What would you like to see in the next generation of CPAP devices?

[alexander]

There is a similar thread already, but it’s more about rumors about the next AirSense and release date.

First, I must confess that I love tech and gadgets. I only have experience with AirSense 10. There are not that many things that needs to be changed for my specific needs, but I’ve come up with some things that I would like to see:

• Smaller size
• Quieter when in use
• Prettier design (although I quite like how it currently looks – it doesn’t look too dated)
• A new AutoSet-like mode that uses some sort of ML/AI to improve therapy (algorithm that learns from previous recorded data – this is how I initially thought APAP worked)
• Bring more advanced features, such as APAP, to the cheapest machines
• Filter blue light on the display at night
• Increase size and resolution of display
• Add touch capabilities to display
• Improve feel of wheel and home button (better click feel, and a bit less resistance needed)
• Consider removing power and home buttons (I find them somewhat confusing)
• Let it be controlled from the mobile phone like with AirMini, and without restricting users from changing settings themselves (not sure how this works with AirMini)
• Let it be controlled from smart watch
• Make it much easier to remove and insert water chamber (maybe a button to quickly and safely release it)
• Have capacity for three times as much water
• Make it impossible to have too much water in the water chamber (it’s a bit cumbersome every day to be sure not to fill more than Max, and then carefully put the chamber in place without worrying about spilling water into the machine)
• Make it support essential oils in such way that it doesn’t damage the device, and releases oils evenly throughout the night
• Add a small battery into it which will make it function if there is power outage
• Log humidification settings for each session
• Keep the SD-card!

[jnk...]

Personally, I'd like to see OTC availability at less than $100.00 on the shelf at big box stores.

Quieter when in use

Can't hear it now, but I sleep with earplugs.

learns from previous recorded data

Slightly pressurized air does not need to be turned into rocket surgery in order for therapy to be sufficiently customizable. I don't want the machine making hidden decisions for me that I should be making myself, possibly with help from medical professionals. If most docs and techs and RRTs are already hopelessly confused by the simple concepts of autobilevel, for example, I don't want the machine to become even smarter than them, or me.

controlled from the mobile phone

I prefer my medical devices to be independent from unsecure, unreliable, and constantly changing communication devices when it comes to actual "control" of the product. Do not place a door where you cannot effectively control who enters and exits.

Hey, just me.

[ChicagoGranny]

the next generation of CPAP devices?

My simple ResMed S9 AutoSet delivers great therapy without any hassle. Your list is mostly nonsense, and the machine manufacturers should ignore it.

I must confess that I love tech and gadgets.

That's fine, but the only priority is good CPAP therapy at an affordable price.

[LSAT]

I agree with Granny..I have 2 S9 machines that give great therapy..easily comparable to the Airsense 10. Adding all the bells and whistles will only increase the price of machines and make it harder for people with poor insurance to afford them.

[alexander]

the next generation of CPAP devices?

My simple ResMed S9 AutoSet delivers great therapy without any hassle. Your list is mostly nonsense, and the machine manufacturers should ignore it.

I don’t deny that previous models do a great job. Instead of calling my list mostly nonsense, I’d prefer if we could discuss specific things on the list. I’ll admit that I don’t think the list is that creative.

I must confess that I love tech and gadgets.

That's fine, but the only priority is good CPAP therapy at an affordable price.

I agree with that being the most important thing. But I also think it’s valid to think about other aspects.

[Dog Slobber]

• Smaller size

Which the exception of travel machines, devices need to have substance. At their current size and weight, a lot of people are dragging them around the night stand and they're falling on the floor.

• Quieter when in use

I can't hear mine, but a few people do comment on noise, I guess this is one that manufacturers always seek to improve.

• Prettier design (although I quite like how it currently looks – it doesn’t look too dated)

Completely subjective.

• A new AutoSet-like mode that uses some sort of ML/AI to improve therapy (algorithm that learns from previous recorded data – this is how I initially thought APAP worked)

Absolutely.

