S9 auto filter replacement 6 months?!

[Flower51]

My resp therapist and also the manual that came with it said the disposable filter only needs replacing every 6 months! Both cpap.com and the dme's customer service rep said disposable filters even for the S9 auto should be changed more often...once a month, maybe twice according to the dme's rep. Why the discrepancy of opinion?

Also, I have black foam and also the white paper disposables left from my remstar apap filter. Is it ok to use that w/the resmed S9 or will it interfere w/its technology/air flow sensing devices, etc....?

Has anyone found a material that is similar to the hypoallergenic cpap.com disposables for the resmed that is suitable, less expensive and can be cut to size?
The cpap.com brand has a side for filtering large matter and one for filtering small matter. Trying to use our funds wisely as we're still paying off a big deductible from the chemo...

Has anyone used the bacteria filter successfully in their hose to attach to the S9's back airflow outlet? How was your experience? I understand it does a great job if allergens and bacteria are a concern, but can interfere w/apap therapy on some machines and also for the S8s will make it so the auto turn on and off won't work as effectively. T

[resistance]

I have been told by the local Resmed providers that 6 months is the time to change the filter; but I should also take it out sometimes and flick it with my finger(not sure if that helps though).

Has anyone found a material that is similar to the hypoallergenic cpap.com disposables for the resmed that is suitable, less expensive and can be cut to size?

I've always wanted to know that too.

[harry33]

some one time filters can be washed in detergent and water and re used

it helps to keep CPAP up above floor as theres usually much dust, dog hair etc drawn into filter with CPAP on floor

[jlk]

I agree with Harry on washing the filters. As Resistance says, flicking them does work at removing the bulk of the dust. My old escape ones are the same basic material as a .99 cent furnace filter, there "medical grade" so they cost more. For 4 years I have washed my old escape filters with mild soap and let air-dry, they are quite pricey as far as I am concerned. I checked them every month or two and only cleaned them when they had dust build-up on them. Just like the shampoo bottle says, "wash, rinse, repeat", yeah, use as much as you can and buy more. I would cut down any similar cpap filter material to fit before buying more, just make sure they are cut precisely and there should be no problem. No clean filter material should affect the sensors, I would question the paper material as I have not seen it.
Haven't used bacteria filter on S-9 yet, but was amazed at the dark gunk in filter on old unit after a couple of weeks....yuck!I think allergy sufferers should try a bacteria filter if they have issues with cpap induced flare-ups. jlk

[Flower51]

I'll give it a try...the flicking and washing too. Harry, how did you know we have dogs? Maybe they did some shedding on my last post. LOL Terry

[Astrophytum]

Hi,

hmmm, washing filters...in my opinion, thats not a good idea.

Because, in fact, filters are cheap, and you use the filter not for playing games or so, you are unsing the filter for clean the air that you are breathing; using the filter also for your live!

Why I thing thtat filters not can by washed:

You are destroying the structure of the filter material by mechanical action when cleaning. It can stand up small holes in the fabric, thin spots, which penetrate through by dust.

Second, I am not sure that all bakterial and so on are destroyed! So you must heat the filter more than 140°C (284°F) to destroy all bacterias. Do you have a autoclave at home? A new filter is absolutly clean sterile, it's an medical product.


Regards,

[resistance]

The filter of S9 looks more like a foamy structure. Hard washing with mechanical action and hot water may do some harm, but only touching with some baby shampoo and rinsing softly with warm water; not sure if that would do damage.

This process will not sterilize the filter, but it may help getting the small dust particles out.

[lbw]

My DME sugeested changing the filter every 3 months. I do the "flicking" every couple of weeks when I remember

[chunkyfrog]

My DME supplies 4 free filters a year for the S9's but my insurance will cover a new one every month--

[Goofproof]

My DME supplies 4 free filters a year for the S9's but my insurance will cover a new one every month--

Four FREE Filters from your DME a Year, does he also have a BAR with chips on it. (To promote more Drinking)

I'm sure if he is giving away free filters, he's got his hand in someone's pocket to pay for them. He's probably giving you 4 a year and billing for 12. Jim

[billbolton]

you are unsing the filter for clean the air that you are breathing

Unless you walk around with a facial filter on all the time, you are breathing unfiltered air for the majority of your day!

The primary reason for the filter for most users is to keep dust (etc) from getting into the xPAP machine, which unlike your body has no self repair capability!

A new filter is absolutly clean sterile, it's an medical product.

I have never seen an xPAP filter in it original packaging indicated as being sterile.

In any case, it would only stay sterile for the first few seconds of use!

Cheers,

Bill

[Astrophytum]

you are unsing the filter for clean the air that you are breathing

Unless you walk around with a facial filter on all the time, you are breathing unfiltered air for the majority of your day!


Cheers,
Bill

Hi, Bill, I ask my doc about this: breathing with and without cpap. There is a big different between day and cpap. By day I breathing myself, the airflow is 'normal', natural mechanisms to clean the air working normally. But when I use an cpap, then the air was pressed into the Respiratory, so the air flow velocity is much higher then the normal breathing. And so in fact the air connot be cleaned corectly.

Regards,
Astrophytum

[billbolton]

so the air flow velocity is much higher then the normal breathing.

Actually, the flow velocity its not much higher at all..... you appear to be misunderstanding how the "splinting" effect of PAP works.

Cheers,

Bill

[chunkyfrog]

No bar; but it can't be too far away; their price for the S9 Autoset is over $1400--WITHOUT humidifier.
Still, Insurance makes them a' fair-haired child' with half the copay percentage of out-of-network vendors.
--And nobody believes there are kickbacks?

[Kevin G.]

In my experience you can wait much longer than 6 months to replace filters even without cleaning them