Alert-it Companion Mini User manual

Wireless Epilepsy Support
mini

Congratulations on your Alert-iT purchase
Your product has been manufactured by a team of industry experts with more
than 20 years of experience designing, manufacturing and distributing care
alarms.
With a commitment to quality and innovation we are able to bring you a robust
and reliable system to aid carers with the detection of seizures and the safeguard
of individuals. Please read this quick start guide carefully to ensure the correct set
up, use, and maintenance of your new product for years to come.
If you have any questions or require assistance in regards to the Companion mini
or any other Alert-iT product, our experienced team are on hand to help. Please
find contact details below. Don’t forget you can also join us on Facebook, Twitter
and LinkedIn where you’ll find even more information and advice.
[email protected]
0845 217 9951
Page | 1

Contents
Contents...............................................................................................................2
Product Info..........................................................................................................3
Companion Mini Features....................................................................................3
In The Box.............................................................................................................4
Device Installation................................................................................................5
Turning on the Companionmini (Monitor).............................................................5
Turning on the Pager............................................................................................6
Turning off the Pager...........................................................................................6
Positioning and Setup...........................................................................................7
System Operation.................................................................................................8
Alarm Mode..........................................................................................................8
Pager Charging...................................................................................................10
Pairing Instructions............................................................................................10
Pairing the Monitor to the Pager.......................................................................10
Maintenance Instructions..................................................................................11
Routine Testing..................................................................................................11
How to Clean the Devices..................................................................................11
Changing Battery’s in the Companionmini...........................................................11
Warranty.............................................................................................................12
Plesio Pager Specification..................................................................................13
Companion Mini Specification...........................................................................13
Important Information.......................................................................................14
Page | 2

Product Info
The Companion Mini provides peace of mind for carers and individuals who
have epilepsy.
This product has been designed to discreetly monitor the user with high per-
formance sensors which identify movements that could relate to a seizure.
The monitor can help in the support of the following seizure types;
• Tonic-clonic
• Partial
• Generalised
The carer is then alerted via the Alert-iT Safelink® Radio System. This offers a
failsafe detection of radio integrity using a Class 2 radio receiver. The carer must
respond to the radio fail alarm as the user will be unprotected until solved.
Companion Mini Features
Key features of the Companion Mini sensor include:
• Our failsafe Safelink® Radio technology
• 450m+ radio range
• Digital movement sensor
• 1 year+ battery life
• Biomaster® Anti-microbial plastic casing
• Tamper proof
Page | 3

In The Box
A. B.
C. D.
E. F.
1x P168 Plesio Pager
1x P176 Companion Mini (Monitor) + 2x Spare AAA (LR03) Batteries
1x P153 Pager Power Supply
2x Cable ties & Velcro Pads
1x USB Stick containing;
-Quick start video, programming software & Instructions
1x USB 2.0 Type-A to micro-USB cable
Page | 4

Device Installation
Turning on the Companionmini (Monitor)
The monitor (Companion mini) is shipped in a lower power state and needs
waking up before use. The monitor is woken up and placed into a test mode by
pressing the recessed ‘test’ button on the front of the monitor (Figure 1),
typically using a pen tip. The internal red light will flash to indicate the unit is
now turned on and in test mode. Once woken, it will enter a 60 second test
mode which allows the user to easily test the positioning of the monitor.
Figure 1.
Page | 5

Turning on the Pager
Please note: While the pager is shipped with some charge in the batteries, it is
recommended that the pager is charged before use.
To turn the Pager on, press and hold the ON/OFF button for 3 seconds. The
pager will beep and all three LEDs will flash. The green Pager LED will blip every
8 seconds to show that the pager is awake and listening for alarm signals.
· If the monitor is turned on, you now see the red Monitor LED on
the pager blip every 8 seconds.
Turning off the Pager
To turn the pager off, press and hold the On / Off button for 3
seconds. The pager will bleep and all three LEDs will flash 3 times.
Page | 6
Pair/Mute
Monitor LED
Alarm LED
Pager LED
On / Off

