Recent Posts - DAFNE Online

Mar 12, 2010

Simon 578 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Serial_Programming/Serial_Java#Using_Java_for_Serial_Communication

I've only skimmed this page but it seems you can use javax.comm which is platform independent, and rxtx which provides the platform-specific libraries.

Mar 12, 2010

jovifreak 4 posts

Topic: Questions for HCPs / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip

Hi

I've had 3 girls, 17, 16 & 13 now.

1 - Induced at 38 weeks - used a glucose drip, pethadine, gas & air - I could hear the drip bleeping and was either hypo or high but thought there was a budgie in the room and I hate birds !! Baby born was 8lb 2oz

2 - again induced at 38 weeks, I don't remember having a drip but had gas & air and petadine baby was 9lb 2oz

3 - bit more experienced by this time - went into labour in afternoon, got kids fed, bathed and in bed and sorted out a baby sitter before coming to hospital when I couldn't stand it anymore - I was only in the labour room for 5 mins before having baby - no drips, no drugs lol and a healthy 9lb 12oz !

We do have bigger babies but the weight droped off mine in a couple of days, not so much that their weight dropped a lot, but they lost the excess blubber !! None of mine were fed at birth, they were passed to me and we moved to a ward, where i was encouraged to breast feed when they were hungry. breast feeding wasn't for me (it hurt like heck) so they were all bottle fed and fine.

Diane

Mar 12, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

I'm not sure it is a good suggestion guys, Java is a platform independent language ( well at least it should be if we keep it away from Microsoft). That means it doesn't know or care what the hardware it runs on is. It may be that you can get at a COM port in java but generally it would be frowned upon since its breaking the platform independence rules. This software needs to access the COM ( serial) port to talk directly to the meter.

Sorry if thats a bit techie, I don't know what level of IT you all understand, obviously I do it full time, hence the geeky posting ;^)

Mar 12, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Woo, java is a good suggestion in response to this potential problem! Very Happy

Mar 12, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / What meter are you using?

I've just joined the ranks of One Touch Ultra Easy!

Mar 11, 2010

Yokel 3 posts

Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed

I also have an ipod touch. I would like a version of the CP list which doesn't rely on internet access. Often restaurants etc don't have wi-fi and we camp alot so would like to be able to look at the CP list offline.
The diary could rely on wi-fi but ideally not.
Hope that helps!

Mar 10, 2010

Karl 83 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Hi NiVZ

Java may be the way to go - (cross platform) - will have a word with a couple of programmers at work see if they have used it. What are you programming in at the minute?

Mar 10, 2010

Bessiemay 1 post

Topic: General Discussion / What meter are you using?

accu-check compact plus

Mar 10, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Hi marke,

Good to know it works under Windows 7 Smile

Yeah Linux is completely different and I've no idea how to write programs for it. If anyone who does wants to give it a go you need a language that can interface with the COM port and is capable of sending and receiving binary data - a lot of the meters send Chr(00) which can be wrongly interpreted as end of string / end of communication.

I'd be happy to provide details of the communications I've figured out so far.

NiVZ

Mar 9, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

hi, i believe it will work under Vista and NiVZ I should have mentioned I am runnnig windows 7 so your software will work on it ! I don't very much it will work on Linux unfortunately, Linux works completely differently from windows under the 'covers' and the software NiVZ uses is very much based on windows .

Mar 9, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Just out of interest, does your program work with Linux and/or Vista?
Considering Linux is about being open source, I am very curious if it does or not.
If not, the boyfriend has Vista on his computer so all is not lost for my situation. Smile

Mar 9, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Thanks JWo. I'm trying hard to get something finished thats fit for release.

I've not tried my program with Windows 7 yet, but we do have it at work so I will. My program only needs the usb cable driver installed (and not the actual software) so fingers crossed it should be ok with Windows 7. I'll give it a try as soon as I get a chance

I've currently use the OneTouch UltraEASY as my main meter, but have been using my UltraSMART again to do the testing for the uploads. My DSN was kind enough to give me an Optium Xceed to test the uploading with but they've not gotten any Contour USB's yet. As Marke has said you can get the cable for the OneTouch meters by filling out the online form, and Abbott do the same for the Optium Xceed - you just need to enter your meter's serial number on their online form.

I did contact Bayer direct to see if they'd be agreeable to giving me one to help with the project but as of yet I've not heard back from them. Don't think we'll be able to do the Roche Accu-Chek meters because as Marke says they're not keen to give away they're infra-red cable, and I'm definitely not handing over Â£20 for old, slow infra-red technology ;)

NiVZ

Mar 9, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Thanks for the recommendation marke. I am getting very tempted by the Ultra Easy machine. Smile

How disappointing to hear that Roches are unprofessional like that. Might be worth not bothering with their machine anyway if they're not prepared to update to using a USB standard.

