New ResMed AirSense 10 vs. S9

[Lazer1234]

I doubt very much that there would be different firmware for the US to that of Australia.

Its different language in different firmware.

[archangle]

I would think it would be by SD card. Doing an update over wireless is risky and data maybe corrupted or the wireless transmission interrupted and thereby bricking you machine. Modem manufacturers tell you never to update modem firmware by wireless so I would imagine the Resmed would take a similar attitude.

Unless the manufacturer is a first class idiot, the method of transmission is irrelevant. You download the file, checksum it and install it after the install. If you're smart, you keep a "failsafe" chunk of code that's either the original code or enough code to let you load another update if the first one fails.

Unfortunately, a lot of high tech equipment manufacturers these days ARE first class idiots.

[archangle]

It makes those of us that have gone through the S8, S9 and predecessors wonder why they would put machines out to market that are 'lacking' and then come up with a new machine that really has nothing special about it asides from a few minor changes of little consequence? It is becoming very much like cellular telephone manufacturers (Apply in particular although they are all the same) that come out with a new model at least once or twice a year to improve market share or just improve sales with the older phones going into a drawer for standby. Personally? I intend to stick with my S9's (Auto) which work just fine. If anything I am guessing that they have re-engineered the S9 to reduce cost and stuff their pockets. For shame. Anyone actually using one of these new blowers that has something to say to support shelling out hard earned money to update?

I have no problem with them re-engineering the machine to save costs and increase their profits as long as the machine is as good as the old one. I don't know whether that's what they did in this case.

As to whether it's better overall or not, time may tell. It is a bit smaller if you use a humidifier. Perhaps the therapy algorithms are better.

Has anyone figured out whether it saves more days of high resolution flow rate data, or do they still throw the data away after 7 days?

[archangle]

Yes I thought that too about the RERA's with the AirSense A10, I do not understand how a flow generator can discern a RERA just from pressure and flow data without data from the abdomen related to respiratory effort, ie belts around the abdomen measuring that effort.

I think I saw a paper on this somewhere. It was something to do with studying the shape of the airflow waveform and finding something like a sequence of decreasing breaths followed by a pattern of larger breaths.

It sounded plausible, but I don't have a good feel for how well it works in the real world.

[timely]

Any idea what you get with the A-10 when you purchase? My S8 quit.

[zonk]

Any idea what you get with the A-10 when you purchase? My S8 quit.

Standard water chamber
SlimLine tube 15mm (heated tube is optional, I would recommend it)
Power supply and cord
Filter
SD card
Travel bag
User manual (you can ask for the clinical manual, the link is at the top of this page)

If A10 is your choice, avoid A10 CPAP model, I recommend "AirSense 10 AutoSet For For" report extra data and have an extra mode, 'AutoSet For Her mode', why not for the same price

[timely]

Any idea what you get with the A-10 when you purchase? My S8 quit.

Standard water chamber
SlimLine tube 15mm (heated tube is optional, I would recommend it)
Power supply and cord
Filter
SD card
Travel bag
User manual (you can ask for the clinical manual, the link is at the top of this page)

If A10 is your choice, avoid A10 CPAP model, I recommend "AirSense 10 AutoSet For For" report extra data and have an extra mode, 'AutoSet For Her mode', why not for the same price

Thanks for your help. My coverage gets me the "Elite". What are your thoughts?

[archangle]

Thanks for your help. My coverage gets me the "Elite". What are your thoughts?

The Elite is probably an excellent manual CPAP machine.

An Auto CPAP machine is a better choice because it can do manual or auto. You can set an auto to a narrow pressure range, not a "wide open" mode like most doctors seem to think it has to be.

You insurance will probably cover the Auto machine if your doctor prescribes a pressure range instead of a single pressure. Sometimes it's hard to pierce the entrenched wall of ignorance and arrogance of the doctors, though.

[zonk]

Thanks for your help. My coverage gets me the "Elite". What are your thoughts?

A10 Elite is top fixed pressure machine ... 1 modes ... CPAP
A10 AutoSet ... 2 machine in one .... 2 modes ... CPAP and AutoSet
A10 AutoSet 4Her ... 3 machines in one ... 3 modes ... CPAP, AutoSet and AutoSet 4Her ... and report RERAs in all 3 modes (all others don't)

I believe your coverage is fine, your insurance pay the same amount for either machine, same billing code E0601

Even you've pay a little extra out of your pocket, I recommend to get the A10 AutoSet 4Her. It always better to have that extra option, you never know when you might need it down the track ... will save you buying another machine

[vsheline]

Thanks for your help. My coverage gets me the "Elite". What are your thoughts?

A10 Elite is top fixed pressure machine ... 1 modes ... CPAP
A10 AutoSet ... 2 machine in one .... 2 modes ... CPAP and AutoSet
A10 AutoSet 4Her ... 3 machines in one ... 3 modes ... CPAP, AutoSet and AutoSet 4Her ... and report RERAs in all 3 modes (all others don't)

I believe your coverage is fine, your insurance pay the same amount for either machine, same billing code E0601

Even you've pay a little extra out of your pocket, I recommend to get the A10 AutoSet 4Her. It always better to have that extra option, you never know when you might need it down the track ... will save you buying another machine

Hi timely,

I hope you call up your insurance company (or look on its website) to find all the DME (equipment) vendors in your area accepted by your insurance. Then call up each one and say you are looking for a DME provider who will supply you the A10 AutoSet For Her. If you do that, even the company which claimed your insurance only covered the Elite is likely to supply you the machine you want.

(Your insurance is likely to provide same reimbursement for both machines, and seller makes higher profit on the Elite, but rather than lose the sale to another company would likely be willing to supply you the S10 AutoSet For Her if it is clear that you are willing to go elsewhere unless you receive the machine you want.)

If doctor unwilling to change prescription to a range, the DME provider could still deliver you an A10 AutoSet or Her set up to operate in fixed-pressure CPAP mode, and you would be geting more data from the machine, and would have the ability to be switched in future to APAP mode to see whether APAP or fixed pressure CPAP is best for you. The APAP option is an important option to have, in my view.

Take care,
-- Vaughn