Copyright: Copyright © 1998 Michael Patterson


Diabetic Meter Utility

Diabetic Meter Utility is provided free of charge.  It should not be used or relied upon to make any medical decision, including diagnosing and prescribing.

Documents

Settings

Troubleshooting

Other Information

Copyright Notice


feature_documents
Documents

The primary purpose of this utility is to provide a simple way to view blood glucose results.  It can download a meter's blood glucose results and create a main document.  In addition, a graph document can be created from the main document.  The default file extension for a main document is ‘DMU’ and for a graph document is ‘DMG’.

The documents can be e-mailed (within the application), print previewed, saved, and opened.  In addition, there are document properties that are saved with the document.  The document properties can be changed and saved.

Main Document

The document is displayed after downloading the data from the meter.  Each reading either has a circle, a plus sign, or a minus sign, that indicates that the reading is on target, is above target, or is below target, respectively.  It will display statistics (set size, average, minimum, maximum, median, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation) that were created from the set of highlighted readings.  Use shift or ctrl in combination with a left mouse-click to choose [highlight] blood glucose readings.  Readings can be sorted within the view by clicking the desired column header.  In addition, properties (first name, last name, comments, mg/dL target, mmol/L target, date display format, time display format, and unit display format) can be saved with each document.  Selected readings can be copied to the clipboard.  The readings can be exported to a comma-delimited format that will allow for easy retrieval into a spreadsheet application.

Graph Document

A graph document can be created from a main document’s readings.  In addition, a graph can be copied to the clipboard.


feature_settings
Settings

Important Note:

The application has settings for target, printing, document display, and other items.  Each document will have settings for target, display formats, and other items.  It is very important to set whether you wish to use the specific settings or the document settings.  Navigate the menu:

[Options->Change Settings]

and set whether you wish to use specific or document settings.

Problem:

* Person1 saves a main document’s time display format as 24 hour...

* Person2 saves a main document’s date display format as day/month/year...

* Person1 & Person2 then send their main documents to person3...

* Person3 likes the time display format to be in an A.M./P.M. format (specific setting) and the date display format to be in a month/day/year format (specific setting)...

Solution:

* Person3 can change the settings in the application to use the A.M./P.M. and month/day/year formats (specific settings)...

Target

The target can be set for mg/dL and mmol/L units.  The target is used to draw a circle, a plus sign, or a minus sign that indicates whether the reading is at target, above target, or below target, respectively.


feature_troubleshooting
Troubleshooting

Serial Port Selected...

A serial port must be used to transmit the meter’s data.  The proper serial port, used for transmitting the meter’s data, must be indicated with the software.  After navigating the menu,

[Options->Change Settings]

a dialog will appear that will allow you to select the proper serial port.

Interface Cable Hook-Up...

You can obtain an interface cable by calling Lifescan's Technical Service Department at: 1(800)227-8862.  The interface cable can be acquired for $5 (U.S.) and 2 One Touch Strips' Proofs of Purchase.  The interface cable must be connected to the computer and meter when the utility is in use.  If you try using the utility while the meter is not hooked up properly, it will display a message stating that the meter is not responding.

Setting up the interface cable:

1.	Connect the interface cable's 25-pin female connector to a serial port on your computer.

If your computer only has 9-pin serial ports or you wish to hook the interface cable to a 9-pin serial port, then use a 25-pin to 9-pin conversion cable (or 25-pin to 9-pin converter).  A conversion cable (or converter) can be purchased at most computer stores, electronic supply houses, or office supply stores.

2.	Connect the interface cable's stereo plug to the data port on your blood glucose meter.

You can obtain an interface cable or an "Owner's Booklet" by calling Lifescan's Technical Service Department at:

U.S.A.	1 (800) 227-8862 (24 hour service) or

Canada	1 (800) 663-5521

Troubleshooting...

If there is a problem establishing a link with the meter, check the following:

1.	Interface cable is connected properly to computer's serial port.

2.	Interface cable's stereo plug is properly inserted into the blood glucose meter's "DATA" port [located on left side of meter].

3.	Proper serial [COM] port is selected.  Serial [COM] port chosen must be the same serial port that the interface cable is connected to.  To choose a serial port, use the application settings to set the proper serial port.  If you are uncertain about which serial port the interface cable is connected to, then refer to your computer's "User's Manual."

4.	An option has been chosen from the menu and meter is turned on before continuing.  The blood glucose meter must be on for a link to be established.

If the communications link with meter is continually being broken, check the following:

1.	Is there a program running in the background that may be accessing the same serial port that the interface cable is connected to?

2.	Is the blood glucose meter being turned off (manually or automatically) during the download of data?

3.	Is the interface cable properly connected to the computer's serial port?

4.	Is the interface cable's stereo plug properly inserted into the meter's "DATA" port?


Information

Comments and suggestions are welcome.

E-mail:   mpatt@asu.edu

Warranty and Disclaimer

Michael Patterson reserves all expressed and implied rights to Diabetic Meter Utility.  You may not disassemble, decompose, reverse engineer, or alter this file or any of the other files in the package. This includes, but is not limited to modifying any icons, menus, or displays associated with Diabetic Meter Utility.  Diabetic Meter Utility may not be sold or distributed for compensation without the express written consent of Michael Patterson.

In no event will Michael Patterson be liable to you for any incidental, or consequential, or indirect damages (including, but not limited to, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of programs or information stored on the disk, and the like) arising out of the use of or inability to use Diabetic Meter Utility or information contained therein, even if Michael Patterson has been advised of the possibility of such damages, or for any claim by any other party.  Diabetic Meter Utility is provided "as is."  The entire risk as to the quality and performance of Diabetic Meter Utility and the accuracy of any information contained therein, is with you.

Michael Patterson does not make any warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to Diabetic Meter Utility and any information contained therein.  Because some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you.


Copyright © 1998 Michael Patterson.

All rights reserved.

Diabetic Meter Utility is copyrighted.  All copyright or other proprietary rights notices contained in or associated with Diabetic Meter Utility and any information contained therein must be preserved in, or on, any copies made of such material.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.  No part of this document may be reproduced or altered in any form or by any means, for any purpose, without the express written permission of Michael Patterson.