BiPap Auto not working!

Long time reader/first time poster. Hello, all!

I recently had to buy a used Respironics M Series Auto BiPap because my current machine died and I don't have insurance again until next January (don't ask!!!)

I know how to access the clinician setup. I set the min-max to my numbers (4-10). At least that is what I think my number are. I can't access the electronics on the old machine.

So I had my gf watch the machine while I took a nap. I had several episodes of apnea and the machine wouldn't go over 6 during those episodes. I am using a 10' hose w. nasal Dreamwear mask. Same results w. full nasal mask.

Now, I can live w. not having the auto function not working for the next month. Is this a common problem? Could my hose be too long for the auto function to work?

Thanks!!

rightisright wrote:Long time reader/first time poster. Hello, all!

I recently had to buy a used Respironics M Series Auto BiPap because my current machine died and I don't have insurance again until next January (don't ask!!!)

I know how to access the clinician setup. I set the min-max to my numbers (4-10). At least that is what I think my number are. I can't access the electronics on the old machine.

So I had my gf watch the machine while I took a nap. I had several episodes of apnea and the machine wouldn't go over 6 during those episodes. I am using a 10' hose w. nasal Dreamwear mask. Same results w. full nasal mask.

Now, I can live w. not having the auto function not working for the next month. Is this a common problem? Could my hose be too long for the auto function to work?

Thanks!!

Auto adjusting machines will NOT increase pressure during an Apnea event. Period!
They only increase pressures on Flow Limitations and Snores. (then maybe Hypopneas)
If you don't have those precursor events, you need to set your minimum pressure to where it eliminates almost all of the events. (Similar to setting a straight-pressure CPAP machine)


Den

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There should be more than minimum of 4 and max of 10 numbers available on a bipap.
Can you go into the clinical setup mode again and this time write down all that you see including mode and the various pressure setting options you see?
There should be a maximum PS setting when in auto bilevel mode. So you should see 2 pressures while breathing...one for inhale and one for exhale.

Mode choices are
CPAP
Fixed bilevel
Auto bilevel

What are all the words that you see on both the blower and humidifier? Do you see BiFlex anywhere?

Thanks for the quick reply, Den. That's helpful to know.

One more thing to add. No matter where I set the I and E pressures, there is only a 2 point difference in readings. Eg. At 4-10, the I only goes to 6... @ 5-11, it only goes 5-7

Thanks!

Pugsy wrote:There should be more than minimum of 4 and max of 10 numbers available on a bipap.
Can you go into the clinical setup mode again and this time write down all that you see including mode and the various pressure setting options you see?
There should be a maximum PS setting when in auto bilevel mode. So you should see 2 pressures while breathing...one for inhale and one for exhale.

Mode choices are
CPAP
Fixed bilevel
Auto bilevel

What are all the words that you see on both the blower and humidifier? Do you see BiFlex anywhere?

Yes, it has BiFlex

Here are the choices I did last time:

Auto Bilevel
E Pressure 4
I Pressure 10
PS was at 4 and I didn't change it.
Biflex at 3

Pugsy makes a good point.
I just remembered that (all) the humidifiers which the M Series used were marked with "RemStar BiPAP" on the bottom.
I just looked at one of the images I had saved in my files.


Den

.

If you need the Clinical manual ( .pdf file ) for it, PM me with your email address and I'll send it to you.


Den

.

Okay, wanted to make sure we were talking about a bipap for sure...my first apap had a bipap sticker on it.

With the first bipaps in auto mode there is a default 2 cm minimum PS that you don't see. So the PS value you are setting is actually the maximum PS.

With EPAP minimum at 4
and maximum IPAP at 10
and the default minimum PS of 2 that you can't change (it won't change and go to 3 or 4 unless it decides it needs to and you will be asleep when that happens)..
What you will have while awake is 4 exhale and 6 inhale and then it will only adjust the pressures upwards as it senses a need.
So maybe it doesn't need to change the pressure much or maybe your GF simply missed it changing at times during the night...the changes would be very gradual anyway.

There is some data on the LCD screen as to what the Pressures did. Have you found that data?

Thanks, Den. I have one.

This machine does let the user change the PS. It was set at 4 when I got it and I didn't change it.

I did get into the data. However, it doesn't seem to list nightly data. Only data for the past 7 days and past 30 days. Since last night was the first I used it, that info is pretty worthless. ETA: I just found elsewhere on this forum I can reset the Smart Card. Going to do that now.

Jeff

Some "stuff" I had in my files:


1.6 AccessLevels
There are two levels of access for the device, provider mode and user mode.

1.6.1 Accessing Provider Mode
Prescribed therapy settings can only be set using the provider mode screens. To access provider mode, hold down the left and right arrow buttons ()simultaneously while applying power to the device. The device beeps twice to indicate that it is in provider mode.
To exit provider mode, press the Start/Stop () button.
Important! Provider mode unlocks additional settings not available to the patient. To prevent patients from tampering with the settings, do not reveal the directions to access the provider mode screens.

1.6.1.1 Provider Mode Settings
You can modify the following settings in provider mode:
• Therapy mode setting
• IPAP pressure setting (Bi-level therapy only; not available in Auto Bi-level therapy)
• EPAP pressure setting (Bi-level therapy only; not available in Auto Bi-level therapy)
• Maximum IPAP pressure setting (Auto Bi-level therapy only; not available in Bi-level therapy)
• Minimum EPAP pressure setting (Auto Bi-level therapy only; not available in Bi-level therapy)
• Maximum pressure support setting (Auto Bi-level therapy only; not available in Bi-level therapy)
• Bi-Flex setting
• Rise time setting (if Bi-Flex disabled)
• Ramp time setting
• Ramp starting pressure
• Mask disconnect alert (enable/disable)
• Auto-Off setting (enable/disable)
• Split Night Time setting (Auto Bi-level therapy only; not available in Bi-level therapy)
• Show AHI/System leak (enable/disable)
• Patient reminder

Additionally, you can view the following data from provider mode:
• Therapy usage hours
• Number of sessions (greater than four hours)
• 90% therapy pressure averages (Auto Bi-level therapy only; not available in Bi-level therapy)
• System leak
• Apnea/Hypopnea index
• Blower hours

1.6.2 Accessing User Mode
The device defaults to user mode when you apply power. If you are in provider mode and want to access the user mode screens, press the Start/Stop () button to change to user mode.
Users can modify the following settings in user mode:
• Bi-Flex (if enabled by the home care provider)
• Rise comfort (if enabled by the home care provider)
• Ramp starting pressure (if enabled by the home care provider)
• Mask alert (enable/disable)
• Auto off (enable/disable)
• FOSQ questionnaire
Additionally, users can view the following data in user mode:
• Therapy usage hours
• Number of sessions greater than 4 hours
• 90% therapy pressure averages –in Auto Bi-level therapy only (if enabled by the home care provider)
• System leak (if enabled by the home care provider)
• Apnea/Hypopnea Index (if enabled by the home care provider)



To see the nightly data, use these instructions.



==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

To view the nightly data, you need to have the following enabled:

• Show AHI/System leak (enable/disable)


Den

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Do you have Encore available and the smart card reader? If not, do you want it?

You can manually erase the data daily and your 7 day number will be the last night number if you want to do that.
I did that when I first started therapy with my M series APAP and just wanted one night of data. A bit of a PITA work to do but it's a way of getting 1 night only data.

I see Den already gave you instructions on how to do that. I did it for about 2 weeks many years ago until I got the software and the card reader.