XPAP Future: The Year 2032

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:21 pm

As I discussed in another thread, I was interested to learn that CPAP technology is only about 25 years old and the first attempt essentially used a vacuum cleaner in exhaust mode. The first home machine weighed 35 pounds and had none of the features we take for granted on machines today. Despite all the challenges we face with equipment now, the technology has obviously come a long way.

So here's a question for discussion: What will the next 25 years hold? What advances in Apnea treatment will we see?

I will give my own ideas later, but let me head off one obvious jab: Yes, in the year 2032, ResMed machines will cost over a million dollars each and the company won't allow them to be distributed on other planets! Sorry, I had to throw that in before someone else did!

But seriously, what predictions do you have on what we will see in 25 years?

GoofyUT · Post by **GoofyUT** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:31 pm

In 2032, medicine as a profession will have been socialized and so, new cases of sleep apnea will be diagnosed only once in every 10,000 cases rather than once in every three.

However, increased interest will be focused on fungal infections of the foot as the "disorder du jour" replacing sleep apnea, and this will be particularly pertinent since none of us will be able to afford to use cars either economically or ecologically and we'll all be walking EVERYWHERE, with lotsa MIGHTY SORE DOGS!!!

Chuck

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:49 pm

At the current rate of medical advancement, I expect that sleep apnea will have begun to be primarily diagnosed via home oximetry.

xPAP machines will weigh less than 1/2 pound, be recognized at long last as safe, and no prescription will be required. Masks will be available for the equivalent of $1.50 each and even the most basic mask will fit just about everyone perfectly without any problems whatsoever.

Needless to say, since diagnosis and treatment can be accomplished at home for minimal expense, physicians and DME's will no longer be involved in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea with xPAP machines. Instead, xPAP machines will be viewed with disdain within the medical community. The only recommendations provided by physicians will be for expensive and ineffective surgical procedures which will have changed little over the intervening 25 years, except for a few name changes and an increase in cost.

Johnny Goodman's name will be enshrined in the CPAP Hall of Fame for making all this possible of course.

Regards,
Bill

OSAGuy · Post by **OSAGuy** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:21 pm

Machine similar to now with the following optional features:
1. Rolls you out of bed.
2. Makes coffee.
3. Makes breakfast.
4. Cleanes windows.
5. Warms my car up during the winter so I don;t have to go out in a cold car.
6. Mows the lawn during the summer.
7. Shovels the sidewalks during the winter when it snows.

Plus the added development - The name Resmed can;t be found as a supplier. Reason: Filed for bankruptcy protection 25 years prior and was subsequently liquidated.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:45 pm

[quote="NightHawkeye"]At the current rate of medical advancement, I expect that sleep apnea will have begun to be primarily diagnosed via home oximetry.

xPAP machines will weigh less than 1/2 pound, be recognized at long last as safe, and no prescription will be required. Masks will be available for the equivalent of $1.50 each and even the most basic mask will fit just about everyone perfectly without any problems whatsoever.

Needless to say, since diagnosis and treatment can be accomplished at home for minimal expense, physicians and DME's will no longer be involved in diagnosing and treating sleep apnea with xPAP machines. Instead, xPAP machines will be viewed with disdain within the medical community. The only recommendations provided by physicians will be for expensive and ineffective surgical procedures which will have changed little over the intervening 25 years, except for a few name changes and an increase in cost.

Johnny Goodman's name will be enshrined in the CPAP Hall of Fame for making all this possible of course.

Regards,
Bill

MandoJohnny · Post by **MandoJohnny** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:08 pm

I have a couple of ideas on this:

In the future, masks will be custom molded/fitted to each user and therefore every one will fit perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if this couldn't be done now.

My guess is that in 25 years, all XPAPs will be autos. They will provide stats, not just for leaks and AHI, but also for oxygen saturation and heart rate, sleep stages, and other metrics. They will have prescribed algorithms to adjust pressure continuously based on all of those factors.

I also think the wearable CPAP idea started by BreatheX will continue. It will get to the point that the whole XPAP device will be integrated into the mask itself and will be rechargeable. There will be no hoses, table units or cords. The blower will be so small that it fits in the mask, along with the battery, but the whole thing will not weigh any more than a mask does now.

I also predict, though, that there will be big advancements in the early detection, prevention and even cure of apnea, so XPAPs may not be as necessary.

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:47 am

Great idea mando! Some ear protection devices are made that way now..

Missy · Post by **Missy** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:31 pm

The future I see is that my cpap will apply a COMFORTABLE mask with NO leaks, apply tape to my mouth that can be removed without ripping out ALL MY FACIAL HAIR ON THE UPPER LIP, and all setbacks will be unheard of. It would not cause any rainout, make no sound at all, and once used for 1 night, cure the apnea all together. Gosh, I could go on and on......

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:03 am

[quote="MandoJohnny"]I have a couple of ideas on this:

In the future, masks will be custom molded/fitted to each user and therefore every one will fit perfectly. I wouldn't be surprised if this couldn't be done now.

My guess is that in 25 years, all XPAPs will be autos. They will provide stats, not just for leaks and AHI, but also for oxygen saturation and heart rate, sleep stages, and other metrics. They will have prescribed algorithms to adjust pressure continuously based on all of those factors.

I also think the wearable CPAP idea started by BreatheX will continue. It will get to the point that the whole XPAP device will be integrated into the mask itself and will be rechargeable. There will be no hoses, table units or cords. The blower will be so small that it fits in the mask, along with the battery, but the whole thing will not weigh any more than a mask does now.

I also predict, though, that there will be big advancements in the early detection, prevention and even cure of apnea, so XPAPs may not be as necessary.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 4:52 am

By 2032 I think xpap machines will be a thing of the past. I believe there will be pacemakers for the airway, keeping it open during sleep (being worked on as we write, I do believe.) No mask, no "machine" at all by then.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:18 am

I wonder if Apria will have been able to deliver my machine by then?!?

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:37 am

bdp522 wrote:I wonder if Apria will have been able to deliver my machine by then?!?

LOL!!!!! Thanks for the morning laugh.

Mando, great idea for a post. Gets one thinking. And I have to say there were some great ideas, too, given. What wonderful minds we have on this site.

wabmorgan · Post by **wabmorgan** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 9:42 pm

By 2032, I think corrective surgery will be the common mode of modality to fix(cure) sleep apnea. By then, the surgery will probably be perfected.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Tue Aug 15, 2006 10:04 pm

CPAP machines will be popular enough that they finally catch the attention of Microsoft, and MS will take over the market.

Unfortunately the machines, although having a vastly superior and friendly GUI, will crash and need to be rebooted every night almost as many times as a moderate case of apnea......

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Wed Aug 16, 2006 4:15 am

Excuse me for putting a damper on the ideas but what is the motivation to provide permanent solutions to OSA? These guys know which side their bread's buttered! So over the next 25 years there will be a series of ever smaller machines, ever cleverer masks and tons of new bright ideas to separate us from our money because we have a condition that the medical establishment doesn't take very seriously!

sir_c

Mask

XPAP Future: The Year 2032

XPAP Future: The Year 2032

2032

Future XPAP