S9 Autoset Shutting Off

[DoriC]

The data is showing the machine is shutting itself off 1-2x a night, sometimes for almost an hr. I know Mike is not shutting it off himself, he uses a bedside urinal if necessary. I'm wondering about the following as a possible cause. #1=I switched his pillow to a soft down pillow from the contour memory foam, I thought it might help his restlessness. Is it possible that he's burying his mask into the soft pillow and blocking the exhaust vent, would that shut it down? #2= When I get up during the night sometimes 1-2x, I press the button to bring up the "mask fit" feature, would that shut the machine down? I'm a little vague but I think the data might correspond with the times I do that, not sure? He's using 2L supplemental O2 bled into the machine and the concentrator seems to be working OK. His AHI is in the 3.0 range and he has occasional high leaks especially not that he's missing his lower bridge, but they don't correspond with the shut off times. His CAs are not high but he has difficulty with his hip and holds his breath when he turns over. He seems fine all day, just very sleepy after breakfast but that's always been his pattern. My aide is willing to sleep here and use the oximeter overnight as soon as we figure out how to download the software. I have the CMS-50D Plus. I checked everything on the machine, seems OK. Unplugged,etc. I think this is an original S9 model does not have Auto Shut Off feature and the Auto Start doesn't function with a FF mask. I've given you all the info I can think of. Does anyone have any thoughts on this as I'm getting worried.

[RandyJ]

I've never tried to use the "mask fit" feature while the machine is running. That seems to be the most obvious culprit. Maybe you could test it tonight after he is masked up and running but before you fall asleep...

[DoriC]

Thanks Randy, I almost wasn't even going to mention the mask fit but glad I did. I've been thinking of something else. I have a really old surge protector that I've now got the oxygen concentrator plugged in to as well. It was a pretty cheap one if I remember. And of course the AC is now going most of the night while we've got this heat wave in NJ. Am I on to something? I don't know much about this stuff but should I be looking at a new heavy duty surge protector or UPS. If so, can you recommend one or what I should be looking for? Thanks.

[BigLou]

DoriC, I have noticed that my machine apparently does the same thing but not on a daily basis. I first noticed this when I looked at the "flow" detailed data on ResScan. It showed anywhere from 5-10 minutes of no data ( only once per night) on various days. No power failures in our house. I did not disconnect my tube from the hose therefore stopping airflow (since I have the mask Smart Start/Stop function activated) at the specific times that these "no data" events were found.......I did not disconnect and go to the bathroom (according to my wife) to relieve myself at these times. No leaks. Have been on the hose for 3 weeks and doing well. Do we have defective S9's ???????? . Help us please.

[SleepingUgly]

Dori, my son's machine had that problem (see this thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71628&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ps#p659995) and eventually I just had it swapped out for a new one.

[BigLou]

Thanks for the link SU......I may need to swap out machines also. Other S9'ers are welcome to chime in. Look closely at your data in ResScan........any small gaps in the data? Software related or is the machine malfunctioning and really not delivering airflow during these times? Don't want us to be asphyxsiated.

[Airplaneman]

I have an S9 escape auto and with a certain frequency the unit just quits. It gives a "check the power supply" warning. It will also come back on just by iteslf or if I jiggle the wire to the machine or unplug and replug it back in. I dont know why it does this but it may expain what is happening in your situation. If you cacht it off then check the screen for any message.
Regards,
Airplane

[BigLou]

AAMan....I am not awakened when these events happen.....maybe it results in an arousal but I looked at the data and also noted that the gaps don't necessarily jive with any associated OA,CA or Hy. I do think that I would be gasping and choking if not ventilated for such a period of time. I'm upset.

[archangle]

A few somewhat disorganized thoughts.

1) Turn it on, breathe into the mask for a while, then take the mask off and see if it shuts down. Then disconnect the mask and plug the end of the hose for a few minutes and see if it shuts off that way. I wouldn't plug it for too long or the machine might heat up.

If the machine is set to autostart, it's puzzling if it stays off after shutting off.

2) Surge protectors help prevent damage from voltage spikes. They don't "clean up" the power all that much in many cases. Bad things that will make the machine screw up may not be affected by a surge protector. They won't do anything for brownout of momentary blips of no power.

A UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) will give more constant power in terms of power dips. A UPS can damage some devices, especially humidifiers, because it provides a MSW waveform. S9's and S9 humidifiers are safe. S8 humidifiers will be damaged. Note that a reasonably cheap UPS will probably not handle a CPAP for a long outage, but may help blips and droops in voltage. i.e. it's not a good backup power supply.

Try changing things for troubleshooting possible power problems. This is sometimes called "Easter egging." Just keep swapping things until it starts working.

If possible, plug the S9 into a different outlet. Even better if you can confirm that the outlet is on a different circuit by turning off the breakers and finding out if it's different from any other devices. You might even use a heavy duty extension cord to get to another outlet, but be sure to use the extension cord safely, especially if you're going to use it long term. If you have to go to the same outlet box, at least be sure that the S9 is the only thing that goes into the particular socket out of the 2 outlets on the wall.

Unplug and replug every connector in the path between the S9 and the wall. Where possible, switch outlets, even if it's just a different plug on the surge protector. Eliminate as many outlet strips, etc. in the path as you can. Consider switching out any surge protectors or cords for different cords. Wiggle all the connections and see if any of them make the lights blink on the S9.

Another S9 power brick would be an interesting experiment to try. Or powering it off a DC supply for a night or two.

3) We really need to figure out a good "zero pressure" alarm that makes noise whenever the pressure goes away.

[DoriC]

Dori, my son's machine had that problem (see this thread viewtopic.php?f=1&t=71628&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... ps#p659995) and eventually I just had it swapped out for a new one.

SU, yes, I remember that thread! That's when I fell in love with a "much younger man"! I don't have the option of a swap as this machine was purchased privately. I also don't think it's anything to do with power blips because I have one of those alarms plugged in to wake me in case of a power outage. It's very sensitive and did go off a few months ago when we had a brief 5 second outage. I couldn't even see it on the data if I remember. I've checked everything I can think of and will get a new surge protector tomorrow just in case that's the problem. I really think it has something to do with his breathing on the nights he's restless. Last night was a much quieter night, good leak line and flow and no break in the data. I used PAC anti leak strap to stabilize the mask? I received a PM from a buddy who's a little put off about posting here and he suggested I go back to straight pressure as maybe the changing auto pressures are interfering with his breathing rhythm when the pressure is at the minimum. On cpap I use 12cms, on auto I use 10.6-13.6. Any thoughts on that? @Arch, how much do you charge and when will you arrive here to do my checkup?

[SleepingUgly]

Why would his breathing make the machine shut off if it's not in Auto Stop/Start mode? I think you said it's not, right?

[DoriC]

I'm not quite sure myself what it means, I don't exactly know what happens with OSA if the min pressure is not optimal, I know it could cause apneas but could it also make the breathing so shallow that the machine doesn't recognize the pattern and thinks the machine is turned off? No Auto Start/Stop ..

[SleepingUgly]

I'm not quite sure myself what it means, I don't exactly know what happens with OSA if the min pressure is not optimal, I know it could cause apneas but could it also make the breathing so shallow that the machine doesn't recognize the pattern and thinks the machine is turned off? No Auto Start/Stop ..

Without Auto on/off, I think the machine would even blow unattached to a person, like if left on the bed with just a hose... So if your'e SURE auto on/off is not enabled, then either (1) someone is turning the machine off and on, (2) something is wrong the machine, (3) something is wrong with the software that is showing you gaps in data even though the machine is on all night.

Is it possible Mike is turning it off? When I was having this problem myself (I didn't know at one time whether I was turning my own machine off or something was wrong with the machine), I taped a dixie cup to the on/off button so that I'd have to awaken enough to realize what I was doing.

[DoriC]

You know what, I'm using an older version of Resmed(I think 3.7),and never updated to the latest. Hmm? Maybe it's a bug in the software, I'll try the update. As for Mike turning it off without knowing it, I really don't think so, I think he'd remember as sometimes there's a gap towards morning when I believe he's semi-awake. But it's a good idea to cover it just in case. Thanks.

[-SWS]

Might be a good idea to perform these two if you haven't lately:
1) unplug S9 for a few minutes (thus a reboot/reset)
2) format the SD card after a computer upload, but before collecting a new batch of data

Good luck, Dori!