Dreamstation "SmartRamp" Feature

[thecpapguy!]

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I just received my new Dreamstation last week, but I am not new to CPAP therapy. I have working as a technician in the field for a little over a decade. I was hoping that some of you may have some thoughts on the smartramp feature that Phillips Respironics has with their new devices? I personally, from a technician perspective, have not had a satisfactory recommendation for the feature as it causes problems with comfort in the majority of patient's that I have use it and I prefer for the ramp to be in manual mode most of the time. Has anyone else had problems with this feature and if so, please explain?

[AcedDublB]

I too got my new DreamStation last week and didn't select that feature but I was anxious to hear what benefits there are supposed to be with it.

I don't bother with the Ramp button as I usually take a long time to get to sleep anyway.

I am on fairly high pressures too.

[jimsp1]

I use the ramp feature if I wake up and my APAP is near the high end(12 in my case). I find it difficult to fall back to sleep at the high pressure so I just push the ramp button to temporally lower the pressure.

[AcedDublB]

I will try it tonight, certainly can't do any harm.

[Cannuck 1]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/ho2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/o2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/ho2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

[OkyDoky]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/o2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/o2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/o2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

Not to be picky just correct, I noticed once before you stated pressures as cm/o2. Pressures are actually cm/ H2O (water not oxygen)

[Cannuck 1]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/ho2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/ho2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/o2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

Not to be picky just correct, I noticed once before you stated pressures as cm/o2. Pressures are actually cm/ H2O (water not oxygen)

You are right, I will be more diligent.(corrected)

[OkyDoky]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/o2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/o2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/o2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

Not to be picky just correct, I noticed once before you stated pressures as cm/o2. Pressures are actually cm/ H2O (water not oxygen)

You are right, I will be more diligent.

No worry. That's why we are here because we all need others to keep us in line.

[thecpapguy!]

Most of the replies I've noticed I think are the standard manual RAMP setting. Adjust the ramp pressure to your comfort then press the ramp button to actually use the feature. The "smart ramp" on the Dreamstation works quite a bit differently. Once your breathing calms into a regular rhythm the ramp feature automatically engages to what time limit has been set within the clinic menu's. Has anyone used that feature?

[jonny515]

So it is basically "guessing" (I use that advisedly sorry) that you are sleeping by a regular breathing pattern? Interesting.

Most of the replies I've noticed I think are the standard manual RAMP setting. Adjust the ramp pressure to your comfort then press the ramp button to actually use the feature. The "smart ramp" on the Dreamstation works quite a bit differently. Once your breathing calms into a regular rhythm the ramp feature automatically engages to what time limit has been set within the clinic menu's. Has anyone used that feature?

[WindCpap]

I not have a dreamstation , but auto ramp works extremely important well on the resmed airsense 10. I have seen it ramp up early but it has never missed me falling asleep. The ramp is very quick once it engages.

[thecpapguy!]

[quote="jonny515"]So it is basically "guessing" (I use that advisedly sorry) that you are sleeping by a regular breathing pattern? Interesting.

Yes Jonny515. From the way I am understanding the feature is that once your breathe becomes more even and relaxed showing the signs you have fallen asleep then the machine will begin to RAMP and if you do not show these signs within 30 minutes it automatically ramps for you. If I am wrong, then I hope someone will educate me! I really want this feature to work for patients, but I cannot seem to get on the same page with how it works, how to properly educate and how to properly use. I just like using the manual mode better.
I also use the manual mode on my machine.

[WindCpap]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/o2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/o2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/o2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

Not to be picky just correct, I noticed once before you stated pressures as cm/o2. Pressures are actually cm/ H2O (water not oxygen)

I wonder if you actually what cmH20 really means.

[OkyDoky]

I like a ramp up starting at 6cm/o2 for 5 min because it easies you instead of a violent start pressure at 8cm/o2.(that's my ceiling pressure)
At 4cm/o2 I feel I'm not getting enough and it bothers me in a slumber state of mind.
All the best.

Not to be picky just correct, I noticed once before you stated pressures as cm/o2. Pressures are actually cm/ H2O (water not oxygen)

I wonder if you actually what cmH20 really means.

I think your sentence is missing a word. And if your are asking if I Know what it means, yes I do!

[AcedDublB]

ADVANCED AUTO-BiPAP ADJUSTS TO YOUR CHANGING SLEEP NEEDS
The DreamStation BiPAP Auto is an advanced auto-bilevel machine that delivers one distinct higher pressure on inhalation, and a separate lower pressure on exhalation. As you sleep the BiPAP Auto monitors your breathing for flow limitations and adapts to them, automatically adjusting inhalation and exhalation levels to ensure you're receiving the optimum bilevel pressure for a comfortable and successful sleep.

SMARTRAMP MAKES THERAPY EASIER
In addition to the traditional pressure ramp available on most sleep therapy devices, DreamStation Auto BiPAP offers SmartRamp for an easier experience at the onset of sleep. When SmartRamp is enabled the DreamStation BiPAP Auto will monitor your therapy levels, during the ramp period, to deliver lower overall pressure until it detects an obstructive respiratory event. When an event is detected SmartRamp responds to resolve the event, raising pressures as required until the ramp period concludes.