How to use a pulse oximeter

Ok.. so i have one now. But it being a crap product i bought off amazon, the software isn't working. So i'm going to replace it with another model soon. But in the meanwhile i think it might still be useful. Any idea on how to use it in method that helps give you an idea of your sleep apnea severity. Partner/family who are awake, writing it down?

It should work great for spot checks. Unfortunately if you don't have recording and play back ability it is extremely difficult to pick the moment you are having an apnea event.

Please post what oximeter model you have. There may be some help in getting the software to work.

Otherwise, the various CMS recording oximeters work well and can interface with SleepyHead.

As far as having a family member look at your current oximeter while you are sleeping, that could work if the display is lit or they can turn the display on while not waking you.

tiredandscared wrote:Ok.. so i have one now. But it being a crap product i bought off amazon, the software isn't working. So i'm going to replace it with another model soon. But in the meanwhile i think it might still be useful. Any idea on how to use it in method that helps give you an idea of your sleep apnea severity. Partner/family who are awake, writing it down?

the answers to the question would likely depend on what make and model you bought.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Contec-Full-Col ... +recording


I have the model: contec cms50E, it's chinese crap. But atleast it's sorta working.

That is a good oximeter. It can interface with SleepyHead and connect to your cpap data for ResMed and Respironics machines.

One comment posted on the Amazon web page indictates that two items are important ro get the download to work.
1) always use the USB cable supplied with the device. A generic cable won't work.
2) Make sure the device is plugged in and recognized by Windows before starting the oximeter software.

that looks like the CMS50E, there shouldn't be any problem with it, however it is critical to use the cable that came with the unit, it is *NOT* a USB cable, it's got a chip in it that converts the USB signals to a serial connection.

JDS74 wrote:That is a good oximeter. It can interface with SleepyHead and connect to your cpap data for ResMed and Respironics machines.

One comment posted on the Amazon web page indictates that two items are important ro get the download to work.
1) always use the USB cable supplied with the device. A generic cable won't work.
2) Make sure the device is plugged in and recognized by Windows before starting the oximeter software.

The unit is not recognized by windows. And the software disk is pretty much empty.

edit: The computer is recognizing a USB hard-drive but nothing else. The software disk just comes up empty.

tiredandscared wrote:. . . I have the model: contec cms50E, it's chinese crap. But atleast it's sorta working.

No need to be disappointed. Contec has been making good pulse-ox's for years. I'm told the 50E is directly compatible with SleepyHead now. So you should be able to easily insert your pulse-ox graphs. More than a few months ago, that (direct input) was not the case and more round-about method was needed to do that; e.g., the instructions in my signature block. Those instructions may still be needed for older CMS-50 units -- am not sure yet how well SH handles direct input from vintage pulse-ox's.

tiredandscared wrote:

JDS74 wrote:That is a good oximeter. It can interface with SleepyHead and connect to your cpap data for ResMed and Respironics machines.

One comment posted on the Amazon web page indictates that two items are important ro get the download to work.
1) always use the USB cable supplied with the device. A generic cable won't work.
2) Make sure the device is plugged in and recognized by Windows before starting the oximeter software.

The unit is not recognized by windows. And the software disk is pretty much empty.

edit: The computer is recognizing a USB hard-drive but nothing else. The software disk just comes up empty.

what kind of computer?

you can also import the data from that oximeter into sleepyhead, using the correct cable.

here's a variety of windows versions of the sw for different units, I don't know which one is proper for the 50E you have, you may need to experiment a bit. http://www.coopermedical.com/content/manuals-downloads I don't have an E anymore, (a friend dropped it in a glass of water and didn't tell me)... but the D+ I bought to replace it cheaply came with version 1.5 and I think the E uses the same version.

palerider wrote:

tiredandscared wrote:

JDS74 wrote:That is a good oximeter. It can interface with SleepyHead and connect to your cpap data for ResMed and Respironics machines.

One comment posted on the Amazon web page indictates that two items are important ro get the download to work.
1) always use the USB cable supplied with the device. A generic cable won't work.
2) Make sure the device is plugged in and recognized by Windows before starting the oximeter software.

The unit is not recognized by windows. And the software disk is pretty much empty.

edit: The computer is recognizing a USB hard-drive but nothing else. The software disk just comes up empty.

what kind of computer?

you can also import the data from that oximeter into sleepyhead, using the correct cable.

here's a variety of windows versions of the sw for different units, I don't know which one is proper for the 50E you have, you may need to experiment a bit. http://www.coopermedical.com/content/manuals-downloads I don't have an E anymore, (a friend dropped it in a glass of water and didn't tell me)... but the D+ I bought to replace it cheaply came with version 1.5 and I think the E uses the same version.

windows 8
Thanks for the site. I've got everything set up now, save my computer won't recognize the device inserted. Any advice on how to fix that?

tiredandscared wrote:windows 8
Thanks for the site. I've got everything set up now, save my computer won't recognize the device inserted. Any advice on how to fix that?

Did you load the drivers? Back when I had one for a short while, it was a bit funky to get it to download. but once you figured it out it worked okay. I didn't have Sleepyhead at the time so I never tried that. It was a 50D+ model.

Krelvin wrote:

tiredandscared wrote:windows 8
Thanks for the site. I've got everything set up now, save my computer won't recognize the device inserted. Any advice on how to fix that?

Did you load the drivers? Back when I had one for a short while, it was a bit funky to get it to download. but once you figured it out it worked okay. I didn't have Sleepyhead at the time so I never tried that. It was a 50D+ model.

Where do I find therm? I've googled it. No dice.

the oddest thing. The latest spo2 software will register the pulsemeter being connected to the computer, but the program still won't recognize a device with an output and windows is treating the pulsemeter like a USB memory stick. It's various folders with nothing in them.

Should have been on the small CD it came with.

Package Contents:
1x CMS 50E Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
1x Neck/wrist cord
1x DC power adaptor plug
1x USB Connector cord
1x PC Software Disk (software and drivers)
1x 3.7V Rechargeable lithium battery (Super long battery life)
1x User manual
1x Carry case

Krelvin wrote:Should have been on the small CD it came with.

the small CD is empty. I'd be grateful if anyone can link or send me the drivers.