My Favorite CPAP/BiPAP/APAP Machine Manufacturer Is?

I have only had ONE machine, which I got in January when I began my treatment. I really like the F&P Icon Premo. It is compact, has a clock and alarm with music and the humidifier is inside so there is no additional attachment to the unit. I love the Heated hose and feel that it helps me...although I have to be honest, I am not sure what a hose without heated coils is like. The machine is so easy to use and a plus for me is that the on/off is just a one touch push on the front, not the top of the machine. To me, this is needed because my cat likes to jump on the nightstand and in doing so, I felt his feet might accidentally turn off my CPAP while I am sleeping. The entire face lights up and its able to be dimmed. It makes seeing the clock/information easy in the middle of the night without turning on lights. It automatically dims when not being used.

The only drawback I have is that there is NO software for the end user yet. I find this annoying at best, and I am angry because this is MY BODY and I need to monitor my sleep apnea. With so frequent trips to the doctor...(4 weeks after first use, and then she said 4 months after that) I need to know if there is a reascon to call the office if my numbers are off. For now, I am hand entering information on a sheet of paper daily and tracking it that way, which the machine allows me to see the information, but on the machine only, not all fancy and such on a computer program that organizes it.

So, if you present this to the F&P, tell them that they are not my doctor, they are not my body, and they make a great machine, but I do not need them being my "BIG BROTHER" and controlling my health care.

I voted for the Respironics because of its really comfortable switch between inhale and exhale and because it is virtually silent in operation. Before I selected my machine ( my DME was pushing ResMed and stated the Respironics were 'junk' machines ), I read many online posts both here and on other sites that discussed the question of the transition between inhale and exhale.

Since getting my machine, I have discovered another difference between the two manufacturers that, for me, tilts in favor of Respironics. The BiPap of Respironics allows the EPAP and IPAP to float independenty from one another with only the stipulation that they can't get closer than a fixed number. ResMed floats them at a fixed distance so they go up and down together.

What is missing from both lines ( and other manufacturers ) is the refusal to supply complete data collection and reporting on all models. ResMed does a better job with on-machine display of information but Respironics is adequate.

It would be better if a separate port for pulse-oximetry could be easily available and the attachable pulse-oximeter could be competitively priced - currently the Nonin models cost as much (almost) as the Auto machines and more, much more, than the basic machines.

It would be nice if the machines would have the capability to include as a .CSV file on the data card, the characteristics of the mask the user has and not just a selection of those manufactured by the machine maker. Then the leak data would have more meaning. Masks are a really big issue for CPAP users and it is unlikely that all Respironics or ResMed users will also be users of their manufacturers masks.

The software to access the data should be part of the equipment as supplied and include the ability to present the breathing data as part of the reporting. Saving the report files should be a software configuration issue so the user could pick the folder and format and whether of not to automatically save each day's data - and not to have to execute the program each day to get all of the report information.

It would be nice for the Mac users out there if Mac support would be supplied, even if at a small additional cost.

I'd be delighted if the manufacturers would make only a single machine with the capability to be either a straight CPAP, a bi-level, or and ASV type machine in either straight or auto mode. The inplementation could be done via a separate, installable circuit board ( dongles come to mind ) that would provide whatever function was required. That way the pricing of the basic machine would be fixed and the additional capabilities priced as needed. There could even be a trade in process to offset the cost of moving up the scale. That would even allow for the easy trial of the new level on a short-term rental basis with full data collection to allow the user/RT/sleep doc to see how the new equipment provided therapy.

The current crop of machines don't allow for the user to set the correct date and time for their location. Time clock drift is a problem and user settable time and date would fix that. That function would ease the problem of synching between the machine's data and other data sources being used.E\

Edit 9/17/2001 @ 6:00 EDT
It would be better if the manufacturers could agree on a single data standard and get it issued as an ISO standard. Then, regardless of machine, the software would be a standard package and it could read and report on the data. This would allow for competition between software vendors in reporting software. A few years ago Adobe placed the .PDF format into the public domain for the purpose of establishing an interchange standard. They are pushing a new standard for digital image raw files called .DNG for exactly the same purpose.

If there was a standard, then it would be possible for the reporting software to be able to report to a central data base with ID information stripped off. At the patient's option, his or her data could be collected into one large database available for researchers trying to solve apnea related problems. Issues of privacy and confidentiality would have to be addressed as well as a method to assign a identifier to the data so all of the data for a single patient could be correlated for research purposes. The existing data bases seem to have relatively small numbers of patient data in them, certainly less than a few thousand.

End of Rant.

