As computerisation in the medical environment has increased, so the advantages of storage and computer analysis of data from various equipment has become well recognised. Most medical monitoring and measurement equipment now supports an RS-232 serial interface allowing for direct computer access both in terms of data analysis and equipment control. This very practical book describes the techniques used for interfacing a PC to a range of medical equipment used internationally in the areas of anaesthesia, intensive care, surgery, respiratory medicine and physiology and will constitute a valuable resource for a wide audience of equipment users in these fields.

Presents Technical Data & Operational Theory for Interfacing the IBM-PC with Hardware & Software. Includes Examples & Subroutines for Interfacing

This volume thoroughly explores all the principles and techniques necessary for connecting any type of sensor to the IBM PC or equivalent computers -- e.g., sensors, transducers, data conversion, and interface techniques.

Hailed by experts for its topical breadth and "hands-on" format, this thorough and visually appealing guide uses a step-by-step approach to teach the basics of PC architecture--covering all x86 microprocessors from 8088 to the Pentium Pro.

The Laboratory Computer: A Practical Guide for Physiologists and Neuroscientists introduces the reader to both the basic principles and the actual practice of recording physiological signals using the computer. It describes the basic operation of the computer, the types of transducers used to measure physical quantities such as temperature and pressure, how these signals are amplified and converted into digital form, and the mathematical analysis techniques that can then be applied. It is aimed at the physiologist or neuroscientist using modern computer data acquisition systems in the laboratory, providing both an understanding of how such systems work and a guide to their purchase and implementation. The key facts and concepts that are vital for the effective use of computer data acquisition systems A unique overview of the commonly available laboratory hardware and software, including both commercial and free software A practical guide to designing one's own or choosing commercial data acquisition hardware and software