Re: CPAP machine with data features
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2013 4:11 am
I think the most important missing link in current CPAP usage is the need for continuous feedback and response. We never sleep the same any two nights. So our response to therapy will not be the same any two nights. We need the data from many nights to be enabled to know what we should do to better live with the settings we currently have or if we need to change them.
The people here often use their own data to make such decisions. But only a small percentage of the people who try to use CPAP have the tools in their background as well as the fortitude to rig to use their CPAP data and do so. Only a very small percentage of CPAP users would ever use CPAP data with the very clumsy tools we have available right now.
We need a good automated data gathering, reporting, and alarming system for CPAP.
1. It requires standards industry wide. Gathering and format needs to be consistent. If a machine is a brick we need an external data gathering unit available. Each machine needs to be able to report it's data in a way that the monitoring software can use and the monitoring software needs to be a standard as well. So perhaps a project might be to make an external sampling device to use with any CPAP that works with – say – the cell network to transfer data to a data server.
2. At the server the monitoring analysis and reporting software does it's thing and makes reports available to the doctor, other medical parties (e.g. visiting nurse), and of course the patient who has been trained to use it if he or she wishes. If problems are found all appropriate parties are notified.
3. There should be many layers to the reporting software such that usable reports are available to all parties by many means (web pages, apps, fax reports, email …).
Of all things that you might do I believe this one has the best chance to do the most to improve the health of all involved. I believe it has the most potential value to society world wide.
The people here often use their own data to make such decisions. But only a small percentage of the people who try to use CPAP have the tools in their background as well as the fortitude to rig to use their CPAP data and do so. Only a very small percentage of CPAP users would ever use CPAP data with the very clumsy tools we have available right now.
We need a good automated data gathering, reporting, and alarming system for CPAP.
1. It requires standards industry wide. Gathering and format needs to be consistent. If a machine is a brick we need an external data gathering unit available. Each machine needs to be able to report it's data in a way that the monitoring software can use and the monitoring software needs to be a standard as well. So perhaps a project might be to make an external sampling device to use with any CPAP that works with – say – the cell network to transfer data to a data server.
2. At the server the monitoring analysis and reporting software does it's thing and makes reports available to the doctor, other medical parties (e.g. visiting nurse), and of course the patient who has been trained to use it if he or she wishes. If problems are found all appropriate parties are notified.
3. There should be many layers to the reporting software such that usable reports are available to all parties by many means (web pages, apps, fax reports, email …).
Of all things that you might do I believe this one has the best chance to do the most to improve the health of all involved. I believe it has the most potential value to society world wide.