DeVilbiss Wants Your Input

DeVilbiss Healthcare is very interested in your thoughts on CPAP devices. What current features and technologies are important to you? Also, what features and technologies do you wish were available on a device? How about aesthetics – how would you like the device to look? (Color, buttons, display, etc…) Do you like the stacked design of the IntelliPAP?

This is meant to be a freeform discussion – we welcome all thoughts and ideas.

Thanks for your input!

I haven't had the good fortune to use a DeVilbiss PAP. My only experience has been w/the Resmed S8s and the Respironics Legacy and now PR S1 series. I have had experience w/both CPAP, APAP and bi-level from these manufacturers's series tho.

I like the PR S1 swivel hose attachment atop the humidifier. I like the Resmed S8's clear view of the humidifier water tank. I like being able to lift the humidifier water tank lid to let the condensation in the tank dry out and also the S8's continuing to run low for awhile to aid in drying out that condensation. I like the clear, easy to see fill markings on the humidifier tank. I like the easy access to and the amount of data available via the S8's well-lit LCD screen. I like EncorePro's Wave Form graphs. I like EncorePro's Daily Events Per Hour table. I like the "adjustable" graphs ResScan allows.

I don't like the PR S1's humidifier being so "secure". It seems it is an over-reaction to the M Series humidifier fiasco. I don't care for the "locked away" water tank on the humidifier. I don't like the limited "lift" to the humidifier lid. I detest the lack of a backlight for the LED screen. I DETEST the "power brick" of the S9s and the Respironics and PR PAPs. I DETEST the platform that Respironics has relied on in the past w/the Legacy and M Series'. I "might" appreciate the "comfort features" of the Resmed VPAPs "if" the sleep professionals I have to deal w/had the slightest idea of how to "use" them to improve my therapy comfort. If those features are too complicated for "the professionals" how does one expect patients to beneft from them?

I would hope that manufacturers would plan ahead for the day when patients will not only be "allowed", and not only "encouraged", but will be "expected" to take an active part in their PAP therapy just as has had to happen for diabetics. Since software must be developed to collect and report the data from PAP therapy I wouldn't expect for there to be too much extra expense in providing a patient version at a REASONABLE price. When we can find FDA recording oximeters AND software available in the $100 - $150 price range it doesn't seem unreasonable to hope for oximetry options w/our PAPs at a REASONABLE price. I'd like to see the Leak rates better reported, easier for the patient to determine. Rather than each manufacturer's list of masks for their machines and Mask Selection I'd prefer an option of selection based on "allowed vent rate". Patient's would then only have to check their mask literature to determine which Mask Selection to use.

As for "aesthetics" - not very important to me, seems kind of a shallow concern for a therapy device. Frankly I always thought the color combo on the S8s was rather attractive and the black of the Respironics Legacies and M Series rather unappealing. But first and foremost I want good therapy! Stacking is okay I guess but I would be some concerned about "tip-ability". The space the S8s and the PR S1's take up on my night stand I can live w/w/o concern of their tipping over. The taller something is the more likely it is to get accidentally "brushed" and tipped or knocked over.

Thanks for your interest and your asking, DeVilbissMarketing!

I suppose its kind of stretching it a bit - but - you know what would be nice?? If there were some way a couple of EEG "leads" could be implanted in the headgear of our masks and reported to the data collection of our PAPs - but I suppose the necessary placement of leads to collect that data would NOT make for very comfortable mask headgear. *sigh*

I'm very new, but here are my thoughts.

I love the full color display of the ResMed S9. I chose it over the Respironics specifically because the display was easier (and more pleasant) to read.

I liked the more flexible hose of the Respironics. I like the option of a heated hose (although I've not yet tried one personally.)

Why on earth don't CPAP machines include an alarm clock? Once that baby is on your nightstand, there's nowhere to put your clock. (I know the F&P Icon has this feature and I think they ALL should.)

I think all humidifier tanks should come apart for cleaning and I love the mask fitting option to check for leaks - but wish it was more accurate on my machine.

And I DO think it should be nice to look at. It's a permanent part of your bedroom decor.

I think the more positively we feel about a machine (especially if we are newbies), the more likely we are going to be to stick with it.

