New Features for CPAP machines?

[WearyOne]

1. ALL machines should have expiration relief.

2. I don't mind the blue lights on the M-Series, in fact, I like them. But if they can make those lights that bright, why in the world can't they make an LED screen that you can read without an extra light and a magnifying glass! I can't even read it when I AM wearing my glasses unless I shine a flashlight on it!

3. Oxygen and pulse recording with either a finger or wrist set up, but as an option, not something you have to do all the time. Like using ramp is an option.

4. I don't might the card and card reader (since I already have the reader!), but a flash drive type thing would be better, I think.

5. Ability to turn on the humidifier without turning on the whole unit. (I believe this can be done currently on some machines.)

6. Ability to completely turn off the whole machine without having to unplug it. (Can you do this on some machines?)

Pam

[Goofproof]

I have Remstar "Classic" Tanks, I was thinking the other night, It showes the pressure it's set for on the LCD, more useless info, if you don't know what's it's set for you shouldn't plug it into the wall.

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly. No new parts would be needed the data is already coming off the flow sensor anyway. Jim

My backup unit is a Remstar AutoBiPAP "Classic Tank" and when it is running it shows the dynamic pressure delivered.

Are you sure you can see the pressure at the LCD, if you can it should vary between exhale and inhale, also if the mask is disconnected is should lower from the leak. If so, That's great. I have mine on APAP @ 15 cm for both pressures, I think it shows 15 cm with the mask off, I'll have to check, but if it does it means mine just shows the programmed pressure. Jim

[builta]

I have Remstar "Classic" Tanks, I was thinking the other night, It showes the pressure it's set for on the LCD, more useless info, if you don't know what's it's set for you shouldn't plug it into the wall.

If the Lcd would show the pressure being delivered to the mask circuit, in real time that would be useful, at least for checking to see if the machine is still working correctly. No new parts would be needed the data is already coming off the flow sensor anyway. Jim

My backup unit is a Remstar AutoBiPAP "Classic Tank" and when it is running it shows the dynamic pressure delivered.

Are you sure you can see the pressure at the LCD, if you can it should vary between exhale and inhale, also if the mask is disconnected is should lower from the leak. If so, That's great. I have mine on APAP @ 15 cm for both pressures, I think it shows 15 cm with the mask off, I'll have to check, but if it does it means mine just shows the programmed pressure. Jim

Hi,

The answer to all your questions are yes. When I turn it on, the unit hums for a few seconds and then makes a "Thawp" noise. Then I start getting therapy. Once that actual therapy starts, the unit cycles back and forth between exhale and Inhale pressures, those pressures change and the provides a resolution of +/- 0.5cm H2O. If i remove the mask the pressure drops. If the machine increases the pressure (remember I am talking Auto BiPAP) for either or both Exhale or Inhale the display reflects those changes. Looking at the data using Encore Pro provides similar results. Verified pressure output using water manometer and it is right on. Also, the indicated number can vary up and down during a single inhale or exhale by +/-0.5 cm H2O.


Maybe my unit uses a different software release. When I cycle my unit it reports back 5.4 then displays blower hours and then therpy info and finally enters enters standby.

[builta]

Oh BTW,

My Remstar M series BiPAP Auto reports alot more information and identified more in the way of software revision (at least that is how it looks to me.)

[DoriC]

plr66, thanks for the clarification on the measurements, I would have asked for either/or. BTW, there is nothing natural about me being in the plumbing dept of Lowe's, Saks, yes.

[Fredman]

Hi Jim, Actually, don't need it often. Perhaps once a month or I can go months without using it. I am not sure why I occassionally awake perhaps is just the stage of sleep and higher pressure just awakes.

I have been on APAP for 3.5 years. I would love to avoid using it. What tweaks should I look at to avoid waking up with the higher pressure. Go on straight CPAP with C-Flex? Let me know your thoughts because it is hassle to wake up and fumble for the ramp button.

I never had a problem with treatment on APAP waking me up, as I kept my high pressure to CPAP pressure, and went 3 cm under for the low, that small range wasn't noticeable to me. I now run it in APAP mode with the high and low set the same 15CM, Why, not sure, it works for me, and reads FL on the reports too.

I've always looked on the ramp as a crutch, so I went for the real thing out of the chute, At that high of a pressure it was painful for a few days but soon became a way of life. Sorry if Crutch isn't PC, but I'm not a PC kind of Guy... I calls them likes I see's them. The sooner you can get to doing the same thing every night the faster the body accepts it as normal. I just think about all tha apnea events that may go untreated because the machine is in ramp mode, plus I want all my data in Encore Pro to be as good as it can. Jim

Thanks Jim, no apologies needed we need less PC! Good points! Yes, makes me wonder what events are being missed. Also, you are right, 3 cm variance would be less noticeable. I will have to do a bit of testing here. Generally I spend most of MaP at 7-8cm. 9cm is reported as my 90% and my RA says 10 cm is perfect if I were to go straight CPAP.

[Gerryk]

Get rid of the blue lights. Blue lights were made for squad cars and Kmart.

A port for pulse ox should be on the unit.

Move the outlet or put an elbow on it so it doesn't come straight out the back.

Design them so they can be run off an inexpensive battery pack.

Record actual data not incorrect data and not lose data that was recorded.

