Humidifier Chambers Last Only 12 Months??

[Guest1]

I saw this interesting comment in the RemStar M Series Interview:

Q: Are the heated humidifier chambers disposable or reusable? How long do they last?

A: The heated humidifier chambers are reusable and may last up to 12 months with proper use and cleaning.


I found this interesting, given all the discussion of cleaning procedures and whether or not to use tap water in the humidifier. The Respironics rep is saying that even with proper use and cleaning, a humidifier chamber won't last more than 12 months...

[fujiinator]

That might be true. I am not sure how other machines are hooked into their humidifiers, but the M series has a soft interface between the chamber and the humidifier docking station. The soft piece probably breaks down as you take it in and out of the machine each day. I will see how long it lasts. I have only had mine for around five weeks.

[Guest]

On the M Respironics series is most of the humidifier made of hard or a softer plastic material? Is there a issue on being able to check water levels or not?

[fujiinator]

Sorry I should have said that the soft plastic/silicon part is only a small piece where it connects to the humidifier unit. Kind of like an o-ring or baffle. The chamber is of a clear plastic with a metal plate on the bottom to conduct heat from the heater. It is really easy to check water level.

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[roadwarrior]

I'm about to return a Invacare Polaris machine where the humidifier tank also has a soft silicone type plastic tube leading into the chamber. I would surmise most if not all machines will experience some failure in this area at some point. I rather doubt the Respironics is especially weak or soft by comparison to the competition. I have one on order so I sure hope not..

[TerryB]

The silicone device is a coupling for the tubes of the machine and humidifier which are the same diameter and can connect to the hose. The coupling is easily replaced. The part costs about $3. My Respironics came with two. One on the machine and one in a bag.

TerryB

[dsm]

For what it is worth, The best I seem to get out of the F&P water chambers used daily, on a HC150 Humidifier, is about 9-12 months.

After a while & despite some novel ideas to clean their insides, I start to see what look like calcified spots on the base, that keep growing.

They seem to show that the seal over the aluminium base eventually gets breached & the water then reacts with the aluminium to grow odd lumps on the base.

I may provide some photos.

This also happened to me with a Remstar H/H aluminium base after I accidentally scratched it while cleaning one day. I fixed that by putting a tiny spot of clear silicon sealant over the scratch spot & that stopped the strange little growths.

It is disconcerting to see little spots grow in the base of the water chamber even when emptied & dried each day

DSM

[Sleepy-in-AL]

I just picked up a BIPAP AUTO with the REMstar Heated Humidifier. It surprised me when the DME popped the metal plate completely off the humidifier chamber to demonstrate cleaning. The baffle comes out also, and he told me to clean everything in warm soapy water then soak in water / vineger once a week.

It looks like I should be able to keep it clean. I just wondered how well these hold up without starting to leak around the metal plate. Time will tell.

[dsm]

I once had a leak where I had not pushed the plate home properly.

BUT!, with those plates, do be very careful about letting *any* abrasive material near them.

They have a very very thin veneer of plastic over the aluminium & are so easy to damage (& expensive to replace - for much the same cost as a new base you can get the whole chamber).

Cheers

DSM

[pratzert]

Geez...

Why would they say it should last up to 12 months when the Warranty covers it for 2 years ?

Is there an exception somewhere that I did not read in the warranty section?

Tim

[krousseau]

How often does insurance/Medicare replace the HH chamber? It is probably worth replacing before it leaks as it will leak onto the heating base.

[Amigo]

That might be true. I am not sure how other machines are hooked into their humidifiers, but the M series has a soft interface between the chamber and the humidifier docking station. The soft piece probably breaks down as you take it in and out of the machine each day. I will see how long it lasts. I have only had mine for around five weeks.

I have the same interface on my Remstar with an integrated humidifier, and although my equipment came with a replacement for it, it's still functioning properly after 2 1/2 years of removing the humidifier daily to change the distilled water.

The tank itself is also just fine after all this time.

[roztom]

My Ins co allows for replacement parts at ceretian intevals. I just ordered a replacement HH chamber, just in case. masks 3 months...BCBS, (I do have a co-pay) they let me get a new mask after 3 months but they won't pay for the head gear.

That's every 6 months. New mask - no head gear.

Doesn't matter mask doesn't work without headgear. Doesn't matter headgear I have doesn't work with new mask - aren't beaurocracys great.