Help Us Out...What do you think of Transcend travel CPAP?

[inkdesigner]

I like the idea of it being small, light, and compact, with no water. However, strapping to me head is a big concern for me.

If you could keep the machine the size and weight it is along with the HME technology and just allow for it to be on a bedside table, you could have a winner. The HME technology is very intriguing and, if it works well, could be a game changer.

The only other change I would suggest is to see if the max pressure could be increased. Only going to 16 is a dealbreaker for some folks. Extending to 18 or 20 would be ideal, as long as size and weight is not compromised.

Inkdesigner

[sleepycarol]

I filled out the survey as well.
It states it wouldn't be a good machine for first time users since it doesn't have some of the features that are important to that group of patients.

I would be interested in it due to the battery back up features and since I wouldn't plan on it being my main machine wouldn't care about the data capability. I feel fully data capable machines should be everyone's main machines -- but for a few nights or occasional use machine data isn't that important (and please don't flame me for saying that since I AGREE with everyone that data IS important overall).

I think the idea of it being on the head is not a good option, especially for those with neck/head issues. I have read where you shouldn't have any electical appliances within so many feet when you sleep due to health concerns -- although I have clock radio and my cpap machines setting on my head board now.

Price would need to be in line with the other no-frills cpaps, especially if the battery option is additional money.

[roster]

The concerns about electromagnetic waves and health were addressed in an earlier thread.

Regarding the concern about electromagnetic radio frequency emissions, Transcend was tested and met all FDA standards in this area and was found safe for everyday use.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59069&p=558717#p558717

Now the question is can you trust the FDA?

[CruzTerri]

Topping out at 16cms H20 is also a bit of a downer!

Well, that does it for me, I'm at 17cmsH20 LOL

[chunkyfrog]

I can see where where it might work really well on an airplane.
--unless the electronics are not proven to be harmless to avionics or communication.
It also might be a good option for folks who travel a lot; and need to sleep sitting up.
I'm not getting one--too stripped down for the price.
Of course, my opinion is probably no help.
First time I saw the picture, I thought it was a joke. Is my face red!
But I still think the sleepweaver is a converted pastry bag.

[BernieRay]

I think a lot of valid thoughts/concerns have been expressed, but until someone has given it a test drive, all we're doing is guessing.

If I 1) had the money to spend on something that would see limited use and 2) was able to try it out before committing to a purchase, I would might be willing to give it a try. Since I don't have the money at the moment, the question is moot.

A few things that I would definitely want to know, however, before I would really consider purchasing - what is the specific noise level in dB , what level of humidity is it capable of producing, is the level of humidity dependent on the ambient relative humidity (which it sounds like it is)?

[Jersey Girl]

"The manufacturer recommends replacing the HME filter on a weekly basis". I think that this alone could be expensive. Also, I like using nasal pillow masks and this only works with a nasal mask. I also don't like the fact that only compliance data is offered. I think that this would be alright if it was only a travel machine or napping machine, but then I would want it to be offered at a lower price point.

Additionally, another concern is if it would be just too heavy and noisy wearing it on my head every night. I think that the company should offer it to us as a product challenge, and let a few of us try it out and report back. Otherwise, I am sticking with my Resmed s8. It's quiet, reliable and with my Swift FX, very comfortable for me as a side sleeper.

Regards to all,

Jersey Girl

[Slartybartfast]

(Due to lingering mental phog, I originally posted this to the Stick It To Your Head forum. I intended it to go here:

Somnetics wrote:
To address some of the concerns brought up here...Transcend’s power cord plugs into the back of the device and goes up and away from your head so you won’t get tangled up in the cord. Regarding the concern about electromagnetic radio frequency emissions, Transcend was tested and met all FDA standards in this area and was found safe for everyday use. The advanced blower technology used in the device eliminates vibration and minimizes heat generation. A memory foam pad cushions the device on your head. Once you lie back, you won’t feel any weight and the headgear holds it stable so the device moves when you move. Transcend’s sound level has been rated at 31.4 dB, which is comparable to other popular CPAPs.

Again, I don't wish to be negative, but you asked for input, so here are a couple more concerns I have from your statement above:

First, the unfathomable reason for the odd juxtapositioning of the Transcend to the wearer's head aside, the memory foam cushion will prevent heat escape from the scalp, leading to local accumulation of tidal sweat that is always being produced by our skin, and a resulting (I predict) increase in the frequency of BHDs (Bad Hair Days) except for those with MPB (Male Pattern Baldness). For the chrome-domes out there, I like the idea someone proposed of an optional suction cup mount, since that would allow sweat to evaporate.

Second, "Once you lie back, you won’t feel any weight and the headgear holds it stable so the device moves when you move." And you think the wearer won't be aware of it? Again, get the thing off the head. There's no need for it to be there unless the intended market niche is apneic extreme-somnambulists. I expect such to be featured any day now on TV. Heck, ice dancing is an olympic sport, so why not extreme sleepwalking? It could happen!