[El Pap]

I don't think it does. There does not appear to be any O2 monitoring, and data appears to be compliance only, no deails about therapy effectiveness. It also has no exhale relief. If I was looking for a travel machine, I'd pick one that is lighter also.

Debjax, you are wrong. I have this unit, and can confirm that it has a port that accepts a Nonin oxymeter. In order store and retrieve details about therapy effectively, you need to add the SmartLink module that snaps on the back. Once you do, you can read 1, 7, and 30 night averages of pressure, AHI, leaks, EPI and NRI right on the top panel LCD. More is available if you transfer data to a computer on an SD memory card, and use SmartLink software. I love how quiet this machine is, you can barely hear it.

[GumbyCT]

Wow - didn't go back and read all the posts but ....
Yes agreeing with OP with ALL he said.

No need for a proprietary key fob type adapter the Sandman designed either. Memory is cheap now and if they used a USB type thumb drive I am willing to bet there would be no need to ever loose data again since you could prob put several yrs on 1G drive. The circuitry is designed and working plus they wouldn't have to even supply the USB drive.

And adding they need to return the humidifer Pre-Heat Option like they had on the Remstar tanks. The circuitry was designed and working fine - press a button turned heat on for 20 min then timed out if the blower was not turned ON. Why the hey they deleted it - to save 50 cents? Big mistake.

Maybe moving the humidifier water chamber out to where the patient CAN see it and that it has water in it - kinda like the tank eh? Could save them mucho in warranty repairs. I think the fact that it's hidden contribute to many of the problems with water getting inside the blower unit. But who am I?

Oh and let's not forget useful software with a database the patient can utilize without feeling like they are committing a mortal sin. Encore Viewer is a half-hearted attempt, at best.

After all if it wasn't for us - the patients - these companies might be buying up mortgages.

So treat US like we do matter. Yea that's the ticket.

JMMO

[dsm]

Heres my ultimate design

01) Basically starting with a bilevel that can run Ipap & Epap
02) Add advanced technologies & algorithms that can accurately determine an OSA event vs a CA event
03) Add an extra EEPAP pressure that is in effect epap raised as the exhalation phase ends
04) Use the eepap pressure with an Auto titrating algorithm such that it actively titrates against OSA events
05) Add an algorithm that allows the Ipap pressure to be adjusted when *obstructive* hypopneas & flow limitations are detected
(Up to this point this is all already available in the Weinmann SOMNOvent CR)

06) Add an spo2 sensor into the mask such that where the pads touch the forehead they can do spo2 readings
07) Add either a cable to the hose that as unobtrusively as it can be achieved, connects the spo2 probe to the xPAP
08) Add wifi or extended range bluetooth to the cpap to allow data txfr to a PC
09) Add co2 monitoring of the exhaled air in addition to the SpO2 data
10) Fit the machine with a dual impeller blower (already the quietest blowers on the market today)

11) If it doesn't end up being too difficult, add a control valve that can be regulated by the xPAP to adjust mask deadspace for co2 re-breathing (all ready patented)

All of this is doable or already done. The mask might end up being a bit complex & perhaps there are simpler wars of managing co2 re-breathing but, I guess the resulting machine would be too expensive for the market.

DSM

[Gerryk]

I am sitting here reading through all these posts about what should or could be added to these machines. Imagine how expensive these machines would be if they had what we wanted on them and the manufacturers knew we were happy.

Then again wars have been fought over less that we ask for.

[OldLincoln]

No problem for cost if they built it real soon. Surely our government will give out a few billion to offset any additional cost! I check my mailbox every day looking for that billion dollar check.

[rocketdork]

Thanks for the reply's, There were several things that I would add to my list now. I wish that the makers of this equipment would see that they could appeal to the patients rather than the Doctors. They've put in so many features to ensure that we have to spend money with the DME or the DR that they seem to have forgotten that the patient is the real user of the machine.

Things like hose management swivels on the machine itself.
A way to turn off the blue lights and the machine itself (not just a standby mode)
A freaking backlit LCD

and many other things that you all suggested.

I don't agree that these would add cost. Many of the things suggested would only be software changes and not hardware changes.

Switching over to a jump drive instead of a smart card would actually save cost.

Other items would not only help as users, but would help our Dr's to help us better, but then most don't seem that interested to begin with.

[mindy]

I don't agree that these would add cost. Many of the things suggested would only be software changes and not hardware changes.

I agree with you - a number of these items already exist on various other xPAP machines. The xPAP world seems to revolve primarily around the Respironics machines but these are not the only ones. I have both Respironics M-Series APAP and Sandman Auto. For me, the Sandman provides better therapy because I don't get the "runaway centrals" that caused me to have to resort to straight CPAP mode with a pressure of 13 on the Respironics. The Sandman Auto doesn't have exhale relief but at a pressure of 10-20, I rarely go above 10 and my AHI is now <1 and I don't miss the exhale relief. The features I need aren't an issue for everyone.

I sometimes think that it's too bad that there isn't any one machine that has it all. But, even if there was such a thing, we'd never all agree on that either That's what makes the world go round!

Mindy

[ThomasMcKean]

Yew guys are nuts. All of yew. Yew are barking up so many wrong trees!

There is one thing and one thing only any or all of us should want in a new CPAP.

That is to have it come complete with a mask that is comfy and doesn't leak.