I travel a lot with my xpap. (I use either an M Series or PR System 1 for this). For this reason it is important to me that the carry case be protective, organized, and easy to carry. It needs to hold all of the things that need to be carried, and it needs to be easy to remove the xpap for TSA inspection. It should be possible to securely attach the xpap to the top of roll-on luggage; this will make it easier to get around the airport without having to carry the xpap. The travel case should be designed to make it easy to pack/unpack, and ideally the organization in it will be a reminder to the owner if something is missing. If it's good enough, a high quality travel case could be an extra cost option; those who travel a lot likely would gladly pay for it.

A travel xpap could usefully include a clock, with integrated alarm (e.g. a useful travel alarm). Provide a self charging internal battery to keep the clock's time and settings, and make sure that the time and alarm are easy to set, with no ability to "alarm" during transport (i.e. if the alarm was not turned off) because that would be pretty scary in the middle of a flight! LED digital time readout that's readable night and day, but dimmable at night so that it doesn't bother those who, like me, need a dark room to sleep in.

It would be useful if the xpap had an optional, integrated Li-ion battery that will power it for 8 hours (no humidifier), similar to the now defunct Everest II cpap. .

At home, an xpap should be easily integrated into some form of battery backup system, similar to the one designed and posted to this forum by John B. Fisher (viewtopic.php?p=449334)

I very much like the rain-out protection offered by the PR System 1. It allows one to use a standard cpap hose, and it's very effective at reducing, or eliminating rain-out. You should be able to turn this feature off in the event that you just cannot get enough humidity with it on.

No external power bricks!.

The power cable should be removable from the xpap. It also should be a common type that's easily replaceable.

Full data capability, with data stored on SD card.

I have not had the use of an intellipap yet, but have used both an old M-series and now (trialing) a S9 autoset.

I like a separate humidifier that way if I travel to a place where I don't need the humidifier it can be separated and left behind (luggage space).

I really like the heated hose as my place has huge humidity issues at various times of the year ... this is a must now that I've had the pleasure of using one.

I would like to see the exhaust port coming from the backside and on a swivel in order to work from either side of the bed. I sleep on the right side when facing the bed from the foot end, however we have switched sides as body pains (shoulder & Back issues) have required adjustments to sleeping positions.

I agree with the other poster on the legablility of the screen and the info it presents, leak rate is important as it can/will affect therapy.

The other poster had mentioned about stacked units possibly tipping (I don't thinks thats a big issue) especially if one were to use an anti-slip mat underneath like I do.

I have used a shorter hose ( 3 foot) for years on my old machine as 6 foot is way too long plus add and extra 8"-12" of tube for some masks. The extra length could drop to a lower spot and create a low spot for condensation to collect, As I don't move around while sleeping I found the 3 foot plus mask tube length to be ideal for eliminating rainout.

I have moved on to an ASV machine but my wish list for the intellipap would have been as follows :

1. Better central apnea detection. My experience was that the pressure would "runaway" because my breathing got shallow.
2. Better software. As Slinky said above, waveform data, apnea length and type etc. Rescan seems ideal (just not so buggy!)
3. Hose connection from the front. Having it at the back means looping the hose over the machine if you want to be able to read the LCD.
4. Speaking of the LCD maybe have it angled more so one doesn't have to loom over the machine to read it at night.
5. As Slinky said, most of us have Contec oximeters. They work, are FDA approved and are cheaper then the Nonin.
6. Some kind of heated hose would be nice.
7. Mega dittos on Slinky's EEG suggestion!


The stacking design worked for me and I was never worried about tipping it over. Looks were not important. Pricing was great as was the warranty. No power brick and plug in 12v made using the machine a breeze during power cuts. And a big plus for me is your presence on the forum. It's great to have a manufacturer ask us what we want. Thanks!

Ditto on the others, and an emphasis on having the hose come out the front! I'm one that likes a long hose, and having it come out the back of the machine means that I lose 6 to 8 inches of length, plus I worry about the hose kinking and wearing/tearing as it turns to go to the front.

And NO POWER BRICK.

Software is a definite must. Why can't it be included with the machine? Why do we have to pay extra to monitor our own therapy?

Weezy

I have an intellipap auto I use for travel and naps, would be nice if the hose came out the front, I like the stack design, and that it's quiet, haven't used the soft wear as I use PRSYS 1 auto as primary machine, but would probably be happy with either. I like the display on the intellipap better, Find sys 1 AFlex more to my liking.