Mar 9, 2010

marke 681 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Hi, you should have no trouble getting the software or cable for the lifescan ultra easy the URL is http://www.lifescan.co.uk/OurProducts/Accessories/InterfaceCable.aspx and they will send it to you for free. I have to say it is a million times better than Roches bizarre insistance on sticking with Infra-red. I used to use their meters and software but after a PC upgrade the infra red would never work again and roche were far from helpful. I have tried to get a smart-pix device to test for DAFNEOnline but Roche are not interested and their customer support is not fit of that name.
I would be interested to hear if anyone does get a contour USB meter and if its any good, as I said previously I don't intend to pay for one when they will get all the money from the NHS for my test strips if I use one.

Mar 9, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

No worries NiVZ. I'm a female for the record, heh. ;P

Speaking of this USB machine - I did send an email to my diabetes nurse requesting if they could issue one to me, and they said that because they've had problems with Contour machines, they've pulled out of using them.

However, in response to this, the nurse was kind enough to let me know about other machines that could do the same job for me. I did also ask about compatibility with the operating system Linux (that I use).

These are the machines with their compatitibility that was listed in response:

~Lifescan (One touch ultra easy and Vita) state not compatible with Windows 7.
~Abbot (Optimun xceed) state only tested with Windows XP.
~Menari who supply the Glucomen LX stated that their software was compatible with all systems (The site about it says it's compatible with windows XP or higher though which I'm puzzled about).

Most of the machines they get do provide USB data link cables free of charge except for Roche who manufacture the Accu-chek machines, they provide a data link box called smart pix which uploads the data from the blood glucose machine via infra red, this box costs Â£19.99 (inc vat)."

I do recall using a Otimum Xceed before my current machine though... sods law though, I cannot find it now. >_<
I am going to have a good think about what one to pick but I'm tempted to go with Ultra Easy considering your efforts for members on the DAFNE Online forums! Whatever happens, I hope it's not too much hassle to get the USB wire at the same time as getting the new machine.

If you do pick up on this Contour USB for the project, good luck with it. You're good to do what you're doing NiVZ, thank you. Smile

Mar 8, 2010

laurals11 11 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found?

I use a Gluco-carry attached to my keyring.You can get one to fit Dextrosol or Glucotabs http://www.gluco-carry.com/order.html
Most chemists will order Glucotabs 50 if you ask.

Mar 8, 2010

Stew B 125 posts

Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed

Hi Simon

I have an iPod touch, which shares lots of apps with the iPhone. Its not so flexible - I can only go on-line via wi-fi - but it will be great to be able to use it for diary and CP list (lots of places, like McDs have free wi-fi these days, so it won't be restricted to home use for CP lists).

I'd very much like to see a facility for multiple diary entries (a bit like the current on-line diary), rather than just a capacity to make entries one at a time. I tend to transfer diary entries in bulk, and being able to do this via my iPod touch at home would mean I don't have to kick the kids off the PC so often..

Stew

Mar 8, 2010

NiVZ 82 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Hi JWo,

Sorry wasn't meaning to be sexist - just that the majority of girls have a handbag they can put their meter in. Us blokes need jeans or jackets with considerably large pockets to fit in even the smallest meter, however I have no problem carrying my USB data sticks in my pocket so something this small would mean I'd be more likely to take the meter out and about with me.

I'm already 90% of the way there on an automatic uploader for the OneTouch UltraEASY and UltraSMART, had a quick look at the Xceed as well but it's proving harder. If I get my hands on a ContourUSB I'll give it a try as well ;o)

NiVZ

Mar 8, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found?

I've still only really seen them in ASDA... bought both the tubes and the pot now! The pot was very hard to open when I went hypo so I recommend opening it before the next potential hypo situation. ^_^;

Considering you can't get them on prescription I will be looking into buying online... bulk buying saves a lot of money generally and I keep finding my local ASDA are out of stock! Sad

Mar 8, 2010

JayBee 587 posts

Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter

Wow, I'm impressed! Makes a lot of sense to make it a USB thing considering diabetics are interested in putting their blood results online. I might ask about it next time I see my DAFNE nurse. Smile

Bit puzzled about NiVZ thinking along the lines that it's just blokes that'll want a machine that fits in your pocket.... bit of a strange way to put it considering females would be interested too. :/

Anyway, I look forward to using this machine if I can get it! Would be great to get rid of all the manual input! Very Happy

Edit: Do we have any idea what the raw data's format will be before it's converted into PDF for viewing?

