Lots of Odd Brand CPAPs in Australia

I wonder which, if any, of ResMed's patents have expired. Here in Australia we seem to getting a load of new "brands" and some interesting CPAP machines.

A Circular CPAP
On a previous thread about possible ResMed Air 11 models, was a design studio's circular model. Well, we seem to have it. Check it out here https://cpap.com.au/pages/smartmed-idisc
There's videos and stuff, although nothing about whether or not the device is quiet.

They also have this one https://cpap.com.au/collections/cpap-ma ... 0599347293 which looks like a touchscreen Airsense 10

The ResMed S9 When You Don't Have an S9
Here's the "Dream Station 6" from Sorgen Medical and available in Brisbane, Australia https://sorgenmedical.com/cpap-auto-machine/

But Wait! There's More
It looks like the dream station is also being, shall we say, imitated... https://cpapsales.com.au/machines/auto- ... cPath=153&

Summary
I can only imagine that a number of patents have expired and these devices no longer infringe on them, although the DS-6 looks so much like a ResMed S9 I'm surprised they're not sued for design copyright or such other. Still, given the price gouging the staid companies like FP, ResMed and Phillips use for their machines, I'm not surprised a small cottage industry has built up here for cheaper machines. My concern would be how well they are built/tested and if they passed Australian Federal approval (I believe I saw one that was meant to be "FAA Approved" or some such).

I can only guess that prices in the US, which are up to 50% less than here in Australia, are low enough to prevent cottage CPAP industries arising there, but I'd be interested to know. I recall cpap.com sold the Orion machines about five or so years ago, and these look really good. Thoughts, anyone?

interesting!

and it looks like you (well, not YOU) are getting screwed on mask prices, to boot. if one buys from these folk. the p10 is a wee bit pricey.

couldn't help going through some links, just for giggles. some masks seem to be models i haven't heard of. are they standard gear in aus?

oh and i was really amused by one of the links, showing me how easy it was to access the menus in comparison to the "expensive" brands!

zonker wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:06 pm

interesting!

and it looks like you (well, not YOU) are getting screwed on mask prices, to boot. if one buys from these folk. the p10 is a wee bit pricey.

Yup. The basic rule-of-thumb is whatever the US price is, double it and you'll get the Australian price. For example, if a car in the US is, say, $50,000; then over here it'll be at least $100,000.

Still, living on the world's largest island (but smallest continent) makes for a captive audience.

BanjoPaterson wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:15 pm

zonker wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 14, 2021 10:06 pm

interesting!

and it looks like you (well, not YOU) are getting screwed on mask prices, to boot. if one buys from these folk. the p10 is a wee bit pricey.

Yup. The basic rule-of-thumb is whatever the US price is, double it and you'll get the Australian price. For example, if a car in the US is, say, $50,000; then over here it'll be at least $100,000.

Still, living on the world's largest island (but smallest continent) makes for a captive audience.

It's the small population/market size and protectionist policies.

Taiwan has the same problem. Population 23M vs Australia's 25M.

BanjoPaterson wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 14, 2021 7:54 pm

They also have this one https://cpap.com.au/collections/cpap-ma ... 0599347293 which looks like a touchscreen Airsense 10

I LIKE that one! Some nice additions to the Airsense, and clean minimalist look.

Buy one from your neighbours in NZ. Fisher and Paykel Healthcare is an NZ company and they make a lot of CPAPs in NZ. Good ones. Support local. II always buy NZ and Aussie when ever I can before anything else. Same economy really