Vital Hardware Connection Guide
Vital Hardware Connection Guide
Purpose
This guide document explains how to prepare the hardware necessary to collect data from various
patient monitors using the Vital Recorder program. Please read, prepare, and run in order. If you
have any questions or suggestions on product improvement, please contact us using the bulletin
board on the homepage.
In addition, this manual is for reference only and our team is not responsible for any part of the
connection error. For detailed information, please follow the manual provided by the equipment
manufacturer.
Connecting one or two medical devices to a PC and collecting data using the Vital Recorder is very
simple to get started. As you become accustomed to connecting devices and programs, it is
possible to collect data from 5-6 devices at the same time.
Computer
The Vital Recorder works on Windows operating systems, so you need a computer with a Windows
system installed. The Vital Recorder has been tested on 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows
Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, and 10.
The minimum specification of the computer to operate the Vital Recorder is very low. The lowest
system specification that we tested for stable operation was the netbook (MSI U-100) based on the
Atom CPU (Intel N330) and we observed a 30% increase in CPU utilization when recording data
on the full screen in real time. CPU usage on Intel i3-based computers was less than 5%.
With a laptop, you can prevent the operating room from being crowded. Considering the
expense issue, we also recommend the low-cost Windows Tablet. Most tablets have similar
specifications so you can choose whatever you like. However, it is recommended that you have a
full-size USB port, and if necessary, use a USB hub.
Serial cables
There are two types of serial cable: direct cable and cross cable. Note that this is defined by the
connection of the wires inside the cable, so there is no apparent difference.
A direct cable is a cable with internal wires that do not intersect, often called a serial extension
cable, if it has 9-pin female/male terminals on each side. Please purchase it in the required length.
Below is a link to "3 meters Direct Serial Cable (M/F)" that can be purchased in Korea.
http://cableguy.com/shop/mall.php?cat=025013001&query=view&no=15641
Most medical devices communicate with PCs via direct serial cables, but some medical devices
(such as Fresenius Vial Orchestra, Edwards Lifesciences' cardiac output devices) require a cross
cable. If you connect a cross cable to a device that requires a direct cable (or vice versa), electrical
shorts may occur between the device and the PC, causing malfunction of the device, and rarely
explosion or fire. You should always keep this in mind.
Our recommendation is that all cables are only provided with a direct cable, and if you need a
cross connection, you can purchase a cross gender as shown below. By fixing the cross gender
into the device, you do not have to worry about cable type.
http://cableguy.com/shop/mall.php?cat=007001001&query=view&no=33688
Gender type summary
Since the terminal on the PC side is male, the device side must always be a female port. In case of direct
connection, Pin No. 2 and Pin 3 of PC 9-pin serial port (DB-9) are Rx and Tx, respectively. If a cross
connection is required, the connection pins are changed to 3 and 2, respectively. The recommended method
is to prepare all cables with a direct cable and use an additional gender if necessary.
http://cableguy.com/shop/mall.php?cat=005004003&query=view&no=39206
USB hub
If the USB port is not enough, you can also use a USB hub. It is recommended that you select a
USB hub that has a separate power supply.
http://www.enuri.com/detail.jsp?modelno=10534644&cate=&IsDeliverySum=N
USB extension cable
You may need a USB extension cable if the distance between the computer and the device is too
far. If the distance is less than 10 meters, there is no worry that the signal will be weak. In addition,
it is recommended to use products that are shielded from electromagnetic waves.
http://cableguy.com/shop/mall.php?cat=025011002&query=view&no=541
Summary
The following is the total cost to prepare basic supplies (the configuration for acquiring data from
four equipments at the same time)
Now, let's connect medical equipment and PC in earnest. Depending on the equipment, you may
receive data immediately when you plug in the cable, or you may need to enter the administrator
mode and change the settings after entering the password. Fortunately, once you have made the
connection, you do not have to touch it again. For safety, be sure to set up the equipment before it
is connected to the patient or subject.
The important thing about connecting the equipment is that depending on the equipment, it is
necessary to connect with a cross cable instead of a direct serial cable. We will tell you again when
the equipment is explained.
“ATEN UC-232A USB serial converter” must be used to connect to the CARESCAPE monitor
series (you must use ATEN products only because other USB to serial converters are not
recognized by the monitors). Plug this converter into the USB port on the back of the instrument .
You can plug it into any of the four USB ports on the back of the monitor.
Then, connect to the PC's serial port (or a common USB serial converter) through a
female-to-female null modem (cross gender).
