When running a scenario with 3G I frequently get an error message that I have lost connection to my manikin. How do I go about resolving this issue?

Carly,

When I was with the Arkansas Heart Hospital, utilizing SimMan 3G, I also got that message. I called Tech Support and they walked me through a process to change the channel that the computer and 3G use. Before I left that facility that issue was not resolved, but there are multiple channels to go through to find the right one. Some of the issues that may be causing interference as well are cell phones with bluetooth on, and another wireless connection in the building/simulation area.

Hope this helps.

 

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Gerald Songer RN
Ouachita Technical College
One College Circle
Malvern, Ar 72104
1.800.337.5000 Ext 1204
gsonger@otcweb.edu

Gerald,

Thank you for your prompt feedback. This is very helpful information! Looks like I will be making a call to tech support!

Carly,

 I also have that same problem. I fortunately have computer background. The connection drop is one symptom; another symptom is the glitch or pause in the monitoring, then the waveform traces real fast to catch up. Both of these are caused by the Sync in the wireless adapters. I downloaded a free program to sniff out all other wireless signals and was shocked at all the potential interference.

 For 802.11 standards there are 11 (1-11) channels that can be used for the typical 2.4 GHz wireless networking. A typical practice in the IT world, as implemented here, would be to use the same Name (SSID) for the wireless device, typically for students and staff to use, and spread those names over several channels and wireless access points. I have requested an audit by the IT department here in hopes to create a SIMNET with our own channels. We have other Sim devices that also like to connect wireless adding to the frequency noise, my hopes is to bring all those on one network for clear operations.

We also have programs that take our 3G to other facilities for outreach. While I'm not fully trained in the software, I have the other tools to be able to audit the channels and reprogram the manikin and computer to a clear channel. I know there is a procedure, I just can't find it.

Joe

DMU / US Army

 

I have also had issues with the manikin disconnecting while it is wireless. Fortunately where I work we have the capibilty to hardwire plug them in to our network. I know this is not ideal for the use of 3G, but I have not had the issue since. Sometimes wireless just cannot be trusted.

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Chris Weidman
Simulation Tech
Clarian Health. Fairbanks Hall
Indianapolis, IN

When our 3G was installed we had several issues with disconnections and lagging of the computers.  The first thing we did was update the software on both the PC's and the Manniquin to the latest version 1.0.3...You will want to contact tech support and have them walk you through how to do the update, since it has several steps to it.  Even after the update, we were still having the same issues.  I thought it might be memory issues with the PC's, but  when Tech Support had me remote in the manniquin we discovered that some files had been corrupted in the OS...after we got those fixed he seemed to run better, but still lagging.  I installed and ran http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider determine which wireless networks were active in the area of our 3G.  3G ships on a default wireless channel of 6.  Our IT department utilizes ch 1, 6, 11.  So 6 wasn't a good choice.  I remoted into the manniquin and changed him to ch 13, and he is now running fine..no lag, no loss connection. 

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Michael Kirk NREMTP, CFC
Life Support Education Coordinator
Orlando Health
Phone: (321)843-5012
Fax: (407)649-6937
Michael.Kirk@orlandohealth.com

We have also had problems with the wireless connection in that labs and media files would not upload to the patient monitor, and disconnection error messages. We have solved this by creating a new "ad Hoc" wireless network that only the instructor's laptop and the monitor laptop connect to. This disables our ability to wifi on the internet on these computers, but it solves all the disconnect issues.

Another problem we have though is that sometimes the driver doesn't load in the the patient monitor that enables touch and pen flick, this causes issues with touching the monitor to start waves, etc. Anyone else had a problem with the touch part of the touch screen?

Thanks

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Dorothy Cook
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona
Nursing Simulation Lab Specialist

Occasionally, one of our laptops will have the driver issue. I looked into it and found the problem extends to everyone with that model laptop and not specifically sim man users. The only solution I found was to reboot.

Is the touch screen issue on a Dell XT (not XT2)? Try this next time you see the problem:

        Reset touch screen. In system tray, right click “N-trig digitizer (3.2)" icon, select <Properties...>, <Digitizer Options>, <Touch Tuning>, <Reset>.

Not a permanent fix, but might get you op and running again without having to restart the computer. This seams to be a driver issue for the Dell XT. Typically they appear after the PC have been i power save mode (sleep/hibernate etc). Maybe worth checking www.dell.com for driver updates (I have not checked for quite a few months now).

Kind regards

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Dag Sanna
Laerdal Medical AS

Regarding issues with Dell XT LAN network cards (not Wifi/WLAN) - please note that there is a new driver available on Broadcoms home page that fixes issues after the computer have been in power save mode (similiar behaviour as with touch driver mentioned above). The network card becomes unresponsive until you reboot the computer. Download the driver from this location to fix problem:

        http://www.broadcom.com/support/ethernet_nic/netxtreme_desktop.php

For some reason Dell have not made this driver available on their web page. 

As a general suggestion - I would recommend to check with www.dell.com and also directly with manufacturers web sites (Dell only assembles parts) for newest and greatest drivers.

Finally - I of course recommend that you create a restore point before updating drivers.

Kind regards

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Dag Sanna
Laerdal Medical AS