Absolute requirements:
1. Backlit, color LCD screen with complete patient access to data including but not limited to AHI (with breakdown for OA, CA, hyopneas), leak data, and pressure reading. PATIENT software for detailed printouts including wave form data.
2. Mask fit feature.
3. Swivel hose attachments.
4. Patient-controlled humidification, EPR and ramp features (DME or physician should not be able to lock patient out of these features).
5. Auto on feature
6. Data collected on standard SD card.
7. Audible lost power and large leak alarm

Nice to Have
1. Heated hose
2. Option for slim or very lightweight hose
3. Integrated hose management system (i.e. telescoping hose support system).
4. Clock radio/MP3 player option
5. Auto off feature
6. Battery back up
7. Lose the brick!

For the Intellipap it would be nice to be able to set the internal clock, or at least tell it when you are going to sleep. Several times I have had mine reset early in the morning before I get up, and then get a reading for only 2 or less hrs.
Include the data module instead of it being extra and an add on.
Also change the ps/2 connector to a standard USB connector so I do not have to buy a special cable to update the firmware.

I am the contrarian on the clock. Don't clutter my machine up, add size and weight, and increase the cost with a clock.

You need to look at the research on the color of lights and how it affects sleep. On my sailboats all the lights are red because it was said that red is one color that will not cause the pupils to open further. Don't know how that affects sleep.

Having a back lit LCD is a must. Color would be nice but not necessary - I just need to read it without a flashlight. I have the PR System One Auto Pap and the non-lighted LCD is a royal pain and boarder-line irresponsible. (We do use these mainly at night!) I have to use a flashlight in my bedroom at night to see what is going on. Come on!

I like the break away humidifier in the PR Series as I can leave the humidifier at home for travel - I also like the way it can't get water in the machine if you drop it or turn it on it's side by accident. I can also buy their lower end model of the same machine series for travel and use the same humidifier with them both.

I dislike the power adapter as well as it takes up too much space for travel. On the other hand - if your power supply dies - you can simply purchase another one instead of repairing the machine. So - it's a trade-off IMO.

The color and aesthetics of the CPAP should be conservative looking. (Black or Grey) I don't want my CPAP to look like a circus toy. It should blend in. I like the idea of an alarm clock built in to save on table space and would think this would be easy to add. This is also great for those of us that travel.

Computer software should be included with the machine. To me this is a must to keep track of my own therapy. If I had known I had to pay $100 bucks to get the software from PR I probably would have chosen the other machine. Please also allow us to see individual daily statistics on the machine's LCD. The only way you can get useful data with the PR System one series is with the software. The other data, (besides compliance) is useless on the machine itself.

Making a machine software upgradeable via a PC USB interface would also be great. Why not allow machines to be software upgradeable with new features via software downloads? Most other electronics these days do. This would differentiate you in the market place and reduce obsolescence.

This is going out on a limb a bit but having a sound conditioner built in as an option would be great to mask the noise of breathing while traveling. Again - these have been built in small chips now so putting it in with a small speaker would be easy and wouldn't take up any more space. If you do this - please make sure the sound you put in it is useful. I would be happy with white noise to mask outside sounds.

I also like the hose adapted swivel on the top of the machine instead of on the side.

Oh - and while you are at it - please include a decent travel bag. Everyone bag I have gotten has been so light that it gives the machine virtually no protection at all. I have to put foam in myself to protect the machine for travel. What's so difficult about building a good padded bag?

Why don't more Companies ask for user input? This is a great idea! Thanks.

I KNEW I would forget something!!! Of course, we want machine software upgradeable via a PC USB interface! And a well-padded travel case w/room for our mask as well. Duh! HOW could I have forgotten these two issues??!!

I've used the Resmed S9 AutoSet and the PR System One BiPAP Auto. There are features of both that I like and "features" of both that drive me crazy.

Wish list for a great CPAP/APAP/BiPAP:

• 1) On-board efficacy data on ALL machines in the product line---no "compliance data only" machines at all.
  
  2) On-board efficacy data of the quality available on the S9:
  • * AHI with choice of time frame: Overnight, 7 day, 30 day, etc.
    * AHI data broken down into AI, CAI (or OAI), HI etc.
    * Decent and accurate leak data with choice of time frame: Overnight 7 day, 30 day, etc.
    * On line data about 90% or 95% pressure data for Auto machines.
    * On-board data that updates when the machine is turned OFF. The S9 has this; the System One updates the data at noon GMT and this silly fact cannot be changed by either the user or the DME.
  3) Easy to use patient software that is bundled with the machine. The software should allow the user to see the wave form data. It would also be useful if the user could change the time-scale of the graphs a la ResScan. Accurate times on the graphs of the data. [Not the silly 1, 2, 3, etc that Encore Viewer and Encore Pro use to demark the hours through the night. The software should also give the length of each respiratory event it logs.]
  