• Bring more advanced features, such as APAP, to the cheapest machines

Pure CPAP machines, especially bricks need to be banned.

• Filter blue light on the display at night

No necessary, people aren't spending huge amounts of time on their CPAP machines like they're phones, tablets or computers. UI design could incorporate with less blue pixels.

• Increase size and resolution of display

OK, Not a huge priority.

• Add touch capabilities to display

OK

• Improve feel of wheel and home button (better click feel, and a bit less resistance needed)

Subjective

• Consider removing power and home buttons (I find them somewhat confusing)

Power button is the most intuitive way to turn on and off blower. Home button is unncessessary, but for getting into clinical mode.

• Let it be controlled from the mobile phone like with AirMini, and without restricting users from changing settings themselves (not sure how this works with AirMini)

Absolutely not.

• Let it be controlled from smart watch

Absolutely not.

• Make it much easier to remove and insert water chamber (maybe a button to quickly and safely release it)

Mines not a problem, but I've seen some mention this so, OK.

• Have capacity for three times as much water

The absolute majority are fine with current tank size. But there is no reason a larger tank couldn't be designed, Heck there is no reason a larger tank couldn't be designed for the existing Resmed AS 10 line.

3 tie s the size, though???????

• Make it impossible to have too much water in the water chamber (it’s a bit cumbersome every day to be sure not to fill more than Max, and then carefully put the chamber in place without worrying about spilling water into the machine)

Huh? I the Max line has a lot of room for play, I don't even look at mine when I fill, and usually go well past. It currently is designed to prevent to do this. Unless of course you're turning your machine vertical to put you tank in. Increasing the tank 3 ties the size will make it even more awkward.

• Make it support essential oils in such way that it doesn’t damage the device, and releases oils evenly throughout the night

A lot of people are putting on a cottontail by input port, without problems.

• Add a small battery into it which will make it function if there is power outage

Which would increase the size ad weight, huge. The battery does not belong on the device, but external.

• Log humidification settings for each session

Huh?

• Keep the SD-card!

Yes

My List:

• Decouple the SmartStart on and the SmartStop off setting, they should be separately configurable.
• Allow WiFi or Bluetooth data transfer, instead of sneaker net.
• Better A.I. for therapy. Not too complicated and with open ended maximum pressure (as most machines should be anyway) all one Needs to do is set monitor the minimum pressure.
• ResMed, and Respironics needs to recognize that SleepyHead/OSCAR compatibility is a selling feature and stop this nonsense of obfuscating/preventing user data collection
• Recognize the users are the customer, not the Dr or DME
• Humidifier settings should be in Humidity Relative Percentage settings instead of silly arbitrary units.

[alexander]

learns from previous recorded data

Slightly pressurized air does not need to be turned into rocket surgery in order for therapy to be sufficiently customizable. I don't want the machine making hidden decisions for me that I should be making myself, possibly with help from medical professionals. If most docs and techs and RRTs are already hopelessly confused by the simple concepts of autobilevel, for example, I don't want the machine to become even smarter than them, or me.

But aren’t APAP making lots of hidden decisions already? If they introduced something like what I mention, then I’d assume that it became a separate mode just like CPAP and AutoSet. AI/ML/Big Data etc. are becoming huge in the world of tech, and it would surprise me if the device manufacturers didn’t utilize it in some way.

controlled from the mobile phone

I prefer my medical devices to be independent from unsecure, unreliable, and constantly changing communication devices when it comes to actual "control" of the product. Do not place a door where you cannot effectively control who enters and exits.

Hey, just me.

Well, I feel that although it isn’t perfect, I can for the most part rely on my mobile device.

[chunkyfrog]

---Clearly label the bricks--or quit making them altogether.
(The tech is not so expensive it couldn't be on every machine.)
---Include the "real" manual with every machine. [Prohibit dealers from removing it]
---Moisture protection should be mandatory.