Positioning and Setup
Press and release the test button on the monitor to enter the 60 second test
mode.
Temporarily place the monitor under the mattress without any fixings.
The monitor performs best if placed beneath the user. However, due to the
wide variety of bed types and mattresses, it is advisable to test the units
positioning before securing it into place.
Tap or press the bed to simulate seizure movements.
The pagers ‘monitor’ LED should now go steady and a short audible tone is
heard each time the Companion Mini detects movement.
If you are happy that the monitor is picking up each press/tap of the mattress
then you can secure it into positon using the supplied Velcro pads or cable ties
To use the tie wrap you must remove the base and thread the tie wrap through
the hole’s as shown in figure 3 and 4.
Figure 3. Figure 4.
If required, the base can be screwed to the bed through the holes in the base
(screws not provided).
If a suitable position (place to detect movements) cannot be found, the
sensitivity may need to be increased slightly by connecting the monitor (mini)
to a PC and making adjustments with the software provided on the USB stick.
Contact Alert-iT customer support for more information.
Page | 7

System Operation
You should now have the monitor installed in the bed, and the pager turned on
and receiving the Safelink® signal every 8 seconds. Indicated by the red Monitor
LED blip on the pager.
If the pager stops receiving the failsafe radio signal from the monitor, the
pager’s Monitor LED will be permanently lit and an intermittent alarm tone will
sound.
If the monitor’s battery gets low the pager’s Monitor LED will flash every
second, to indicate that you should now change the battery in the monitor. (see
page 11).
If the monitor now detects any excessive movements in the bed for a period
greater than 15 seconds the monitor will enter its alarm mode.
(This 15 second Time Delay is programmable using the provided software,
contact Alert-it for support).
Alarm Mode
When prolonged movements are detected, the Alarm LED on the pager will light
up, it will make an audible alarm and will vibrate.
Pressing the Pair/Mute button will temporarily mute the alarm tone and stop
the pager vibrating for 5 minutes.
A minute after the spasm activity has ceased, the pager will resume the alarm
state, pressing the Pair/Mute button again will clear the pager (If previously
muted, this will be the second press).
The monitor is set to send an alarm signal continuously (every 10 seconds) while
spasm activity continues. The monitor will send an ‘all clear’ signal, when at
least 1 minute has passed spasm free. At this point the pager will continue to
display an Alarm LED, even after the ‘all clear’ has been received, up until the
Pair/Mute button is pressed.
Always check the user even if the alarm has cleared.
Page | 8

The Tables below are to give an indication of the status of the Alert-it devices based on LED, Sound and Vibration condition(s).
Operational Modes of the Plesio Pager
STATUS Vibration Beeping/Tone Pager LED (Green) Monitor LED (Red) Alarm LED (Red)
Stops receiving failsafe radio from mini No Du-Di-Du Tone every min N/A
Solid (Permanently lit)
N/A
Alarm mode with ongoing movement Yes Ongoing alarm tone N/A Flash every Second
Solid (Permanently lit)
Muted Alarm Mode with ongoing movement No No N/A Flash every Second
Solid (Permanently lit)
Alarm mode with movement stopped - Pair to clear
Yes Ongoing alarm tone N/A Blips On
Solid (Permanently lit)
Companion Mini battery getting low No No N/A Flash every Second N/A
On and paired to Mini- listening for alarm signals No No N/A Blips On N/A
Switching Off No Three Beeps 3 Flashes 3 Flashes 3 Flashes
Switching On No Once Flash Once Flash Once Flash Once
Pager battery getting low No No Flash every Second N/A N/A
Pager battery getting very low No Sound every minute Flash every Second N/A N/A
Pager - Boost Charge Mode No No Solid with blipping off N/A N/A
Pager Trickle Charging No No
Solid (Permanently lit)
N/A N/A
On (battery power only) No No Blips On N/A N/A
Off No No N/A N/A N/A
Test Mode - i.e. for positioning and setup
STATUS Beeping/Tone Pager LED (Green) Monitor LED (Red) Alarm LED (Red) Mini Alarm LED
(Red)
Test Button pressed on Companion Mini N/A N/A N/A N/A
Solid (Permanently lit)
Simulated seizure movements Du-Di-Du Tone Blips On Long Flash N/A
Solid (Permanently lit)
Pairing/Clearing a Monitor to the Plesio Pager
STATUS Beeping/Tone Pager LED (Green) Monitor LED (Red) Alarm LED (Red)
Pairing Once N/A Once N/A
Clearing Paired devices
Multiple followed by single beep
Flash Once at single Beep
Solid until single Beep N/A
N/A = Non Applicable

