Question for S9 data users

[bigk]

I'm impressed by the techology too, but there is no excuse for poor quality control or testing on a medical device that users may have paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for and upon which they rely to treat a serious medical condition.

And yet the said "bug" has ZERO impact on the therapy. ZERO NADA ZIP.

The saving grace is, as you and others have pointed out, at least it appears that the problem does not impact the efficacy of the treatment, just the presentation of the results.

Indeed. But people are losing sight of this IMO.

FYI if you google the terms "ResMed", "s8" and "recall" you will see that the company does not have an unblemished quality record.

No but they have an excellent record of fixing serious problems - they replaces every affected S8 machine yet you use this to try and smear them.

[alterego61]

I'm impressed by the techology too, but there is no excuse for poor quality control or testing on a medical device that users may have paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for and upon which they rely to treat a serious medical condition.

And yet the said "bug" has ZERO impact on the therapy. ZERO NADA ZIP.

It's really unnecessary to repeat four times the point that I already I made in the following sentence - I get it.

The saving grace is, as you and others have pointed out, at least it appears that the problem does not impact the efficacy of the treatment, just the presentation of the results.

Indeed. But people are losing sight of this IMO.

I think most people on here are capable of reading and interpreting both sides of the issue for themselves and coming to their own conclusions.

FYI if you google the terms "ResMed", "s8" and "recall" you will see that the company does not have an unblemished quality record.

No but they have an excellent record of fixing serious problems - they replaces every affected S8 machine yet you use this to try and smear them.

I'm just pointing out the facts - you're making the value judgement.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/69907.php

"In S8 devices manufactured between July 2004 and May 15, 2006, there is a remote potential for a short circuit in the power supply connector...Patients may continue to use their S8 flow generators until they receive a replacement device. As with any electrical device, patients should make sure that it is placed on a hard clean surface and that the area around the device is clear during use. Patients should discontinue use of the device if there are any signs of electrical failure such as intermittent power, cracking sounds, sparking or charred smell."

Some readers here may not be aware of this history. I think the fact that 300,000 of the early production s8 models had a defect serious enough to warrant a worldwide recall is relevant to the fact that we are discussing a potential, albeit minor, defect with the early production s9 models, don't you?

I wouldn't have purchased an s9 if I didn't think that ResMed was a reliable, trustworthy company. That doesn't mean they can't make mistakes though - let's hope you're right and if they have they will fix it quickly.

[billbolton]

I'm just pointing out the facts - you're making the value judgement.

No, you clearly made a value judgement.

If you were truly just stating facts you would have pointed to the quality record and let readers form their own opinion, rather than adding a gratuitous modifier before it.

[Nord]

billbolton...

I think its about time that you and Bigk declare your bias.
You either own ResMed;
own stock in Resmed;
work for ResMed;
have a contract to report to ResMed;
have relatives that own or work for ResMed; or
protect ResMed as a National Australian Treasure.

Many people here own and enjoy ResMed including me, but... your blind intolerance for anybody that says that ResMed isn't perfect makes me wonder about your motives.
I'm sure that in this narrative you'll be able to find fault and report back. Another hit and run.

You will keep your answers short to avoid being called on what you say.
But, I for one would like to hear you actually say something positive about others ( ResMed doesn't count ).

Perhaps if you do, you might like the feeling without choking.

Cheers
Nord

[alterego61]

I'm just pointing out the facts - you're making the value judgement.

No, you clearly made a value judgement.

If you were truly just stating facts you would have pointed to the quality record and let readers form their own opinion, rather than adding a gratuitous modifier before it.

Bill, thank you so much. I really don't know what us stupid people would do without the smart ones like you being around to patrol the threads and put us right when we have not been absolutely philologically precise. How do I know that you are smart? Because only smart people use the adverb "clearly" to emphasize that what is self-evident to them must be explained to others. And only smart people use gratuitous punctuation to underline the importance of what they are saying.

If you want to be picky, and you usually do, I didn't say I was stating facts, just pointing them out.

As for your suggestion, the term "quality record" in itself has an implied value judgement, depending on your definition of quality. Surely you meant to say "unbiased statistical assessment of ResMed's manufacturing record"? And, since we all know how much you like to be helpful rather than just carping at others, could you provide us a link to it, please?

Your cutsy rolling eyes smily was a nice finishing touch to let everyone know at a stroke that you are not really a tiresome pompous pedant, just folksy, pithy and, above all, always right. Thanks again, mate, I stand corrected.

[bigk]

I think its about time that you and Bigk declare your bias.
You either own ResMed;
own stock in Resmed;
work for ResMed;
have a contract to report to ResMed;
have relatives that own or work for ResMed; or
protect ResMed as a National Australian Treasure.

I own a Resmed as is fully disclosed in my sig. Otherwise none of the above.

Many people here own and enjoy ResMed including me, but... your blind intolerance for anybody that says that ResMed isn't perfect makes me wonder about your motives.

um... no.

But, I for one would like to hear you actually say something positive about others ( ResMed doesn't count ).

I have no idea what you are trying to say here.

[DreamDiver]

I'm getting an S9 in the next two and a half weeks. I've been using a Respironics M series APAP and collecting data just about daily for close to 2 years....smart card reader, Vista, etc. I do the regular morning download and weekly reformat the card to avoid the no data recorded error that is common.

Can you tell me about data collection with the S9? I picked up a class 4 4G SD card and formatted it FAT32 to replace the one that comes with the machine already. Already have a card reader for this card. Is it better to wait until the afternoon to upload the data to your computer? or morning? how many hours after getting up? Do you need to reformat the card regularly? with this skew error that it being talked about, do you need to reformat?

