ResScan vs SmartLink - a Few ??'s

[DHC]

I just completed by first night with the ResMed S9 AutoSet, and have viewed the available data in the ResScan software. Just like with the SmartLink software a week ago, I am not familiar with the ResScan s'ware and there are a few things I could use some guidance on. The biggest question is - How do I insure the detailed nightly data is recorded on the SD card? For background, here is what I did:

* S9 arrived yesterday afternoon.
* I received a copy of the Clinician's Manual, so I reset the configuration to match what I've been using with the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP (Auto - lo pressure at 6.0 and hi pressure at 10.0)
* Did not attach the humidifier - consistent with the DeVilbiss, and I just do not seem to need it (in spite of living in dry Colorado and having previous issues with epistaxis)
* Left the SD card in the machine overnight
* Previously had installed ResScan 3.11 and created a 'New Patient'
* In the morning, I removed the SD card and placed it in the PC - ResScan recognized it and I was able to download the data. IIRC ResScan asked me to associate the data with a patient, and I did.

Using 'Review' I am able to see 'Statistics' and 'Summary Graphs' (with only 1 day of data), but am not able to see anything in 'Detailed Graphs', with the software reporting "No detailed data available." Was there something I should have done to insure detailed data was created in the S9 - and then transferred to the SD card? I did configure the S9 to 'Sleep Quality: On' - but I doubt that affects the details stored in the S9 or what is transferred to the SD card.

Also, it seems there are some differences between ResScan and SmartLink that I'd like to confirm.

In the DeVilbiss IntelliPAP and their SmartLink software - as best I can tell - there is no place to set the time/date. There *is* a field to specify the timezone of the patient, and I am guessing the SmartLink software picks up the time/date from the computer its installed on - transfers that to the SD card which programs the IntelliPAP - BUT - that is just my guess. I tried to confirm this, but have found nothing in the DeVilbiss documentation one way or the other.

Similarly, in the DeVilbiss 'system' I did not find any setting to specify the mask type. This would affect, I believe, the leak rate metrics that are reported - and, indeed, it seems DeVilbiss reports the total leak rate whereas ResScan seems to make adjustments based on the specified type of mask. The result being in my case and using the same Mirage Quattro full-face mask - SmartLink reported an Average Leak of 23.89L/Min whereas ResScan reported a Median leak of 0.0. My interpretation of the difference being that SmartLink is reporting a value that corresponds to the published Vent Flow Rate for that mask at the pressures used by the IntelliPAP. OTOH, the ResScan software took into account the configuration setting I provided that I am using a full face mask, and reported only the values it felt represented a true leak - not just the vent flow. If anyone has experience with both devices and software, I would be interested in knowing if my deduction is correct.

Once I am able to gather and view the detailed data in ResScan, it will be interesting to see the further similarities and dissimilarities between the two systems.

Any assistance is most appreciated.

[Emilia]

You are correct about the date/time. Once your set your time zone, it picks up the correct time. I will be interested to see if it automatically changes once Standard time resumes at the end of Oct.

DeVilbiss's machine does not have a mask setting, and I have not found that to be an issue. Of course, I've had very little problems with my two masks and my leak rate shown is so low as to not even show up on the data graphs. So, I am probably not a good one to ask. DeVilbiss Marketing (user name) is on this forum and if you PM her with your specific questions about this, she will gladly answer them. I had one about data the other day, and she gave me a very clear and understandable answer.

Remember, the IntelliPAP is a great machine and is a best seller. It does not have all the bells and whistles an S9 has, but, then again, it is about half the price.

Are you doing a comparison to decide which machine to buy? I am confused as to why you are using both.....

[DHC]

You are correct about the date/time. Once your set your time zone, it picks up the correct time. I will be interested to see if it automatically changes once Standard time resumes at the end of Oct.

DeVilbiss's machine does not have a mask setting, and I have not found that to be an issue. Of course, I've had very little problems with my two masks and my leak rate shown is so low as to not even show up on the data graphs. So, I am probably not a good one to ask. DeVilbiss Marketing (user name) is on this forum and if you PM her with your specific questions about this, she will gladly answer them. I had one about data the other day, and she gave me a very clear and understandable answer.

Remember, the IntelliPAP is a great machine and is a best seller. It does not have all the bells and whistles an S9 has, but, then again, it is about half the price.

Are you doing a comparison to decide which machine to buy? I am confused as to why you are using both.....

I purchased the IntelliPAP to replace an M-Series Respironics that did not capture data. At that time, I was several months away from being eligible for a new machine through insurance (or so I thought), and I also need a machine for travel and figured the IntelliPAP would be a good choice as a travel machine if nothing else.

Then, to my surprise, my insurance company and the sleep center notified me I was eligible for a new machine right now. Since insurance will cover the cost, I pressed them to supply me with the S9 AutoSet, and they did.

In terms of the bells and whistles differences between the two, I have not had the chance to do a thorough comparison, but I will - and my initial impression is the DeVilbiss is going to fare VERY well indeed.

[jdm2857]

You have to make the selections when downloading to include all of the data. Someone at ResMed decided that the default would be summary data only -- I wish someone would explain that choice to me. Here goes:


In the Download Data dialog, click the Select button next to the Data text box.

