Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Interview

Puritan Bennett Introduction and Background

Puritan Bennett’s role as a provider of respiratory products goes back almost a century, when the original company began as a medical gas supplier. Today, Puritan Bennett holds a premier position in all aspects of respiratory medical devices, highlighted by its top-of-the-line mechanical ventilators for intubated patients.

Puritan Bennett is a leading supplier of portable ventilation, oxygen therapy systems, sleep diagnostic and sleep therapy equipment, spirometry and other respiratory care products. As a manufacturer and supplier of critical care products, Puritan Bennett offers customers an exceptional level of customer service and technical support, and offers clinicians a wealth of clinical education resources.

Puritan Bennett Homepage

About The Interview

We are proud to provide the cpaptalk community with a means to communicate with the manufacturers of the newest and most innovative CPAP equipment. We have made an effort to keep questions posted by our community members in as close to their original form as possible, however, some gramatical and structural changes to community questions have been made in an attempt to improve the clarity and capture the spirit of the question. User questions, in their exact and originally posted form, can be found on cpaptalk's "Request for Questions" thread. We thank each and every one of you for your involvement in this process and look forward to gathering your questions for future interviews soon!

Product Picture and Description

Bilevel devices differ from CPAP devices in that bilevels switch back and forth between two pressure levels, one higher and one lower, rather than providing one continuous pressure level. The pressure upon inhalation is higher to hold the airway open, but as the user exhales, the pressure drops to a preset lower level. A bilevel responds well to people with very high CPAP pressure needs, weak chest wall muscles, lung disease or other health problems that keep them from being able to exhale against a CPAP pressure.

Bilevel is the generic term to describe these machines. BiPAP®, for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure, is registered with Respironics; ResMed uses VPAP® for Variable Positive Airway Pressure.

GoodKnight® 425 Bi-Level® Device

Product Specifications

Pressure Range IPAP	3cm to 25cm H2O.
Pressure Range EPAP	3cm to 20cm H2O.
Ramp Time	0 to 30 min. (5-min. increments)
Starting Ramp Pressure	From 4cm, patient-adjustable
Dimensions	5.6" x 2.9" x 7.7"
Weight	Bilevel: 1.54 lbs.; Power Supply Module (included): 1.16 lbs.; Total weight 2.7 lbs.
Altitude Compensation	Automatic
Electrical Requirements	100 - 240 AC, 12volt DC

Interview

Release, Purchase and Care

bipaper asks: When is this product being released?

Puritan Bennett will start shipping the GoodKnight® 425 Bi-Level® Device to customers in November 2004.

sleepy sue asks: How much will this new machine cost? Will it be more or less than the KnightStar® 330 Bi-Level Ventilator?

Unfortunately, Puritan Bennett does not sell directly to patients. Please contact your homecare or online provider for pricing.

cpaptalk.com Note:

At the time of this interview, the KnightStar is available for $1435.00 on cpap.com. Pre-orders for the GoodKnight 425 are being accepted for the price of $1465.00.

BillyJoe asks: How long is the warranty for the GoodKnight 425 device?

The warranty period is 12 months from the date of purchase.

cpaptalk.com asks: How often should you replace the filters on a machine like this?

The outer foam filter should be cleaned at least once a week, or more often if necessary. For more detailed maintenance and cleaning instructions, please refer to the Patient Manual included with the device.

Customer Evaluation

cpaptalk.com asks: Has this machine been evaluated on a user base? If so, what was the feedback from customers? How are your evaluations structured and who conducts them?

Puritan Bennett conducted interviews with a small group of patients who had been on bi-level therapy longer than 6 months using various devices from other manufacturers. They were instructed to use the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device in the same way that they used their current equipment (same IPAP/EPAP settings) and with their current mask for at least 30 minutes in quiet breathing conditions.

The patients were asked a series of questions about the GoodKnight 425 device's performance relative to its size, weight, appearance, display features and noise level. They were also asked about ease of use and comfort, especially in terms of how closely the device matched the onset of the inspiration and expiration of the patient's breath.

Results indicated a very strong user perception of the overall performance and features of the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device. In addition one patient was asked to evaluate the GoodKnight 425 unit over a period of one week at home. He commented, "I loved everything about it. It's much more comfortable and it's quieter than the device that I have. As soon as it's on the market, I want to have one!"

cpaptalk.com asks: What mechanical testing was done?

Mechanical testing was completed on the blower to verify the reliability of the mechanical components (i.e., ball bearings, rotating parts, etc.) under various use conditions.

Product Comparison

JudyAnn asks: Other than size, what sets this bi-level above the BiPAP Pro 2 or any of the other bi-levels available?

The GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device includes FlowSens technology designed to closely match the onset of the inspiration and expiration of the patient's breath. By synchronizing the delivery of the two pressure levels with the patient's breathing pattern, this unique patented flow-based detection system continuously optimizes patient comfort. Moreover, FlowSens allows leak estimation and compensates leakages on a breath-by-breath basis

SleepyTimeGal asks: Puritan Bennett has a good product in the KnightStar 330 Bi-Level Ventilator. Why bring out another?

Puritan Bennett continues to invest in market research and product development so we can help improve overall compliance to therapy with product innovations. The new GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device has a smaller footprint and weighs less than the KnightStar 330 Ventilator. In addition, we learned that some patients do not require all the performance features of the KnightStar 330, such as alarms.

Specifications

Dhix asks: How much does it weigh?

The GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device weighs the same as the GoodKnight 420 CPAP devices - a mere 1.5 pounds!

cpaptalk.com asks: Does this weight include the power cord?

