________________________________________________________________ 
Datex (Version 1.02) 24/11/98
Stefan Lombaard
Dept. of Anaesthesia, Wellington Hospital.

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Purpose: Datex AS/3 Data extraction
===================================

This program was written to retrieve data from an AS3 monitor using a HP200LX palmtop computer for record keeping or later analysis using a spreadsheet or database on a desktop computer. (I thought that a few thousand dollars for the official software package from Datex-Engstrom was a bit expensive for what I had in mind). 

System requirements / Compatibility
===================================

The HP200LX is equivalent to a XT compatible PC with MS-DOS ver. 5.00. The program however will run under MS-DOS, Windows95 or Windows NT on any newer PC.
A standard 9 pin serial cable is required for the connection.

File format
==========

The data is saved as comma separated values ie:

Time, HR, Syst, Diast, ...
01:00, 56, 120, 80, ...
01:05, 60, 130, 85, ...
...
 
This can be imported into +/- any spreadsheet / database program.

Use
===

DOS:
   Type
      datex                    (1)
   or
      datex filename.csv       (2)
      datex [/t] [/c] [/a] c:\filename.csv    (3)

            /t : tab separated values
            /c : enable p2_mean
            /a : enable p1_syst & p1_diast, disable nibp
            /? : help


(1) A filename should be specified once the program is running.
(2) The file will be saved to the current working directory - wherever that may be.
(3) The file will be saved in the root directory on the C: drive.

Note that the filename should have a maximum of 8 characters and the extension should be "csv" - if MS Excel is installed it will recognize it as a CSV file and it can be loaded just by double clicking on the file.

Menu options
============

Main menu:
  Escape: Exit
  1:      Request one transmission only
  2-7:    Select transmission interval for automatic data transmission
  c:      Cancel automatic transmission
  l:      Fields menu
  f:      File menu

Fields menu:
  Escape: Return to main menu
  a-z:    Toggle different fields on / off ie pulse rate, blood pressure, P1, P2 etc.

File menu:
  Escape: Return to main menu
  s:      Type in a filename & press Enter to start saving the data.
          This will be saved to the current working directory unless preceded by a path
          ie c:\data\filename.csv.
  c:      Close file.

Note:

1) If a transmission is received with a wrong checksum the program will automatically request retransmission.
2) The heart rate field will use the ECG or pulse oximetry as source depending which one is within the normal range of 60-100bpm.
3) The program uses COM1.
4) HP200LX / HP100LX users : Sleep mode should be disabled prior to running this program. The included exe file can be used:
   "nosleep 1" turns sleep mode off
   "nosleep"   restores sleep mode


Acknowledgements
================

- Whoever wrote the C++ serial communications class that is available on Simtel, this program is based on it.
- Juhani Nurkala (Datex-Engstrom) for sending me the technical specifications.

Copyright & disclaimer
======================

Datex.exe is free and there are NO limitations except that it should be distributed unchanged with this text file attached. Note that use of this program is at your own risk.

Contact
=======

If you want to contact me regarding problems or questions:
  slombaard@clear.net.nz




