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Just as a clarification which was discussed on another thread, there are two types of humidifier reservoir, ResMed started to ship the sealed (one piece) standard version but have since started to switch to the cleanable (pull apart version). So if that is holding true, it doesn't matter where you purchase it from, if you purchase one in theory from the US but it's a newer batch you'll get the cleanable tank, the earlier batch will have the sealed one piece version. At least that's as far as I understand it Bill. It will be interesting to find out if that starts to happen or not.

http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/ ... e=activity

Reply by Judy on February 15, 2010 at 10:26am
About the S9's H5i integrated, heated humidifer by two different users:

"Its is a monolitics piece (cannot be taken apart) of plastic but the DME provider told me I would get a different one in a month or two because there are known issues with it. Additionally it sits in a recess and it is hard to grab. The humidifier cover/door is awkward to close you need to slide the latch push on the cover and release the latch."

and

"The H5i is available with a standard or cleanable water tub:

* The standard tub is a one-piece tub that is designed to be replaced every six months.
* The cleanable water tub is easy to disassemble, clean and reassemble. It is also suitable for multi-patient use in a clinic, hospital or sleep lab."

I can't speak for BigK but from my UK purchased one, I was one of the first adopters in the UK (and received it before most here on the forums) but I did actually get the cleanable version. Whether I received a later batch H5i version I'm not sure. You might be right that ResMed might still be doing something different with different markets, but I wouldn't see much point here, it would be cheaper to do one thing across the board.

dave21 wrote: ... You might be right that ResMed might still be doing something different with different markets, but I wouldn't see much point here, it would be cheaper to do one thing across the board.

It is a marketing ploy. In America, there is this phobia for anything reuseable in the medical community. Makers capitalize on that phobia. A disposable tank becomes yet another charge in any sleep study involving the S9. Disposable masks, disposable hoses... The trend is inevitable, and should be changed.

If hospitals could throw out and reinstall a new toilet and charge the patient for it, I'm sure they would.

Ha, I keep forgetting (conveniently) about the DME's and insurance companies and the additional level of greed that goes on. Although we get a lot of the US ways over here in the mother land, thankfully DME's and the additional layer hasn't come into play yet. Usually we just tax on tax and put tax on the tax tax making it impossible for an additional layer and the government is the greedy one.

e.g. to buy a new car you pay the price of the car and then 17.5% tax. To put it on the road you pay Road Fund License (Tax) of around £170. To put fuel in the car you pay for the Fuel + Fuel Tax (70% of the fuel cost is tax) = Total cost of Fuel (then we add Tax onto that too at 17.5%).

TBH, I'm not sure which is the unnecessary evil. Tax or DME's / insurance companies. Probably as bad as each other. At least medical equipment doesn't yet see any form of tax. I'm sure that will change in future years.

I used RO water with my S8 but had to use tap water in it a lot as I travel. It did get a bit of a cloudy scum in it which I removed using a bottle brush - I found vinegar was useless. I used the same original tank for over 2 years and lived to tell the tale.

I am going to use distilled water in the S9 tank as I don't intend on travelling with it. I have ordered an openable tank as well and may only use RO water with that.

I doubt that there are different tanks for different markets - I think there's some confusion over the washable and standard tanks.