Software/Hardware "Quick Guide"

winken blinken and nod · Post by **winken blinken and nod** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 3:33 pm

I notice there are many questions about which machines collect what data and how to go about accessing the data.

Any chance someone out there could write a "Quick Guide" outlining which machines collect what data and what software/hardware is needed to access and analyze that data?

I know it would be alot of work but it would give folks a place to start in getting this stuff together.

I have a Respironics Remstar Auto with C-flex and a smart card. I think I need the, now legendary, DT3500 smart card reader and the Encore/My Encore software combination.

Am I on the right track?

BIG THANKS

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat Jan 14, 2006 6:00 pm

Any chance someone out there could write a "Quick Guide" outlining which machines collect what data and what software/hardware is needed to access and analyze that data?

Ask and you shall receive . . .

Here's what the new Respironics machines collect which can be viewed using Encore Pro software.

MINUTE BY MINUTE plots:
Apneas
Hypopneas
Snores
Leaks
Pressure

DAILY PLOTS
AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index)
OAI (Obstructive Apnea Index)
HI (Hypopnea Index)
SI (Snore Index)
Compliance (Hours of Use)

MyEncore software (which ties into the Encore Pro database) shows the following on a daily basis:

Flow Limitations (like a small hypopnea.)
Percent of night in Variable Breathing (related to amount of REM sleep)
Total apneas
Total hypopneas
Average apnea duration
Total time in apnea
Plots of AHI vs pressure
SI vs pressure
Miscellaneous other mix and match charts using data already listed

I have no experience with other machines, but believe that the info provided by the Repironics machines is more comprehensive than any of the other manufacturers provide.

I know it would be alot of work but it would give folks a place to start in getting this stuff together.

No trouble at all. I'm hoping someone will post about the info collected by the other machines.

I have a Respironics Remstar Auto with C-flex and a smart card. I think I need the, now legendary, DT3500 smart card reader and the Encore/My Encore software combination.

Am I on the right track?

Yep.

Regards,
Bill

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 9:13 am

I'm hoping someone will post about the info collected by the other machines.

C'mon now, the other machines which collect data can't be that bad compared to Respironics can they? Surely they provide more than pressure and compliance data.

winken blinken and nod · Post by **winken blinken and nod** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:57 pm

I was hoping that if we collect this information in one thred we could refer new folks to it to get their questions answered.

(this is a nudge) ;-)

aisling

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:56 pm

Great Idea, but I use the REMstar, and thanks you you guys, my work is done. Hurry up and get that reader set up!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:23 pm

winken blinken and nod wrote:I was hoping that if we collect this information in one thred we could refer new folks to it to get their questions answered.

(this is a nudge)

aisling

I had a supervisor once who used to use the word "WE".....which actually meant "YOU" (so that HE could take the credit).
So, I suggest that if this is something YOU want to see, that YOU assemble the information from the item descriptions at CPAP.COM and from the product websites (where it is available) and assemble it in whatever form you feel would be appropriate.

Good luck,

Den

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 4:09 pm

Den,

winken blinken and nod · Post by **winken blinken and nod** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 5:15 pm

I appear to have offended.

My apologies. Consider the suggestion deleted.

a

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:02 pm

W,B & N,

I really wasn't "offended", although I can't speak for others who use the various brands of equipment and software. I'm not in the market for or wishing to compare features of the other products. And, I'm not saying that it is entirely a bad idea. I'm just saying that that if you have an idea like that.....be prepared to "run with it" yourself.

Rested Gal has compiled lists of various topics that are quite helpful.....so don't be afraid to compile your own lists if you think they'd be helpful.

Best wishes,

Den

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:48 pm

So, I suggest that if this is something YOU want to see, that YOU assemble the information

Well, what a deplorable lack of curiosity! Umm..., on second thought, since you are continuing to read and post to this thread, perhaps it's not a lack of curiosity at all, but I digress . . . Ascribing motivations after all is not a particularly productive activity.

Now, since I am curious, I guess I'll continue contributing (although I think it might have been better had a real user of the product posted about it) - this time for the Puritan Bennett Silverling software which apparently works only with the 420S and 420E and gives different info for each.

From the CPAP.com website

"Allows the user of a Goodknight 420S or 420E (evolution) CPAP to access records of up 200 sessions of date/time usage data. For the 420E, it provides detailed recording and analysis of the last 96 hours of operation. It displays persistent residual apnea, hypopnea and snoring events that occur at set-pressure . . . "

Regards,
Bill

P.S. This info is not currently accessible from the CPAP.com website as the link for it is busted. I was however able to access it from Google's cached archives.

Now, on to the next challenge . . .

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:01 pm

According to CPAP.com the AutoScan Software for Resmed machines is capable of doing the following:

For the S5 Elite, S6 Elite and VPAP II machines:
Usage information only

For an unspecified number of machines (presumably S6 and S7 included):
AHI summary
Mask leaks
Pressure
Time plot of apnea, leak and pressure throughout night

Regards,
Bill

P.S. So far, Respironics Encore Pro software is the clear winner in terms of useful information provided. (No offense intended to owners of these other machines.)

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, cpap.com, Encore Pro, AHI

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 7:19 pm

From the Fisher and Paykel website, the info indicates that Compliance Maximizer does exactly what it's name implies. It provides only compliance data. (It's a bit of a mystery to me how the software can provide multi-page reports using only this limited dataset but apparently it does.)

Regards,
Bill

Disclaimer: This concludes my limited foray into characterizing performance of software for machines which I have no direct experience with.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:07 pm

NightHawkeye wrote: but I digress . . . Ascribing motivations after all is not a particularly productive activity.

Bill,

Very astute observation on your part... I can only hope one of my favorite "gal" buddies comes upon this thread.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:46 pm

Wulfman wrote:W,B & N,

I really wasn't "offended", although I can't speak for others who use the various brands of equipment and software. I'm not in the market for or wishing to compare features of the other products. And, I'm not saying that it is entirely a bad idea. I'm just saying that that if you have an idea like that.....be prepared to "run with it" yourself.

Rested Gal has compiled lists of various topics that are quite helpful.....so don't be afraid to compile your own lists if you think they'd be helpful.

Best wishes,

Den

Great answer, Den.

O.

Software/Hardware "Quick Guide"

Software/Hardware "Quick Guide"

Resmed Autoscan Software

Compliance Maximizer Software by Fisher and Paykel