Third, you state "The advanced blower technology used in the device eliminates vibration and . . ." and then three sentences later you say, " Transcend’s sound level has been rated at 31.4 dB, which is comparable to other popular CPAPs." Which is true. It IS comparable. Just not in a good way. [One point for disclosure. Minus one point for lack of context] The comparison shows that the Transcend is noisier than all of the low-end CPAP machines listed on CPAP.com's site. But wait! There's more!

Continuing from Point 3: To make matters worse, standard sound ratings are in terms of so many dB at 1 meter. I can only presume that's how the Transcend unit is rated, since the rating on CPAP.com and other online vendors say only 31.4 or 32 dB. That's fine. But your product is worn on the head, only about 10 centimeters (0.1 meter) from two ears. So that sound rating is misleading since in use the Transcend will never be farther than about 0.1 meters from the wearer's ears.

In acoustics, the sound pressure radiating from a point source increases by a factor of 2 as the distance is halved. So the Transcend's rated 31.4 dB acoustic noise level at 1 m increases to 51.4 dB at 0.1 meters, the distance from your ear to the top of your head. The Transcend is already noisier at 1 meter than all the other common low-end CPAPs. It will be noisier still at 1/10th of that distance.

Thinking this through, I am sort of wondering if maybe we all have been had. Was this thread started by some college psychology major who was interested in capturing, cataloging and analyzing the different responses to an absurd proposition on an unmoderated internet forum?

I suppose anything's possible. Hmmm . . . now I'm sort of feeling bad about pointing all this out. But there's just so much wrong with this product!

[BernieRay]

I'm glad you pointed out the noise rating. That would be too much for me to tolerate except in an emergency.

[Slartybartfast]

To be fair to Somnetics, maybe they DID measure that noise level at 10 cm. And if that's so, then they need to clarify that.
But I think that's highly unlikely. That would be extraordinarly difficult to achieve in a moderately-priced unitl.

[jmelby]

Those of us with a prescription for APAP would not be able to buy this (even if we are willing to use CPAP mode for traveling). The price point also seems high... it would be more interesting if it were in the $400-450 range since most people would be buying this on their own without insurance reimbursement.

[DreamDiver]

To be fair - Thanks Somnetics for bringing the question to prospective users. I filled out the survey as you requested.

So many people have brought up very good points:

1. Noise level is probably intolerable, and dB measurement is probably misleading, especially with regards to direct surface-to-surface transmission of vibration.
2. I wonder what the noise levels are like for the sleeping partner. It must be outrageous.
3. It's at best a backup machine, even when traveling.
4. Expensive, uninsurable, unreusable, untouchable, unsustainable HME disks.
5. Conventional technology for comfort takes vibrating, heavy objects to a belt or shoulder harness: from mp3 players to 3M air filters to sound-and-light relaxation machines. Put the heavy stuff closer to your center of gravity and let the peripherals go where their needed. This machine flies in the face of that convention, perhaps to its detriment.
6. It looks in the video like you don't have to be tethered to a cord all night, but then there are these battery packs. Is the battery inside the thing on your head, or do you have to lug a battery attached to a cord around with you? If the unit must be plugged into a battery pack the videos are terribly misleading. I don't see any cords. Show me what it's really like - not some idealized unpowered actor on a film-studio bed.
7. Such a high price for something built only for intermittent use is not a very marketable solution.
8. This machine could possibly be marketed to jet-setters who are constantly between continents in aeroplanes, where the noise level of engines in the business-class passenger seating will mask whatever the head-mounted cpap can dish out.

Here is the main reason why I don't think this ship will sail for very long: Nasal mask users don't wear full face masks even though they're more efficient at reducing mouth leakage because of claustrophia or fear of looking like they're sick to those around them. This machine practically anoints the wearer with a crown saying "Hi, I'm sick" to friends and family. Yet Somnetics totally dissed the people (full face mask wearers) who are more likely to wear this sort of device.

My suggestion: Paint it bright colors with contrasting organic stripes. Call it the 'Cassowary' or some such. If you're going to stick your neck out, do it big.

And make the HME disks touchable and reuseable.

And one of the youtube videos has messed-up sound levels. The narrator sound is barely understandable.


Image from http://www.ryanphotographic.com

[ResmedUser]

I actually like some LED lights at night and a little noise from the machines never bothered me, its just "white noise." I think companies are putting too much effort into gizmos and bells and whistles and not paying enough attention to the basics like they used to.

Mikey

[avi123]

Ditto with Slartybartfast, and I am NOT filling the questionnaire {unless I get a free Quattro FX from you}.

[jazzer4]

I filled in the questionaire as you asked.

I would look at this for naps, travel or power outages. But, the price is high for such uses.
I would NOT buy this to replace my S9. But then again I haven't tried it yet I might change my mind.
I agree, put it up for a product challenge.

Also would like to see a real video in a more natural setting. Are there cords?
I'm also concerned about having to buy humidification parts frequently.

What I would do with this is if I owned one;
Put it in the cabinet by the sofa. When tired put it on and take a nap on the sofa.
Also would come in handy for a poweroutage.

Right now I'm tethered to my window blinds behind my bed, as I wrap my hose using the cord to the blinds (my form of hose management)
I hated telephones when I was tethered to the wall and I hate being "stuck" in the bedroom with my machine tethered to the window treatment.
That's why I would take a look at this as a second machine.