Does Intellipap SmartFlex work like my old Series M A-Flex?

[DHT]

I Have been using a Respironics Series M with A-Flex for some years now. My Humidifier is leaking and it's time to upgrade the machine.
I was told about the Intellipap SmartFlex or the System One 60 Series or equivalent as a replacement.
Since I live in Canada, I found out I cannot have CPAP.com send the Phillips machine to Canada (unless I go through a third party shipper), but no problem shipping the Intellipap to Canada directly from CPAP.com

My Questions:
1. Does the Intellipap SmartFlex do what the A-Flex did?
2. Is it worth buying the Software Kit for $149?
3. Will I be able to set or change the Min/Max limits on my own?

Re: System One
1. I've been using the Encore Viewer 1.0 with my Series M. Would it still work with the System One? (I have Windows 7/64)
2. If not, is there a free patch to download?
3. Will I be able to set or change the Min/Max limits on my own?

And, does anyone know of a Canadian On-Line seller with similar prices that's offered by CPAP.com?

Thanks in advance

[Pugsy]

Check clinicalsleep.com in BC for prices on the PR S1 machines. You will need to call them though.
http://www.clinicalsleep.com/
Several forum members in Canada have used them for other products (like ResMed) and I have heard that prices are similar to cpap.com prices.

Personally I would prefer the PR S1 over the Intellipap. It's a good machine but it doesn't do quite the data collection that I personally would prefer. Add the cost of software and it doesn't become such a good deal but they do have the smart code thing. It all depends on how important the data is to you. I have no idea how Smartflex would compare to AFlex or CFlex. I have never used a Devillbiss machine. I have used the M series APAP and the PR S1 APAP and BiPap though.

Encore Viewer 2.0 would be needed but it won't install on a 64 bit computer.
Instead I would suggest EncoreBasic. It will install just fine and works with the new PR S1 machines.
You can find download information in UncleBob's signature line here
memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643
Here is an example of what the reports will look like...this is for ASV machine but the basics are the same for all models.
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/pwc_h ... _Guide.pdf

[Hawthorne]

The SmartFlex in the Intellipap is like the A or C Flex on a Remstar.

The difference is that you have to play with the "rounding" to get the SmartFlex set to suit you. I have the SmartFlex set at 1 but I have the "erounding" and the "irounding" both at 4. That works well for me but the rounding is different for everyone, as is the exhalation relief on all machines that have that feature, whatever its name.

If you go for the Intellipap, you would do well to get the Clinician's Manual. If you go for the Intellipap, you can PM me for the Clinician's Manual.

As you see, I have the Intellipap and really like it. I have the PR System One Auto that I used to use as a backup but prefer my Intellipap. The only thing I don't like about the Intellipap is the humdifier. I don't use it. I have a Fisher and Paykel 150 stand alone humidifier that I use with the Intellipap.

[DHT]

Thanks Pugsy for the reply,
I have already checked the ClinicalSleep.com site, but their prices are almost double the CPAP.com.
Thanks for the tip re: Uncle Bob... I'll keep that in mind.

I am actually intregued with this Intellipap machine, hoping some more people will pipe in with their review/comments.

[DHT]

Thanks hawthorn,

Good to know, and releived that SmartFlex can do A-Flex and more.
Are you using the Software kit? The daily code thingy also sounds interesting. In my case, even with the the M Series, I haven't found a need to check the data too often. Once I found my Min/Max settiings, I rarely check my readings.... so if this alternative can do the job, I may just avoid buying the Kit.
I welcome contrary opinions

Dick

[Hawthorne]

I should have added that I use "Sleepyhead" software with my Intellipap. It was developed by a forum member and works great. it is free!

I have the Software for the Intellipap, which is automatically updated regularly. Mine has not worked since the last upgrade so I stick with Sleepyhead.

You can check the daily code in the cpap.com forum by putting in your numbers each day. It gives good data and explanation of each item. I find that Sleepyhead is a little more accurate. The Smart Code, online, rounds things off.

Edit again! I bought my Intellipap from cpap.com.

