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Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:33 pm
by Goofproof
The odd's are your machine is more accorate than your Dr.'s pressure guess at treatment. And yes, to small tubing inside dia. can cause capalary wicking in the tubing. 3/8 " is fine even 1/4 ". Jim
If you have a APAP set correctly it doesn't matter what the machine calabrated for as the treatment will be what you need anyway.
Me thinks, they are trying to scare $100 out of your billfold.
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 4:59 pm
by roster
Goofproof wrote:The odd's are your machine is more accorate than your Dr.'s pressure guess at treatment. ..
Well said Goofproof!
Goofproof wrote:.......
If you have a APAP set correctly it doesn't matter what the machine calabrated for as the treatment will be what you need anyway.
Agreed to the extent that the pressure range is small and covers the optimal pressure. If you have the software you will be able to tell if something is wrong.
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:16 pm
by max6166
Well, thank you everyone! I made a manometer and it showed that my CPAP is working perfectly, accurate to the mm!
I can't believe how easy it was. I think I may even have a little trick which makes it a little simpler. Basically, I just folded the tube loosely in half and plugged it right into my air hose.
1) I just went to the hardware store and asked for 4' of 3/4" tubing.
2) I brought the ends of the tubing together and wrapped a few rubber bands around the top, and a looser band near the bottom. Almost like folding the tube in half, but keeping the bottom part in U-shape so that it didn't fold.
3) I filled the U with some water.
4) The 3/4" tube fit perfectly into the mask end of my CPAP hose. I simply plugged the tube into my hose, turned it on, and measured the difference in height between the 2 sections of tube.
It's a little confusing to read I imagine, but extremely simple when you see it.
Thanks again!
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:23 pm
by Goofproof
It can be harder than that, the reading you were getting is stall pressure. The real test is the ability to give correct pressure with a leak the size of the intended mask leak. It's done with a certian sized hole in the circuit. (I read that, but forgot where and how big a hole) Also the Cal = +/- .5 CM, so you have 1 cm spread to still be in spec. Jim
Posted: Tue Jul 22, 2008 8:40 pm
by max6166
Actually, I thought about the mask leak issue, but I don't think it matters in terms of testing my machine. I think I am ok as long as the pressure output by my machine is accurate, rather than what the pressure is at the mask level. Let me explain:
I wore my mask at the titration study where they determined my apneas were resolved with a pressure setting of 9cm H2O. As long as my machine is putting out an accurate 9 then, the same result should occur, since the mask is the same in both cases, no?
That is my simplistic view of things anyway. I think the bigger question is whether a constant pressure of 9 will really resolve my apneas.
But I think I have at least verified that my machine's output is accurate, which was my initial intention.
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