This weight does not include the external power supply module, which weighs 330 g or 0.7 pounds.

cpaptalk.com asks: Can you please provide specifications on the max and minimum pressure and max delta pressure?

In IPAP mode, the minimum pressure is 3 cm H2O and maximum pressure is 25 cm H2O.

In EPAP mode, the minimum pressure is 3 cm H2O and maximum pressure is 20 cm H2O.

The "step" value is 0.5 cm H2O for both IPAP and EPAP.

Don asks: Is the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device going to be the same size as the GoodKnight 420G CPAP System?

Yes, the GoodKnight 425 device is the same size and weight as the GoodKnight 420 CPAP devices.

mabile asks: Does the GoodKnight 425 device come in different colors?

The GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device is the same color as the GoodKnight 420 CPAP devices, with a blue panel.

SleepyTimeGal asks: The KnightStar 330 Bi-Level Ventilator is a really quiet machine; will this new device be as quiet, or virtually soundless?

Puritan Bennett is pleased to offer another whisper-quiet device with the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device. The maximum sound level measured at 1 meter and at 10 cm H2O is only 31 dBA, which is the same sound level as the GoodKnight 420 CPAP Systems and the KnightStar 330 Bi-Level Ventilator.

cpaptalk.com asks: Does this machine compensate for altitude or is a manual adjustment required?

Puritan Bennett set high standards with the GoodKnight 420 CPAP devices, and the GoodKnight 425 device stands up to these standards. One of the features of the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device is automatic altitude compensation up to 2400 m (approximately 7800 ft) - again, same as the GoodKnight 420 CPAP Systems.

Hardware

Titrator asks: Is the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device compatible with the Puritan Bennett Battery Pack?

Puritan Bennett offers a portable battery for use with the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device that will last up to 6 hours. The Puritan Bennett part number is Y-CGVP7120.

BillyJoe asks: Does the GoodKnight 425 device have a sensor line running down the hose?

Yes, the patient tube for the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device includes an internal pressure line, which provides pressure measurement at the mask, rather than the device, for a precise measurement and better comfort. This internal pressure line is also used for the GoodKnight 420G and 420S CPAP models.

cpaptalk.com asks: Does the GoodKnight 425 device have two filters, a fine and foam, or just one?

The GoodKnight 425 device is shipped with a standard Inlet Air Filter. Puritan Bennett also offers a Fine High Efficiency Filter, which can be ordered separately.

Abilities

iamacpappro asks: Will this machine work on 110 and 220 volt? Is the plug for the wall the same as the other GoodKnight 420 machines? Will it work on DC power; if yes, what cords do you need?

Great questions! The GoodKnight 425 input range is 100 - 240 V, and the power requirements are different for bi-level and CPAP machines. Therefore, the GoodKnight 420 CPAP power supply is not interchangeable with the GoodKnight 425 device. The GoodKnight 425 power supply includes an external transformer and power cord. Puritan Bennett is pleased to offer a cigarette lighter adapter (Part # M-214530-01) for the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device. (Do not use the GoodKnight 420 cigarette lighter adapter for the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device).

bill2 asks: Will the new bi-level have ST mode capacity as the KnightStar 330 does?

Puritan Bennett will release a second model of the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device with ST mode capacity at a later date.

joecpaper asks: Are the new GoodKnight 420 series machines designed only for travel or are they a reliable option for use just at home?

The Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 420 CPAP and Bi-Level devices are intended to be used in the home. They include travel-friendly features as an added benefit.

SleepyTimeGal asks: Will there be mask restrictions with the new machine? The Breeze SleepGear, ADAM system, Swift, Lyra and ComfortLite all have the narrower tubing, so will they work with the new bi-level?

The GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device includes a 22 mm tubing connection and can be used with the Puritan Bennett Breeze SleepGear Interface System. You are correct that the Breeze SleepGear includes 15 mm tubing; however, the swivel adapter accommodates the standard 22 mm tubing of CPAP and bi-level devices.

cpaptalk.com asks: Can you use this machine with a full face mask?

Yes, the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device has been tested and validated for use with full face masks.

cpaptalk.com asks: Can you use this bi-level device with a Breeze SleepGear interface?

Yes, the GoodKnight 425 device has been tested and validated for use with Puritan Bennett patient interfaces, including the Breeze SleepGear system.

cpaptalk.com asks: Does the GoodKnight 425 have a ramp?

Yes, the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device includes an adjustable ramp time feature for improved patient comfort. The ramp time can be set from 0 to 30 minutes (in 5-minute increments).

cpaptalk.com asks: What information is available to patients on the GoodKnight 425 display?

Pressure and clock displays are available to patients on the GoodKnight 425 display. Homecare providers can access pressure settings, ramp, hour meter and compliance meter via the display.

cpaptalk.com asks: Do you need an inverter to run this on DC power?

No, you can connect the GoodKnight 425 Bi-Level Device directly into a DC input if the voltage is between 12 to 14 volts .

cpaptalk.com asks: What if any, leak compensation does this machine have?

The FlowSens technology included in the GoodKnight 425 device uses signal processing of the patient's flow signal. By detecting the additional baseline flow value, leaks are assessed and corrected for on a breath-to-breath basis.

cpaptalk.com asks: If this machine detects a leak does it react like the GoodKnight 420 CPAP System and drop the pressure to the lowest possible setting?

When a high leak is detected (i.e., if the mask is removed) the blower speed will be stabilized at a fixed value (around 4 cm H2O). The previous mode of operation resumes as soon as the mask is put back on.