looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
space45
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:40 pm

looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

Post by space45 » Sat Apr 12, 2014 11:54 am

I thought that seeing as data is sure a good thing to have, a data collecting device could be added to a non recording unit so they would have SOME info. not saying we could match the info the new fanged units have. but some is better then non.
we (the ones with the data units) know how motivating the info we get from them can be, so it would be nice to try and give the brick owners at least a taste of that and hope it helps them see improvements and helps keep them motivated with fighting through all the problems and difficulties they have to face. ( like reading my posts, I know how hard it can be, I proof read it and miss tons, I reread it much latter and go man that is bad, days later and still finding stuff. not every post gets the reread, had a friend read my disclaimer post, said it was real funny and laugh real hard, said he loved it, but real painful to read it) anyway, not sure how many brick owners there are, or if they come here or other forums much, but it would be nice to have data capture for them.

I am doing this for my own use, anyone that has read my postings ( as painful as that can be) knows I want to try a simple blower and dump value with spring type CPAP. but I want to know how good it works so I need a data capture device to tell me what is going on. thought maybe other brick owners would like it as well. the blower I will be modding to try to use as a CPAP will be a blower I will make for small forges and smelters. I love melting metals and have been looking for a cheap low end adjustable blower that would be able to be used in many different sizes of forges and smelters. when I read of the basic CPAPs of the days of old I knew I found my answer to my other problem. but I still want my data, even if I am just using a spring and dump valve on a blower for a CPAP.

not sure how this will go over but I would like to hear what you think. for the ones that ask why try such a primitive device for a CPAP. the answer is I like to know how things work and like simple answer and solutions if they work well. I would like to know just how well a simple unit can do, how far it can be pushed. sometimes the old ways are a nice change. simple and elegant. it just tickles my imagination and I like the idea, guess for me that is all that is needed.
Last edited by space45 on Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Todzo
Posts: 2015
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:51 pm
Location: Washington State U.S.A.

Re: looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

Post by Todzo » Sat Apr 12, 2014 12:06 pm

Time to look at the humble thermisters!

Add some sound deadening (muffler) abilities and some compressible air space and the simple unit becomes a gift from Heaven.
May any shills trolls sockpuppets or astroturfers at cpaptalk.com be like chaff before the wind!

space45
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:40 pm

Re: looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

Post by space45 » Sat Apr 12, 2014 3:06 pm

I bet if Sludge wanted to he could come up with some good ideas, he did mention he knew in 10ths of a second increments how PAP algorithms worked and the insides of PAP machine workings and programming, he claims to know lots, I love working with guys that know lots, that is how I learn lots as well.
would be wonderful if he knew all about data formats of the machines and how they store the info, saves me digging it out or decoding it
to bad we are not on talking terms right now. hope that changes.

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Todzo
Posts: 2015
Joined: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:51 pm
Location: Washington State U.S.A.

Re: looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

Post by Todzo » Sat Apr 12, 2014 4:51 pm

space45 wrote:I bet if Sludge wanted to he could come up with some good ideas, he did mention he knew in 10ths of a second increments how PAP algorithms worked and the insides of PAP machine workings and programming, he claims to know lots, I love working with guys that know lots, that is how I learn lots as well.
would be wonderful if he knew all about data formats of the machines and how they store the info, saves me digging it out or decoding it
to bad we are not on talking terms right now. hope that changes.
i do not believe you will find him motivated, unless you win a large powerball

Besides, this is about learning a NEW way to do things, perhaps an ENTIRELY NEW WAY.

all the best
May any shills trolls sockpuppets or astroturfers at cpaptalk.com be like chaff before the wind!

JDS74
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Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Location: South Carolina

Re: looking for input, a data recorder for the brick owners

Post by JDS74 » Wed Apr 16, 2014 4:46 pm

I thought about this question for a while and now I think I am ready with an answer.

I think the target audience should be all CPAP machines, not just bricks.

Just as SleepyHead provides a means of the patient getting their own data from several different CPAP machines, having a single format attachment that could collect data from a wide variety of machines with disparate internal data structures would allow for the extension of the concept of SleepyHead across the entire spectrum if CPAP machines regardless of manufacturer.

So, what data could be collected in this manner?
First it would be pretty straightforward to collect pressure and flow rate, both in and out.
If the data collection rate were sufficiently high, i.e., samples per second, it should be fairly straightforward to convert that to the familiar graphs produced by SleepyHead and by the various Encore versions. From that data calculating Minute Vent. Rate and Tidal Volume would follow. The analysis software would only need the tube size (15 or 22). Next would be detecting Apnea events, flow of zero or nearly so for 10 seconds or more is an apnea. Discerning central events would be more problematical since various manufacturers have different strategies for doing that. Hypopneas should also be relatively easy if a standard definition could be agreed on.

It will be interesting to see if there is a way to differentiate between an OSA event and a CSA event absent additional parameters.

So, what would such a device look like.
The shape would be very much like a PVC T connector. The input side would be sized to fit over a standard CPAP air outlet, the output side the same as a. CPAP air outlet.
The T leg would contain the pressure transducer while the flow rate sensor would be in the actual air stream.

Other sensors could be a humidity sensor and possibly others.

Attached would be a micro processor and an SD card writer for data collection. Then there would be a power supply and a means of setting a clock and for starting and ending a session.


Just some thoughts.

_________________
Mask: Oracle HC452 Oral CPAP Mask
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: EverFlo Q 3.0 Liters O2 PR DSX900 ASV
Oracle 452 Lessons Learned Updated
DSX900 AutoSV with HC150 extra humidifier and Hibernite heated hose
Settings: EPAP Min-10.0, EPAP Max-17, PS Min-3, PS Max-10, Max Pressure-20, Rate-Auto, Biflex-1.
Sleepyhead and Encore Pro 2.21.