IV Catheter Trainer — Troubleshooting
Leaks, missing flashback, and cartridge problems — symptom, cause, fix.
Work down the table for your symptom. If the fix doesn't hold, the escalation steps are at the bottom.
Fluid problems#
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No flashback on a correctly placed catheter | Reservoir low | Top up through the priming port. Don't drain and re-prime |
| Fluid weeping from old puncture sites | Cartridge over-pressurised | Release a few mL through the return port |
| Fluid pooling under the base | Cartridge collar loose, or cartridge at end of life | Reseat the collar. If it still leaks, replace the cartridge |
| Flow stops mid-session | Air lock at the return port | Reconnect the fill syringe and draw back gently to clear |
| Fluid looks cloudy or smells | Trainer stored wet | Replace the cartridge. Cloudy fluid cannot be flushed clear |
Feel and placement#
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Vein feels rigid, no roll | Reservoir overfilled | Release fluid until the reservoir line is steady |
| Vein can't be palpated | Skin layer worn and stiffened | Replace the skin layer |
| Catheter won't thread after flashback | Stylet advanced past the vein's far wall | Coaching issue, not a hardware fault — shallow the angle |
| Skin no longer self-seals | Skin layer at end of life | Replace the skin layer |
Replacing the vein cartridge#
- Drain the trainer fully through the return port.
- Turn the retaining collar counter-clockwise and lift the cartridge straight out. TODO: confirm direction.
- Seat the new cartridge until it stops, then turn the collar clockwise until it's finger-tight. Don't use a tool.
- Prime as described in IV Catheter Trainer — Setup.
Finger-tight only
The collar threads into a moulded housing. A wrench will strip it, and a stripped housing means a new base, not a new cartridge.
When to contact us#
Email support@dvm-iq.com if:
- A new cartridge leaks straight out of the packet
- The base itself is cracked or the priming port is damaged
- A fix above worked once but the symptom returns within a session
Include your serial number (underside of the base), what the trainer is doing, and which fixes you've already tried. A short video of the symptom usually saves a round trip.
Didn't solve it?
Email support@dvm-iq.com with your clinic name, the product, and what you've already tried.