[alexander]

Thanks for your reply, Dog Slobber.

I’ll just clarify what I meant by increasing the capacity of the water tank. I wouldn’t want to change its size – just its capacity. Instead of filling it daily then I would prefer to fill it every two or three days. That might have been possible with a different design, but I’m not sure. Except for cleaning the equipment I find filling the water tank the most cumbersome of the process of using the machine.

Edit: As I understand it, I don’t need to be that precise/worry too much about the Max line. Thanks for informing me about that!

[Jack Burton]

-A "head cold" mode that starts the session with maximum humidity for the first hour or so, then reverts to the configured level.

-An accessory to draw water for the humidifier directly from the common sizes of distilled water jugs.
That way I could just unscrew the store bought cap from the distilled water jug and replace with one that connects to the CPAP humidifier by a bit of tubing.

[D.H.]

I agree with an fully integrated battery. In fact, I used to have an Everest-3 CPAP that had an integrated battery. However, than company went out of business. It should support a setting of 20 at max supported altitude with full humidification for at least 24 hours of operation.

Another thing I'd like is a clock that can be set from a cell tower, a GPS, or your smart phone. It should report local time wherever I'm traveling, not GMT or time back home.

I'd like to have altitude support higher than 8000 ft.; at least enough to support Quito (approx 10000 ft.). Also, support for negative altitude to cover places like Ein Gedi.

I'l like at least one USB charging port on the machine, so I don't have to worry about a charger.

I'd like fire and carbon dioxide detection built in as I'm not sure about the conditions in some countries and also as a backup in case the one in my room should fail.

I'd like a carrying case that has a compartment for the machine only and one for the humidifier only, This would make it more convenient at airports in case they ask you to take it out.


BTW, the more people that are diagnosed, the more money and effort will be put into CPAP design.

[jnk...]

But aren’t APAP making lots of hidden decisions already? If they introduced something like what I mention, then I’d assume that it became a separate mode just like CPAP and AutoSet. AI/ML/Big Data etc. are becoming huge in the world of tech, and it would surprise me if the device manufacturers didn’t utilize it in some way.

If it makes PAP more effective and more comfortable and more acceptable for more people, I am not against it. Individually customized medicines/treatments are a lot trickier than AI-customized user experiences in tech in general though--legally, morally, financially, etc. It ain't easy to sue a robot, and the maker may claim you just didn't use the robot properly. I don't want a Tesla APAP. Just sayin'.

Well, I feel that although it isn’t perfect, I can for the most part rely on my mobile device.

My breathing and sleep are more important to me than "for the most part."

[alexander]

BTW, the more people that are diagnosed, the more money and effort will be put into CPAP design.

That is true. Also, I’d assume that better technology will reach out to more people for a lower price, similar to what happened to smart phones. Third, I don’t find it likely that ResMed is happy with AirSense 10, and that they’re done with all progress. If that was their mindset then we wouldn’t have had the devices or masks that we do have today.

[alexander]

But aren’t APAP making lots of hidden decisions already? If they introduced something like what I mention, then I’d assume that it became a separate mode just like CPAP and AutoSet. AI/ML/Big Data etc. are becoming huge in the world of tech, and it would surprise me if the device manufacturers didn’t utilize it in some way.

If it makes PAP more effective and more comfortable and more acceptable for more people, I am not against it. Individually customized medicines/treatments are a lot trickier than AI-customized user experiences in tech in general though--legally, morally, financially, etc. It ain't easy to sue a robot, and the maker may claim you just didn't use the robot properly. I don't want a Tesla APAP. Just sayin'.

It might not be available for the next generation of devices, and I don’t claim that it’s without challenges, but it’s almost inevitable that it will be at some point utilized in some way.

Well, I feel that although it isn’t perfect, I can for the most part rely on my mobile device.

