Vitatron1 CareLink programmers and programmer software are used to program the Vitatron G-series/E-series pacemakers. Programmers from other manufacturers are not compatible with Vitatron pacemakers but will not damage Vitatron pacemakers.
The programmer displays information in the form of both text and graphics. It also functions as a control panel by displaying buttons and menu options that you can select using the touch pen. When you turn on the programmer or end a patient session, the Vitatron desktop appears.
This section describes the features and conventions of the desktop screen. The Select Model screen below shows the main elements of a typical desktop screen.
Figure 1. Main elements of the desktop screen
1 Task bar
2 Live Rhythm Monitor window
3 Task area
4 Buttons
5 Tool palette
The display screen features a task bar at the very top of the screen. The task bar includes a graphical representation of the telemetry strength light array on the programming head.
Figure 2. Task bar display
1 Telemetry icon and telemetry strength indicator
2 Diskette indicator
3 USB indicator
The diskette indicator and the USB indicator exist in either of the following states:
The USB indicator is green when a USB flash drive is inserted in the programmer. The diskette drive is not available in this state, and the diskette indicator is inactive.
The diskette indicator is green when no USB flash drive is connected to the programmer. The diskette drive is available whenever a diskette is inserted.
This window is a partial view of the full-screen display of ECG waveform traces. You can expand this window to its full size by selecting the small square button in the upper-right corner of the window or by selecting the [Adjust…] button.
Figure 3. Live Rhythm Monitor window
1 Square button
2 [Adjust…] button
The center portion of Vitatron desktop changes according to the task or function you select. Different task areas are displayed in the following examples:
the Select Model screen (refer to ***Unresolved cross-reference: idref=Rac24319***)
the screens you select by using the Programmer icon (refer to ***Unresolved cross-reference: idref=Rab68149***)
Buttons like those shown below allow you to operate the programmer using the touch pen. You can “press” a button by touching it with the tip of the touch pen.
Figure 4. Buttons on the Select Model screen
1 [Start] button
2 [Auto Identify] button
3 [Demo] button
4 Vitatron-to-Medtronic2 button (used to go from Vitatron to Medtronic desktop and vice versa)
Buttons may directly execute a command, such as the [Start] button, or they may open a window that prompts another action. Usually buttons that open a window have a label ending with an ellipsis, such as the [Adjust…] button.
| Tool | Selecting the tool (button or icon) |
|---|---|
| Freezes a segment of the live rhythm display. A frozen strip of markers can be viewed, printed, and saved during a patient session. The saved strips are not available after the session ends. |
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| Accesses the rhythm strips saved during the current patient session. |
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| Opens a window of options for adjusting the Live Rhythm Monitor. Additional adjustment options are present during a patient session. |
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| Displays the screen for selecting a pacemaker model and starting a patient session. | |
| Displays the following programmer setup options: | |
| Programmer Preferences Time and Date Software Reload Session Data |
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| Starts an Analyzer session, provided that Medtronic lead analysis software and hardware are installed on the programmer. |
Note: When some functions are active on the display, selecting a tool button or icon will have no effect. Closing the active window restores operation of the tool palette.
Select a model from the Select Model window and select the [Demo] button to start a simulated programming session. During demo sessions, the message DEMONSTRATION ONLY appears in the title bar.
To start a patient session, place the programming head over the patient’s device, and select the [Auto Identify] button or press the [I] button on the programming head. After the initial interrogation of the pacemaker, the Cardiac Dashboard II screen appears in the main window. For more information, refer to ***Unresolved cross-reference: idref=Rac24319*** and ***Unresolved cross-reference: idref=Rac23876***.
Note: If the programmer is unable to identify the pacemaker, the programmer displays the following message: Position Programming Head.
Before reloading session data, insert the diskette or USB flash drive containing the saved session data file. For information about creating these data files, refer to ***Unresolved cross-reference: idref=Rac22113***. When you select Programmer > Reload Session Data, the programmer displays a list of all session export files stored on the diskette or flash drive. Select the desired file and then press [Reload Data]. This loads the session data and allows you to analyze the followup data or conduct a demo followup session.
Figure 5. Reload Session Data window
During reloaded sessions, the message “DEMONSTRATION ONLY” appears in the title bar. ECG recordings are shown as waveforms. The reloaded sessions contain only the data that was interrogated from the pacemaker before it was saved.
If the Medtronic lead analysis software and hardware are installed on the programmer, the Vitatron desktop will contain the Analyzer icon. Select the Analyzer icon to start the analyzer program. After ending the analyzer program, the programmer returns to the Vitatron software. For more information about the analyzer, refer to the analyzer technical manual.
Atrial Preference Pacing – Atrial rhythm management feature that adapts the pacing rate to slightly higher than the intrinsic sinus rate.
Rate Response User Interface – Provides a graphical display to aid in programming rate response. When Rate Profile Optimization parameters are programmed, rate response undergoes an immediate change.
Auto cancel magnet – Cancels the magnet automatically when you place the programmer head over the pacemaker. With Magnet Test, you can view and record magnet operation.
Auto-interrogation – Occurs automatically at the start of a session.
Full page-size reports – You can choose to connect an external printer for printing full page-size reports.
Live rhythm waveform display – You can quickly tailor a multiple-trace display of the patient’s ECG, atrial and ventricular EGMs, and Marker Channel signals.
Saved session data and PDF reports – You can save data from a session on a diskette or a USB flash drive. The saved data makes it possible to start reloaded data sessions. Also, reports can be saved as PDF files on a diskette or USB flash drive.
1. Vitatron® is a registered trademark of Vitatron Holding B.V.