Pager Charging
The pager’s battery should last approximately 3 days depending on how many
alarm cycles it goes through during this period.
When the pager’s battery starts to get low the green Pager LED (Figure 2) will
start to flash every second indicating the pager should be plugged into the
provided charger. When the battery is very low, the pager will sound every
minute.
The Pager LED will blip off every 8 seconds during boost charge and will be solid
green when the battery is approaching full charge.
Charge for at least 12 hours.
Pairing Instructions
The monitor will usually be paired to the pager before it is shipped to you. If this
is not the case, the instructions below will show you how to pair them together.
Pairing the Monitor to the Pager
Ensure the monitor is turned on. Pairing is only possible within 30 seconds of
powering up the pager. To pair the Monitor to the Page; place the monitor close
to the pager and press and hold the Pair button on the pager. Stimulate any
radio transmission from the monitor. e.g. Pressing a reset button or triggering
an alarm. Or you could wait for the 8 second Safelink® signal. If successful you
will hear a beep and see the red Monitor LED blip when pairing is successful, you
can then release the pair button. A lower burp with no red light indicates the
monitor is too far away to pair. This protects against falsely pairing with anoth-
er, distant, monitor
To clear all paired monitors from the pager memory, press and hold both the
ON/OFF button and the Mute/ Pair button together within the first 30 seconds
after power-up, until the ensuing tone sequence has finished sounding and the
green Pager LED lights, then release both buttons.
Page | 10

Maintenance Instructions
Routine Testing
It is recommended to test the system weekly by simulating spasm movements
on the bed for 15 seconds (the default time unless changed by a user via
programming) & ensure the alarm call is sent to the pager.
How to Clean the Devices
It is also recommended to regularly clean both units by wiping with cotton wool
pads moistened (compressed until dripping stops) with a mild detergent (0.5%
washing up liquid) solution or by using an alcohol or baby wipe. Avoid getting
any liquid into the micro-USB connector.
Changing Battery’s in the Companionmini
Remove the base of the monitor as per figure 3 above OR figure 7 & 8 below.
Also please notice the polarity marked into the case [Fig. 5] when replacing the
2x AAA batteries.
After changing the battery’s, the monitor MUST be turned on again by pressing
the recessed TEST button and waiting for the 60 second test mode to finish.
Figure 5. Figure 6.
Page | 11

Opening Unit in Situ
If the unit has been mounted to a flat surface using screws, remove the top by
sliding the tip of a flat-headed screwdriver under the lip closest to the USB
connector and twisting. See figures 7 & 8.
Figure 7. Figure 8.
Warranty
For 3 years from the date of purchase of the initial equipment, Alert-iT will offer
you;
• Access to support between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm each week-
day (excluding Public Holidays) via the telephone helpline for the purpos-
es of fault diagnosis and the provision of advice.
• Repair (or if this is not possible-replacement) of faulty equipment free of
charge, however, the equipment must be returned to Alert-iT at your
own expense.
• After inspection by Alert-iT engineers, any equipment that is deemed to
have been damaged, rather than failing due to a technical fault will only
be repaired after you have agreed to being invoiced for the cost of
repairs and delivery.
• This agreement will terminate 3 years after the initial date of purchase,
regardless of any new equipment being issued in the interim period.
Please note that liquid ingress voids warranty.
Page | 12

