Sychrony Bipap S/T

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:23 am

I just acquired this machine. It comes with Encore installed, but I need to find a way to get at it! The primary method is through a modem, internal or external, with the idea of transmitting it to your provider. You can also download the information to your computer and according to the manual I need an RS 232 communication cable and then the Encore or Encore Pro software. Does anyone know where I can get the cable? I've searched a few online sources but only see the smart card readers. (A Canadian source would be preferable to save on customs stuff, but really anywhere would do.)

I also have questions about the display screen. My settings are 14/4, with a back up rate of 8. I checked the set parameters and they match. But when the machine is operating, I rarely see 14 as the IPAP. I've seen it vary from 11 - 14, with it usually at 13.5. The machine uses AutoTrak as well. Does this IPAP fluctuation have anything to do with that? I'm concerned that I may not be receiving the correct pressure.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:33 am

Bella, I seem to recall that the Synchrony S/T only provides compliance data for Encore Pro. I found this odd at the time, that Respironics would come out with a high end machine without detailed monitoring capability, but I do recall reading that somewhere.

Regards,
Bill

Bella Guest · Post by **Bella Guest** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:10 pm

Bella here - just not logged in. You can get a lot of compliance data just from the operating screens. (I have full access to all of the screens and all of the manuals so I can look at everything.) But the Synchrony does have Encore. At first I was disappointed because I thought it was pretty limited - I couldn't download with a smart card and that I could only transmit to the provider. But then I read the provider manual and realized that I can do more, if I have the right equipment. (I'm a female techno-weenie. A dangerous one because I don't always know what I'm doing.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:22 pm

Bella Guest wrote:A dangerous one because I don't always know what I'm doing.

I can relate to that.

Regards,
Bill

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 4:27 pm

I haven't examined a Synchrony S/T up close so can't say for sure re the serial cable however it is almost universal that they use a 'null modem' cable - can be obtained from Tandy for about $9.

Make sure that if you get one, it has the correct serial connector for the Synchrony end (which will be either a DB-9 (9-pin female plug) or a DB-25 (25 pin female plug). The PC end will nearly always be a DB-9 (female) unless you have a very old PC that still has a DB-25 socket.

Getting the serial comms working is no mean feat esp if your PC is new & fast. The Synchrony came out when PCs had 'slow' clock speeds such as 133Mhz or 266Mhz (megaHertz) - not today's 2 or 3 Ghz (GigaHertz).

Best bet is to get a smart card reader but setting them up may require help.

I don't know what level of data you can get from the Synchrony. It may be as Bill has said, just basic compliance data. That seems the more likely case to me based on what I know of other similar generation machines.

The Synchrony is a very sophisticated device & is likely to require a lot of effort to get it 'tuned' to your best needs.

Are you using it in 'Timed' mode ? - the info you provided suggests yes. If yes what are you seeking to control by running it in timed mode ? - are you prone to 'central' apnoeas ?

Cheers

DSM

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 6:25 am

Thanks DSM - I suspected that I could pick up a cable anywhere. Our computers are relatively slow, so I may be ok there. Still running on Windows 98

I do have central sleep apnea - AHI 128, so I am very interested in knowing how many events I have. I could find out right now if I chose to leave the apnea alarm on. The basic compliance data that I can access now doesn't log apneas unless you leave the alarm on. Seems kind of counter productive when I want to sleep!

I guess part of my persistence is, is that if the info is there in the machine, I want to know what it is! Plus, I'd like to figure out why the APAP rates fluctuate on the main monitoring screen. I've read the provider manual and I can't find anything that explains it in simple terms, but I think that it is based on several functions that I dare not touch - yet.

Thanks
Bella

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 2:03 pm

Bella,

If you want an interpretation of any aspect of the manual - ask & I will do my best to offer one - If I don't know I will advise so.

Good luck

DSM

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 6:37 am

I'll try to write up my questions for you! A lot have to do with the autotraking.

One question that you might be able to answer now - the main screen that I can see while it's operating shows my IPAP, EPAP and BPM. My prescription is 14/4, and while my EPAP seems to be stable at 4, the IPAP usually fluctuates. I've seen it go in ranges from 11 - 14. Is low good?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 10:15 am

Found this at cpap.com

Looks like you can get some good data:

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 11:40 am

Hi Bella,

The one message board person I'd rely on for advice regarding the Respironics Synchrony BiPAP ST is nicknamed "christinequilts".

Christine is a very smart lady who uses the same machine you use and who has the same disorder you have - Central Sleep Apnea.

I don't know if Christine is still using this message board, but you might want to send a PM to her in hopes she'll see it: christinequilts

Here are links to some interesting discussions about the relatively rare syndrome called "Central Sleep Apnea" (as opposed to the very common "Obstructive Sleep Apnea.")

Links to Central Apnea

Bella · Post by **Bella** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:30 pm

Thanks Guest - that was a super find! I suspected that a lot of it had to do with the Auto-Trak. I guess I better get shopping for that software! I know I can get it here with the cable for a good price.

Rested Gal - thanks for the advice and link. I've looked at it a lot since I first came here in November and it's been a great help. It's hard to find information about CSA. Now I'd link to find out why I have it. I think that I have some neurological "glitch" - I have epilepsy and fibromyalgia, now this diagnosis. As far as I know my heart is ok, my brain is ok (take that one with a grain of salt). I finally get to see the respirologist in March, so maybe he can give me a clue.

DSM-guest · Post by **DSM-guest** » Thu Feb 16, 2006 4:01 pm

Bella,

Re Auto-trak As best as I have been able to understand of this feature (from reading about it and using it) is that auto-trak attempts to work out your breathing pattern, particularly how long each breath takes & tries to follow the pattern.

Auto trak will cause the machine to switch from IPAP to EPAP or EPAP to IPAP.

The only 'feature' I know of that causes pressure fluctuations on your readout is likely to be BiFlex but I don't believe that feature is on your model.

I have also seen this type of pressure fluctuation you speak of on my PB330 and I put them down to being that the PB330 measures the pressure at the mask through a second pressure line that goes inside the main tube and that as we breathe in and out, our breath pressure combines with the machines pressure to cause the lcd readout to show numbers that vary from the machines IPAP & EPAP settings.

Cheers

DSM