Need to get data off "ancient" Respironics BiPaP Synchrony S/T

[kschang]

Got this more than 10 years ago, and it works, and so I never bothered to replace it.

Then suddenly, a job application required me to take a USDOT (department of transportation) physical, and I mentioned I use CPAP (well, BiPaP). And the examiner wanted to see my CPAP data download.

Except the Synchrony S/T is so old, it has a plain DB-9 serial port. (And no modem) I called the provider, they called the local clinic, and the local clinic has no idea what to do. Apparently, she only knows how to get data off SmartCards, and this predates all that.

I've looked around a bit and it's clear that I need Encore Pro 1.8 to get the data off (and a USB to serial cable, and hopefully that'd work) once I got it all printed out. But obviously, Phillips/Respironics/Resmed don't wanna let us to use their "proprietary professional" software. I can't even BUY a copy if I want to (not that I have the money, which is why I applied for a job...)

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of that lying around? Or can link to a seeded Torrent or something? Or know of any OTHER way to get data off the device for my DOT examiner?

[Pugsy]

Go to this forum and register and log in.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/
Once logged in you can see the private file section where there are instructions on how to get Encore Pro.
I have no idea about how to get the cable though.
I have no idea if the current version out there is compatible with the Synchrony. It should be but I can't say with certainty.

Beyond Encore Pro ...nothing else that I know of will work unless you have data on the machine screen itself that satisfies DOT requirements....and I don't know if it even shows on screen data. Some of those old machines didn't have LCD screens for showing what little data they gathered.

Maybe it's time to upgrade your machine?????

[palerider]

Maybe it's time to upgrade your machine?????

"Maybe"???

Where's our guru of everything antique when we need him?

[kschang]

Maybe it's time to upgrade your machine?????

Unfortunately, I'm also between job and medical insurance right now. *sigh*

USB to DB9 cable is easy. I can get one off Amazon for less than $10.

[Pugsy]

Maybe it's time to upgrade your machine?????

Unfortunately, I'm also between job and medical insurance right now. *sigh*

USB to DB9 cable is easy. I can get one off Amazon for less than $10.

Encore Pro is Windows only software and there is no alternate version.
It's a real bitch to install and use but it can be done.
If you can get it installed I have some instructions that might help you manage it a little more easily...what with password requirements and time zones and stuff.
I am familiar with Encore Pro and will try to help you get what you need so you can get a better job and get a new better machine.

[kschang]

Go to this forum and register and log in.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/

Just registered and checked their file stash. They only have the 2.2.x versions.

I've posted there asking for a link to 1.8, but I'm not holding out much hope. Keep fingers crossed...

EDIT: They are encouraging me to try Encore Basic 2.4.8. Now I need to order the darn cable...

[Pugsy]

I don't know if you just have to have the 1.8 version. At the time the Synchrony was the latest and greatest 1.8 was all that was available and doesn't mean that is the only version that will work with it.
In the past as the new Encore Pro versions rolled out they didn't lose compatibility with the older machines.
Meaning 2.2 version might just work with your old machine.

[Wulfman...]

Got this more than 10 years ago, and it works, and so I never bothered to replace it.

Then suddenly, a job application required me to take a USDOT (department of transportation) physical, and I mentioned I use CPAP (well, BiPaP). And the examiner wanted to see my CPAP data download.

Except the Synchrony S/T is so old, it has a plain DB-9 serial port. (And no modem) I called the provider, they called the local clinic, and the local clinic has no idea what to do. Apparently, she only knows how to get data off SmartCards, and this predates all that.

I've looked around a bit and it's clear that I need Encore Pro 1.8 to get the data off (and a USB to serial cable, and hopefully that'd work) once I got it all printed out. But obviously, Phillips/Respironics/Resmed don't wanna let us to use their "proprietary professional" software. I can't even BUY a copy if I want to (not that I have the money, which is why I applied for a job...)

I don't suppose anyone has a copy of that lying around? Or can link to a seeded Torrent or something? Or know of any OTHER way to get data off the device for my DOT examiner?

Even though there were several generations of "Synchrony" machines, it sounds like you have the model in this link.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... y-st-bipap

If the person at the local clinic has the software to read "smart cards", she should be able to pull the data from the machine with the direct-connect cable attached.
The option in Encore Pro to connect to the machine is called "Direct Device Connection" and it's right next to the smart card selection option.

