PulStar works with the PulStar device to measure spinal stiffness, deliver adjustments and keep a record of each visit. Sale and use of the device is restricted to licensed practitioners.
You need an Apple Account to download PulStar from the Mac App Store and to subscribe.
Recommended: Create a separate Apple Account for your practice, using a practice email address, rather than using a personal Apple Account. The PulStar subscription, its billing and receipts then belong to the business, stay with the practice if staff change, and can be shared across the practice's Macs. Apple Watch control and preference sync also work through this account, so sign in to it on each PulStar Mac.
On your Mac, open System Settings and click Sign in at the top of the sidebar.
Click Don't have an Account? (it may read Create Apple Account), then follow the onscreen instructions. You'll enter your date of birth, an email address, a password, your country or region and a phone number.
Open the verification email from Apple and verify your email address.
When you're asked for a payment method you can choose None, but you'll need to add one before you subscribe to PulStar. For more help, see Apple's article How to create a new Apple Account.
Install PulStar
Open the App Store on your Mac and sign in with your practice's Apple Account.
Search for PulStar, then click Get. (PulStar systems also come with a flash drive named “PulStar on the Mac App Store” that opens the app's page for you.)
PulStar is installed in your Applications folder. To keep it handy, drag it to the Dock.
Subscribe
A PulStar subscription is needed to analyze and adjust. The first time you start a session, PulStar asks you to subscribe:
Choose a monthly or yearly plan. New subscribers can try PulStar free for 30 days.
Confirm with your Apple Account. The subscription renews automatically through the App Store until you cancel it.
If you already subscribe, for example on another Mac, sign in with the same Apple Account and click Restore Purchase.
To see or cancel your subscription, open the App Store, click your name, then click Account Settings and go to Subscriptions. If there's a problem with your payment method, PulStar shows Subscription Payment Problem; you keep access for now, and Manage Subscription takes you to where you can fix it.
Set up the PulStar device
Important: Plug the PulStar into a properly grounded three-prong outlet. Check the outlets in the treatment room with an AC line analyzer, and never use a two-prong extension cord or remove a ground prong. The outlets on the back of the PulStar are only for the computer and monitor supplied with the system; don't connect a power strip or other equipment to them.
Place the control unit where you can reach the connections on its back, and where the impulse head cord has some slack.
Connect the impulse head's cord to the connector on the front of the control unit.
Connect the PulStar's USB cable to the Mac.
Plug in the PulStar and turn it on with the switch on the back.
Start up and shut down
Turn on the PulStar first. If your practice has more than one PulStar system, start the main system first.
Leave the impulse head in its holder for 5 seconds while the PulStar calibrates the preload sensor.
Check the three green lights next to the impulse head connector. From left to right they mean: power is on, the USB connection to the Mac is working, and the impulse head is connected. All three should be lit.
Turn on the Mac and open PulStar. The start screen shows “PulStar Device Found” with the device's name and firmware version.
To shut down, shut down the Mac, then turn off the PulStar after the middle green light goes out.
If the start screen says “No PulStar device found”, or shows “Impulse head not connected”, see Firmware and troubleshooting.
The start screen
Patient List opens your patients. It is unavailable for a moment while PulStar loads its cache.
New Session starts a session without choosing a patient. This is a good way to learn PulStar. You can assign the patient later. See Sessions without a patient.
Preferences opens PulStar's settings.
Support Chat starts a Messages conversation with PulStar support.
A typical visit
Find or add the patient, then click Start Session. See Manage patients.