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CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - graeme - 12-14-2014
During a recent visit to my Gastro-Intestinal Surgeon, he posed the question "When was the last time your CPAP was checked or calibrated?" Can any member suggest what and how to calibrate/check a machine other than returning it to the manufacturer at great cost. It would be necessary to hire a standin machine.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - Mike1953 - 12-14-2014
Your DME should do that annually. Mine does in by 10 am out by 2 pm.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - PaulaO2 - 12-14-2014
It's a simple thing of hooking it up to a manometer. Some DMEs will charge an outrageous amount of money for hooking the hose up to a plastic device to see how far up the ball goes.
Check out online suppliers. Most of them have manometers at decent prices. You can check yours periodically then take it in should it ever drift. Which I doubt it will.
Some of the older machines drifted quite often and had to be checked every 6-12 months.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - justMongo - 12-14-2014
I have a digital manometer. it displays in inches of water; so I multiply by 2.54 to get cm-H2O.
I can only check EPAP as the digital display doesn't settle on the fast moving IPAP.
A simple U-tube with water in it and a centimeter ruler can be used.
My DME has never offered to check my machine.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - surferdude2 - 12-14-2014
Yep, you can build your own at very little cost.
http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-Home-made-Manometer-for-few-dollars
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - zonk - 12-15-2014
(12-14-2014, 09:57 PM)graeme Wrote: Can any member suggest what and how to calibrate/check a machine other than returning it to the manufacturer at great cost. It would be necessary to hire a standin machine.No need sending the machine to the manufacturer, anyone of local suppliers can checked it out for you on the spot for free
Here is a place in Liverpool, there are others too
Liverpool Sleep Apnea Equipment
323 Hume Hwy, Liverpool NSW 2170
Phone: (02) 9602 2134
If looking for a backup machine that won't break the bank, suppliers #2 and #10 ship to Australia
Suppliers List http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-CPAP-Supplier-List
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - archangle - 12-15-2014
If you have a fully data capable CPAP machine, as long as you check your results, and you're not having any problems, I don't see much reason to do a periodical check. Even if the pressure reading is "wrong," do you care? If you want 12 cm pressure, are getting 10, but you have a good AHI number and good results, do you care?
You can build your own manometer pretty easily and they're not too expensive to just buy one. Supplier#1 sells a gauge type manometer with a T adapter for $80 or so.
It takes some finesse to do this right with a roll your own water column manometer.
In particular, if you don't use a "T" adapter for a manometer, you are measuring the static pressure the CPAP puts out, not the pressure in actual use. It's entirely possible a CPAP machine would provide the right pressure connected to a manometer if there's no airflow, but give the wrong pressure if it's in actual use with airflow for respiration and intentional leak.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - JimZZZ - 12-15-2014
(12-15-2014, 12:24 AM)archangle Wrote: If you have a fully data capable CPAP machine, as long as you check your results, and you're not having any problems, I don't see much reason to do a periodical check. Even if the pressure reading is "wrong," do you care? If you want 12 cm pressure, are getting 10, but you have a good AHI number and good results, do you care?
I tend to agree with the above. As long as my therapy is on track according to the results shown by Sleepyhead and ResScan, I believe I can assume the device is functioning within normal tolerances.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - justMongo - 12-15-2014
I believe they have evolved over the past decade plus. Back in the days of the CPAP dumb brick that weighed 20 pounds and just blew air, calibration checks were needed. Today's microprocessor controlled, multisensor machine likely would give and error code in the event it had a problem. Like today's cars, the OBD-II will set a code even if the gas cap is defective or left off.
Most every piece of equipment in a doctors office, even his sphygmomanometer, gets a calibration check and sticker. So the GI doc may not know that today's machines are self diagnostic.
RE: CPAP Machine Checks and Calibration - Ghost1958 - 12-15-2014
My DME will put my machine on a manometer for nothing since I got it from them. But they will also check my wifes which didnt come from them for nothing. They checked mine when I picked it up then again at sixty days and will now anytime I would want them too though I havent done so.
I have no idea because I havent checked or called if a DME can calibrate a PRS1 Machine or just let you know your a bit off and in which direction.
Honestly though I agree with the idea that as long as your therapy is doing fine the machine being off a cm on its reading isnt going to matter. Unless maybe you need 20cm and the machine can only push 18 or some such odd thing like that.