new "aflex" machine- any user reports yet?

packer · Post by **packer** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:24 am

It looks like I have chance to get a new machine- [to own]

so- any info on new machine would be great - I think it is just rolling out right now- hopefully someone has been using it- thanks Packer

andyomega · Post by **andyomega** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:40 am

hi, i just started using a machine like yours but I dont think its working right.
Is there a way to test that it will respond to events and raise the pressure as needed?

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 2:06 pm

Here's some info on the a-flex unit;

viewtopic.php?t=20772&highlight=titrator

Brenda

higgy · Post by **higgy** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 6:56 pm

I have the a-flex machine. I do not have a lot of experience with other cpaps but I like this machine a lot.

The resistance to exhalation is minimal. The setup on the screen is easy and if you buy from cpap.com they give you the card for programing as well.

I have been using the machine on average 7.6 hours per night all with good comfort.

If there is anything that I can tell you about this machine please let me know.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:15 pm

it is now hard to verify because it is gone.

But I was surfing the Respironics website one day think right before Medtrade show, guess they were updating their website for that show and didn't have it fully locked down with permissions. I stumbled into a place I shouldn't have been I guess, but I read:

In any case I ran across this "dealer" guarantee on the A-Flex page. Now don't quote me exactly because I'm recalling this from memory, it basically said something along the lines:

If your patient cannot tolerate the effects of the new A-Flex machine after 30 days (think it was 30), just let us know and we will replace that machine and supply you with a replacement Bipap of your choosing.

Now it didn't use exactly my words above, but I did see that as Respironics having a lot of confidence in the new A-Flex machine. So much so that they were willing to replace it with a machine that has to have near double the cost.

That says a lot to me.

higgy · Post by **higgy** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:21 pm

Cool, thanks snoredog!

sleepngo · Post by **sleepngo** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:58 pm

Snoredog wrote:it is now hard to verify because it is gone.

But I was surfing the Respironics website one day think right before Medtrade show, guess they were updating their website for that show and didn't have it fully locked down with permissions. I stumbled into a place I shouldn't have been I guess, but I read:

In any case I ran across this "dealer" guarantee on the A-Flex page. Now don't quote me exactly because I'm recalling this from memory, it basically said something along the lines:

If your patient cannot tolerate the effects of the new A-Flex machine after 30 days (think it was 30), just let us know and we will replace that machine and supply you with a replacement Bipap of your choosing.
Now it didn't use exactly my words above, but I did see that as Respironics having a lot of confidence in the new A-Flex machine. So much so that they were willing to replace it with a machine that has to have near double the cost.

That says a lot to me.

higgy · Post by **higgy** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 3:17 pm

I do not have aerophagia but I do notice how the a-flex adapts to my breathing. The first few breaths has resistance to exhalation just like a normal c-pap, but after 10 or so breaths it starts to lessen, I can feel the pressure start to go up just before inhalation, then after a minute the machine is in sync and I can hardly tell that it is on, in fact there have been times that I take the mask off to see if the machine is running, the instant blast of air tells me that it is, I put it on again and a minute or so later it is back to no real perceived pressure.

I love it.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): aerophagia

sleepngo · Post by **sleepngo** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 4:35 pm

Higgy, sounds good, could mean that a lot of people like myself, that suffer from the effects of Aerophagia could very well switch to APAP auto with A-Flex, rather then having to use the more expensive Bi-Level machines, a big savings if it will reduce the effects of Aerophagia.

Dan

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 8:31 pm

picked up the aflex unit today- will report to board my impressions in AM-

had the "tank" apap with cflex-

I am trying it out before I have to decide. so- we shall see-
Packer

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 6:19 am

first night impressions were extremely favorable

I thought at first it wasn't working right because there was no
force against you on either inspiration or exhale- pretty amazing actually!

I guess it was easier dumping water in old model- had a funnel and gallon jug and just pulled off hose and dumped it in- this one you have to take out the reservoir- no big deal

buttons right up on top for adjusting ramp and flex- I set flex to 3 to try it out - I see no reason to change it

it had smart card in it- I went to download this morning but the Encore pro software I have is version 1.7- it came up with an error
[read someplace here you need 1.8- any help appreciated!!]

so- a very strong YES for new Remstar Aflex!!! now I need to find newer Encore to go with brand new machine Packer

lindychris · Post by **lindychris** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 8:41 am

Day 2 on it and last night was GREAT! I had an extremely good night's sleep.

Usually have aerophaglia, but last night, nothing!!! It was nice to have a comfortable morning.

AHI average for 2 nights is 2.7. Breathing is extremely easy - feels just like normal breathing.

One word - if you use the Activa mask, the a-flex is a little weird at first because, as noted elsewhere, the blower lets off quite a bit and the end of the inhale. Because of the "air cushion" of the Activa mask, it bumps back and then there is a little more pressure on the exhale so it makes another little bump. Putting the flex on 2 helped and it wasn't quite as disconcerting. Never had a flex machine before, so I don't know if the c-flex had this happen on Activa or not, but I just wanted y'all to be aware of it.

Bottom line - I love this machine so far.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): activa, C-FLEX, AHI

christinequilts · Post by **christinequilts** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 9:35 am

Snoredog wrote: Now it didn't use exactly my words above, but I did see that as Respironics having a lot of confidence in the new A-Flex machine. So much so that they were willing to replace it with a machine that has to have near double the cost.

That says a lot to me.

Or it tells us the true 'cost' for a BiPAP isn't that much more then the Aflex, or by extension, CPAP Though the DME has nothing to lose, since if the patient has to be switched to BiPAP, they will get paid more by insurance.

And I remember coming across almost the same type of guarantee for CFlex when it first came out years ago, so no, you were not imagining things Snoredog.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 2:02 pm

Never mind. I see the answer was posted earlier.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Jun 09, 2007 2:49 pm

rooster wrote:Never mind. I see the answer was posted earlier.

I think the jury is still out on weather it helps with aerophagia or not, that should be proven one way or another over time. Unfortunetly you are at a crossroads trying to make a decision.

I think if your pressure is higher or over 10cm and you are suffering from repeat aerophagia, the Bipap may still be the better option. The only reason is limitations, there are not as many Pressure Support limitations on that machine, there are rules to go by in setting it up.

While only my theory; I see the A-flex appears limited from what I can tell, like C-flex and Bi-flex it has only 3 settings. Think of A-flex as having both BiFlex and CFlex together combined with auto titration function. Very close if not same as Bipap Auto like features. You can only off-set IPAP/EPAP by those 1, 2 or 3 settings, and probably based upon digital auto track, how much relief you get is probably based upon your particular breathing pattern. So the limit then appears to be those 1,2 or 3 settings, PS is hard coded at 2cm from what I can tell. That was the minimum PS on the Bipap version. They probably found the minimum worked pretty good.

But with the Bipap, you can go farther apart if needed up to 8cm difference in auto mode, possibly even higher in manual modes. The A-flex from what I can tell maintains a hard coded 2cm Pressure support between IPAP and EPAP just like the Bipap Auto does but then it has a Maximum in addition. That 2cm PS is like a horizontal "cushion" IPAP and EPAP may go above and below that horizontal cushion but at the exact IPAP/EPAP transition point there will always be 2cm pressure maintained to maintain the airway splint.

It will be interesting to see how this new machine plays out. It will be interesting to see how the software issue plays out. I bet a lot of sales of Respironics derrived on its higher end machines in the past was a direct result of software being available for them, now that is gone, it will be interesting to see how this aspect plays out.

Mask

new "aflex" machine- any user reports yet?

new "aflex" machine- any user reports yet?

remstar m auto

aflex