Note: This protocol is called the "GE S5 computer interface", and the GE B40 (9 pin cable with pin
4 removed) and the Datex-Ohmeda S/5 monitor (using female-female null modem gender only)
communicate with the same protocol..
You can connect a direct serial cable to the port labeled "RS-232 1" on the right side of the device.
No other special settings are required.
Note: This protocol is called the GE Unity protocol. GE Solar 8000m, Solar 8000i, Dash 3000, 4000
and 5000 use this protocol.
GE Dash 2000/3000/4000
Serial communication is performed through the RJ45 connector on the rear AUX terminal.
Therefore, a cable with a serial cable terminal (DB9F) on one side and a LAN terminal (RJ-45) on
the other side is required. The wiring is as follows.
Select “GE :: Dash x000” when adding device in the Vital Recorder program.
Note: This protocol is called the GE Unity protocol. GE Solar 8000m, Solar 8000i, Dash 3000, 4000
and 5000 use this protocol.
GE Dash 2500
Likewise, a direct serial cable is used. Plug it into the “Host Comm Port” on the back.
5. Device rebooted
10. Select “Serial 2 setup” and select “ASCII cmd”, “9600 baud” (default)
Note: This protocol is called the GE Dinamap protocol and is only used with the Dash 2500.
GE TRAM-RAC 4A
Waveform data such as electrocardiogram and arterial pressure can be received through the
15-pin ANALOG OUT port on the back of the Tram-RAC 4A housing of the GE monitor.
This port is not a digital port for the transmission of numerical values, but an analog port that
outputs the waveform change as a voltage value. Since the voltage value of the analog port can
not be read directly from the computer, it needs an equipment called an analog-to-digital converter
(ADC) which converts it to digital.
ADCs range in variety, from low-cost products in the $ 50 range to high-performance products in
the thousands of dollars. Currently tested equipment is DataQ's DI-149 and DI-155, which are the
cheapest but show sufficient performance for research purposes. The most significant difference
between the two products is the difference in voltage resolution. For general monitoring purposes,
an inexpensive DI-149 is sufficient, but DI-155 is recommended for electrocardiographic T-wave or
P-wave analysis (http://www.dataq.com/products).
After purchasing the ADC, you must create a cable to feed the voltage output from the ANALOG
OUT port of the GE TRAM RAC into the ADC input. You can also make this cable yourself, but you
can leave it to the cable manufacturer. At the time of order, you should ask for production as below.
Connect the 1-15 pin of the GE 15PIN to the corresponding terminal of the ADC
This is the connection of custom made cable to DI-149. If you use DataQ's DI-149 according to the
above method, you will need about $100-200 per order, including the cost of customs clearance
and shipping, and the cost of customizing the 15-pin adapter.
Recent DATAQ instruments such as DI-1110 have two operation modes (libusb and CDC). When
operating in the default libusb mode, it cannot be recognized by the vital recorder. You need to
change to CDC mode according to the manufacturer's instructions below.
https://www.dataq.com/blog/data-acquisition/usb-daq-products-support-libusb-cdc
The last thing to note is that you must connect the cable to the specified connector on the TRAM
RAC module to receive the waveform signal correctly. Regardless of which ADC is used, the cable
must not be connected to the BP connector (BP2, second left connector) to receive the PLETH
waveform from the TRAM RAC. If a cable such as CVP is plugged into BP2, the corresponding
waveform is recorded instead of PLETH. PLETH and BP's waves look similar, so it's hard to notice
when they're connected incorrectly. The figure below shows this incorrect connection. CVP is
written to the PLETH channel and CVP is not displayed properly.
GE Defib connectors
If the analog port is used for other purposes, you can receive ECG, ABP from the Defib.Sync port on the
front panel in the form of voltage. The pin numbers are as follows, and the voltage output value is the same
as the Tram-Rac analog port. Purchase a 7-pin DIN cable (or 8-pin DIN cable is also compatible, then cut the
middle of the cable and modify it.
The Philips Intellivue patient monitor is capable of serial communication via a MIB port that looks
like a LAN port. It does not matter whether it is connected to a central monitor or not.
There are several types of MIB ports as shown below. Please note that labels vary depending on
the model.
To connect via MIB port, you need to prepare serial cable to connect RJ-45 terminal 4,5,7 and DB-9 female
terminal 5,2,3 respectively. The RJ-45 terminal is connected to the MIB port of the monitor, and the DB-9
female terminal is connected to the PC via USB to Serial Converter.
In case of MX400-550 series, communication is possible via the Advanced Interface Card
(however, the MX600-800 series must have a MIB board). In this case, note that the Rx and Tx
pins are connected differently.