I have tried 2 types, a Respironics PR1 Remstar Pro 450 and the ResMed S9 Elite. The Resmed beat the PR1 hands down. The S9 is quieter, the humdidty comntrol is far superior control, and the exhale pressure reduction is much better than the PR1. In addition the S9 looks, size and data features far exceed the PR1 for ease of use in both the machines LCD display and also the free software

Here are some other PR1 issues that I posted before, that the S9 does not have:
1-user interface very hard to read from bedside unless directly over it/ not backlit and B&W
2-user can not access daily data for AFI and leakage/provides only 7 day and 30 d average
3-no leak check mod-unable to use CPAP for troubleshooting mask leaking issues
4-humidity control very poor and not effective, causes face to sweat and resultant air leaks
5-air is not heated or temp controlled
6-exhaust lower pressure is erratic and does not follow my breathing pattern
7-first turn on of machine causes an over pressure which unseats mask (need a gradual press increase)
8-air hose is stiff and causes mask to unseat when user in bed
9-SD card access is poor-requires removal of wireless modem
10-software is not available for free and purchased software is not compatible with Windows 7

I have only had Resmed S9 (Elite and Autoset);
but, based on comments here, I would lean toward Respironics if I needed a BIPAP,
and for a backup or travel machine--I would go with Devilbiss.
If I had no insurance coverage--Devilbiss all the way.

Between the Respironics Bipap Autosv Advanced and the Resmed APAP AdaptSV Enhanced, I prefer the Respironics. I appreciate its bountiful array of alarms (which can be turned adjusted/turned off) for things like mask off, long apnea, and low breath rate--even has one that goes on if the power goes off, meaning there must be a battery in there somewhere. In ASV Bipap mode, it allows PS=0, while the Resmed has a minimum of PS=3. All in all, much more user configurable than the Resmed. I find the Respironics humidifier much easier to deal with, as well. (Note that I am talking about what are now "legacy" models, and not the new Resmed S9 AdaptSV or just released Respironics System One ASV. Both appear to be new designs, and things might well be different with them.)

I'm afraid this poll is always going to be biased in favor of Resmed and Respironics, for the simple reason that they are the 600 lb gorrilas in the room, and their machines are much more widely available and marketed.

You are absolutely correct, MoreSleep, together Respironics and Resmed control 80% of the US PAP market. Respironics has the largest of the share.

I'm on my second machine. The first was Remstar M100 fixed CPAP.

I bought the Devilbiss Intellipap Auto with humidifier about 6 weeks ago and I like the machine. It's quiet, except for a tiny high pitched air noise that only occurred at certain Irnd and Ernd settings. That's gone away with use and I've found the settings I like.

The interface is clean and the humidity controls are up/down buttons right on the top front where you can reach them easily. The display drops to a nice green illumination when the machine is on. The display is very readable and it's easy to get to setup menus. Once you run through them and explore, they are well laid out and it's easy to find what you need to view or change. Smartcodes allow you to go to intellipap.com, select your model number, input the smartcode, and see graphic information on your last night's sleep or a monthly/summary evaluation of your therapy. You don't need the software to view these graphs.

My only gripe about the Devilbiss Smartlink software is that it doesn't display flow graphs. It's not a machine problem since it actually does maintain an internal buffer that stores 6 inspiration/expiration waveforms in a FIFO arrangement. Those could be saved as it drops the oldest and sends it to a file on the data module. I'm hoping that Devilbiss will add this feature. I can't see sleep doctors not wanting to be able to see flow graphs. This is a significant omission, IMO, that could prevent doctors and DMEs from recommending the machine.

To be fair, the data available is sufficient to view treatment effectiveness from a patient standpoint. Those of us who like to dig in and understand where those readings came from and what the waveform looked like during a particular AHI declaration want to see the flow graphs. The machine was deigned, IMO, to fill the need for a less expensive full auto machine with data capabilities at a lower market price. The machine with a humidifier is about $200 cheaper than comparable PR and Resmed models, although the software on those gives more data than the Intellipap.

On top of RG list,

1) temperature termo meter.
2) oxy meter to view and data collection for software analysis.
3) heart beat rate data.

4)) wifi
5) mp3 n radio.

6) washable filter.
7) voice reminder.
android ssmart phone software daata capable.

Mckooi

Mckooi: Your post makes no sense in the context of this thread.
If you are the person reviving ancient polls to clutter up the home page, consider yourself outed.
Now, please tell us what is your REAL problem, and stop being silly.

chunkyfrog wrote:Mckooi: Your post makes no sense in the context of this thread.
If you are the person reviving ancient polls to clutter up the home page, consider yourself outed.
Now, please tell us what is your REAL problem, and stop being silly.

Yes it does.......if you read rested gal's post on page 1 of the thread.
A number of hers and other suggestions were adopted/adapted by the manufacturers.

Mckooi has been here about 6 1/2 years. Not an unknown poster to many of us.


mckooi
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