Polaris TR / AEIOMed Everest Compliance System

Snorinator · Post by **Snorinator** » Wed Jan 03, 2007 5:58 pm

Does anyone have any information about the hardware and software for the Polaris TR / AEIOMed Everest compliance system? I just found a reference to this "new" product on the Invacare web site. I really like my Everest but it offers no data monitoring and I would like to find out about upgrading my system if there is an option to do so. Any information will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Snorinator

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 4:37 am

Snorinator, the Polaris TR machine you saw on the Invacare site is still the same machine you already have...the Aeiomed "Everest". It's just being marketed/distributed by Invacare now. Still manufactured by Aeiomed, as far as I know. Invacare chose to give it a new name. Nothing's been changed about it (other than the name) that I've heard.

It's never had software, and still doesn't. It's still the same good machine though. I like it for its size and battery option operation.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 11:34 am

I have recently purchased this unit and noticed during set up that it keeps track of the number of nights over four hours and those over six hours. If you have the providers manual, you can check it. Alternatively, I think you can have those statistics "turned on" in client views so you can access them without the provider.

Its nowhere near the information provided by some other machines. Just compliance.

Chris

Snorinator · Post by **Snorinator** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:11 pm

I understand that the machine is identical whether labeled Invicare or AEIOMed. I stumbled on a listing for what I thought was an add on compliance system offered as an accessory by Invacare. I have the providers manual for my machine and wound up setting up my own pressure and machine preferences as the DME didn't have a clue as to how it worked. I also showed the DME how to calibrate the pressure using his pressure gage. The compliance system offered by Invacare is a "New" product? I just wondered if there is another add on system that fits this description I located on page 7 of the Invacare CPAP price list. Or if anyone had any further information about it. I'm not trying to sell the product just learn about it.
Thanks,

Accessories
ISPPCS Polaris TR Compliance System Pkg ISPPCS-A and ISPPCS-B NEW!!! 210.00
ISPPCS-A Polaris TR Compliance System A Contains Docking Station and Data Card NEW!!! 135.00
ISPPCS-B Polaris TR Compliance System B Contains Card Reader and Software Package NEW!!! 75.00

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 3:28 pm

It was the word "compliance" that I got caught up on and misunderstood your question. If it does indeed exist as an add-on, I would be very interested too. I bought my Aura/Polaris/Invacare/Whatever as a travel unit but would consider more home use if I could do some tracking.

Thanks for the alert. I'll do some digging too. I find any additional info I'll be sure to post it here.

Chris

Snorinator · Post by **Snorinator** » Thu Jan 04, 2007 5:06 pm

I have e-mailed Invacare and asked for the details and specification for the compliance system. I'll let you know what I can find out when they reply. The AEIOMed Everest / Invacare TR is my primary machine / first and only due to my needing to back pack and camp with a CPAP. I really worked hard to get this particular machine and am glad I did. The only draw back I can comment on is the lack of tracking and compliance data. Other than that it is a great machine. I'll be flying with it on Monday next week so I get to try out another CPAP adventure with the TSA.

Snorinator · Post by **Snorinator** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:19 am

Well,
The response from Invacare was less than helpful and somewhat dismissive.

Are there any DME's on line interested in getting more information for us as it seems I am not worthy.

The question you submitted to Ask Invacare has been answered.

On 01/04/07 16:23:30, you asked us: Hello, I stumbled onto a listing for a Polaris TR Compliance System listed in your price list under CPAP accessories. Can you provide me with any information as to what the product specifications and capabilities are? I have a Polaris TR CPAP and am very happy with it although I would like to obtain better data as to its usage and performance over what is displayed in the providers menu.
Thanks,

The answer to your question is: Both of these compliance systems are used for determining your usage of the CPAP system. If your dealer is an actual sleep lab, they can make best use of using both compliance systems, meaning the card reader, software, the docking station, and the data card. This all depends on the type of dealer they might be. The card itself would not be able to be read by consumers. It has to be sent to a sleep lab to be analyzed.

Thank you for using Ask Invacare. To locate more information on Invacare's products and services, please visit <a href="http://www.invacare.com">www.invacare.com</a>.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:25 pm

Kind of makes me wonder why they pay to operate "Ask Invacare" if they are just going to hand out patronizing BS... for looks I guess. Very disappointing attitude toward their end user.

