CPAP machine with LCD

[RogerSC]

We're thinking of editing the screen such that it's the size of an iPhone. and the LCD will also be touchscreen allowing zoom in etc. However, since the screen might be too small, we're thinking only of incorporating the most essential features. Such as some of those that you suggested. :)
Thanks!

For me, I would be happier if I could download my cpap machine to my computer, and look at the graphs on my 24" monitor. Or download onto my smartphone, and use the display there to view the data. An LCD screen on the cpap is quite adequate for getting the previous night's statistical information, or getting statistical averages over periods of time like ResMed does, but when it comes to looking at details in graphs I'd personally prefer the larger screen on my computer. Having to carry an SD card around isn't much fun though, so I'd be happy if the cpap had wireless capability to just be able to download detailed sleep data directly from the cpap on demand.

So, just thinking about it, I'd not really want to pay for an elaborate display on my cpap, when I've already bought a display on my smartphone that size that I could use if I could get the data onto my phone, or download it onto my computer and use a the full-size monitor there. You never know, maybe it would be more compelling to have another display on my cpap machine if I saw it, but adding the cost and complexity of something that I already have a couple of (monitor and smartphone) to a cpap doesn't strike me as an idea I'd be interested in.

[lindalq]

Hi RogerSC,

thank you for your input!

It seems like the LCD would not be as useful for you. However, I'm assuming you have a ResMed? Our project requires us to modify the Respronics System One REMstar which currently shows almost no data on the screen. So do you think that having any data to be shown on the screen would help? So some kind of data to quickly glance at instead of taking the time to remove the SD and transfer to your computer and open up softwares to view the data?

Honestly, we even thought of docking your smarphone the night before on the CPAP machine and let the data transfer to your phone overnight and then you can view it the next morning. However, it is insanely complicated with the regulatory pathway, which is not within the scope of our project.

Also, do you think having the ability to monitor your own data help you adapt/adjust to CPAP therapy?

Please also input your opinion into our survey since it's where we mainly consolidate our data. The survey's really quick! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JFSCFJ9

[RogerSC]

It seems like the LCD would not be as useful for you. However, I'm assuming you have a ResMed? Our project requires us to modify the Respronics System One REMstar which currently shows almost no data on the screen. So do you think that having any data to be shown on the screen would help? So some kind of data to quickly glance at instead of taking the time to remove the SD and transfer to your computer and open up softwares to view the data?

I'm not aware of what data you can get from the Respironics LCD's. I'm happy to get minimal statistical data from my cpap, that simplifies things and saves me time. What I usually look at is 95% Leak and Pressure numbers, plus the AHI broken down into CSA and OSA's just for the previous night. That tells me if anything weird happened, and that things are working as they should without feeling like I need to download my data every day. Really getting information out of the graphs takes time, so I only download my detailed sleep data about once a week and take a look at the graphs to see what's up. What I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't take the time to look at graphs every day anyways, unless the numbers for the day that I got off my LCD indicated that I should.

[Julie]

Linda - I'm getting the feeling that you want to pursue your agenda (LCD, etc.) rather than really hear what people want... because I haven't read a lot of notes asking for LCD screen enhancements at all. And again, 'Resmed' is just the mfgr's name, means nothing without a model name and # as there are so many different ones.

[Guest]

Hi RogerSC, Thank you for your reply!

Hi Julie,

Thank you for catching us on that. You are absolutely right about us wanting

to pursue your agenda (LCD, etc.) rather than really hear what people want... because I haven't read a lot of notes asking for LCD screen enhancements at all.

I guess it's more along the line of we finally figured out the LCD +wireless data might be a potential source of improvements for PR1 based on previous feedbacks, however, when we inquire if this will help, everyone is telling us "no" now. We're trying to understand this difference in opinion. Are we asking the question wrong? From previous feedbacks, people seem to want better LCD + data for Philips REMstar System one Auto, but now we're not sure anymore.

[Julie]

I don't know where your conflict is unless you're also asking people (from another forum?) who normally don't use data at all and depend on their screens for info. which would be a matter of their needing some education (and software) vs our knowing what's what.

