What Pulse Oximeters work with SleepyHead?

[jerod]

Hi all,

I'm very grateful for this forum. I don't have good insurance and am trying to save myself. This place is an invaluable resource!

I already got a CPAP machine and am planning to sleep with it to gather some data. Before I do that, I want to make sure I'm getting enough oxygen with the mask on and the machine running at the lowest pressure setting.

What pulse oximeters work well with SleepyHead? I know the CMS-50D Plus works, but I can shell out a few more bucks for additional features.

Would the CMS-50EW work? It's bluetooth compatible.

What about the CMS-50H? It also has the perfusion index capability.

How valuable is the perfusion index capability? What can it be an indicator of?

Thanks for the help!

-Jer

[zonk]

Hi jerod and welcome - few people here use pulse oximeters .. if you do a forum and wiki search you come up with tons of info

[PaulaO2]

What zonk means is a lot of us use them.

The simplest is the CMS 50D Plus. They go up from there. I know the software that comes with most of them, SpO2 Review, saves the data in a format that you can then import into SleepyHead.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...2_software - using the software

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...SleepyHead - importing it into SleepyHead

[trish6hundred]

Hi jerod,
WELCOME! to the forum.!

[JJJ]

I have SleepyHead running fine on a computer that has wireless, Bluetooth, and wired net connection, but I don't have a Windows computer. My understanding is that the oximeters require a Windows program to extract the data, and then the data can be imported into SleepyHead. Is this correct? Is there an oximeter that will work directly with SleepyHead or other open source program?

[b360155]

I have a Contec CMS-50D Plus and do use it with my Windows PC and Sleepyhead software and it works great. I just glanced at Supplier #19's website and the software download pages do seem to only make reference to Windows based programs. I'd just send an email to that supplier and ask him. I initially had an issue with the software when I first got my pulse oximeter from them and they were very responsive and helpful.

Quick funny story to tell. About 2 weeks ago, I accidentally dropped my CMS-50D Plus in a half full (or is it half empty?) coffee cup. I pressed the power button and the display was all messed up so I thought my unit was toast. Put a hairdryer to it and let it air dry for a day or two and presto, it's working fine again!!! I don't recommend testing your unit out to see if you get the same result though LOL!

[srlevine1]

Quick funny story to tell. About 2 weeks ago, I accidentally dropped my CMS-50D Plus in a half full (or is it half empty?) coffee cup. I pressed the power button and the display was all messed up so I thought my unit was toast. Put a hairdryer to it and let it air dry for a day or two and presto, it's working fine again!!! I don't recommend testing your unit out to see if you get the same result though LOL!

Rather than use a hairdryer and heat the components and possibly the glue used in modern electronics, I drop my accidently dunked units in a jar of uncooked rice for a few days and usually all is well.

[rkl122]

What zonk means is a lot of us use them.

The simplest is the CMS 50D Plus. They go up from there. I know the software that comes with most of them, SpO2 Review, saves the data in a format that you can then import into SleepyHead.

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...2_software - using the software

http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php...SleepyHead - importing it into SleepyHead

The software that came with my CMS50I is "SPO2 Assistant," which apparently is not the same as "SPO2 Review". SleepyHead has a problem importing its downloads, as well as with direct import. (This is a well documented bug, in which SH basically can't seem to sync the oximeter data with the CPAP graphs.)

Unless I'm missing something, the links above don't provide an actual download of SPO2 Review. Is there one publicly available?

Thx,

-Ron
EDIT - Ok, I see that the "green heart" and "red heart" programs are two modules of the same software package, and I have them installed. But still not seeing how to get data already in my oximeter into their file format so I can see whether SH imports that format properly.

EDIT2 - Ok, I now see this from PaulaO2's second link: "Newer pulse oximeters (such as the CMS-50i and the CMS-50iW) do not use the same SpO2 software and do not save in the format required by SleepyHead and are not importable. " That is contrary to what JediMark says about SH. Wish I'd known about the contradiction before I bought the CMS50I. Here's hoping the next version of SH resolves this.

[srlevine1]

The key to finding a decent pulse-oximeter lies in first finding a reliable vendor who can help you to separate the facts from Bullpucky. I chose Vendor #19 on a recommendation from this forum and was amazed at how much I didn't know. The vendor was beyond helpful, polite, and professional -- he offered to take the unit back if it didn't work for me due to an arrhythmia. That level of service is not common nor can it be found with foreign companies who offer cheaper -- but possibly questionable -- products.

The unit I liked was the CMS 50-F.

[natyprueba]

If you got a deep pocket you can get all the fancy stuff that you can guess, I will tell you what is the main problem with what ever Oximeter you buy.
The main problem is to keep it in your finger all night long when you are sleeping.
The problem of transferring the file from the Oximeter to your computer last about one minute with bluetooth or cable, meaning it doesn't matter.
I use CMS 50D+ . It is the cheapest and you can hook it up very easy with a Windows computer using Sleepyhead.
Ralph.