New Features for CPAP machines?

[rocketdork]

If you could add any feature that you wanted to a xPAP machine, what would it be?

I think I'd add the following items/data

Conventional method of storing data...SD card, Thumb drive, CF card, etc. The smart card is just a pain. Readers are expensive.
Port for a O2 sat monitor. With a O2 sat monitor to match.
Record detailed data for more than 7 days, with memory as cheap as it is now, it doesn't make sense to only store 7 days of detailed data.
Heart rate monitor.
Software upgrade to count breaths per minute. Would allow you to determine how long it took you to fall asleep and other things.
Software upgrade to show breath volume average.


The first is for convenience...the second for additional data on how well the xPAP is working or not working. I believe that O2 sat is a more important metric for success than AHI. Heart rate monitor could be another metric for success in therapy.

Last two are just interesting data points. Long term trends could be tracked. I believe a simple software change could easily track these two. In a machine with exhalation relief it would be a simple matter to track how many times you exhale/inhale and record the value. Breath volume would be an easy calculation too, Total volume delivered minus leak rate equals breath volume, use the inhalation time to determine this.

Being an engineer I believe these items could easily be added to the machine. I know that you can buy an O2 sat monitor that records data and probably heart rate too, but having the data in one location for easy analysis would really be nice. I'm guessing that with a little research a comfortable O2 sat monitor could be designed. I hate the ones that pinch your finger.

So what would your changes be? Does anybody have contacts with in the industry to propose changes to the machines?

[RipVW]

I would definitely add an on/off button or setting option to turn OFF the blue button lights!

[mindy]

Some of those limitations of current cpap machines do not apply to all. With my Sandman Auto I have a little plastic "key" that inserts into the machine and downloads data (up to about 100 nights). The "key" is then inserted into the slot into a proprietary USB drive and then into a USB port to upload the data to my PC. It would be even better if there weren't that "in-between" step, but I don't lose data. And no blue lights! The LCD is lit, but turns itself off within about a minute of starting.

I'll bet other folks have different situations with each different brand of cpap.

Mindy

[builta]

I would definitely add an on/off button or setting option to turn OFF the blue button lights!

You know, I just cover the lighted buttons with a wash cloth and out go the lights--Almost free and no programming required.

[RipVW]

Yeah, I actually cut out three little circles from black electical tape to cover those buttons once and for all (used a dime for a template :>). That took care of my lights. But a switch would just be more classy than tape and washcloths.

[builta]

I agree with you the switch would be a good addition. I cannot bring myself to tape the buttons and I keep a wash cloth on the night stand to rest the mask on when it dries. I know that my old tank uniot had the feature. I my opinion it should be there and suould be accessable as a "User" defined option.

[tgzlavistane]

I kind of like the House of Blue Light

[dmstangu]

If you could add any feature that you wanted to a xPAP machine, what would it be?
I think I'd add the following items/data

Conventional method of storing data...SD card, Thumb drive, CF card, etc. The smart card is just a pain. Readers are expensive.
Port for a O2 sat monitor. With a O2 sat monitor to match.
Record detailed data for more than 7 days, with memory as cheap as it is now, it doesn't make sense to only store 7 days of detailed data.
Heart rate monitor.
Software upgrade to count breaths per minute. Would allow you to determine how long it took you to fall asleep and other things.
Software upgrade to show breath volume average.

The "IntelliPAP AutoAdjust Travel CPAP Machine with Heated Humidifier and SmartLink Therapy Management System" includes each and every one of the features described by you (except for the heart rate monitoring function, which would be performed by the O2 sat monitor).

[DoriC]

On the M Series machine I would like there to be a choice on which side to connect the hose in back depending on which side you place your nightstand .

[Goofproof]

I have Remstar "Classic" Tanks, I was thinking the other night, It showes the pressure it's set for on the LCD, more useless info, if you don't know what's it's set for you shouldn't plug it into the wall.

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly. No new parts would be needed the data is already coming off the flow sensor anyway. Jim

[dmstangu]

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly.

Again, the IntelliPap does that.

[Goofproof]

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly.

Again, the IntelliPap does that.

Now if they just had exhale relief.

[dmstangu]

You hit the nail right in the head!!!

[Fredman]

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly.

Again, the IntelliPap does that.

Now if they just had exhale relief.

I would also like a LCD panel that would be on the side of the unit so you could read it while laying in bed and be able to reach the ramp button...There are times when I will awake in the night and need to hit the ramp button so I can fall asleep again at the lower pressure. With my classic Respironics tank, I have to do this by feel...I end up either pressing the HH button or the left/right buttons just below the LCD.

I also like the re-positionable hose outlet...good idea.

[Goofproof]

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly.

Again, the IntelliPap does that.

Now if they just had exhale relief.

I would also like a LCD panel that would be on the side of the unit so you could read it while laying in bed and be able to reach the ramp button...There are times when I will awake in the night and need to hit the ramp button so I can fall asleep again at the lower pressure. With my classic Respironics tank, I have to do this by feel...I end up either pressing the HH button or the left/right buttons just below the LCD.

I also like the re-positionable hose outlet...good idea.

After a year and a half you still need a ramp, I never used one and I started at 14 CM after being cut open. Jim