Any suggestions are welcome and thanks.

silver123,

First - I have no reservations for having bought the S9. It is well worth having done so.

Second - the data is available at multiple levels of interest. If you just care about compliance numbers, you can go there. If you want to find out when you usually have your worst events on average during any given night, you can go there. If you want to explore the duration of a specific apnea or hypopnea to discover why it's obstructive or central or whatever, you can go there too. Or you can just read the little screen in the morning on the machine and be satisfied. Seek your level and be happy.

Third - If you do want to explore your data and transfer it to your computer, when you wake up, wait at least five minutes after you press the power button 'off' before removing the card. Get a biscuit and coffee. Watch the weather channel. Boot up your computer and then read the data. If you don't care about skew, don't worry about it. If you would rather wait until evening to read the data, do that on a daily basis -- or every other day -- or every three days. It doesn't matter.

Fourth - start with the card that came with your S9 first. Chances are, it will work fine. (ResMed would likely say that they cannot guarantee results for cards that have not been approved by ResMed, so you're probably better off starting there anyway.) You may never have to reformat your card. You may never see any skew.

Fifth - skew does not affect therapy.

While there seems to be some sort of rift in this thread - apologies - I don't quite understand what it's about - I suspect we all agree on one thing: You won't regret having bought the S9.

Good luck!

[alterego61]

wait at least five minutes after you press the power button 'off' before removing the card. Get a biscuit and coffee. Watch the weather channel. Boot up your computer and then read the data. If you don't care about skew, don't worry about it.

Hi DD, I agree with most of what you said, but FYI in my testing I have found that waiting 5 minutes (or even 15 minutes) after pressing the on/off button before removing the SD card is ineffective in preventing skewed data. Also, ResMed tech support told me today that they know about the skew bug and they said that the problem lies not in the S9 or the SD card, it's something to do with how ResScan reads the data from the card. I'm sceptical about this explanation because when I read the data files in a plain EDF viewer/browser (i.e. not using ResScan), I still see skewed data.

[DreamDiver]

wait at least five minutes after you press the power button 'off' before removing the card. Get a biscuit and coffee. Watch the weather channel. Boot up your computer and then read the data. If you don't care about skew, don't worry about it.

Hi DD, I agree with most of what you said, but FYI in my testing I have found that waiting 5 minutes (or even 15 minutes) after pressing the on/off button before removing the SD card is ineffective in preventing skewed data. Also, ResMed tech support told me today that they know about the skew bug and they said that the problem lies not in the S9 or the SD card, it's something to do with how ResScan reads the data from the card. I'm sceptical about this explanation because when I read the data files in a plain EDF viewer/browser (i.e. not using ResScan), I still see skewed data.

I still see skew too...


I too see the skew in EDFBrowser, and share your views. No worries, whatever the problems, I'm sure ResMed will figure this out. I saw your post on another thread about this and am encouraged. I'll respond there. Unfortunately, it will have to be tomorrow, since it's pumpkin time.

Sleep well.

[alterego61]

DD, the image in your post made me laugh!

Sleep well too.

[gpk111]

Ego,
A thread in this forum discusses the possibility of a serial related problem. Nothing conclusive.

I'm impressed by the new technology I just discovered. You're critical of any bug in it. So be it.

[alterego61]

111,

Conclusively, some people have experienced a bug or issue with the S9 which affects collection and presentation of detailed data - I have examined the data files of several of the affected users myself and viewed the corrupted data. I'm not critical of the S9 package as a whole and the quality of the therapy I get from it, far from it, but personally this bug bothers me because being able to examine and understand individual apnea events by correlating them accurately to the other data was part of my reason for choosing the S9 over its competitors.

You don't mind about the skew bug/issue; no problem. I'll sell you my car at a discount if the speedometer stops working - it will still get you from A to B.

alter

[bigk]

I'd love for Resmed to fix this "bug". I just don't think it warrants the huge song and dance being displayed by a handful of posters. There are probably 10 or so threads about it and I have seen people say that the S9 has "issues" and they will buy something else instead - which is really a shame for them.

Then if I post saying the "bug" is not an issue for me and I don't think it's important I get howled down and accused of working for Resmed. I am surely just as entitled to my opinion as Nord or anyone else and I will continue to post it on threads such as this to bring some balance.

Again - I hope if it is a genuine problem that they fix it.

[gpk111]

I guess I'd be more annoyed if my flat lines didn't line up with my flags! I'll pass on your car and stick with my Prius! The brakes don't work, but the speedometer works great!

[alterego61]

I'd love for Resmed to fix this "bug". I just don't think it warrants the huge song and dance being displayed by a handful of posters. There are probably 10 or so threads about it and I have seen people say that the S9 has "issues" and they will buy something else instead - which is really a shame for them.

People are entitled to draw their own conclusions, either way. If you like the machine, by all means wax lyrical about it, but please don't criticise those who are having (minor) problems with it for saying so or for trying to work out why the problem is happening or how to prevent it.

Most consumers are used to reading reviews and information of all kinds, positive and negative, before buying products these days. They don't need to be protected from customer experiences by self-appointed guardians of a company's reputation. The preponderance of Aussies standing ready to defend ResMed and its newest product is touching but, really, you don't need to, the company has a marketing department.

Again - I hope if it is a genuine problem that they fix it.

What do you mean "if"? Of course it's a genuine problem, do you think we are making it up? I love my S9 and its therapy, I just wish it worked, completely, as advertised.