Sullivan Comfort Bilvel

[allend]

Hi, I have this older bipap that I want to bring down to Florida, as I am there 6 weeks plus a year and it doesn't pay to carry my M series back and forth. There is also the chance of it falling and breaking. So, I am looking for an extra m series bipap for home, just in case, mine stops working.

The Sullivan was used from May 2003 to December 2006. Because I not able to do the sleep study for more than a 1/2 hour they set it for 10/6, as the RT said, right down the middle. After my last sleep study, it was determined I needed 11/9 and that study went all night for two nights. I am using the m series auto bipap so with a script for 11/9 and I think it is set for 14 max 8 min. So, my first question is, how do you set it the Sullivan? It has 7 adjusting ports labeled from T1 to T7. However, I can only see screws in T1, T2, T6 and T7.

The second question is, the machine has a stale odor. I can live with it for three weeks but is there any way to clean these things?

Allen

[nightjar]

After my last sleep study, it was determined I needed 11/9 [. . .] So, my first question is, how do you set it the Sullivan? It has 7 adjusting ports labeled from T1 to T7. However, I can only see screws in T1, T2, T6 and T7.

I looked through my PDF collection (thank you, rested gal!) of xPAP guides and manuals, but didn't see one for the Sullivan Comfort Bi-Level. Maybe someone else--say, DSM--has one they can share.

The one Sullivan manual I did see seems to indicate that you'll need a manometer to check the pressure. If you don't have one, you might consider taking the unit to your sleep lab and seeing if they can set it for you. If you have a good DME to deal with (yes, I know how unlikely that might be), perhaps they could do it, too. But I'd check with the sleep lab first.

The second question is, the machine has a stale odor. I can live with it for three weeks but is there any way to clean these things?

I've read that the thing to do is to set it outside in the sunshine and let it run for a few hours. I read that will help get smoke out of a machine, and I'm guessing it'd help with any stale odor.

Good luck with getting it reset. 11 / 9 will sure be better than 10 / 6.

nath

[allend]

Hi Nath,

The machine shows the epap and the ipap as you are breathing so, if you adjust it you can see the results. It's just a question of which screws. I don't think I need to do other than ipap and epap and just leave the rest alone. 10/6 isn't that far from 11/9 but looking at the result of my encore reports, I'd probably go higher on the ipap (or the higher number). I am not sure what the manometer would do.

I asked the RT at the DME about a years ago if they could adjust it and she said she doesn't have a manometer. Maybe the sleep lab has one but with the new machines, and this is a 3 or 4 year old sleep lab, I have a feeling they never needed one.

Allen

[nightjar]

I asked the RT at the DME about a years ago if they could adjust it and she said she doesn't have a manometer. Maybe the sleep lab has one but with the new machines, and this is a 3 or 4 year old sleep lab, I have a feeling they never needed one.

My sleep lab has one, and the tech checked my old Tranquility Quest with it. On the other hand, she didn't know how to adjust the TQ's pressure.

But it seems they ought to have a manometer, just to check their equipment and not take for granted that the numbers displayed on the LCD are accurate.

Thinking about all the adjustment screws on your unit . . . you might be able to turn them carefully, slowly, keeping track of how many quarter turns you're making, and see if the pressure goes up or down. My guess is that there's one screw for IPAP, one for EPAP, one for the pressure the ramp might start at (assuming there is one), and maybe one for a rise setting. Guessing again, I'd guess that T1 and T2 are for the IP and EP, though maybe not in that order.

The one Sullivan guide I have mentions a "Delay Timer" setting. I'm not sure what that is, or if it's part of your machine's makeup, though.

Anyway, it might be worth it to try adjusting it very slowly, watching the pressure reading.

Good luck, Allen!

nath

[allend]

[quote="nightjar

But it seems they ought to have a manometer, just to check their equipment and not take for granted that the numbers displayed on the LCD are accurate.

That would make sense, wouldn't it but, they never send anyone out to check the machines in the field, even years after they were installed. I wonder if they bill the insurance company for annual maintenance; or that the insurance companies would pay for it.

[quote="nightjar

Anyway, it might be worth it to try adjusting it very slowly, watching the pressure reading.

That is my action of last resort if nobody has the information. I could swear I asked for this once and RG sent me the information but I can't find it anywhere in my computer. I even did a search of the hard drive for Sullivan.

The Sullivan is outside right now soaking in the sun, as the instructions indicated. I think they talked about the sun so that nobody plugs it in outside in the rain. I figured today was a good day at 43 degrees because tomorrow it's supposed to be 59 degrees in NY, a time when the hibernating bees and wasps might want to stretch before the long winter.

Thanks nath,

Allen

[rested gal]

Here are some instructions for the old Sullivan V series cpap machines. Perhaps some of this will help, IF the Sullivan bilevel you have has those "minute" buttons in addition to a Start/Stop button:

4. Turn the flow generator off. Hold down the Start and 20 minute buttons while you
turn on the main power switch at the rear of the flow generator. Keep the buttons
pressed until the Start and 20 minute buttons illuminate. The motor will start running
and will build up to the current pressure setting.
5. Read the pressure on the manometer. Adjust the pressure using the 5 minute (decrease
pressure) and 10 minute (increase pressure) buttons until the manometer shows the
desired pressure. If you wish to set the pressure to 10 cm H2O, press the Start button.

NOTE: The hour meter on the underside of the flow generator will display the set pressure while in pressure
setting mode. However, a manometer should be used when accurate pressure setting is required.
6. Press the Stop button to revert to normal operating mode.

[allend]

Hi again RG,

Here are some instructions for the old Sullivan V series cpap machines. Perhaps some of this will help, IF the Sullivan bilevel you have has those "minute" buttons in addition to a Start/Stop button:

4. Turn the flow generator off. Hold down the Start and 20 minute buttons while you
turn on the main power switch at the rear of the flow generator. Keep the buttons
pressed until the Start and 20 minute buttons illuminate. The motor will start running
and will build up to the current pressure setting.
5. Read the pressure on the manometer. Adjust the pressure using the 5 minute (decrease
pressure) and 10 minute (increase pressure) buttons until the manometer shows the
desired pressure. If you wish to set the pressure to 10 cm H2O, press the Start button.

On the bipap, I have to adjust 2 air flows? Mine are 9/11 (although on the bipap Auto-m I have it set for a 14/8 or something like that). Do you have any idea if anyone else would have instructions for the bi-level. As far as the manometer, the unit has a bar graph that indicates the inhalation and exhalation, so I wonder if I need the manometer. But the real problem is what do I do about the exhalation pressure?

I'm traveling and I thought that the last time I was in Delray I left a hose. Wouldn't you know it that I stupidly took it back last Fedruary, like 4 wasn't enough at home. So I had to find a DME to buy a hose for $39. I asked them if they could set the Sullivan an they said sure, get a prescription and $50. I don't even think my DME at home in NY has a manometer.

Allen