Question about data capability and software

[opticalpopsicle]

Hello - I am a NOOB who just got a RemStar Auto M series machine. I would like to use Sleepyhead software but I am really confused about how I go about this. I have a MacBook Pro computer. I do have access to a PC laptop if this really won't work with a Mac. I have already downloaded the Sleepyhead software onto the Mac and it seems to be fine, although hard to tell without having any data to upload. I have a Respironics Encorepro Smartcard in my machine but it has other data on it from another user that I would like to wipe clean. What I would like to know is....
1. Is it possible for me to use the free Sleepyhead software or do I have to pay to get the Encore software? I would like to spend as little money as possible here...
2. What about a "Driver". Will I need that?
3. Which smartcard reader do I have to buy? All the ones I have found say they don't include the driver, will that be a problem?
4. How do I wipe the data already on the card off?

If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate it! I am not so tech savvy, and I would like to be able to monitor my own treatment. Thanks!

[Pugsy]

The M series machines won't work with SleepyHead. SleepyHead only works with machines that have the SD cards and the M series machines have those Smart Cards.

There is a way to erase any previous data off the machine. That is easy. Give me a few minutes and I will send you the provider/clinical manual for your machine and it explains how to reset the therapy data to zero. So check your private messages in a little bit.

Getting prior data off the Smart card requires the card reader and software (Encore Pro or Encore Basic). There is a function that one can select to "erase the card after download". I can help you with the software but it won't work on a Mac at all unless you rig up some sort of Windows environment ( BootCamp or Parallels or whatever). I will send you a link for what will work with the PC that you have.

You need this card reader and generic will not work. I know of one place that only charges $40 plus 6.50 for shipping.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Respir ... r-USB.html
Once you get one and have some sort of Windows OS to use the software you just need to go to the Mako website and get the updated driver software. I can point you to that also. Which to get depends on what OS you are using and computer specs.

So card reader and Encore software and you can see the data. For examples of what Encore reports look like you can look in my signature line for PR S1 software options. The reports are the same for M series machines except the M series machine doesn't gather Clear airway or RERA events. The M series machine were the prior model supplied before the release of the PR S1 machines. So older technology.

Give me a few minutes and I will send you a private message with some links for some stuff you need.
My first machine was a M series machine so I am familiar with it.

[opticalpopsicle]

Thanks so much! Soooo helpful. I got my first glimpse today of the data for one night with the software, and my new card reader. I followed everything you said. It all went very smooth. Thank you for all your help!

[Pugsy]

Glad things worked out.
Remember that Smart card absolutely must be in the machine for you to get any detailed data. The machine only stores summary data (hours of use and maybe AHI)
Always make sure that you hear the single beep when you insert the card. That means it is inserted correctly. Multiple beeps mean inserted incorrectly. No beeps at all usually means not quite fully inserted.

I have done every one of the above.. back when I used the M series machine. Also it is easy to get the card inserted in the card reader backwards or upside down. I once spent all day trying to figure out why the software couldn't read the card reader and I had the smart card in backwards. Duh..

[jloren1]

This is way cool that you guys are able to check out your own sleep data...I'm just getting use to my m series machine I have struggled for years trying to sleep with it. My leak/min numbers are 74... i am trying to figure out if that is normal or not. I also switched it to auto mode last night and increased the pressures to compensate for stuffed up nose or leakage...it seems to me that I may be on the right track as far as compliance with the machine (I hope). This website is great alot of info on different topics. Everyone is different, so what works for you may not work for someone else.

[Pugsy]

I'm just getting use to my m series machine I have struggled for years trying to sleep with it. My leak/min numbers are 74... i am trying to figure out if that is normal or not

On the M series that would be an average of the Total Leak which includes the mask's vent rate. You are real close to large leak territory with that 74 L/min average. Large leak territory is around 90 L/min on the M series machine. Maybe a little higher if your pressures are in the upper teens.
If you have the DT3500 card reader and the Encore software you could see for sure if your leaks are hitting large leak territory.
I suspect you are getting close for sure and may exceed it on occasion if you are seeing 74 L/min average.

Whatever mask you use will list the expected vent rate at your pressure (it's on a graph in the paperwork) then you can see how much of that 74 L/min is excess leak.