Plesio Pager Specification
Power: 1.3mm 9V DC
Weight: 144g
Material: White ABS Anti-microbial
Dimensions (mm): 120 x 70 x 20 (HxWxD)
Batteries: 2x AA (HR6) Ni-MH Rechargeable 2500mAh
Battery Life: 80 hours (100 typical)
Charging time: 12 hours
Companion Mini Specification
Connections: B-Micro USB 2.0
Weight: 54g
Material: White ABS Anti-microbial
Dimensions (mm): 100 x 45 x 15 (HxWxD)
Batteries: 2x AAA (LR03) Non-rechargeable
Battery Life: 12 months
Operating Temp: 5-35ºC
Humidity: 90% max. Non-condensing
Sealing: IP53 (not waterproof)
●The system complies with 93/42/EEC as a Class 1 Medical Device for use in a Home Heathcare
environment
●The system complies with EN60601 for Class 2 Electrical Safety and does not need a protective earth
and Group 1 Class B for EMC in a Home Healthcare environment
●The system has a radio transmitted compliant to EN300-220 operating at 434.075MHz wideband
10mW power (class 8) less than 1% duty cycle (class 2) and compatible receiver Class 2
Page | 13

Important Information
1. Ensure the power cable is routed to avoid a trip hazard.
2. Regularly check the power supplies for damage and potential shock risks.
3. Ensure, by testing, that the alarm is annunciated at the carer’s location(s).
4. Clean and disinfect each item regularly in accordance with information on page 11.
5. Regularly test sensors as defined herein.
6. Use only the power supply and batteries recommended.
7. Operate power supply and charge pager away from direct heat and uncovered.
8. As with all medical electronic equipment there is potential for the equipment to
interfere with or be effected by interference from other electrical or electronic devices.
For this reason avoid placing the monitor, sensor or connecting cable in close proximity
to sensitive electronic devices or devices which produce strong electromagnetic fields
such as radio transmitters, mobile phones or power cables.
9. Only use the monitor with accessories approved for use with this product and only in
accordance with instructions.
10. If the equipment is modified in any way, appropriate inspection and testing must be
conducted to ensure continue safe use of the equipment.
11. The carer must conduct a risk assessment to determine if the level of reliability offered
by the monitor is sufficient or if additional monitoring is needed. Contact the manufac-
turer for assistance with Risk Evaluation Tools.
12. Additional levels of mechanical protection may be needed for some disorders. Contact
the manufacturers for advice.
13. The carer must never clear an alarm without checking the user’s condition.
14. Some accessories are fitted with small screws and have plastic bags. Ensure these do
not come into the possession of vulnerable people who might choke on them.
The Alert-it system has been designed with due regard to reliability and integrity. While it
offers a highly vigilant monitoring method, it is always possible that a distress condition can
go undetected for a variety of reasons (including malfunction) and in life threatening situa-
tions it is advisable to use the Alert-it system in conjunction with additional monitoring
techniques (e.g. video). Neither the manufacturer nor its agent can accept legal responsibility
to provide a system that is infallible. The carer is responsible for assessing the risks of using
this equipment and any settings pertaining to it.
This symbol indicates there are warnings and precautions
associated with the use of this equipment. This instruction
manual should be carefully read and understood before
using the equipment.
Page | 14

Atherstone House
Desford
Leicester
LE9 9FE
01530 239 900
www.alert-it.co.uk
www.facebook.com/AlertitCareAlarms/
or join our supportive
Epilepsy Forum
UQ1386A Companion mini Quickstart.doc v4.1