DeVilbiss Wants Your Input

[Hose_Head]

I need three things that my current machine doesn't have.

A backlit screen.

Larger print on the screen. (I can't wear my glasses with my mask.)

An easy way to set the pressure to my maximum so I can fit my mask at full pressure (without having to go through numerous steps to increase the pressure and then to reset it again.)

Personally, I have no use for availability of on-screen data so backlit screens and larger print are of no use to me. I recognize that I'm in the minority on this board. HOWEVER, I wonder if data by voice would be of interest to users? Press the data button and the machine speaks the data. This might be cheaper to implement than a large, colour, backlit display. A volume control would be needed.

[chrisp]

Start with a PB 420E and make it even smaller. Make it with a plain hose no sensor hose needed. Put it in a hard case. I use a small nylon cooler with a plastic ice tub. It protects it very well and it fits under the seat or in the overhead. And you have a small ice chest when you arrive. The case fits on top of my roll away and the strap loops around the luggage to keep it in place. Or I can carry it on my shoulder. Their software is excellent but needs a few tweaks to make it more friendly. Like letting it tell you what the buttons do when you put the cursor over them. Make the outter case of the cpap of a soft rubber or foam like material to absorb impact if dropped. Retractable power cord. Keep it 12v so it is usable directly from a car, boat, jump starter or small battery. No fancy converters required.

[idamtnboy]

Larger print on the screen. (I can't wear my glasses with my mask.)

I have a 3" magnifying glass on the table with my S9 so I can read the screen without my glasses when I get up. You might consider getting one.

[xzombie]

I'm pretty happy with my M series and I like a lot of the suggestions so far but a couple of pet peeves that would apply to any machine:

- Quiet Please!! I know the blower is bound to create some noise but geez! I can handle it for the most part but when I go camping I don't want my neighbors to think I'm on a respirator! Which brings me to my next item:
- Battery power - I know it's asking a lot but I'm still not happy that I've had to give up backpacking. I have a battery that'll last maybe 2 nights without the humidifier but it weighs a ton so I'm still tethered to a car. I'd be happy if it was even some kind of accessory - doesn't need to be built in.
- How about a bag that doesn't scream "Hey look everyone, I have a medical device!!" I travel a lot for work and I'm ok going through security but occasionally I have to take my bags with me to meetings. It'd be nice to have something a little more discrete.
- I like the software and the on-board info but really isn't about time we had an app for that? I put my machine in a drawer in my nightstand, how cool would it be to be able to pull up the software or better yet control the machine from my phone (Android please - I refuse to drink the koolaid!)

That's my $.02

[flattyre]

.... I smiled at some because the DeVilbiss already has them!

Totally agree with Emilia!

In fact, i prefer that the hose runs out the back as it tucks away nicely behind the bedside table, up the bed and running from behind my pillow, keeping the hose away from my hands.

Only thing I wish for is a Clock & Alarm as many mentioned. The bag looks like a camera bag and my friends were asking me what camera was i using. Told them it was an APAP and !! Perhaps some slight padding would make it better.

Thanks Devilbiss!

[Jayjonbeach]

Tons of good suggestions, and I agree fantastic a company looks to its users for suggestions at all and it seems Devilbiss has already done many good things with the newer machines while also keeping a good affordable price which is great.

The algorithm, which I am not sure was mentioned here, is my biggest concern with ANY machine, I want to have the best treatment possible regardless of all the other "nice to have" features.

Of course Flow Limitation response as mentioned in other threads would be nice to have as an included way to help prevent apneas. Really too just as much on-going testing of new technologies and ways to tweak the algorithm as possible to hopefully find ways to give people the best therapy possible.

I like that the definitions are "adjustable" (not sure really how far this goes) to hopefully customize a faster or slower reponse to an individual.

REALLY liked the suggestion to include an affordable Oxygen meter with the machine at least as an option, critical info.

[M.D.Hosehead]

We will continue to monitor this post for additional comments until March 11th.

Why March 11?

[yrnkrn]

APAP:
* Adjust internal clock, standard USB connector, built-in data logging.
* Allow aggressive algorithm by changing the pressure increase/time (currently 1 cm H2O/minute) to 1,2,3,4,5,6 cmH2O/minute. Currently, someone who needs say 10 cmH2O during REM sleep that starts the night with 4 cmH2O will suffer at least 6 minutes of apneas.
* Allow snore response to be disabled.
* Show AI and HI.
* Show max pressure.

Smartlink module:
* Collect a sample every second instead of every six minutes as today.
* Collect and show detailed waveform.
* With multi gigabyte SD cards there isn't any reason to collect so few samples and produce coarse graphs.
* ResMed data collection capabilities.
* Network/wireless connection to computer instead of SD card.

Smarlink software graphs:
* Auto-range graph axes. If my pressure range is 4-8 there is no reason why the graph axes is 3-25. This is trivial to program.
* Same for leaks, AHI, snore graphs.
* Detailed graphs.
* Combined events-pressure graphs.
* Zoom into graphs.
* Large graphs.
* ResScan capabilities.

