M Series Respironics

[blankstare]

I was researching this pretty heavily since I was looking to get my first APAP. (Thanks, folks, for all the great info here!) Here's what I found:

Although I missed their quarterly conf call this morning, the associated press release includes this tidbit:

Commenting on the Company's new product development initiatives, Mr. Miclot stated, "Our new product pipeline is full, and we remain on track to begin release of our new family of sleep apnea devices in the third quarter. By the end of this fiscal year, we expect that all of the devices included in our new M SERIES will be available to our customers in both domestic and international markets," he added.

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zht ... id=808781&

The good folks at cpap.com say that the M Series is just starting (final?) trials - one of their techs is in the final trial pool. Trial to last about 6 weeks (and is about to start imminently, apparently.) This is supposed to be the final trial before general availability.

For all that, there's an interesting document http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf5/K052110.pdf that basically says the M Series is pretty much what's called a cost reduction -- same features and capabilities, but in a redesigned package.

I decided to just go for the R/S Auto C-Flex - which after all that, I was expecting to arrive in a steamer trunk or something. I have to say, the size seemed just fine.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cpap.com, C-FLEX, auto, APAP

[wading thru the muck!]

blankstare,

Thanks for the VERY informative update. Sounds like those trying to hold off on Respironics cpap purchase hoping that the M's will be out soon are going to have to wait quite a long time. Sounds like a good item to put on this year's Christmas list.

[blankstare]

Wading, it's not quite that bad. Keep in mind their fiscal year ends in June. It was just too long for me to wait, particularly since it sounds like the release date has slipped once already based on their earlier statements. I was looking forward to the conf call to see if anyone asked about such slippages, but I missed it. The recording is available if anyone wants a sure alternative to Ambien http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zht ... IROL-index

[wading thru the muck!]

Just listened to most of the CC.

...Lot's of comments regarding the M series.

The most interesting comments though, are in regard to Respironics losing ground to ResMed because of their lack of a good nasal pillow type interface (this was stated by Resp. Execs!)

They are scheduled to release a pillows interface in March with the M series roll-out.

...apparently because of consumer demand for a pillows type interface many sleep labs are specifying the Swift in their prescriptions and DME are bundling the S8 and the Swift. Per the Resp. Execs this is causing some slippage in their market penetration.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, nasal pillow, swift, DME

[john5757]

Sounds like the Comfort lite 2, the engineering marvel. I hope that it will last longer than three weeks and there was a indcation that the hard plastic head gear may be changed for starters.

[rested gal]

The good folks at cpap.com say that the M Series is just starting (final?) trials - one of their techs is in the final trial pool. Trial to last about 6 weeks (and is about to start imminently, apparently.) This is supposed to be the final trial before general availability.

Interesting! Wonder which cpap.com person is going to be doing the 6 week trial of an M machine? Would have to be Titrator (Ted) or Leslie, wouldn't it, since they are the only two cpap.com people who actually are on CPAP treatment, aren't they? They'd be the only two people I can think of who work for cpap.com and are actual cpap users.

[blankstare]

well, I certainly defer to your knowledge on this -- that makes sense to me, but I just learned how to spell CPAP a couple weeks ago....

[WillSucceed]

Sounds like the Comfort lite 2, the engineering marvel. I hope that it will last longer than three weeks and there was a indcation that the hard plastic head gear may be changed for starters.

I have been talking with the Respironics Rep. about the Comfort Lite 2 and have learned that there is a further re-design of the re-design. I looks as though Respironics is pretty serious about getting their feet more firmly into the nasal pillows market.
I've asked to be part of the trial (if they do one) and, if I get my little bar-b-que stained fingers on a new Comfort Lite 2, I'll post a review.

[wading thru the muck!]

It looks as though Respironics is pretty serious about getting their feet more firmly into the nasal pillows market.

Will,

You've got that right! If you listen to the conference call, the Respironics Execs admitted numerous times that ResMed has a great interface in their Swift and that it has taken business away from Respironics. Yes, they did say the words ResMed and Swift... I was facinated to hear these Execs frankly discuss their opinions on the competitions products, refering to them by name and what they are doing to try to compete. You sure won't hear this kind of frank discussion from the PR/Marketing folks.

Definately, if you get your hands on the new "pillows" interface, post your impressions and some picts (if they will let you).

[Guest999]

Looks like somebody forgot to tell Customer Service at Respironics. Got an email on Friday that they have no pics or anything for it.

[Darth Vader Look]

Have to agree that Respironics masks aren't the best. I used the comfortcurve nasal and couldn't get comfort from them.

For all that, there's an interesting document http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf5/K052110.pdf that basically says the M Series is pretty much what's called a cost reduction -- same features and capabilities, but in a redesigned package.

Hopefully the Respironics cost reduction initiative doesn't fly the same path as most cost reduction stuff does and that is into the garbage. A lot of items made these days have short life spans to help perk up the bottom line .