My breathing and sleep are more important to me than "for the most part."

I’d never suggest that the PAP should depend on the mobile phone while in use. And I don’t say this either is without its challenges (especially security), but I think that it could be more convenient to configure it using the phone.

[Gryphon]

Figured I'd run down the list and give my 2 cents... I tried to post this before and it didn't look like it went through, so if for some reason this shows up twice, I'll try to delete it.

Thanks,



1. Size? Right now I think we're at a more or less happy medium when it comes to overall size of most CPAP machines... The ones we have now are smaller then older models and I have no problems what so ever with their size.

The true travel machines I'm feeling are more akin to use while truly traveling in situations were you might be camping or long trips overseas were even with rules about medical device transport, space and weight are an absolute premium and so anything you can do to make a smaller machine is important. Right now, for the average traveler - a AirSense or Dreamstation are small and light enough that they shouldn't be a issue when traveling.

2. Quieter? Hmmmm my machine is rather quiet... any thing they can do to make it even more quiet is certainly not going to be a problem provided they don't sacrifice any current function or ability just to shave off a decibel or two more. Sometimes I find that the biggest source of noise is the hissing from the vent ports on my mask, if they blow against any bedding or get mildly clogged with condensation from my breath.

3. Design... Looks of the machine are rather subjective, They could offer skins you could use to change the look of your machine, but this to me isn't much of a priority and might add additional cost from a R&D aspect that could be better utilized elsewhere.

4. ML/AI? additional Machine learning or Artificial Intelligently controlled adjustment of the machine that remembers previous nights usage and tracks trends would be welcome, provided we're able to modify and control these settings our selves. I don't want a machine that has all the options taken away from me and given over to a magical man behind the curtain. I'd have to be able to monitor the changes made by the ML/AI system just like we do with our current setups and be able to make changes to how the ML/AI systems work with my machine and my therapy.

5. Advanced options on "Cheap machines"... I agree that junky non data "Bricks" collecting machines should be GONE... they have no place what so ever in a medical system that needs to look at data to tune therapy to help a patient. It's like having a insulin pump that just tracks how many times it injected you with medication but now how much or when... how are you supposed to know your getting the right treatment? Guess? If you have a "Brick" of a machine even "IF" your doctor wanted to he has no better understanding of your treatment then you do based only on how you "FEEL". HOW STUPID!!!! "Brick Machines" need to be outlawed. PERIOD!

6. Blue light? To me as stated, this isn't so much a concern when we're not spending any considerable amount of time looking at the display. less then a min, glancing at a display, shouldn't be an issue. "I happen to love the color blue, it's my favorite, so I don't care"

7. Size and resolution of display? I think this would just add to cost, the general audience for PAP Machines is an older age group... (no insult intended) on average eyesight is a concern, so higher resolution would simply make everything displayed on the screen smaller and harder to read. Larger screens may be an option but you also have to take into consideration what information your trying to convey from that display. Right now we're looking at basic settings and overall info. Larger display may help to make the current information show as larger fonts, easier to see... but I'm not sure that's high on my list of issues I'd like to see addressed.

8. Touch display? If we went with a considerably larger display design - that takes up more of the surface relistate of the PAP unit, incorporating touch into the display may work as a design element, but I still see this as an added cost, for little gain.

9. Feel of buttons and physical interface? This is rather subjective and may be more a "You can't please everyone all the time" so they've done the best they can with what they have... If there documented issues of buttons or controls being too stiff for people with say arthritis to operate safely then I could see making the controls a bit more sensitive and easier to use a factor in future machines but I can't see that as an issue right now. If they went with a touch interface this may help as that interface would simply require a gentle touch to operate.

10. Buttons... Power and home buttons on any device are something I'd like to see stay... Having a "House icon" or a "On/Off" icon are universal symbols that generally are rather intuitive and helpful compared to buttons that are not labeled.