Mar 12, 2010 Simon 578 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Serial_Programming/Serial_Java#Using_Java_for_Serial_Communication I've only skimmed this page but it seems you can use javax.comm which is platform independent, and rxtx which provides the platform-specific libraries.

Mar 12, 2010 jovifreak 4 posts	Topic: Questions for HCPs / Giving birth without an insulin/glucose drip Hi I've had 3 girls, 17, 16 & 13 now. 1 - Induced at 38 weeks - used a glucose drip, pethadine, gas & air - I could hear the drip bleeping and was either hypo or high but thought there was a budgie in the room and I hate birds !! Baby born was 8lb 2oz 2 - again induced at 38 weeks, I don't remember having a drip but had gas & air and petadine baby was 9lb 2oz 3 - bit more experienced by this time - went into labour in afternoon, got kids fed, bathed and in bed and sorted out a baby sitter before coming to hospital when I couldn't stand it anymore - I was only in the labour room for 5 mins before having baby - no drips, no drugs lol and a healthy 9lb 12oz ! We do have bigger babies but the weight droped off mine in a couple of days, not so much that their weight dropped a lot, but they lost the excess blubber !! None of mine were fed at birth, they were passed to me and we moved to a ward, where i was encouraged to breast feed when they were hungry. breast feeding wasn't for me (it hurt like heck) so they were all bottle fed and fine. Diane

Mar 12, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter I'm not sure it is a good suggestion guys, Java is a platform independent language ( well at least it should be if we keep it away from Microsoft). That means it doesn't know or care what the hardware it runs on is. It may be that you can get at a COM port in java but generally it would be frowned upon since its breaking the platform independence rules. This software needs to access the COM ( serial) port to talk directly to the meter. Sorry if thats a bit techie, I don't know what level of IT you all understand, obviously I do it full time, hence the geeky posting ;^)

Mar 12, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Woo, java is a good suggestion in response to this potential problem!

Mar 12, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / What meter are you using? I've just joined the ranks of One Touch Ultra Easy!

Mar 11, 2010 Yokel 3 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed I also have an ipod touch. I would like a version of the CP list which doesn't rely on internet access. Often restaurants etc don't have wi-fi and we camp alot so would like to be able to look at the CP list offline. The diary could rely on wi-fi but ideally not. Hope that helps!

Mar 10, 2010 Karl 83 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Hi NiVZ Java may be the way to go - (cross platform) - will have a word with a couple of programmers at work see if they have used it. What are you programming in at the minute?

Mar 10, 2010 Bessiemay 1 post	Topic: General Discussion / What meter are you using? accu-check compact plus

Mar 10, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Hi marke, Good to know it works under Windows 7 Yeah Linux is completely different and I've no idea how to write programs for it. If anyone who does wants to give it a go you need a language that can interface with the COM port and is capable of sending and receiving binary data - a lot of the meters send Chr(00) which can be wrongly interpreted as end of string / end of communication. I'd be happy to provide details of the communications I've figured out so far. NiVZ

Mar 9, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter hi, i believe it will work under Vista and NiVZ I should have mentioned I am runnnig windows 7 so your software will work on it ! I don't very much it will work on Linux unfortunately, Linux works completely differently from windows under the 'covers' and the software NiVZ uses is very much based on windows .

Mar 9, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Just out of interest, does your program work with Linux and/or Vista? Considering Linux is about being open source, I am very curious if it does or not. If not, the boyfriend has Vista on his computer so all is not lost for my situation.

Mar 9, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Thanks JWo. I'm trying hard to get something finished thats fit for release. I've not tried my program with Windows 7 yet, but we do have it at work so I will. My program only needs the usb cable driver installed (and not the actual software) so fingers crossed it should be ok with Windows 7. I'll give it a try as soon as I get a chance I've currently use the OneTouch UltraEASY as my main meter, but have been using my UltraSMART again to do the testing for the uploads. My DSN was kind enough to give me an Optium Xceed to test the uploading with but they've not gotten any Contour USB's yet. As Marke has said you can get the cable for the OneTouch meters by filling out the online form, and Abbott do the same for the Optium Xceed - you just need to enter your meter's serial number on their online form. I did contact Bayer direct to see if they'd be agreeable to giving me one to help with the project but as of yet I've not heard back from them. Don't think we'll be able to do the Roche Accu-Chek meters because as Marke says they're not keen to give away they're infra-red cable, and I'm definitely not handing over Â£20 for old, slow infra-red technology ;) NiVZ

Mar 9, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Thanks for the recommendation marke. I am getting very tempted by the Ultra Easy machine. How disappointing to hear that Roches are unprofessional like that. Might be worth not bothering with their machine anyway if they're not prepared to update to using a USB standard.

