FAQ
How do I get started?
The following is a brief summary of how to get started. For more details, read the Getting Started Guides on our download page.
- Make sure your device is on our list of supported devices.
- Find the corresponding cable pack for your medical device on our supported devices page. On the page for your cable pack, make sure to read the REQUIREMENTS section, to see if your medical device needs any special equipment.
- Purchase the cable pack from us.
- Download MediCollector software and test it using the cable pack you purchased. You can also test MediCollector using the "simulator" device if you want to try it without a physical connection.
- Once you have confirmed it's working to your satisfaction, purchase a subscription from us and we'll email you a License ID and password for instantly activating your subscription.
WHAT MEDICAL DEVICES ARE COMPATIBLE WITH MEDICOLLECTOR?
WHAT IF MY DEVICE IS NOT SUPPORTED BY MEDICOLLECTOR?
WHAT TYPE OF CABLES DO I NEED?
To make things easy for you, we have created "cable packs" for each our supported devices. Each pack contains all the equipment you'll need in order to connect your device. On our list of supported devices, you will find a corresponding cable pack for each device.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to read the REQUIREMENTS section for your cable pack. Your medical device may require a communications card which isn't present in some older patient monitors.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to read the REQUIREMENTS section for your cable pack. Your medical device may require a communications card which isn't present in some older patient monitors.
HOW DO I CONNECT THE CABLES?
It depends on your specific device. Your cable pack comes with printed instructions showing you how to connect your device.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to read the REQUIREMENTS section for your cable pack. Your medical device may require a communications card which isn't present in some older patient monitors.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to read the REQUIREMENTS section for your cable pack. Your medical device may require a communications card which isn't present in some older patient monitors.
WHAT'S A SERIAL PORT (COM PORT)?
A serial port looks like this. Computers use this type of port to communicate with external devices. Most desktop computers have one of these ports. But NOT laptops. Depending on the medical device you are connecting, MediCollector might require a serial port. For instructions on how to connect your specific device, and to determine if you need a serial port, find the page for your cable pack on our list of Supported Devices and read the REQUIREMENTS for your cable pack.
WHAT IF MY COMPUTER DOES NOT HAVE A SERIAL (COM) PORT?
HOW DO I TRANSFER DATA TO OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE EXCEL OR MATLAB?
After you have recorded your data, it can be exported to a universal file format (TXT, CSV, EDF). To do this, open your previously recorded session in MediCollector by selecting File>Open from the menu. Then select File>Export and a wizard will guide you through the process. MediCollector can export data into universal file formats such as CSV/TXT or EDF that can be imported into other applications such as Excel, MatLab or SAS. Or, if you want to access the data in your .medi files directly (without exporting), see the following question below.
IN WHAT FORMAT ARE THE DATA FILES STORED?
Our datafiles have a .medi extension, and are stored using a compressed binary format called TDMS. This format is an open standard maintained by National Instruments. If desired, you can use third-party tools and programming languages to access the data in .medi files directly, but the easiest way to access the saved data is to use MediCollector to export to a universal format (see previous question).
HOW DOES MEDICOLLECTOR COMMUNICATE WITH PHILIPS DEVICES?
In order to acquire data specifically from Philips devices, MediCollector uses the Data Export Interface (sometimes called the Data Export Protocol) which is a proprietary interface created by Philips. This is a very complex protocol, but don't worry about it. We have done the hard work for you. Rather than try and decipher it yourself and re-create the wheel, you can just download MediCollector!
WHY DOES MEDICOLLECTOR INSTALL SOMETHING CALLED "VISA" BY NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS?
First of all, we can assure you that VISA is NOT spyware! VISA (or NI-VISA) stands for Virtual Instrument Software Architecture and is a set of drivers that allows MediCollector to communicate with the serial port on your computer. MediCollector requires the "run-time" version of VISA in order to function. Most operating systems do not come with these run-time files, so they are bundled with the MediCollector installer. You will never have to see or interact with NI-VISA.
HOW BIG DO THE DATA FILES GET?
MediCollector stores data to files with a .medi extension. The data is stored in a binary format called TDMS. The size of the resulting file will depend on which signals you choose to record. As an example, if you are recording data from a Philips Intellivue patient monitor, and you choose to record an ECG signal, pleth waveform, respiration waveform, and all of the typical numeric values (e.g. HR, RR, Perf, SpO2, Temp, BP, ST values, etc) then you will end up consuming about 240 MB per day (10 MB per hour). If you don’t record the ECG signal, you'll get a file that is 70% smaller or about 72 MB per day (~3 MB per hour). This shows how big a difference one signal can make to your file size. We recommend only recording the signals you need. Don't just select everything!
WHAT IS THE “_INDEX” FILE THAT APPEARS NEXT TO EACH DATA FILE?
Whenever you create or open a MediCollector datafile, an index file is created next to your .medi file. These are index files which help MediCollector access data in the file quicker. We recommend you do not delete these files. Though you can, if you want. If you delete it, MediCollector will just recreate the index file next you open the file. But the read/write process will go quicker if you leave these index files intact.
CAN I EMBED MEDICOLLECTOR INTO MY SYSTEM Using a programming interfacE (API) or AUTOMATION?
Yes. We offer different types of APIs and interfaces for embedding into other systems.
I WISH MEDICOLLECTOR COULD DO SOMETHING ELSE. COULD YOU ADD FUNCTIONALITY FOR ME?
Of course! We are always looking for input! Let us know what you want to add or change or fix. We might be able to release a patch specifically for you! Please let us know via our Support Request page.
MediCollector is not working. What do I do?
Our products have been tested by many researchers over the years. They are stable and reliable. But if you have a problem, please let us know via our Support Request page. If possible, please include a screenshot of your problem.
