JIMCHI wrote:
These appear to be very complex machines, much more so that the BiPap Pro I am presently using. When I asked my DME provider about the Resmed VPAP Adapt SV and the Respironics machine, they said they weren't familiar with them. While I was on the phone, they looked them up on the internet and remarked that they seemed quite sophisticated. Do I need to be careful that I purchase one of these machines from a DME which has had extensive training on these specific machines?
I've been using a VPAP Adapt SV for over 6 months now, very successfully too, especially compared to the past several years on BiPAP ST. As far as DME's who have extensive training- I'm not sure you're going to find many, as ASV-PAPs are not used that much. Even with BiPAP ST, most DME's only have a handful of patients on them compared to hundreds of patients on CPAP or even regular BiPAP. In my case, I got my Adapt when they were just being introduced nationally and my DME had had a big lecture training for all their RT's from all their location a couple months earlier. The main branch had set up a couple, but the location I use hadn't, so they had the ResMed sales rep come in to do my set up & provide them with a hands on training on the machine. If I have any questions, I know for the most part they are not going to be able to answer them like they can if my Mom calls about her CPAP, but they have always promptly called the ResMed sales rep to obtain any info we've needed. For me, making the switch wasn't that big of a deal since I was already on BiPAP ST, which is what the Adapt is classified as. So in my case, it was a switch of machine type within the same class that medically necessary, but for most people going to ASV, their are more insurance requirements that must be proved before it will be approved.
And as for size & weight, I don't know the exact weight of the Adapt vs the Respironics ASV, but I do know the Adapt is a little heavier then the VPAP III, which is in the same basic body case type, which is most likely due to the specialized blowers & such. Size wise, isn't the Respironics ASV still in the same body case as the Synchrony BiPAP? Okay, they did switch to the classic style since they introduced it in the US, which isn't that much smaller then the Synchrony if you look at the dimensions. AutoSV measures= 13" x 7" x 5.5", the Synchrony= 13" x 7" x 6". The Adapt 12" x 9" x 5" with the false removable front on; but with the integrated humidifier, its more like 14-15" long. Remember with the AutoSV, you would have to add several inches to the length and 1"+ to the height for the integrated humidifier. I am most familiar with the Synchrony & still have my old one; side by side with my Adapt, there is not a major difference in size. The Adapt is a little wider, but its a rounded shape, not a squarish shoe box shape like the Synchrony or AutoSV have, which leaves more space for packing things around the Adapt. Most of the width is only in the area were the sensor line hooks in, otherwise it would 7-8" wide. The Adapt is a hair longer, but that's with its integrated HH on; with my Synchrony I had to use a free standing F&P 150 heated humidifier, which took a lot of space, as would the integrated Respironics humidifier. DSM can probably give you more exact measurements for the Respironics classic w/integrated humidifier....I'm pretty sure he has a couple in his collection of xPAPs.
For travel, I've used the case that came with Adapt a couple times when I knew there wasn't much chance of it getting smushed in my minivan. Last weekend I had to travel with some other relatives in a rental car, so I put it in a heavy duty laptop case on wheels. It provided a lot more rigid support & padding, plus it left room for a lot of other things too....besides, its always nice to have as many things on wheels as possible in my book.
Did you have a titration with the Adapt yet?
