Page 2 of 6
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:56 am
by Paralel
#1 rules of nearly any machine, not just xPAPs, if you can't easily get access to it, you aren't meant to touch/clean it, or its meant to be done by a trained professional with the right tools and training.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 5:00 pm
by palerider
Sir NoddinOff wrote:I think it was forum-member PaleRider who recently took apart an old machine he had laying around (he seems to have a collection of various used machines ). Since the air going thru the CPAP had always been filtered, guess what? Not a speck of dust or mold growth inside the machine at all. I see no reason to open up the case or even hook the machine up to a SoClean device - you'd breathe more dust just walking around your house.
yup, that was me.
I took apart the s9 elite that I'd used for two or three years, it'd gotten all covered in dust on the outside at times when I didn't mess with it for months (I us the smartstart and the machine is a little inconvenient to reach) so I'd just wipe it off every few months when I'd change the filters) even with that, and the several years of use, when I opened it up, the inside was very clean, a tiny bit of dust on the foam sound deadening material, but that was all.
as to the machine collection, I've only got five S9 machines, that elite, three vpap autos, and a vpap adapt that a friend has now..
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 5:51 pm
by chunkyfrog
To the original poster:
No offense intended, but please see a shrink.
If you let this phobia get to you, it can and will own you.
Monk was entertaining, as is Howie Mandel. (imo)
The reality is this crap will severely impact your life. It is like dying a bit every day.
Not only that, but you will seriously annoy everyone around you--some may even hate you outright.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 8:33 pm
by archangle
Paralel wrote:#1 rules of nearly any machine, not just xPAPs, if you can't easily get access to it, you aren't meant to touch/clean it, or its meant to be done by a trained professional with the right tools and training.
No, it's not. The inside of a CPAP machine is not meant to be cleaned, and it doesn't need cleaning.
Even without cleaning, the air coming out of the CPAP blower is no dirtier than the air in the room itself. Probably cleaner, given the filters.
There really aren't that many truly airborne spread germs anyway. Even cold and flu normally spread through contact, unless someone directly sneezes on you. If someone is sneezing around you while you're using CPAP, you've got problems anyway.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:08 am
by Peaceful sleeper
Thanks everyone for the info in this thread. I am considering buying a very gently used Airsense 10 Autoset this weekend and was concerned as to the possibility of anything being inside its inward parts that could be harmful to my health. You all have set my mind at ease on that matter. Now on to searching out the rest of my questions....
Have a great day everyone!
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:27 am
by Julie
Why don't you ask us the questions?
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 7:51 am
by Peaceful sleeper
Julie wrote:Why don't you ask us the questions?
Hi Julie,
Sorry. I didn't want to hijack the thread. Gonna start a new one though requesting advice.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:38 am
by LSAT
Peaceful sleeper wrote:Julie wrote:Why don't you ask us the questions?
Hi Julie,
Sorry. I didn't want to hijack the thread. Gonna start a new one though requesting advice.
Why should she ask when she was smart enough to read previous posts to get her answer. More people should do that.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:45 am
by Julie
Guess I didn't realize she'd look on site for them...
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 8:50 am
by chunkyfrog
Maybe some of them noticed others getting scolded for not reading more.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2015 3:55 pm
by cancun
chunkyfrog wrote:Maybe some of them noticed others getting scolded for not reading more.
+100
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:11 pm
by Guest
Perhaps the person's concerns were misguided, but from a purely scientific standpoint, you can't claim that little piece of nylon filter catches every micron of debris. It is physically not capable of doing so. Good enough? Probably. But don't say spores can't get through it, because they sure as hell can. As far as no surface more mold to grow on, take a look at a metal HVAC blower...the dust collects on the fins and provides a suitable substrate, among other places. Likely in the average tiny CPAP machine? Probably nil or negligible, but not impossible. Secondly, if you want to be a jerk, as well as plant a person more strongly in a misguided idea, just blanket tell them they need to see a psychiatrist. There is a research study to support this statement.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:27 pm
by Wulfman...
Guest wrote:Perhaps the person's concerns were misguided, but from a purely scientific standpoint, you can't claim that little piece of nylon filter catches every micron of debris. It is physically not capable of doing so. Good enough? Probably. But don't say spores can't get through it, because they sure as hell can. As far as no surface more mold to grow on, take a look at a metal HVAC blower...the dust collects on the fins and provides a suitable substrate, among other places. Likely in the average tiny CPAP machine? Probably nil or negligible, but not impossible. Secondly, if you want to be a jerk, as well as plant a person more strongly in a misguided idea, just blanket tell them they need to see a psychiatrist. There is a research study to support this statement.
If there are even "spores" in your environment, that means you're breathing them when you're not connected to the machine which would be filtering most of them out of the air.
If you think a few spores getting through a filtered CPAP machine are going to kill you, what about all those you're breathing when you're NOT connected.
Your rationale is not logical, Captain.
Den
.
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:27 pm
by chunkyfrog
Fear of offending someone who appears to be mentally ill is one reason so many people with mental illness do not get help.
Suffering is suffering, and humoring destructive ideas is beyond unkind. It is cowardice!
Re: Cleaning unreachable parts inside the machine
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2015 10:04 am
by SewTired
DaveT wrote:Hello, I hope this still relevant. With the greatest respect, some of you are misinformed concerning the nature of bacteria. First many species can live a long time on surfaces, even dry surfaces. Second, they are certainly capable of airborne travel. Third, many species hibernate in the form of spores which can survive for years in a dormant state. Fourth, molds also form spores and can infect the musousal membranes of the sinuses. They can also enter the middle ear through the Eustachian tubes which connect the nasal passages to the middle ear.
Due to the positive pressure of the cpap, these microscopic particles are literally pushed into the air passages. Most of the time the immune system will clear these without our even being aware of it. The rest of the time - look out!
I don't disagree with you, but these same spores and bacteria are in your home already. You are breathing them in whether you are using the machine or not. Bacteria multiply in damp areas. If you have concerns, simply empty your humidifier tank and let it dry until you are ready to use it again. Unhook your mask and hose from the machine so that it can completely dry between uses. You have more risk of respiratory problems from cooking spray than from your CPAP (and we actually can't use cooking spray because it causes problems for a family member with reduced lung function).