software updates?
Hi folks,
I have a Phillips CPAP... Do CPAP machines ever update their software? I'm assuming there are formulae built in to the machine that dictate when and how much pressure is increased or decreased and how fast it reacts... etc.
What is driving my question are the comments I read from time to time regarding the Phillips equipment being a little slow to increase pressure and a little quick to reduce pressure. Is this a result of Hardware that is not sensitive enough or software that is not programed to react faster?
just curious.
Jim
RE: software updates?
I know it's not the same brand, but as an example ResMed sent out an update once several years ago. I would say no, there wouldn't be updates normally issued. It is definitely not like phones and computers where there are security and other updates monthly and some seemingly weekly.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: software updates?
(10-06-2020, 01:57 PM)jimcaffey Wrote: What is driving my question are the comments I read from time to time regarding the Phillips equipment being a little slow to increase pressure and a little quick to reduce pressure. Is this a result of Hardware that is not sensitive enough or software that is not programed to react faster?
Hi Jim,
The PR and Resmed machines behave differently because of widely different philosophies. This is not a trivial difference, or one that would be improved by a firmware update (which almost never happen). The first main difference is in the sampling rate: Resmed samples the Pressure and Flow data 25 times per second, the Phillips only 5 times per second. This means that Resmed machines have a much clearer picture of the flow, and can react to nuances that will be invisible to PR machines. Resmed measures an attribute of the Flow they have called "Flow Limitation", and use this measure as a primary factor in their pressure adjustment algorithm. PR units rely primarily on Snore. Resmed tries to anticipate and prevent events, PR reacts to them.
Hope this helps.
A.Becker
PAPing in NE Ohio, with a pack of Cairn terriers
RE: software updates?
Yes, becker44a hit the part I missed. ResMed are more aggressive in sending pressures up to seek and destroy events. Most think it's good to do so, because you may dial in lower pressures and get away with it and have good AHI numbers. However the Respironics being slower on seek and destroying, pressures must be higher to get the events which sacrifices comfort. If given a choice, and for me I make choices available, I will get ResMed always.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.