Then, in the Select the Data Type to Download dialog, select the All Summary Data and... radio button.
Set the number of days of detailed data to download (depends on when you last downloaded) in the drop-down box.

Then check include equivalent number of high-rate data sessions. (The flow data is the high-rate data.)

Finally, you can check the Set These As My Default Options check box if you wish. This feature is new in ResScan 3.11.

Click the OK button and proceed to download your data.

[DHC]

You are correct about the date/time. Once your set your time zone, it picks up the correct time. I will be interested to see if it automatically changes once Standard time resumes at the end of Oct.

DeVilbiss's machine does not have a mask setting, and I have not found that to be an issue. Of course, I've had very little problems with my two masks and my leak rate shown is so low as to not even show up on the data graphs. So, I am probably not a good one to ask. DeVilbiss Marketing (user name) is on this forum and if you PM her with your specific questions about this, she will gladly answer them. I had one about data the other day, and she gave me a very clear and understandable answer.

Remember, the IntelliPAP is a great machine and is a best seller. It does not have all the bells and whistles an S9 has, but, then again, it is about half the price.

Are you doing a comparison to decide which machine to buy? I am confused as to why you are using both.....

I am curious about your comment as to the leak rate. As I understand it, all masks are going to have some amount of "vent flow." For example:

ComfortGEL nasal mask "Intentional Leak" table shown here --

ComfortGEL full-face mask "Intentional Leak" table shown here --

Mirage Quattro "Vent Flow Rate" table shown here --

I could, of course, be wrong in my interpretation - but it seems they are indicating that the masks will have a flow/leak rate at about 20L/min when the pressure is on the low end at around 4.0 cm H2O - and the flow/leak rate increases as the pressure increases. This seems logical, at least - and consistent with the fact I can feel some outflow of air from the mask at all times. In fact, one of the problems with the ComfortFULL mask is that this outflow/vent is straight ahead and it sometimes disturbs my wife's sleep. The Quattro vents 'upwards' which is more toward the headboard, and does not disturb my wife. Point being - the xPAP machines are constantly putting out at least some air, and the masks (at least the ones I have) must vent the excess air and it looks like the masks all have specifications that provide the metrics to be expected for their masks.

In my case, the metrics from the IntelliPAP seem exactly in-line with what Respironics and ResMed publish for their masks as "Vent Flow" or "Intentional Leak" - so my conclusion is that I suffer from very little true leakage which would be leakage as a result of the mask not fitting correctly.

If you are getting numbers that are approaching zero, I wonder if your mask does not vent (seems unlikely) or ??

As always, consider this the ramblings of a wandering newbie still struggling to learn about the equipment, the metrics, and what they all mean.

[Emilia]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't being clear on the mask issue. My data does show Mask Leak Data, but in the summary chart of Events, the Leak link is always blank. My Mask Leak Data is usually around 20-30. Here is an example:

Leak Data from last night:



Event Data -- leak line is blank. I assume that is because the leaks were so minimal as to be discounted. (?) If I am wrong, I would appreciate knowing.....

[DHC]

Sorry, maybe I wasn't being clear on the mask issue. My data does show Mask Leak Data, but in the summary chart of Events, the Leak link is always blank. My Mask Leak Data is usually around 20-30. Here is an example:

Leak Data from last night:



Event Data -- leak line is blank. I assume that is because the leaks were so minimal as to be discounted. (?) If I am wrong, I would appreciate knowing.....

Your results are similar to mine. I too do not have any "Mask Leak Time" shown in the table, and no "Leak" events appearing in the graph - ever (for the 8 days I have used the system).

And BTW - your earlier post about turning up the low end of the auto range to eliminate snores motivated me to do the same - and with a similar result. It seems to have eliminated the "Snore" events.

Back to the 'Mask Leak' question - since it seems SmartLink is reporting the gross amount of leakage - and since some amount of that is "Vent Flow" or "Intentional Leak" - and since the DeVilbiss 'system' does not inquire about the type of mask - it makes me wonder what algorithm they use to determine "Mask Leak." Probably a question best addressed to 'DeVilbiss Marketing.'

[DHC]

You have to make the selections when downloading to include all of the data. Someone at ResMed decided that the default would be summary data only -- I wish someone would explain that choice to me. Here goes:


In the Download Data dialog, click the Select button next to the Data text box.

Then, in the Select the Data Type to Download dialog, select the All Summary Data and... radio button.
Set the number of days of detailed data to download (depends on when you last downloaded) in the drop-down box.

Then check include equivalent number of high-rate data sessions. (The flow data is the high-rate data.)

Finally, you can check the Set These As My Default Options check box if you wish. This feature is new in ResScan 3.11.

Click the OK button and proceed to download your data.

Got it.

Thanks!

[jdm2857]

ResMed machines have a mask setting, and use that setting to subtract intentional leak from the total flow and display the "correctable" leak.

I don't believe that any other brand of machines does that. Instead, they report total flow as the leak number, and the user has to reduce that number by the intentional leak of the mask at the therapy pressure to arrive a the "correctable" leak.