[tetragon]

The biggest problems with viewing quick summary data on the PRS1 Auto have been dealt with in the current version of the machine. The earliest 550P machines didn't even have a backlight, much less last night's summary. It has been improved upon since then. The more detailed graphs are easier to handle on a larger screen that doesn't belong on the nightstand. And no cloud transfer; I still remember what the tales of the medical equipment that depended upon Amazon's cloud services.

Although a useful leak display and a couple nights of 1-day history would be nice.

[Goofproof]

I belive you with your usless education dont even know what LCD stand for, it's Liquid Crystal Display, a poor quality visual medium, that s cheap and out dated, very low resolution. Try OLED, or LED, Google it and pencil it into your outdated textbooks! Jim

[echo]

Screens are still LCDs, the LED part is just the backlight for the display (as opposed to CCFL lamps or other older lamp technology). You wouldn't want an actual LED display as it would either need to be way too large,or it would be your alarm clock display. No need to be so snippy either, sheesh. Please google yourself: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_display

[Goofproof]

Screens are still LCDs, the LED part is just the backlight for the display (as opposed to CCFL lamps or other older lamp technology). You wouldn't want an actual LED display as it would either need to be way too large,or it would be your alarm clock display. No need to be so snippy either, sheesh. Please google yourself: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_display

LCD displays require a back light to work well, be it LED, the sun or backlight, but the pixel quality is inferior to OLED or LED. LED is old school,my 2005 xpap has LCD, my finger tip had OLED, it displays more data faster and clearer. The true solution is larger screens or seeingthe data on a computer screen no need to build it into the pump except for basic setting info. Size and Weight matter. Jim

Try this link for the truth. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oled

[lindalq]

Hi everyone,

thank you all for your input.

It seems that the PR1 DS560 have most of the features we wanted to change. Great. back to the drawing board.

Thank you for your comments everyone!

[Goofproof]

Hi everyone,

thank you all for your input.

It seems that the PR1 DS560 have most of the features we wanted to change. Great. back to the drawing board.

Thank you for your comments everyone!

It seems that checking available machine spec and how they work eould be the first step in doing any project. No cost involved just reading, our host posts specs on all the machines they sell as do others. Jim

[hegel]

To the O.P: remember that most people here are pretty sophisticated when it comes to interpreting data--their own or others. My guess is that the vast majority of cpap users are more passive. You may need to take their needs into consideration. In other words, a simple, easily understood screen displaying the essentials of their previous night's sleep may be helpful to many people, who won't download onto sleepyhead etc. and analyze their sleep patterns more fully.

As for pulse oximeter readings: people with atrial fibrillation issues are, or should be, interested in these numbers. Many people with apnea have afib. But further: oxygen depletion--and possible heart issues related to this--are a major factor in sleep apnea, for everyone. Beyond what you're proposing, if you could design a single unit that had the capacity to measure standard cpap results, as well as 02 and heart rate, in a single screen or download---that would be helpful. Naturally a sleeper would have to wear a HIGH QUALITY oximeter along with their mask for this to work. But there may be a market for this. One machine that worked in conjunction with an oximeter, sold together, that would show all results in a download. So in my imagination there would a portal on the cpap machine which would allow you to download pulse oximeter results onto the same data card that records standard sleep information. The oximeter readings would then display on a graph along with the OA's, flow limitations, etc. You want to be able to correlate O2 or heart rate '"events" with apneas or flow limitations etc. I don't know of such a unit on the market today.

It's true that most people won't want to wear a finger oximeter every night. I may be overstating the interest in this issue. But as of today, if I had the choice, I would buy a machine that integrated oximeter readings into my standard cpap info over another machine, all other things being equal.

[Julie]

"if I had the choice, I would buy a machine that integrated oximeter readings into my standard cpap info over another machine"

+1000

[Goofproof]

"if I had the choice, I would buy a machine that integrated oximeter readings into my standard cpap info over another machine"

+1000

If costs could be kept in-line, and ease if downloading useful data into well thought out software on all platforms, tablets (android) included, I'd be in. Jim

Added costs should be $50 to S100 for a good system. The DME provider probably wouldn't be happy, too low of a rip off rate, thd government wouldn't want to raise rates for any upgrade that helped patients either, they are happy paying one price for a brick, no set minium specs.