11. Remote control, by other devices...? I'm going to bring these into one... The option to interface with my device with my smart watch or phone, could be nice, but given our current environment and all the concerns about security and hacking... adding "doors" to access my machine to make changes to how it operates that are not currently their already is just adding more opportunities for someone to compromise your device and mess with you.

12. Water chamber. This is also subjective, I've seen different models come and go were the water chamber maintenance and insertion has varied across the board. This to me is also one of those, trying to please everyone all the time issues... Things are not bad at the moment, for me, I have an aircurve and I have no issues with how it works.

13. Water chamber size. I would like to see some options with this issue... right now I have familiarity with the Airsence and Aircurve models, I don't have first hand experiences with the dreamstation. I think ResMed is in a good position to offer larger size water chambers with out any need to alter the design of the models them selves. They could simply create additional larger water chambers that would use the exact design of the current chamber but additional volume to the right of the chamber. You would continue to use the same heating surface as the current design but just have a larger capacity to hold water.

14. "Too Much water" I'm not sure how you would go about creating a chamber you "Can't over fill" I think trying to create something like that would be overly cumbersome and just be a problem overall.

15. Essential Oils? I don't think your going to find support for this sort of option from a manufactures standpoint as this would require additional review from a medical device standpoint and I'm sure the cost/benefit of an incorporated option designed into the machine would be a major hurdle to this becoming a reality. Right now we can already just use a cotton ball or some other infuser device outside of the machine.

16. Built in Battery? I wouldn't mind a battery in the machine that could support it for say an hour, while also allowing for review and settings changes to be made to the device while it's not plugged in. This would help with the occasional brown out, that a lot of people experience were the power fluctuates just enough to cause our machines to turn of etc... I don't see having a fully functional battery capable of sustaining the machine for the duration of a night or multiple nights being a thing as that would add considerable bulk and size to the design.

17. Humidification logging? I guess this could be incorporated as just an additional number that's reported with the current data set, but meh.... I could take or leave it. I guess it would be interesting to see, seasonal trends or issues were you are making changes to the settings your self, or if your able to see what the actual settings are when the machine is adjusting them automatically... but I'm not sure how important this option would be.

18. The SD Card. "THEY BETTER NOT GET RIDE OF THE DARN THING!!!! They can go with Micro SD or anything that is "STANDARD" but machines need a way of saving data that is accessible to the patient.




Some things I'd like to see...

19. Standard fitting for the "air intake"

If the air intake on our machines could be connected with say another short CPAP hose, manufactures could design and market large volume surface area HEPA filter boxes that could be used to help those of us with Allergies and also those of us who live in areas were the air quality suffers a great deal. Wild fire season in some parts of the country. This could help with a host of respiratory issues that are aggravated by dust or contaminants in the air. By default right now we're left with a little slip of cloth like filter to cover the intake. I feel this is more to protect the inner workings of the machine with little consideration for the patient other then maybe protecting us from breathing in a random bug or such that happens to walk by our machine.

Machines could ship with a little cover that would use the cloth slip filters that are in common circulation now... but with a standard fitting we would have the option to upgrade to something considerably more serious for filtration if needed.

20. Wireless data transfer, on request.

I'd like to see a secured user initiated system were data could be transferred by way of WiFi to a computer, but not open all the time. If such a data transfer could be setup by the user with no option to change settings on the machine, this would simplify data collection for those of us who do it now. I don't want to see the option to make changes to our machines by way of these communication methods but data transfers would be nice.

21. Stop fighting us on Data....

I agree that working with developers of data software rather then the ongoing cat and mouse games we have now would be a welcome development. Also would like to see them not make accessing the "Clinical side" of the machine more difficult. It's fine the way it is. Don't take away our control, when a lot of the time we're the only ones trying to make our treatment better.



That's my opinion on the matter... There other things I think would be interesting to see in new devices but just not sure right now...

Restwell,

Gryphon