CPAP Designer asks: What changes would you like to see made?

Tasmania · Post by **Tasmania** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:55 pm

@*#$^*#%^@ I could of sworn I signed in before posting. Oh well... has been a very foggy-headed day...

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:26 pm

Anonymous wrote: ... Without knowledge we're all bumbling around blind hoping someone will show enough interest to guide us out of the maze of sleep apnea. Throw me a dang flashlight and I'll get myself out!

BRILLIANTLY said, Tasmania!! BRILLIANT!

dllfo · Post by **dllfo** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 11:21 pm

I wanted to post again, to tell any designer to set the system up so all lights
and alarms CAN be turned off. My BiPap Auto SV lights will eventually go out, but it would be better if it were like the BiPap Auto. Some alarms can not be turned off. THAT sucks.

Make sure all lights and alarms are designed where the patient can turn them off. Most of these machines are used in a home.

See how the Respironics BiPap Auto is set up. Almost perfect. I turn the unit on and all bells and lights go off. When I return to bed at 2am, I hit one button, or two buttons if I want the HH on. Just hitting one button and that would include the HH would be better.

Simple is good.

leaveye · Post by **leaveye** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 9:41 am

Slinky wrote:No, no! Beer is NOT good for apnea free sleep!

You're right, beer is not good for apnea-free sleeping, but beer is good!

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:01 pm

I prefer margaritas myself. Especially frozen margaritas. (Can't drink them as fast - too cold!) And don't forget the salt!!!!

lilsheba · Post by **lilsheba** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 2:09 pm

Slinky wrote:I prefer margaritas myself. Especially frozen margaritas. (Can't drink them as fast - too cold!) And don't forget the salt!!!!

Oh yeah....those are good!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:35 am

[/color Dude, what I'd really, really like to see is a mask that is difficult, if not impossible, to throw off at night. I''m not improving because I do this unconsciously. Please help! Nasal pillows seem to work best for me!

thanks!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:55 am

[quote="dllfo"]I wanted to post again, to tell any designer to set the system up so all lights
and alarms CAN be turned off. My BiPap Auto SV lights will eventually go out, but it would be better if it were like the BiPap Auto. Some alarms can not be turned off. THAT sucks.

Make sure all lights and alarms are designed where the patient can turn them off. Most of these machines are used in a home.

See how the Respironics BiPap Auto is set up. Almost perfect. I turn the unit on and all bells and lights go off. When I return to bed at 2am, I hit one button, or two buttons if I want the HH on. Just hitting one button and that would include the HH would be better.

Simple is good.

Tasmania · Post by **Tasmania** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:48 am

Anonymous wrote: Dude, what I'd really, really like to see is a mask that is difficult, if not impossible, to throw off at night. I''m not improving because I do this unconsciously.

HeHeHeHeHe

I'm picturing a Darth Vader sort of thing that clamps around the head but with the added security of a padlock. Oh and did I mention that the key to the padlock would be placed each night in a special locking "keyhole" of an included alarm clock that acts as a sort of "time lock safe" Time on the clock is set by the atomic clock signal from Colorado (so you can't trick it by resetting it) and the keyhole only releases the key again once the alarm goes off. And just in case you though you'd just "forget" to put the key in the clock... an earsplitting alarm triggers if you fail to insert it by your preset bedtime, thus triggering a specially trained team of chimpanzees to arrive at your doorstep and pelt you with rotten bananas.

clk-2 · Post by **clk-2** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:32 pm

Since you asked.......

I am a newbie and am having problems finding a mask that will work for me. I suffer from chronic nasal congestions and so must breath through my mouth frequently. I wear glasses and like to fall asleep while watching TV or reading which is now impossible with current full face masks. I also suffer from mild claustrophobia and so masks that come over the nose to the forehead restrict my vision, can not wear my glasses, and make me feel caged in. I can not breath through nasal pillows so the mirage liberty did not work. I have small features and a short chin. I currently use a mirage quattro but it falls off my chin breaking the seal and obstructs my vision and generally imprisons me when I wear it.

What I want......
A full face mask that covers both mouth and the lower half of my nose(no nasal pillows) and which is secured by headgear that goes over the ears and along the jaw to secure. I do not want anything over the bridge of my nose and nothing on my forehead. The small size mask should not be too wide or too long. I want to be able to wear my glasses with the mask on. In other words I want a mask customized to me specifically.

clk

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 2:54 pm

Oh, I don't know that you are so different than many of us out here. I also would like a full face mask that allowed me to see, read, wear glasses, watch TV; somewhat narrower than currently available and somewhat shorter than currently available. Nothing on the bridge of my nose. Lightweight mask and lightweight headgear as well. Easy on, easy off.

goose · Post by **goose** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:41 pm

Bill I think Mr. Anderson could make a fortune if he figured out some way to license his patent here in USA......
The premise is absolutely correct -- our faces are all different, just like our "teeth".....you wouldn't want one size fits all dentures, so why should we have to settle for one size fit's some masks.....

Have a mate in Oz (Yarramundi) but can't mail him my face.....

cheers
goose

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:06 pm

What about replacing or augmenting the smart card with a flash (thumb) drive?
Back to the USB connector - you would no longer need the "special" card reader or special card. I am sure the flash/thumb drive was NOT around when the smart card was designed into the blower units. Might be able to reduce the cost by replacing the blower unit card slot with a USB connector?

Or a way to tell if the humidifier (Ramp) is On or Off? On my high end Respironics APAP, if you forget whether the humidifier is on, you can reach over and find the button (with eyes closed) but press & you get one beep for ON and one beep for OFF. The On/Off light is in the most annoying and obscure place possible, I have to just about get out of bed to see the light.

What about having a Microsoft program report the data on the flash drive? hmmm

Let me sleep on it - I'll give you my answer in the mornin,
GumbyCT

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:08 pm

[quote="dllfo"]I wanted to post again, to tell any designer to set the system up so all lights
and alarms CAN be turned off. My BiPap Auto SV lights will eventually go out, but it would be better if it were like the BiPap Auto. Some alarms can not be turned off. THAT sucks.

Make sure all lights and alarms are designed where the patient can turn them off. Most of these machines are used in a home.

See how the Respironics BiPap Auto is set up. Almost perfect. I turn the unit on and all bells and lights go off. When I return to bed at 2am, I hit one button, or two buttons if I want the HH on. Just hitting one button and that would include the HH would be better.

Simple is good.

Jmark · Post by **Jmark** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:42 pm

Pretty much what everyone else has said -- masks with some comfort and w/o leaks, smaller unit, LEDs off, backlit display (user controllable), USB/SD instead of dumbcards.

HERE ARE THREE I DID NOT SEE (I may have missed them):

1. How about addressing rainout? For example, an integrated heated hose or equivalent.

2. Exhalation ports other than on the mask, so the air does not blow everywhere.

3. An alarm that works if the mask comes off or there is a significant failure.

And, again -- comfort is really lacking in CPAP equipment; it is tolerable, but hardly comfortable.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): hose, rainout, CPAP

CPAP Designer asks: What changes would you like to see made?

full facemask for claustrophobics and those who wear glasses