Mar 9, 2010 marke 681 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Hi, you should have no trouble getting the software or cable for the lifescan ultra easy the URL is http://www.lifescan.co.uk/OurProducts/Accessories/InterfaceCable.aspx and they will send it to you for free. I have to say it is a million times better than Roches bizarre insistance on sticking with Infra-red. I used to use their meters and software but after a PC upgrade the infra red would never work again and roche were far from helpful. I have tried to get a smart-pix device to test for DAFNEOnline but Roche are not interested and their customer support is not fit of that name. I would be interested to hear if anyone does get a contour USB meter and if its any good, as I said previously I don't intend to pay for one when they will get all the money from the NHS for my test strips if I use one.

Mar 9, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter No worries NiVZ. I'm a female for the record, heh. ;P Speaking of this USB machine - I did send an email to my diabetes nurse requesting if they could issue one to me, and they said that because they've had problems with Contour machines, they've pulled out of using them. However, in response to this, the nurse was kind enough to let me know about other machines that could do the same job for me. I did also ask about compatibility with the operating system Linux (that I use). These are the machines with their compatitibility that was listed in response: ~Lifescan (One touch ultra easy and Vita) state not compatible with Windows 7. ~Abbot (Optimun xceed) state only tested with Windows XP. ~Menari who supply the Glucomen LX stated that their software was compatible with all systems (The site about it says it's compatible with windows XP or higher though which I'm puzzled about). Most of the machines they get do provide USB data link cables free of charge except for Roche who manufacture the Accu-chek machines, they provide a data link box called smart pix which uploads the data from the blood glucose machine via infra red, this box costs Â£19.99 (inc vat)." I do recall using a Otimum Xceed before my current machine though... sods law though, I cannot find it now. >_< I am going to have a good think about what one to pick but I'm tempted to go with Ultra Easy considering your efforts for members on the DAFNE Online forums! Whatever happens, I hope it's not too much hassle to get the USB wire at the same time as getting the new machine. If you do pick up on this Contour USB for the project, good luck with it. You're good to do what you're doing NiVZ, thank you.

Mar 8, 2010 laurals11 11 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found? I use a Gluco-carry attached to my keyring.You can get one to fit Dextrosol or Glucotabs http://www.gluco-carry.com/order.html Most chemists will order Glucotabs 50 if you ask.

Mar 8, 2010 Stew B 125 posts	Topic: Site Development / DAFNE Online iPhone application - help with content/design needed Hi Simon I have an iPod touch, which shares lots of apps with the iPhone. Its not so flexible - I can only go on-line via wi-fi - but it will be great to be able to use it for diary and CP list (lots of places, like McDs have free wi-fi these days, so it won't be restricted to home use for CP lists). I'd very much like to see a facility for multiple diary entries (a bit like the current on-line diary), rather than just a capacity to make entries one at a time. I tend to transfer diary entries in bulk, and being able to do this via my iPod touch at home would mean I don't have to kick the kids off the PC so often.. Stew

Mar 8, 2010 NiVZ 82 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Hi JWo, Sorry wasn't meaning to be sexist - just that the majority of girls have a handbag they can put their meter in. Us blokes need jeans or jackets with considerably large pockets to fit in even the smallest meter, however I have no problem carrying my USB data sticks in my pocket so something this small would mean I'd be more likely to take the meter out and about with me. I'm already 90% of the way there on an automatic uploader for the OneTouch UltraEASY and UltraSMART, had a quick look at the Xceed as well but it's proving harder. If I get my hands on a ContourUSB I'll give it a try as well ;o) NiVZ

Mar 8, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: Carbohydrate Counting / Glucotabs: Where they can be found? I've still only really seen them in ASDA... bought both the tubes and the pot now! The pot was very hard to open when I went hypo so I recommend opening it before the next potential hypo situation. ^_^; Considering you can't get them on prescription I will be looking into buying online... bulk buying saves a lot of money generally and I keep finding my local ASDA are out of stock!

Mar 8, 2010 JayBee 587 posts	Topic: General Discussion / Bayer Contour USB Meter Wow, I'm impressed! Makes a lot of sense to make it a USB thing considering diabetics are interested in putting their blood results online. I might ask about it next time I see my DAFNE nurse. Bit puzzled about NiVZ thinking along the lines that it's just blokes that'll want a machine that fits in your pocket.... bit of a strange way to put it considering females would be interested too. :/ Anyway, I look forward to using this machine if I can get it! Would be great to get rid of all the manual input! Edit: Do we have any idea what the raw data's format will be before it's converted into PDF for viewing?