Macgyvers humidifier

[Burkebang]

Since I don't have a humidifier for my new Resmed S9 Autoset yet and will not get one for a couple of weeks (trial period), I had an Idea and Macgyvered up one. It seems to work well, I have even run the mask fit with no problem. Ths is of cause a passive humidifier so I'll use hot water in the bottle. It will cool through the night, but I'm hoping it will be better than not having a humidifier.

What do you think? If there is a reason why I should not do this, please let me know. MY only worry is that there is 4 meters of hose between the machine and mask, does this pose a problem? I do'nt want to cut the hose that belongs to my Devilbiss machine when this only needs to work for a couple of weeks.

I really need the humidity, I'm miserable without it.



Btw. The black cable going into my hosecosy is my reptilecord.

[user from Singapore]

Sounds interesting... but I guess a bottle of Aquavit would have been more appropriate
Honestly I can't comment.. except my silly joke
Hope it works!

[-SWS]

I think that's impressive improvising.

Your post also suggests you're wondering whether the improvised humidifier circuit might introduce problems. Does the extra hose length drop pressure, for instance? Does the added circuit volume and shape somehow buffer waveshape signal used by the S9 algorithm? Do surface irregularities or leak points somehow introduce false waveshape irregularities, skewing those same flow signals used by the algorithm?

Well, you probably don't have the same deep-pocket lab-testing budget APAP manufacturers have. But you can at least run a few practical verification tests if you would like. I think I would probably run some basic verification tests, perhaps something along these lines:

1) set a fixed pressure at previous 95% APAP pressure, and measure mask end of circuit using a manometer
2) set fixed pressure(s) at APAP range low and/or mid level values, and again measure far end using a manometer
3) review nightly S9 ResScan data to look for excessive leaks
4) review nightly S9 ResScan data to heuristically analyze detailed flow waveshape for obvious anomalies

If you don't already have a manometer and would like to build one, there are plenty of searchable how-to threads. Also, see Uncle_Bob's signature line below for a comment about hose length as well as a download link to Resmed's free ResScan software:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77498&p=706061#p706061

Good luck with your S9 trial!

[-tim]

You can verify pressure with ease. You need a bucket and a ruler with metric bits.

If your prescription is at 11, then the hose will bubble in the bucket until its 11 cm deep.

Good luck. I've been tempted on writing up a "cpap for broke 3rd world geeks" using a car fan.

[Burkebang]

Sounds interesting... but I guess a bottle of Aquavit would have been more appropriate
Honestly I can't comment.. except my silly joke
Hope it works!

Next time I'll be sure to use an old Aquavit bottle, I'm sure I have a few laying around

[user from Singapore]

Next time I'll be sure to use an old Aquavit bottle, I'm sure I have a few laying around

I meant WITH Aquavit inside! It will sure make you feel happy

[Burkebang]

I think that's impressive improvising.

Your post also suggests you're wondering whether the improvised humidifier circuit might introduce problems. Does the extra hose length drop pressure, for instance? Does the added circuit volume and shape somehow buffer waveshape signal used by the S9 algorithm? Do surface irregularities or leak points somehow introduce false waveshape irregularities, skewing those same flow signals used by the algorithm?

Well, you probably don't have the same deep-pocket lab-testing budget APAP manufacturers have. But you can at least run a few practical verification tests if you would like. I think I would probably run some basic verification tests, perhaps something along these lines:

1) set a fixed pressure at previous 95% APAP pressure, and measure mask end of circuit using a manometer
2) set fixed pressure(s) at APAP range low and/or mid level values, and again measure far end using a manometer
3) review nightly S9 ResScan data to look for excessive leaks
4) review nightly S9 ResScan data to heuristically analyze detailed flow waveshape for obvious anomalies

If you don't already have a manometer and would like to build one, there are plenty of searchable how-to threads. Also, see Uncle_Bob's signature line below for a comment about hose length as well as a download link to Resmed's free ResScan software:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=77498&p=706061#p706061

Good luck with your S9 trial!

Thank you very much for your reply!

You sure brought up more potential problems than I had considered, but that was why I created this thread.
The bottle I have used is made from a stiff plastic, much stiffer than the hose. I'm hoping that it will not mess with the waveforms, but I'll be sure to compare the waveforms from last night tomorrow. I also had very little leak last night, so I'll compare that also.
Building a manometer sounds like a good idea and I'll look into that as soon as I find the time. In the meantime I'm hoping that the mask fit check that the machine does would have found any large problem.
Thank you for the link to the thread about hoselength, what was said there makes sense and I feel more comfortable going ahead with the "trial". I'll fill the bottle up as much as I dare, that vill make the volume of air above the waterline as small as possible.

If I find any problems with the "design" I will report back. Thankfully it only has to work a couple of weeks.

[Burkebang]

I meant WITH Aquavit inside! It will sure make you feel happy

It's saturday night and partytime, why didn't I think of that before...

But the Aquavit bottles are glass, that's tougher to cut, but it can be done
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFXngPx3w3M

[chunkyfrog]

Only one suggestion: (and I hate to bring it up, being a water-loving amphibian), but
This setup, though brilliant (and a little twisted)
might need a little more stability--just to avoid water spilling on that nice Autoset.
Please say you have anticipated that before you enjoy your lovely Norwegian night.

[Suzjohnson]

I totally love the reptile cord for keeping your hose warm and your solution for humidity is so creative! Ah, Chunkyfrog...Good point! You're an observant little frog.

Suz

[-SWS]

and I hate to bring it up, being a water-loving amphibian

A good point, though.

[Burkebang]

Only one suggestion: (and I hate to bring it up, being a water-loving amphibian), but
This setup, though brilliant (and a little twisted)
might need a little more stability--just to avoid water spilling on that nice Autoset.
Please say you have anticipated that before you enjoy your lovely Norwegian night.

That is a very good point

The bottle rests on the floor, tucked in between the bed and nightstand to keep it from falling over. That way any water can only flow back to the bottle.
I just put it on the nightstand to grab a shot, I should have pointed that out in the first post

[Lizistired]

Great idea. How is it working for you? Do you notice an improvement?

[-SWS]

I'll be sure to compare the waveforms from last night tomorrow. I also had very little leak last night, so I'll compare that also.

I'll be surprised if your humidifier design causes any problems. But in general, verification testing sometimes reveals the unforeseen. I guess two other ResScan graphs I might compare would be the snore graph and the overall pressure-response graph. Heavier-than-usual detections on the snore graph can reveal false-positive injected snore signal (subtle accoustics misdetected as snore). Dramatic escalation on the pressure-response graph can reveal false-positive snore signal or false-positive FL signal, either detected in abundance---since both signal types are pressure-response triggers in the S9 algorithm.

Only one suggestion: (and I hate to bring it up, being a water-loving amphibian), but
This setup, though brilliant (and a little twisted)
might need a little more stability--just to avoid water spilling on that nice Autoset.
Please say you have anticipated that before you enjoy your lovely Norwegian night.

That is a very good point

The bottle rests on the floor, tucked in between the bed and nightstand to keep it from falling over. That way any water can only flow back to the bottle.

That excellent exchange also reminded me about surface area. If you increase the water's evaporative surface area, then you improve passive humidification. Tilting and anchoring the bottle in a secure fashion would increase the water's surface area from smaller circle to larger oval. Adding a heating pad on low would convert it from passive to heated humidification.

[MaxDarkside]

Spiffy I'm curious how well (or not) the S9 will "score events" with it's event-sensing-pulsing through that.