Can you build a custom solution for me?
Of course! MediCollector offers a wide range of custom services and consulting.
What types of consulting do you provide?
Please see our services page to learn more.
I wish MediCollector could do something else. Could you add functionality for me?
Of course! We are always looking for input! Let us know what you want to add or change or fix. We might be able to release a patch specifically for you! Please let us know via our Support Request page.
How do I make a purchase?
You can use the shopping cart system on this website to make your purchase and pay directly via credit card or Apple Pay. Simply click the "Add To Cart" button and follow the prompts to purchase your item. If you prefer to pay by Purchase Order or via Wire Transfer, please contact us and we will assist you.
DO YOU SHIP INTERNATIONALLY?
Yes, of course. Please see our Shipping Policy for applicable fees.
Can I pay with a Purchase Order or via Wire Transfer?
Yes, please contact us for details.
WHAT IS A USB DONGLE? DO I NEED ONE?
We don't use dongles anymore! Prior to 2024 we licensed our software using USB dongles. These were little pieces of hardware that plugged into your computer to activate a license. We no longer sell dongles. As of 2024, all licenses are sold as subscriptions and activated online with a password. This is much easier than shipping dongles across the globe.
If you still have a dongle, don't worry! You can keep using it indefinitely.
If you still have a dongle, don't worry! You can keep using it indefinitely.
CAN I connect to multiple devices?
The answer to this question depends on which product you are using:
MediCollector BEDSIDE and MediCollector SERVICE and MediCollector CLI:
MediCollector CENTRAL
MediCollector BEDSIDE and MediCollector SERVICE and MediCollector CLI:
- Product restrictions: These versions of our products (BEDSIDE, SERVICE and CLI) can only connect to 1 device at a time. You can not capture data simultaneously from multiple devices using these products. You can certainly connect to one device and capture data ... and then disconnect ... then connect to a different device. But they don't allow multiple simultaneous connections.
- Licensing: When you purchase a subscription, you must tell us which DEVICE DRIVER you want. Please have a look at our list of supported devices to see how each device is assigned to a specific device driver. So if you select the "Philips Intellivue Series" device driver, your subscription will allow you to connect to any Philips Intellivue Series device. But if you also want to connect to a "GE S/5 Series" device, then you will need to purchase another subscription for that specific device driver.
MediCollector CENTRAL
- Product restrictions: This version of our product allows multiple simultaneous connections. So you can install this product on one computer and connect it to multiple medical devices. It supports simultaneous connections and data capture from multiple devices.
- Licensing: For this product, each connection to a medical device requires a subscription. As with our other products, when you purchase a subscription, you must tell us which DEVICE DRIVER you want. Please have a look at our list of supported devices and you will see how each device is assigned to a specific device driver. As an example for the MediCollector CENTRAL product, you could purchase five (5) subscriptions for the "Philips Intellivue Series" device driver and this would allow you up to 5 simultaneous connections to Philips devices. But if you also want to able to connect to a "GE S/5 Series" device, then you will need to purchase another subscription for that specific device driver.
WHAT IS A DEVICE DRIVER?
When you purchase a subscription from us, you must tell us which DEVICE DRIVER you want. Please have a look at our list of supported devices and you will see how each medical device is assigned to a specific device driver. So if you select the "Philips Intellivue Series" device driver, your subscription will allow you to connect to any Philips Intellivue Series device (e.g. MP5, MP50, MP90, MX750, MX800, etc). But if you also want to able to connect to a "GE S/5 Series" device, then you will need to purchase another subscription for that specific device driver.
How is the license delivered?
After you purchase a subscription, your license will be sent to you via via email. It may take up to 24 hours for this email to arrive. The email will contain a License ID and Password which you will type into your software to activate it.
DoES the license REQUIRE internet access?
You can activate your license in one of 2 ways:
Automatic activation: This is the easiest method and requires Internet access. You simply enter the License ID and Password into the software and it will activate itself over the Internet. Once activated, the computer can be taken offline for the duration of the subscription.
Manual activation: If the computer you wish to activate absolutely can NOT be put on the Internet, then you can use this method to activate the license. It requires the use of a separate computer (which has Internet access). Our software has instructions to guide you through this process.
Automatic activation: This is the easiest method and requires Internet access. You simply enter the License ID and Password into the software and it will activate itself over the Internet. Once activated, the computer can be taken offline for the duration of the subscription.
Manual activation: If the computer you wish to activate absolutely can NOT be put on the Internet, then you can use this method to activate the license. It requires the use of a separate computer (which has Internet access). Our software has instructions to guide you through this process.
can I move the license to a new computer?
Yes. You can move a license from an old computer to a new computer. But you must deactivate the old computer before it can be moved. There are 2 ways to do this:
DE-ACTIVATION (quick method)
Use this method if the old computer is still accessible:
DE-ACTIVATION (contact us method)
If the old computer you wish to deactivate is no longer accessible (e.g. has crashed or been destroyed), please contact us. We can deactivate the license for you on our servers. This will free up the license to be installed on a new computer/
DE-ACTIVATION (quick method)
Use this method if the old computer is still accessible:
- Select HELP>LICENSES from main menu (if using CLI, launch the MediCollector License Activator instead)
- Click “View License Info” button
- Click “Deactivate” button
- The license is now free to be activated on a different computer
DE-ACTIVATION (contact us method)
If the old computer you wish to deactivate is no longer accessible (e.g. has crashed or been destroyed), please contact us. We can deactivate the license for you on our servers. This will free up the license to be installed on a new computer/
How often can I move a license to a new computer?
We allow you to move a license to a new computer up to 12 times a year. If you need to move a license more often than that, please contact us. You should consider purchasing more licenses, if it needs to be moved frequently.