[Dreamrobot]

DHt,
I also bought my intellipap from cpap.com because it was cheaper and I don't need a lot of detail data (I compromised for the price plus I know what my pressure range should be and what my problems are .
1.My backup machine is the old remstar too, but I used C-flex. I feel the smooth transitions just the same in the intellipap when I have used that (with rounding 5).
2.I didn't buy the software also due to more expense , but the screen gives me basic ahi, and if I use the website I can put the code and get ahi,leak, non-responsive events, and exp puffs (which usually correlate with jaw slack for me).I don't get the breakdown for hypos/obstructives.
3. of course you can change the min/max; in any machine you can do that, people here help u out a lot to get info (knowledge is power).

I didn't know sleepyhead works with the intellipap, guess I am not paying attention to the right posts ( I tend to read the funny ones)
A question for hawthorne if you don't mind my asking: what details does sleepyhead give? that is, as compared to the devilbiss website?
thanks
DreamRobot

[Acroflyer]

I'm from Canada and also purchased the Intelpap from cpap.com. It's my backup and travel machine. The software only cost $50.00 so I bought it. No prob running it on Win 7 64 bit. I like how the data is presented and its ease of use. I found the smartflex worked just as well if not better than the A-Flex on the Remstar.

As you may know, machine prices are higher in Canada than the US. Also, you can't purchases a Resperonics or Resmed machine from the US and have it sent to Canada. Thus, I went for the Devilbiss. Otherwise, I would have to get a US shipping address.

I've also purchased supplies from clinicalsleep.com. I'll continue purchasing from them. Click the Join button on their site. Login and you'll see pricing after you select a product; including machines.

[DHT]

Acroflyer, does the software alone work without the MODULE that's part of the $149 kit? Please explain how you are using it?

Dick

[Hawthorne]

Dreamrobot - Sleepyhead gives quite a lot of detail for the Intellipap - maybe not as much as for other machines but lots.

I mainly look at the main page (details). It gives Event flags, AHI, Pressure changes (on the Auto),Leak (you can set "all Leaks" or "unintentional leaks"), Snores. The graphs also show "Respiratory Rate", "Tidal Volume", Minute Ventilation". I don't understand these last 3 graphs but am really only interested in the others.

On the left side of the graphs you can see when you went to sleep and when you woke up as well as a pie chart of events. Clicking on the events, you can see how long each event lasted by clicking in it when you get that up. You can see info on you 95% pressure here too.

You can get an "Overview" which has graphs from the time you started using the machine.

The "statistics" page has a summary of details for the day as well, like AHI, pressures including 95% pressure.

I'm can't get Photobucket to work anymore so can't post any pages. Someone who uses Intellipap and Sleepyhead and can get Photobucket to work. may post some pages.

As I said, Sleepyhead gives a more accurate details than Smart Code (from cpap.com page or the Devillibis Intellipap page). For example, this morning my AHI using Smart Code was 0.5. Using Sleepyhead, it was 0.16.

Hope that helps!

[Acroflyer]

You need the module Dick. it attaches to the machine. There's a slot in the module for an SD card. Use the reader that comes with the module, software and cables to read/write data to/from computer.

[lazer]

You need the module Dick. it attaches to the machine.....

I've never seen such a module?

[Slartybartfast]

Another satisfied Intellipap user, here. If you go that route, I think you'll like the machine. The I-rounding and E-rounding are simple to set up and provide you with a means to customize the "feel" of the machine.

Since you're an experienced user, presumably you're pretty well dialed in so you won't really need the data module and software. The SmartCodes provide all the data one normally needs without the added trouble and expense. However, with the money you save by not buying the more expensive PR, you can have data, too.
And, yes, people are loading their Intellipap data into Sleepyhead.

[Acroflyer]

Normally the software and accompanying hardware cost $150.00. Thus, I understand why users opt for Sleepyhead when they want more than the sumary data reported from the smart codes. cpap.com gave me a $100.00 discount on the software so I purchased it. I'm glad I did.

I believe I got an excellent deal from cpap.com. The machine, heated humidifier, additional dishwasher-safe chamber, software, premium tubing, snugglehose and additional filters for under $700.00.