psi or more: insert the new tank with the washer in place, aligning it to the locating pins.²

    The pin-index alignment seats the tank outlet squarely on the regulator inlet.

15. Tank of 2000 psi or more: tighten the handle (large black knob) to secure the tank.²

    The clamp compresses the washer to make the seal.

16. Tank of 2000 psi or more: open the tank valve with the tank device, following the direction marked on it.²

    Gas reaches the regulator only with the valve open.

17. Tank of 2000 psi or more: close the compartment door and verify the helium level; the HE tank icon should be GREEN.²

    GREEN means the tank is on and above 125 psi; any other color means the exchange is not complete.

18. If switching tank types: install the 500 psi regulator yoke adapter before fitting a 500 psi disposable, or remove it before fitting a tank of 2000 psi or more.²

    The wrong adapter configuration prevents a seal and leaves the pump without helium.

19. After replacing the tank, check the HE tank graphic in the upper right of the display to verify the tank is open and helium is available.⁴

    The icon is the pump's own confirmation of supply; pumping cannot start with the tank off or empty.

20. Press the ON control key in the alarms screen to re-engage the automatic refill system and the pneumatic alarms.¹

    Until alarms are back on the pump will not refill lost helium or remove condensate, and pneumatic alarms will not stop the pump.

21. Depressurize (empty) a used disposable tank before disposal and follow the tank label and local regulations; do not discard refillable tanks, which are refilled with medical grade helium (99.9%).⁴

    A pressurized cylinder is a hazard in waste handling, and refillable cylinders are reused.

Cautions

• High pressure gas canisters should be handled by trained personnel only.²
• Do not use oxygen or any drive gas other than USP helium.⁵
• When the HE supply icon is RED, ensure another HE tank is available; the AC3 Series cannot pump without an adequate helium supply. Do NOT transport the pump when the helium supply is low; change the tank first.¹
• The manual's valve directions differ between the 500 psi adapter valve and the refillable tank valve; rely on the direction marked on the valve or tank device.⁶
• Forgetting to press the ON control key after the exchange leaves automatic refill disengaged and the pneumatic alarms suspended beyond the tank change.¹
• The HE tank must be removed before shipping the IABP.⁷

Related knowledge

• HELIUM TANK LOW OR EMPTY threshold (AL-028)
• Arrow® helium tank options and fill pressures (HP-002)
• Helium icon color meanings (HP-003)
• HELIUM TANK LOW OR EMPTY alarm criterion (HP-004)
• Alarms Off 10 minutes before an in-use tank change (HP-005)
• Exchange sequence for a disposable or refillable >2000 psi tank (HP-006)
• Helium washer and the 500 psi yoke adapter (HP-007)
• Weekly checkout helium threshold and leak check (HP-008)
• Helium tank disposal rules (HP-009)
• Helium icon thresholds (HW-022)
• Transport readiness checks (SAF-016)
• Helium tank replacement threshold (ST-011)

References

1. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 258.
2. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 259.
3. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 260.
4. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 262.
5. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 261.
6. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. pp 259-261.
7. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 264.
8. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 29.
9. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 165.
10. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 209.
11. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. p 242.
12. Arrow International Inc. AC3™ Series IABP System Service Manual. Part No. IAM-9011, Rev 00. Reading, PA: Arrow International Inc (Teleflex); 2015. pp 258-262.