My new Respironics Dreamstation

Does anyone know if Philips-Respironics has made any changes to the therapy algorithm in the Dreamstation? Any new features? Quieter?

On all of PR System One's previous x50/x60 models they touted their proprietary 'dry box' technology. Supposedly in a massive tip-over or after packing away your machine in its case with water in the humidifier, the motor/blower assembly could not easily be contaminated with spillage. I never had that happen, but I wonder if the 'dry box' feature is gone now in the Dreamstation I suppose we'll find out soon enough, when somebody dumps their new machine on the floor next to their bed. I did like the fact that the old System One's were heavier than the equivalent ResMed models... they are harder to shift when the hose gets yanked, mostly due to their considerable weight... I'm assuming the Dreamstations are MUCH lighter now.

Hose_Head wrote:Philips Respironics last produced a completely new machine 5 years ago. This means they've had 5 years of product development time for this new Dreamstation. You'd think that at least part of that exercise would be to IMPROVE ergonomics. Why would they instead change to something so obviously worse? To steal a phrase from JasonK94Z, "What am I missing here?" Has PR given up on selling a new machine to current PR users?

Even if they haven't done major changes to the algorithms, they may have made some tweaks and tuning improvements. They could also make some improvements in the blower. They might have a more powerful processor that can do a few things better.

The display is almost certainly an improvement. The PRS1 displays were horrible. Nearly impossible to read under some bad light conditions, such as trying to read with a flashlight.

They could also have done electronics changes for increased reliability, or cost reduction.

It's probably at least a bit for cosmetic improvement for marketing purposes as well.

I saw the new machine at the last conference I was at last week. The humidifier tank is under a lid but the tank itself is wide open at the top. The rep said that is so you can clean it easily. Also he showed me a little plug like thing that goes between the humidifier tank and the workings of the machine that he said keeps it dry inside if you tip the whole thing over. I did not see it demonstrated. He just pulled the little plug out and showed me where it is suppose to fit. The two filters that go on the side of the machine are filter material with a plastic surround to give them more stability.

I hope this helps answer a few of the questions, as I understand what I was shown at the conference. When we have these in service we all may have more features to understand. It does have several choices on the dial to select. Fancy and maybe a bit over kill, but someone will love all the little things to learn about. I think they even have some way to show youTube videos to train you how to use the machine, I dunno for sure how they do that.

Karen

Sir NoddinOff wrote:On all of PR System One's previous x50/x60 models they touted their proprietary 'dry box' technology. Supposedly in a massive tip-over or after packing away your machine in its case with water in the humidifier, the motor/blower assembly could not easily be contaminated with spillage. I never had that happen, but I wonder if the 'dry box' feature is gone now in the Dreamstation I suppose we'll find out soon enough, when somebody dumps their new machine on the floor next to their bed. I did like the fact that the old System One's were heavier than the equivalent ResMed models... they are harder to shift when the hose gets yanked, mostly due to their considerable weight... I'm assuming the Dreamstations are MUCH lighter now.

I don't know what percentage of users will remove the tank from the humidifier in order to fill it but I'm assuming it is a majority of users. Having a wide open top to the tank introduces another opportunity for spillage - i.e. any slop over during transport from filling station to the machine. Let's hope that lip around the opening is effective at minimizing this type of accident.

I guess it's also likely that the "improvements" to the new machine are on the manufacturing side, providing greater profit for the manufacturer.

I agree Hosehead. My machine has the "no leak tank", also dishwasher safe. Rushing to an early flight I forgot to empty it when returning home from Hawaii. I arrived home with a perfectly dry machine and a tank still full of water. Unless the Dream machine has some sort built in lid with a seal that clamps down over the open water box I would not consider it. I am careful but I once knocked my whole machine off its perch in the middle of the night. When they "Come Out" I will inspect one at a local cpap supplier. I don't use them as they are not Medicare approved but it's a good way to see equipment close up. Perhaps there is a one way valve?

ramblingasian wrote:

MarylandCPAPer wrote:Do you know which Dreamstation model you have? It looks as if there are at least 3, based on the discussion at http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread ... on-the-way

DreamStation CPAP
DreamStation CPAP Pro
DreamStation Auto CPAP

Was a pressure range or a constant pressure setting prescribed for you?

You are the first person on this board that I know of who has the new DreamStation. Inquiring minds want to know all about it!! It's exciting to see new technology developed.

In one of the pictures, the tag at the bottom says Auto CPAP. I want to know more too, even though it seems the BiPAP version won't come out for a while.

I just received mine Friday, it is the Auto BiPAP model.

Jackiep wrote:Could you tell us the approximate cost of this machine ? Thanks

My DME offered a self pay option with heated humidifier for a little over $1800 for the Auto BiPAP model. Insurance payment was 10 month rent to own at $359 per month.

Thanks AutobipapFrank. That is the first confirmation the new Dreamstation is now available for replacement of the 760 model. Looks like they have uncharacteristically released the entire lineup at the same time. Prices appear similar to the 60 series.

I suspect the new model is functionally very similar to the old ones, and we will adapt to the ergonomic drawbacks, if any. Philips Respironics does not consider the end-user to be the customer, but instead caters 100% to DMEs and the health professionals. Anyone confused about that need only read the warranty which is based on initial date of sale to the provider, and who can access warranty services.