[roster]

We will continue to monitor this post for additional comments until March 11th.

Why March 11?

Because March 17 is St. Paddy's Day and he wants to be finished before that revelry begins.

[rested gal]

We will continue to monitor this post for additional comments until March 11th.

Why March 11?

Good question, M.D.Hosehead.

Let's see... DeVilbiss Marketing started this topic on Feb 23. If March 11 happens to be the date when the designers for the next DeVilbiss machine will be having their first meeting to BEGIN brainstorming how they'll design it... then maybe some of the suggestions in this thread will be incorporated into the design. If that's what March 11 is all about, that really is nice that DeVilbiss has asked ahead of time for suggestions from actual users.

February 23 to March 11 -- seventeen days doesn't give long if the design hasn't yet started and is supposed to be finished by then.
If the design is mostly finished, and they're looking for cosmetic ideas... seventeen days might be long enough to change a few minor things before starting production. Can't imagine that would be long enough from start to finish to change the "technology" or "algorithm."

But if March 11 turns out to be the date when an already designed machine is announced to the world...rolling off the manufacturing lines, well... then, I suppose DeVilbiss Marketing (as befits his/her name) was looking to see what features people talk about, so if any of the most mentioned ones happen to already be in the new machine, those things can be emphasized in marketing material ... look what we did, just like you asked for!

Why March 11?

Yep. Very good question. Hope DeVilbiss Marketing will be able to tell us what's magic about March 11.

[idamtnboy]

Why March 11?

Yep. Very good question. Hope DeVilbiss Marketing will be able to tell us what's magic about March 11.

Maybe that's the day the chief designer's supply of antacids runs out??

[Emilia]

FYI: DeVilbiss Marketing is a 'she.' I know this as we chatted on the phone back when I was first researching the IP as my machine of choice.

[M.D.Hosehead]

FYI: DeVilbiss Marketing is a 'she.' I know this as we chatted on the phone back when I was first researching the IP as my machine of choice.

Do you think she's Irish

[Kahfree]

So many great suggestions. I am new to CPAP as of January this year. I do love my machine, but hate that I am NOT ALLOWED to have the software. WHY? Make a patient software for us to monitor our progress. I Know other people have told you this, but really...this is important. I am not so sure why its such a secret. The biggest argument F&P has is that we can "Change our pressure", which is why they do not want us to have the software. Ok...so make the software for the end user that does not include this function. Easy enough! Put our therapy in OUR control.

Ok...since everyone has mentioned so many of the same things, I will jump out on a limb and advocate for those with other physical disabilities who may be using a cpap and just some "ideas" from a Newbie.

1) Blind people must use these. Perhaps make a machine that combines braille and voice menus so that at the press of a button, the blind consumer can hear their stats and instructions...or
*1a) How about a remote control feature? Yes I know the machine is next to the bed, but perhaps a remote might help, especially for those who are blind. The braille can be on the remote to keep at their fingertips.
*2) I have a clock on my machine, and I like it. A clock face dial that highlights each hour of use, so upon waking, the consumer can glance at the machine and know instantly how many hours were used that night for compliance.
*3) Of course folks mentioned the hose on the front. I agree and will take that one step further. Place the hose on the front but make the hose smaller. Do they need to be so fat? Perhaps a skinny hose will work just as well? Might make sleeping less cumbersome. (I assume hoses are this size to accommodate the pressure? I do not know, just asking)
*4) Carrying case. The one I have is CRAMPED. Why do the cases have to be so small? No compartments for hose, masks, etc.
*5) Battery Backup automatically installed IN the unit. These can be rechargeable batteries that when needed, will be there with the flip of a switch.
6) I like that the humidification unit is inside my Premo Icon, so I think that all units should be this way.

7-10 are not the unit, but accessories for the unit. Maybe you can consider these?

*7) A Nasal Mask that goes over the ears like that of an oxygen tube. Do these things really need to be strapped to our head?
*8) A chin strap is ok but still causes leaks. Create a MOUTH ADHESIVE. These can be disposable mouth guards that cover the mouth to prevent the lips from opening. I have read of taping the mouth, but a one piece sticky back unit can be peeled off and placed over the mouth at night, doing away with the tight chin strap that feels constrictive. Toss it in the am and place a new one on at night.
9) Maybe going a little too far here, but a unit that allows for connecting an ipod or similar to play music to drift off to sleep with?
10) Lastly, how about a unit that comes in colors? I think some people might like that. I don't care, but there are those who want it to match the bedroom.

Thanks for asking our opinions. I would buy a unit that had some of my Starred features on there.

[m1aman]

I am really disappointed in a lot of these replies. You guys want frivolous things like mp3 players, clocks, color screens etc. All of that will just be something else to break and will cost more.

Hose out the back is just fine with me. I don't need all of that other crap either. I hope you guys continue to make basic machines for the rest of us.