Introduction

Comprehensive illustration for education can be achieved by video clips. However, to date mainly text-based teaching sources on programming of pacemakers are available. Technical challenges may have restricted users’ implementation for video teaching. The purpose was to develop an innovative technical solution to record programming of pacemakers performed on pacemaker programmers in video file format. 

Methods

Current interfaces of pacemaker programmers to transmit video signals to a computer were analyzed. Hardware and software components were investigated to transmit and capture video signals of pacemaker programmers to computers providing a solution for video recording.

Results

Four VGA and one USB 2.0 port from five different pacemaker programmers were identified (Carelink 2090, Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA; Merlin Patient Care System 3650, Abbott Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA; Orchestra Plus, MicroPort CRM, Clamart, France; Renamic, Biotronik SE & Co. KG, Berlin, Germany; Zoom Latitude, Boston Scientific, St. Paul, MN, USA). The solution for successful video recording of these signals consisted of a set of additional hardware and software components (Figure A): VGA (Figure B) and USB (Figure C) video signal were converted to HDMI by different adapters: 1) VGA to HDMI converter: Foinnex; Shenzhenshi Haotaiheng Keji Youxian Gongsi, China; 2) USB 2.0 to DVI to HDMI converter: Delock, Tragant Handels- und Beteiligungs GmbH, Berlin, Germany). HDMI video signal was captured by video grabber (USB 3.0 HDMI Capture Box, DIGITNOW!, China) and connected to computer via USB 3.0 port.Commercialy available capturing software was used and connectivity with different operating systems (Windows 10, macOS Mojave 10.14.2) was confirmed.  

Conclusion

Programming of pacemakers performed on pacemaker programmers and its recording for video teaching is feasible with this innovative technical solution and can be applied for all manufacturers. In future, video clips of pacemaker programmers might be used for illustrated teaching purpose.