Sending IR commands from a VB app

Those of you using the MAP file and device files know that you can cause SLINK-E to issue IR commands in relation to events such as CDJ sending a message stating "using_player[cd1]" or an incoming IR command from a remote but, could someone tell me how to do the same thing from a VB App? I have to remove a command from a MAP file because I do not wish it to be issued every time an event occurs; rather I want to catch the event in my VB app and then (based on the state of a check box) decide whether or not to issue the IR command. Although I am an engineer I am definately a VB novice so please for give me if this is a stupid question. Any ideas guys?