  4) A system clock the user can set. This is one of the things that's driving me bananas about the System One: Its system clock is apparently not only inaccessible to the user, but also to the DME. And it loses time. So the longer you use the machine, the more inaccurately the time stamps on the data are.
  
  5) An option to change the "noon-to-noon" reporting window for the data so that folks who do shift work or night work can still easily look at their data for one sleep session as a whole instead of having it artificially split between two days just because they sleep across "noon".
  
  6) No way for the DME or doctor's office to lock the user out of any of the following things:
  • * The efficacy data
    * The exhalation relief (EPR or Flex equivalent}
    * The ramp settings, which should include both starting pressure (like the System One) and the ramp time (like the S9)
    * Humidifier settings
    * Mask fit tool, which should test the mask at the prescribed pressure for CPAP and the the 7 or 30 day 90% pressure setting for APAPs.
    * Large leak and mask off alarms that can be turned ON or OFF by the user
  7) QUIET---with or without the humidifier attached.
  
  8) A lightweight and skinny hose. The hose should also be EXTREMELY FLEXIBLE but also DURABLE. Hose should not be prone to developing tears or holes near the connectors.
  
  9) Machine continues to run at low speed for awhile after turning it off to help dry out the hose and clear up the condensation in the humidifier. The S9 does this; the System One does not.
  
  10) A system for minimizing rainout.
  
  11) Clear documentation about all the features of the machine. Clear documentation of the computer software. Clear documentation of how the machine deterimines an apnea and whether it is a central or obstructive one, a hypopnea, a RERA (if the machine is designed to attempt to detect them), a flow limitation, snoring, and anything else the machine is designed to detect. Provide a link or bibliographic information for publication data that compares the machine scored events to those scored in a lab based PSG so that users have some sense of the accuracy of the machine's ability to detect events.
  
  12) The ability to turn off ALL lights when the machine is running. The light in the S9's humidifier bothered me and the little blue humidifier icon on the System One drove me crazy until I taped over it with some duct tape.
  
  13) No power brick
  
  14) Well designed travel case that protects the unit, is easy to pack, is not too bulky, and fits under the seat in front of you (if possible) on an airplane. The travel case should come with a tag that properly identifies the CPAP/APAP/BiPAP as medical equipment and also acts as luggage tag with a spot for the owner's name, address, and phone number. Even though the machine is carry-on luggage, it still needs a tag in my opinion.
  
  15) A humidifier that is designed to make it difficult to get water into the CPAP itself if the unit is moved or accidentally dropped or pulled off the night table. The humidifier tank should open up for easy cleaning.

Clearly optional things that would be NICE to have on a perfect CPAP/APAP/BiPAP:

• A) An alarm clock
  
  B) Integrated iPod dock and mp3 player
  
  C) Integrated or optional battery pack with a long lasting battery AND a battery that can easily be recharged by either plugging it into a standard electrical outlit OR the cigarette-lighter type power outlit in a car.
  
  D) Swivel hose connector on front or top of machine.
  
  E) Nice looking stylish unit. I agree with a previous poster: The Resmed S8 is a nice looking machine; the S9 is also a nice looking machine---but it would function better if the hose connection was not on the back of the humidifier. The PR System One is kind of ugly. I also liked the looks of the F&P Premo when I was looking for my first CPAP/APAP.
  
  F) Software that would run on a Macintosh as well as a PC

Here is my list:

1. small foot print
2. integrated heated hose and humidification- like resmed s9
3. Humidifier tank that is easy to fill and you can see the fill lines easily
4. Humidifier tank that can be taken apart and cleaned
5. Battery back up options that can last at least 4 hours without have to rig something up
6. reasonable priced
7. software included and standard SD card format
8.All the display features of S9 autoset
9. Different options for mask versus nasal pillows
10. leak test option
11. Must be an Auto machine
12 hose attachment is in front of machine and does include a swivel.

Basically all the features of S9 autoset with the price,size and software of of Intellipap