Next, you need to change the settings of the patient monitor.
Press the "Main Setup" button on the monitor and select "Operation Modes". Then click "Service".
You must enter a password to enter service mode. The default password is 1345. If it fails,
please contact the manufacturer.
Then go back to "Main Setup" and you will see a menu called "Hardware" at the bottom. Press
and hold this button and set the communication speed to "Fix 115200" for "Data Export 1" and
"Data Export 2".
Note) In case of MP2 and X2 monitor, serial communication is not available and data acquisition is
not possible.
This series monitor communicates via module, monitor, or Mini-D cable of X5 or X3 of docking
station. Cables can be manufactured as shown below or ordered through distributors. (drager part
number 5206441 export protocol cable)
In Vital Recorder, communication is possible by adding an Infinity monitor, and most numeric data
can be recorded every 2 seconds, but waveform data cannot be extracted.
To extract waveform data, you will need to connect to the X10 Analog/Sync port.
(DRAGER part number 4314618)
Connect the power to the router, open Wi-Fi list on your PC, and connect to the AP named
iptime-mini.
Open a web browser and enter 192.168.0.1 in the address bar to set up the router.
Click Setup.
Go to Advanced Settings - Wireless LAN Management - Wireless Settings/Security menu. Set the
network name and password as shown above.
Select ‘WPA2PSK+AES (recommended)’ for the encryption option, uncheck “Broadcast SSID”, and
click the Apply button.
The connection to the router will be disconnected since the SSID of the router is changed from
iptime_mini to mekics_r7.
Connect to a Hidden Network by entering the SSID (“mekics_r7”) and password. The changed
SSID would not show up on the Wi-Fi list since “Broadcast SSID” is unchecked from the previous
step.
Open a web browser and enter 192.168.0.1 in the address bar to enter the router setting screen.
If you plan to connect the router to a higher-level network (Internet or hospital network), perform
this step. If not, you can skip it.
Go to Advanced Settings - Wireless LAN Management - Wireless Extension Settings menu.
Set the wireless extension method to wireless WAN and input the hotspot SSID and password of
the VR to which the MEKICS device connects.
Connect the router that has been set up with the MP1300 device.
Connect the power supply of the router to the USB port on the back of the device and connect the
LAN cable.
Select System - Network, then the setting screen will appear as shown above. Set IP and gateway
address.
Except the digits after the last period, the rest digits must be the same as the router IP address
(192.168.0 as the example above). Choose a random number between 2 and 255 that is not used
by other devices for the last digits.
- IP : 192.168.0.***
- Gateway: 192.168.0.1 (IP address of the router)
To add MP1300 on VitalRecorder for Windows, click “Add Device”, choose MEKICS, and set Port
6002.
Nihon Kohden BSM
After connecting “Null modem (M/F cross gender)” to the serial port on the right side of the device,
connect a direct serial cable.
No other settings are required.
(Available in VitalRecorder 1.8.16.2 or later version.)
Anesthesia machines
Connect the direct serial cable to the COM1 port on the rear panel.
If the anesthesia machine is not connected to the patient monitor, no further setup is required.
However, if the Drager COM1 port is already used to transmit information such as CO2 curve,
airway pressure curve, etc., from the anesthesia machine to the patient monitor, the following
Y-cable for data peeping should be made and used to extract information without disturbing the
existing data communication. In this case, you must select the "Read only mode" option when
adding a device in the Vital Recorder program.
Drager Fabius
Since usual Serial To USB connector has 9 pin male port, we need to make a cable that changes it to 15 pin
male connector.
If the anesthesia machine is not connected to the patient monitor, no further setup is required.
However, if the Datex-Ohmeda 15 pin port is already used to transmit information such as CO2
curve, airway pressure curve, etc., from the anesthesia machine to the patient monitor, the
following Y-cable for data peeping should be made and used to extract information without
disturbing the existing data communication. In this case, you must select the "Read only mode"
option when adding a device in the Vital Recorder program.
Note: This protocol is called the GE Ohmeda Serial protocol and is used by Aespire, Aespire View, Aestiva,
Avance, Avance CS2, Aisys, Aisys CS2 and Carestation 620/650/650c.
Maquet Flow-i
For Flow-i, connect “Null modem (M/F cross gender)” and a direct serial cable to the serial port on
the lower right side of the back of the device. (Available in Vital Recorder 1.8.16.0 or later version.)
All of Edwards Lifesciences' equipments have the same settings. However, there are some
differences in the location of the serial port and the configuration of the menu depending on the
devices.