The Direct Device Connection setting is used if you are connecting a therapy device directly to your computer to download patient data. Select the COM (serial) port on your computer to connect the communications cable.

Here are the statistics: (I'm not sure were it stores this data or for how long, but this is from the documentation)

BiPAP Synchrony Device Statistics (devices without a SmartCard)

Breaths per Minute - Average number of breaths detected per minute
Patient Trig Breaths - Average percent of breaths initiated by the patient
Peak Flow - Average peak flow measurements
Minute Vent - Average tidal volume multiplied by the rate
Tidal Volume - VTE - Estimated exhaled tidal volume
EPAP Pressure - Average measured EPAP pressure
IPAP/CPAP Pressure - Average measured IPAP or CPAP pressure
Patient Disc - Average number of times the therapy device alarmed because it detected a mask disconnection, if activated
High Pressure - Average amount of time the therapy device detected a pressure high enough to trigger the alarm
Low Pressure - Average amount of time the therapy device detected a pressure low enough to trigger the alarm
Low Minute Vent - Average amount of time the therapy device detected a minute ventilation low enough to trigger the alarm, if activated
Apnea Alarm - Average amount of time the therapy device detected that the patient did not trigger the device, if activated; information will be recorded even if not activated
Low Pressure Support - Average amount of time the therapy device detected that pressure support was low enough to trigger the alarm; available for devices with the AVAPS feature only
Low Tidal Volume - Average amount of time the therapy device detected a tidal volume low enough to trigger the alarm


I also have virtually all of the Encore Pro versions going back to 1.4i (after that were 1.5i, 1.6i, 1.8i and then the 2.x versions). I still use the 1.6.22 version with my machines. But, if you're using a version of Windows that's newer than XP, there can be a number of things that need to be worked around.......like drivers for one.

Anyway, I'd try taking the machine to the local clinic and see if they can find the Direct Device Connection option and see what they can get.

Other than that, you're pretty much SOL unless your DOT officials will be willing to accept the number of user/blower hours off the machine. Most of them only want to know that you ARE using it for at least the minimum number of nightly hours.
You could also have your local clinic get those hours off of the machine and create a document to verify/certify that you have been "compliant".

Good luck.

Den

.

[kschang]

Guess I'll have to call them back and ask them if they have ever used the direct connection method (and if they have to call Phillips for help)

I'm a techie (my first PC was an Apple //e) so I know what ports are what. But I'm not sure the local "respiratory therapist" would know what to do with my antique device. Hahaha. Let's hope her setup is Phillips approved and she actually has the cable. Is there a manual I can tell her to refer to? Like "please check page X of manual Y, where the cable was referred to"?

[Pugsy]

Old machine manuals are available to download and it might have the information you need to show the tech.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual
Or Den might have one already....he has quite a storage of old manuals.

[kschang]

They have one for the BiPap Synchrony, but there are multiple models of the Synchrony.

EDIT: I found reference to what Respironics called a "SleepLink" cable, which is a Serial to Serial cable (probably DB-25 to DB-9) and reference to a USB to Serial adapter. on the BiPAP AutoSV manual. I hope it's the same cable.

[Wulfman...]

They have one for the BiPap Synchrony, but there are multiple models of the Synchrony.

EDIT: I found reference to what Respironics called a "SleepLink" cable, which is a Serial to Serial cable (probably DB-25 to DB-9) and reference to a USB to Serial adapter. on the BiPAP AutoSV manual. I hope it's the same cable.

From what I could find, this is the cable that is needed......

https://www.usa.philips.com/c-dam/b2bhc ... atalog.pdf

Page 74

ENCORE SHIELDED COMMUNICATIONS CABLE (6 ft./1.83 m) 1000814

Looks like DB9 - DB9. The serial connector on the XPAP is DB9 and then it depends on what serial port is on the computer (if any).


Den

.

[kschang]

Local respiratory clinic just called back. They don't have the cable, and they are not trained on it. In fact, she went as far as telling me she only knows how to read SD cards, not even the older larger smartcards that I understand some generations of Respironics machines used.

So it'd down to ordering the cable and see Encore can download the data. *sigh*