Interfacing the IBM-PC to Medical Equipment: The Art of Serial Communication

As computerisation in the medical environment has increased, so the advantages of storage and the computer analysis of data from various monitoring and measuring equipment has become well recognised. Most medical monitoring and measurement equipment now supports an RS-232 serial interface, allowing for direct computer access both in terms of data analysis and equipment control. This book describes the techniques used for interfacing a PC to a range of medical equipment used internationally in the areas of anaesthesia, intensive care, surgery, respiratory medicine and physiology. Part One addresses the serial interface, including the RS-232 standard, transmission of data and an introduction to serial-interface programming using Microsoft QuickBASIC. Part Two looks at electrical safety, the use of Kermit and data analysis. Part Three considers the practical aspects of interfacing a PC to a wide range of equipment, and includes example programs for collecting data and in some cases for controlling the equipment directly. This essential practical information constitutes a valuable resource for a very broad audience of PC and measurement equipment users in the medical field.