When connecting the products of Edwards Lifesciences (Vigileo, EV1000A, Vigilance, Vigilance
II, Hemosphere) all should be connected using "M/F cross gender". However, old model of
EV1000 have different terminal and must be connected using "F/F cross gender".
Let’s start with EV-1000 old model. Connect "F/F cross gender" and direct serial cable to the
second port on the right.
The new model (1000A) is shown below. Connect using "M/F cross gender".
There are two serial ports on the back panel of the Vigilance. This will be explained based on the
use of COM1 (either COM1 or COM2 can be used depending on the system configuration). Similar
to other Edwards Lifesciences products, connect the “M/F cross gender” and then the serial
cable.
Press “Setup” button.
Device : IFMout
Parity : None
Stop Bits : 1
Data Bits : 8
Connect the “M/F cross gender” to port 1 on the top of the two serial ports on the back of the
monitor and connect the serial cable.
There is one serial port on the back. Connect “M/F cross gender” and connect serial cable.
Selecting an empty space at the bottom left of the screen will enter the setup menu.
Connect “Null modem (M/F cross gender)” and a direct serial cable to the serial port on the back of
the device.
Press the setup button at the bottom left of the monitor.
Press “Advanced Setup” button.
Deltex CardioQ
You can not adjust the settings while using the device, so you need to set it up before applying it
to the patient. When the setting is completed, you can check whether data is being transferred
through the DEMO mode.
There is one Male-type serial port on the back. Connect “F/F cross gender” and connect serial
cable.
At boot time, click General> Patient monitors> Monitor Setup, then select CardioQ Serial Protocol
v2. After confirming that Baud Rate is set to 57600, No Flow Control (if not, change it) and press
the Finished button to exit.
LiDCO
Connect “Null modem (M/F cross gender)” and a direct serial cable to the serial port on the back of
the device.
Baud rate 57600, Stop Bits 1, Data bits 8, Parity None (defaults)
First turn off the power and turn on the power by pressing the three buttons (the top blue button,
the mute button, the power button) at the same time indicated by the red circle.
Press the fourth blue button above to select "Serial & ...".
In the "SERIAL PORTS" item, select the second "COM NEW SUP" from the upper right (select
by turning the jog dial).
Select "3" after the selection.
Uncheck "Send a frame on every change" of "COMM NEW SUP" on the bottom right and select
1s under "Send every" below.
Press the power button to turn off the power. Then press the power button again to turn on the
power.
When the power is on, press the "OPT" button on the bottom right.
Select "CUSTOMIZATION".
Turn the jog dial clockwise until "CODE" is selected.
When you are ready to enter the code, enter "00123" using the jog dial.
After confirming that the RS 232-3 port is set to IDMS, save and exit.
If any changes are made, they will not take effect until you turn them off again.
There are several terminals on the right side of the Base Primea (bottom of the Orchestra). We
will use the RS 232-3 port on the right end of the three serial ports. Connect “M/F cross gender”
here and connect a direct serial cable.
The other side of the cable is DB9 female, so you can connect it with a general USB Serial cable
(DB9 male) without a gender.
BBraun SpaceCom
Enter the BCC Protocol settings submenu and make the settings as shown below.
Click the Save button to save your changes.
There may be cases where multiple Pion pumps are connected to one VitalRecorder at the same
time. VitalRecorder recognizes the first number of Pion pump's equipment name (can be specified
when adding device on ViterRecorder) and reflects it in the track name. For example, if the device
name is Pion2, the data obtained from it is prefixed with PUMP2. If there is no number, it becomes
PUMP1.
Belmont FMS (RI-2)
The communication port is hidden by the lower vent.
Since the equipment has a male connector, use “F/F cross gender” and direct serial cable.
Cerebral monitors
Press "NEXT".
Press "NEXT" again.
Select “Maintenance”.
Select “Serial Protocol”.
If you select "ASCII", you can get all the numerical data generated by the BIS monitor.
You can get a 128Hz EEG wave by selecting "Legacy Binary" and selecting the BIS (binary)
option in the Vital Recorder program.
When the setting is finished, save and return to Home. Since the protocol change will take effect
only after the BIS device is restarted, turn the BIS device off and then on.
You can see the serial port on the back of the device. Connect a direct serial cable here. If you
connect the cross cable by mistake, you will see the following screen.
Medtronic BIS A2000
Medtronic BIS A2000 is similar to BIS Vista, but BIS A2000 can obtain 2-channel 256Hz EEG.
Connect a direct cable to the 9-pin port on the back of the device, and the setup method is as
follows:
Press the menu button and select Advanced Setup.