Coming from a Respironics M Series Plus that I used for years, I do see a lot of pluses in my situation. Auto BiPAP is nice, heated tubing, long power cord, DreamMask appears to be a good replacement for my OptiLife, actually being able to evaluate on an ongoing basis how I am really doing. I don't like how long the device is and how it hinges toward the rear to open the humidifier causing you to give it even more room lengthwise. The travel bag is also a little clunky as you can't fully open it and the webbing doesn't come out to the edge of the bag. As I travel each week, the longer machine is more awkward to sling over the shoulder. It is easier to put under my airplane seat though.

AutoBiPAPFrank wrote:Coming from a Respironics M Series Plus that I used for years, I do see a lot of pluses in my situation. Auto BiPAP is nice, heated tubing, long power cord, DreamMask appears to be a good replacement for my OptiLife, actually being able to evaluate on an ongoing basis how I am really doing. I don't like how long the device is and how it hinges toward the rear to open the humidifier causing you to give it even more room lengthwise. The travel bag is also a little clunky as you can't fully open it and the webbing doesn't come out to the edge of the bag. As I travel each week, the longer machine is more awkward to sling over the shoulder. It is easier to put under my airplane seat though.

That's good that you said Auto BiPAP - it means there's another option for me, as long as I read you correctly.

We were told by our Respironics Reps that we will be getting the dreamstation soon but have yet to see any. This is the first pic I see of one. I agree with some of the other users, I prefer the new Resmed look vs this one. First impression (for me and a sleep doc) was that it looked 'cheap' like an off-brand machine.
Maybe it will look better in person. I will say though that for the last few years it seems like Resmed has picked up their game (esp in mask) while Respironics seems to be lagging behind. IMHO

teachcsg wrote: First impression (for me and a sleep doc) was that it looked 'cheap' like an off-brand machine.
Maybe it will look better in person. I will say though that for the last few years it seems like Resmed has picked up their game (esp in mask) while Respironics seems to be lagging behind. IMHO

I pretty much agree with everything you said. Hopefully the machine won't look so "cheap" in real life.
I also agree about masks...seems like ResMed's new masks simply do better than what we have seen from Respironics in their new masks...or at least the ResMed's mask suit my personal needs better but I will be trying that totally new weird looking cradle like thing when it comes out just for grins.

Those of you wondering about that new mask...don't go holding your breath. It hasn't even been publicly released on the Respironics website and it could take months for it to finally make it to the public unless someone happens to be with a DME that gets some for demo purposes. If they do send out some demos...it's going to go to DMEs that sell Respironics machines though. Respironics is very unlikely to give a demo mask to a DME that sells primarily ResMed machines. They tend to take care of their own first.
I will be very surprised if that new mask makes itself available to the public by the first of the year. This stuff never progresses very quickly. Even when cpap.com eventually gets it...most likely it will be a "coming soon do your pre order now" thing and historically that's a 4 to 6 week wait once it makes it to the pre order status.

Pugsy wrote:

teachcsg wrote: First impression (for me and a sleep doc) was that it looked 'cheap' like an off-brand machine.
Maybe it will look better in person. I will say though that for the last few years it seems like Resmed has picked up their game (esp in mask) while Respironics seems to be lagging behind. IMHO

I pretty much agree with everything you said. Hopefully the machine won't look so "cheap" in real life.
I also agree about masks...seems like ResMed's new masks simply do better than what we have seen from Respironics in their new masks...or at least the ResMed's mask suit my personal needs better but I will be trying that totally new weird looking cradle like thing when it comes out just for grins.

Those of you wondering about that new mask...don't go holding your breath. It hasn't even been publicly released on the Respironics website and it could take months for it to finally make it to the public unless someone happens to be with a DME that gets some for demo purposes. If they do send out some demos...it's going to go to DMEs that sell Respironics machines though. Respironics is very unlikely to give a demo mask to a DME that sells primarily ResMed machines. They tend to take care of their own first.
I will be very surprised if that new mask makes itself available to the public by the first of the year. This stuff never progresses very quickly. Even when cpap.com eventually gets it...most likely it will be a "coming soon do your pre order now" thing and historically that's a 4 to 6 week wait once it makes it to the pre order status.

I wasn't sure about the cradle but it seems to be working well for me. Granted, I am only averaging 9/5 pressures so it may be more problematic going higher. I don't have to wear as tight as the OptiLife around my nose and I get just a little imprint in the morning from the tubing going to the nose that goes away while I am getting ready. After it "warms up", it fits very snugly to my face. That may also be due to the chin strap I wear underneath on the sides which tends to puff out my cheeks somewhat. I actually like that 90% of the venting happens out the top of the mask (and my wife likes that also).

AutoBiPAPFrank wrote:I don't have to wear as tight as the OptiLife

I am NOT a fan of the OptiLife at all so for me using a shoe on my face would be better than the OptiLife but that's just me. I know it works well for a lot of people and I was at least able to do my titration sleep study with it (only nasal pillow mask those yahoos had) but I gave that sucker away just as soon as I could get something else. One of the very few masks that guess I would say that I totally just plain hated it.
The OptiLife used to have an optional cradle cushion but I never tried it because my main complaint with the OptiLife was with the headgear so I didn't want to waste my money.
But now that they have the Amara View and this new DreamMask with cradles...I think I would like to try a cradle cushion just for fun since I have never tried a cradle cushion.