Encore Analyzer Variable Breathing Poll

[-SWS]

Interestingly, to gather VB involves algorithms normally found on AUTO machines. But, if Respironics are now doing what Resmed did with the S7 - both the cpap & auto were the same machine but one (the cpap) had a metaphorical rubberband jammed into the works to stop it AUTOing, & we plebs had to pay a fee to have it removed & run like an AUTO

Doug, that pretty much summarizes my initial thoughts: that the VB statistic in the CPAP was merely a design remnant left over from the APAP. But ozij made this excellent point:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36541&start=30#p316702

So it doesn't sound as if the SQL data structures on the CPAP machine smart card is a cost-effective "untouched" APAP design remnant after all. It's a different SQL structure in that at least FL seems to be missing (will have to look to be sure). Given the twenty-some percent prevalence rate of machine-induced CSDB, I'm thinking that's what they might have been indirectly trying to get a better feel for.

[dsm]

Hmmmm,

No candy found on that hunt. There are some patent references for AUTOs in regard to 'variable breathing' but no cpap.

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ? Is the info fact or an opinion.

DSM

[-SWS]

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ?

This is an excellent rhetorical question. Den uses an APAP machine in CPAP mode to collect his VB statistics.

Does anyone out there use a Remstar Pro or Pro2 to collect the VB statistic?

[Wulfman]

Hmmmm,

No candy found on that hunt. There are some patent references for AUTOs in regard to 'variable breathing' but no cpap.

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ? Is the info fact or an opinion.

DSM

Hey, Doug.

Do you have the Service manual for the REMstar Auto & Pro 2?

I just took a (quick) look at the .pdf I have and can't see any distinction mentioned as to different PCA (main boards) for the two different machines. It has all the schematics in there. This leads me to believe that they ARE the same internally. However, what the difference is, I couldn't tell regarding what makes one an Auto and the other a CPAP.

Den

[Wulfman]

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ?

This is an excellent rhetorical question. Den uses an APAP machine in CPAP mode to collect his VB statistics.

Does anyone out there use a Remstar Pro or Pro2 to collect the VB statistic?

Yes. I have both the Pro 2 (my original machine) and the Auto.

Den

[-SWS]

Interestinger and interestinger... Thanks, Den!

[dsm]

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ?

This is an excellent rhetorical question. Den uses an APAP machine in CPAP mode to collect his VB statistics.

Does anyone out there use a Remstar Pro or Pro2 to collect the VB statistic?

Yes. I have both the Pro 2 (original machine) and the Auto.

Den

Den,

Does the data from the Pro II include a VB value ?

The Auto VB tracking is very sophisticated.

DSM

#2 turns out the Remstar Pro I have is not the II model - corrected this info

[Wulfman]

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ?

This is an excellent rhetorical question. Den uses an APAP machine in CPAP mode to collect his VB statistics.

Does anyone out there use a Remstar Pro or Pro2 to collect the VB statistic?

Yes. I have both the Pro 2 (original machine) and the Auto.

Den

Den,

Does the data from the Pro II include a VB value ?

If yes my next question is - does it have the same meaning as what the Auto algorithm tracks - I say this based on knowing what technology was inside the Pro II vs the Auto.

The Auto VB tracking is very sophisticated.

DSM

Yes (to both questions), as far as I can tell, they show the same values......Pro 2 and Auto in CPAP mode. At least my VB has been pretty consistent with both machines

Edit: Well, it's "consistent" to the point of reporting similar numbers over a range of nightly data.

Den

[dsm]

Hmmmm,

No candy found on that hunt. There are some patent references for AUTOs in regard to 'variable breathing' but no cpap.

So I am now asking what info (evidence) do we have that a cpap tracks VB ? Is the info fact or an opinion.

DSM

Hey, Doug.

Do you have the Service manual for the REMstar Auto & Pro 2?

I just took a (quick) look at the .pdf I have and can't see any distinction mentioned as to different PCA (main boards) for the two different machines. It has all the schematics in there. This leads me to believe that they ARE the same internally. However, what the difference is, I couldn't tell regarding what makes one an Auto and the other a CPAP.

Den

No, I don't have any service manuals - they are a nice thing to have though

DSM

[Wulfman]

No, I don't have any service manuals - they are a nice thing to have though

DSM

If your e-mail hasn't changed, I'll send it to you.


-SWS,

Do you have/want one, too?


Den

[dsm]

No, I don't have any service manuals - they are a nice thing to have though

DSM

If your e-mail hasn't changed, I'll send it to you.


-SWS,

Do you have/want one, too?


Den

Den

Is the pope a catholic

DSM

(that meas 'of course' )

[Wulfman]

Doug,

It's been sent. Please let me know if/when you get it.

Den

[dsm]

Doug,

It's been sent. Please let me know if/when you get it.

Den

Den

The world is shrinking - 10 mins after you sent it I have the manual (thanks muchly) and have it on my web site under manuals

http://www.internetage.ws/cpapdata/manuals

DSM

[Wulfman]

Doug,

Great!

Thanks for posting that link. I now have it bookmarked.

Den (going to bed now)

[dsm]

Den SWS Ozij

I am now satisfied that the VB info from a Pro II is because it is the same machine as the Auto (but hobbled) so as not to run in Auto mode.

I see no hidden reason by Respironics to secretly gather stats via VB info. But, I agree that Respironics saw fit to include VB data from the Pro II in the data gathered.

But, because VB is effectively an indicator of destabilizing respiration that may impact the effectiveness of CPAP therapy, maybe they decided it was worth gathering it.

I do hope we are getting a better understanding of the significance of VB and that unlike PB, VB is an individual person's problem that CPAP today doesn't have an answer for and may never have an answer for but maybe doctors & the drug industry do.

DSM