I asked my original DME provider about the items and just got a blank stare. They are nice people and basically honest but have a very limited knowledge about their CPAP products or the industry in general.

Chris

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Snorinator · Post by **Snorinator** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:18 pm

Gonzo,
I responded to Invacare with the following:

I would like to find out about what parameters your system monitors and what format is used in the presentation of the data. I would also like information on how the system adapts or integrates into the Polaris TR. Where are the sensors located? Is the system attached to the air supply hose or mask? Does it provide an Obstructive Apnea Index (AI), Hypopnea Index (HI), Flow Limitation Index (FLI), Snore Index (SI), or only usage data? I would think that you would want an informed consumer advocating for the use of your product rather than dismiss my inquiry because I am not a DME provider.

I'll see what responce this obtains.....

Are there any other paramiters we should be asking for based on the type of equipment it is intended to enhance?

Thanks,

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:28 am

Finally received response from Invacare.

The Polaris TR is a CPAP device that provides therapy pressure in the range of 4 - 20 cm H2O. It monitors system pressure via a pressure transducer located between the blower and the outlet of the blower housing. As a result it is able to monitor pressure fluctuations which allows the device to identify when it is being used and for how long. This information is used to track usage times which is reflected in the compliance report. The Polaris TR does not track AHI, flow-limitation or snoring.

$ 210 to track the basic screen information I can access through the provider menu.

I think I'll pass on this "new" accessory.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:03 pm

Guest wrote:
I think I'll pass on this "new" accessory.

Yep. The word "compliance" always raises a red flag for me, when more info about detailed data is not mentioned.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:09 pm

If you really want to find out what it does, just fudge a little.

Write them from a new email address and say that you supervise a sleep clinic (you monitor your own therapy after all) and you'd be interested in using their machines if the compliance unit does what you need. You therefore need specifications on what data is recorded and how much is stored on the smart card, etc.

Problem solved.

Of course I'd prefer it if they'd just provide the info to patients, but they can have it their way.

Snoozing Gonzo · Post by **Snoozing Gonzo** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 7:38 pm

Snorinator, Thanks for dogging this for the rest of us Polaris AT/Aura Everest users.

In a perfect world they would guage the interest in full data gathering and make it available. Its probably a buying criteria for many users and may be the basis for many perscriptions. Many Invacare products just get passed over for products offered by bigger companies.

Chris

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:12 pm

Snoozing Gonzo wrote:In a perfect world they would guage the interest in full data gathering

Unfortunately, I think that's exactly what they did...gauged how much interest there would be in full detailed data gathering.

DMEs (the manufacturers' real customers) are not usually one bit interested in finding out anything but "hours of use"...if even that. The same with most of the doctors, who leave dealing with the nuts and bolts to the DMEs.

Those of us who are interested in monitoring our own treatment are a drop in the bucket compared to the vast majority of cpap users out in the world who only want to know how to turn it on and off.

The software that all these companies make is for the DMEs and doctors...not for us, the users.

But you're right, Chris...Invacare and other mfgr's products that don't provide software that can give detailed data do get passed up by those of us who are interested in taking more control of our own treatment...or at least want to get as much look as we can at what happens while we sleep hooked to a machine.

The AHI "averages" (even an overnight average) that some machines can show now in the display window are better than nothing, but not enough for me. I want to see the detailed graphs.

Princess · Post by **Princess** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 2:29 am

This thread is very interesting to me, as I've been considering getting this unit. I am somewhere in between being a "turn on/off and go" person, and one that understands and wants to monitor the specific details of their own therapy. In your opinion, can this machine be used nightly so that I have the assurance that if the power goes out, it will switch to battery mode automatically, and when it comes back on after 1-2 hours it switches back to regular mode?

We live in an area that gets very very high winds and we loose power anywhere between 2-6 times a month. While it's only out for a couple of hours at most, I don't like the idea of being hooked up to a machine that helps me breathe, but stops working when the power is out. I called the DME today to ask about the Polaris machine and was told "they" did the research and it doesn't compare to the brands they carry: F&P, and Resmed or Respironics. He was less than helpful in answering my questions, so I've contacted my insurance rep to get some accurate information on what insurance requires and what they will pay for.

Thanks for any insight.

Polaris TR / AEIOMed Everest Compliance System

Polaris TR / AEIOMed Everest Compliance System

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