Since the RS-232 port of INVOS is a male terminal, “F/F cross gender” should be used.
You need to go to the next screen to open the settings window. Press the Next Menu button.
Press “Output Select”.
Multifunction monitors
Masimo Radical7
This device extracts real-time SpO2, HR, PI data and waveforms with P1 (RS-232) port and Pleth
waveform with P2 analog port of Docking Station on the rear panel. This requires a Direct Male
cable. If you have a Serial To USB converter, simply connect without a gender.
Set ASCII 1 for serial, and Pleth for analog 1 and analog 2.
Swipe down and set 9600 for docking station baud rate.
Masimo ROOT
This equipment requires setting on the device first.
From the main menu, enter DEVICE SETTINGS.
Swipe right and touch ACCESS CONTROL.
Your changes will take effect only after you reboot the device.
Turn off the power by pressing the power button on the bottom right of the ROOT for more than 8 seconds,
then press the power button again to turn on the equipment.
If you do not use Masiom USB cable, use USB to serial converter and F/F null modem (F/F cross gender).
(ROOT USB1 or 2 - USB to serial - null modem - serial to USB - PC USB port )
As above, add ROOT from Vital Recorder and assign it to USB serial COM port.
When all the processes are completed, the data is recorded as shown below.
If you have problems such as missing part of data, try rebooting 2 or 3 more times or changing the USB port.
* NOTE 1
Most USB-serial converters are not recognized properly in ROOT. Only the following products that
we have identified work properly.
http://cableguy.com/shop/mall.php?cat=005004001&query=view&no=6028
** NOTE 2
To get Rainbow Sensor data, you first need to turn on Radical-7 and turn on ROOT later. If only
ROOT is on, turn off ROOT, then turn on Radical-7, and finally turn on ROOT. Therefore, we
recommend "always turn-on Radical-7" to get data without any mistakes.
Sentec: SDM
Sentec SDM requires a USB Serial Converter to extract data. The converter must be connected to
the serial port on the back.
Go to Interfaces - Serial Interface, and set SenTecLink for Protocol and 115200 for Baud Rate.
Connect the USB to Serial Converter ( NEXT USB 2.0 to SERIAL converter 1 port
[NEXT-RS232U20] ) to the serial port on the right side of the device.
Neuromuscular monitors
BlinkDC: TwitchView
When the Monitor is docked in the Charging Station, data is output via RJ45 connector at the
bottom of the device. The appropriate TwitchView output format can be selected by entering a
configuration code, which will bring up the following menu:
To use a typical USB-to-serial converter, you must make the following connection cables.
IDMed TOFscan
TOFscan requires TOF-RS1 (you can purchase this from IDMed). Connect TOF-RS1 cable directly
to the USB-Serial-Converter without a gender.
Most common problems are related to hardware connections. Program bugs are constantly being
fixed, so please let us know on the bulletin board any issues that are not fixed.
Symptom: Vital Recorder does not specify COM port when setting up device.
- Cause: In the case of a 4-port USB hub, the order of the physical port number and the
recognized COM port number may occasionally change.
- Diagnosis and solution: Connect one device at a time, and change the COM port in the
Add Device dialog box to recognize it.
Symptom: After the device is connected in the Vital Recorder, the data comes in
initially and then drops off every few seconds to several hours.
- Cause: If you use a USB hub to connect multiple devices, the current available in the PC,
the port current may become low.
- Solution: If you are using a USB hub, you must use a separate power supply from the
external adapter.
- Cause: Many electronic devices are used in the operating room such as electrocautery,
cardiopulmonary circulator, air warmer, neuromuscular potential monitoring equipment.
Current noise from these can interfere with the operation of equipment such as data
acquisition computers and ADCs.
- Solution: Use the power supply of the computer for data acquisition separately from the
power supply of other equipment. In particular, the power cable of the electrocautery must
be separated from the data acquisition computer and USB hub. The connection between
the device and the USB port should be as short as possible and use a shielded or twisted
cable.
- Cause: If the device is recognized when the computer port is changed, it is possible that
the previously used port is defective. The USB port on the computer may be damaged due
to loose contact between the port and the cable, pulling the cable into the port, and so on.
In the operating room, if the cable is not securely fastened to the port, the cable is pulled
and it is common to break the port of the computer.
- Solution: Change the port on your computer, or use a USB hub to connect the device.
- Cause: The USB cable may be stepped on, twisted or pulled, resulting in internal
disconnection or broken connectors on the port, resulting in poor contact.
- Remedy: Replace the USB cable.