FAQ

Can I run it on a MAC?

One correspondent has told me that it will run in 'VirtualPC' on a Macintosh.

Can I alter the weight of the patient?

In this version of the program the weight of the patient is fixed at 75 Kgs although the supervisor is able to vary the patient's nominal oxygen utilisation in the range ~1 - 5 mls/kg/min.. The parameters of the underlying models are generally indexed to body weight and are appropriate for adults in the range 20 - 100 kgs. However, it should be noted that some parameters (such as FRC and other lung volumes) are defined in absolute values and will not change if body weight is altered. The pharmacokinetic parameters have been modelled using data obtained from adults.

How do I move one of the main windows?

If you want to move the <Patient Monitor>, <Inspector> or <Therapeutic Interface> window:

The position of the window will be retained when you next start the application.

What's the difference between loading a 'Patient' and loading a 'Scenario' on the <Tools> menu?

If you load a 'Patient', you will load a patient's nominal physiological state, but all other components of the current scenario (notes, investigations and resources)  will remain unchanged.

If you load a 'Scenario', you will load the patient who is represented in that scenario together with the notes, investigations and resources which are associated with the selected scenario.

Refer to the 'Scenarios' section for more detailed information on the structure of a scenario.

Can I run the system using a direct ethernet connection between two computers?

Yes you can. For advice on how to set up such a connection, see, for example, Conniq.com.

Can I run the system under 'Windows 7' operating system?

The application runs under the 32 & 64-bit versions of 'Windows 7 Ultimate' ('Release to Manufacturers' version).

How do I install the Supervisor Application on another computer?

Copy the file 'MSESupervisor.exe' from the installation directory to the computer of your choice. No other files are needed. Refer to the section entitled 'System Requirements' for a description of the hard- and soft-ware requirements of the supervisory device.

Can I run the Main Application and the Supervisor Application on the same computer?

Yes you can, but the screen may become rather crowded (unless you have a 2560 * 1600 display).

How, (as Supervisor) can I make the patient hypoxic?

Two techniques are available.

How, (as Supervisor) can I make a spontaneously breathing patient hypercarbic?

Progressively increase the <CO2 SP> value on the <Misc> page of the Supervisor Application.

How, (as Supervisor) can I make a ventilated patient hypercarbic?

Progressively increase the <VdVt> value on the <Lung> page of the Supervisor Application.

How, (as Supervisor) can I make the patient hypotensive?

Either slowly reduce the SVR, or slowly reduce the CI on the <CVS/ECG> page of the Supervisor Application.

Is there a drug database editor?

No. At the present time, it is not possible to add new drugs to the system.

Can I run the system using a dual display?

Yes, the system has been tested on conventional dual -display (second monitor) systems as well as remote dual display systems such as 'Maxivista'.

How, (as Supervisor) can I change the patient ('pat') file which is associated with a scenario?

Do the alarms work on the physiological monitor?

No (Not yet).

If I don't heparinise the patient, will the oxygenator clot?

It will not do this automatically. However, the supervisor may choose to fail the oxygenator if you do not heparinise the patient in a 'supervised' session.

Why do many of the tutorials advocate paralysing and ventilating the patient?

The patient has a considerable amount of innate respiratory behaviour. If ventilation is not controlled, it makes it harder for the trainee to identify the effects of the various manoeuvres which are being performed.

Why do the PaO2 and SaO2 rise transiently if I initiate ECMO without any fresh gas flow?

The oxygenator is assumed to have been flushed with oxygen before use. The transient rise represents oxygen delivery from the shell ("Functional Residual Capacity") of the oxygenator.

How do I change the  units of partial pressure of blood gases?

Start the application in 'Maintenance mode' and select the 'Miscellaneous Settings' option. Check the 'kPa' or 'mm Hg' item and then click on 'Save and Exit'. The next time you run the application in 'Supervised' or 'Unsupervised' mode, the selected units will be used and will continue to be used until changed in 'Maintenance Mode' again.

How do I change the  background colour of the system?

Start the application in 'Maintenance mode' and select the 'Miscellaneous Settings' option. Check the 'Colour' button and select the background colour that you want. The next time you run the application in 'Supervised' or 'Unsupervised' mode, the selected colour will be used and will continue to be used until changed in 'Maintenance Mode' again.