Difference between revisions of "Archangle:Machine Choices"

Revision as of 22:19, 26 January 2016

This article is a Personal Page created by a Wiki Editor to display Sleep Apnea information that may contain personal opinion. This page is not considered an official part of the Apnea Board Wiki.

One of the most important factors in successful treatment of sleep apnea is getting the correct CPAP machine.

Good vs. Bad Machines - Don't Get Taken

Good CPAP machines will record every breath you take during the night and attempt to detect apneas and tell you how your treatment is working. Unfortunately, the manufacturers still make "brick" CPAP machines that only record the hours you use the machine, but don't record data on how your therapy is working.

Many DME's (CPAP salesmen) will try to sell you a brick CPAP because they make a higher profit with a brick machine. Do NOT trust your DME. They will claim a brick does record data when in fact it only records "compliance" data, i.e. the time you use it. Don't trust your doctor to make sure you get the right machine, either.

This page is my advice on what machine to get.

Remember that even a dataless CPAP machine is a marvelous, life saving device. It's just that a fully data capable CPAP machine is a much more wonderful device that will save many more lives if used properly.

CPAP Machines

Models I recommend

The only manual or automatic CPAP machines I would recommend are:

• Auto CPAP (APAP)
  • ResMed S9 AutoSet
  • ResMed S9 AutoSet for Her
  • ResMed AirSense 10 (A10) AutoSet
  • ResMed A10 AutoSet for Her
  • Philips Respironics PRS1 Auto (PRS1 = Philips Respironics System One)
• Manual CPAP
  • ResMed S9 Elite
  • ResMed A10 Elite
  • Philips Respironics PRS1 Pro

I believe all the ResMed S9/A10 or Philips PRS1 bilevel/BiPAP/VPAP/ASV/AVAPS machines are OK. There is no SleepyHead support yet for some of the more advanced models.

Philips Respironics DreamStation

There is a newer line of Respironics machine, called the DreamStation. I suspect it is a fine machine, but for now, I don't recommend it because users don't have access to an updated version of Encore Basic or the free, open source, SleepyHead programs.

I recommend to avoid the DreamStation "CPAP" base model because it collects much less data. The Pro and Auto models have good data collection.

There is a working version of Encore Pro available now. It's not nearly as good as SleepyHead, but does work. It also is a problem install for many people. I recommend that you log in as an administrator for the install, not just do the "run as administrator" process.

These machines have an optional wireless modem that allows you to view SOME of your data online, but the data is limited compared to Encore Basic or SleepyHead. The online program also requires someone to pay money every month to use the web site and the cell phone network.

Notes on confusing model names

Do not mistake the S9 Escape Auto for the S9 AutoSet. The AutoSet is much better. If someone refers to the name "S9 Auto", be sure you know which one is being discussed.

There is a new (8/2014) ResMed AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 line of CPAP machines. I would avoid the base "AirSense 10 CPAP" model, because its data collection is limited. The A10 Elite, AutoSet and AutoSet for Her should be good, along with all the AirCurve 10 machines. -

We usually call the AirCurve and AirSense 10 models "A10." ResMed sometimes uses the term "Air10." Some people call them "S10."

More recent versions of the PRS1 Pro may say "AutoIQ" on the label. Do not mistake the "PRS1 Pro with AutoIQ" for the "Auto." It's still a Pro model, which is a fine manual CPAP, but it has a 30 day trial Auto function and some other improvements over the original PRO. I believe all new PRS1 Pro machines have the AutoIQ feature. If it says "AutoIQ," it's not the equivalent of the PRS1 Auto

Models and brands to avoid

I would recommend to avoid the following machines

• Resmed S9 Escape
• ResMed S9 Escape Auto
• ResMed AirSense 10 "CPAP" Note that AirSense 10 Elite and AutoSet are good.
• Philips Respironics PRS1 Plus
• Philips Respironics PRS1 DS150
• Philips Respironics PRS1 DS160
• Philips Respironics PRS1 SE
• Older ResMed (S8 or earlier) models
• Any Respironics machine that doesn't say Philips.
• Any Philips Respironics Dorma models

Note that older models may have the same model name as current models. For instance, I do not recommend a ResMed S8 AutoSet, only the ResMed S9 Autoset.

The most important distinction between the machines I recommend and the ones I say to avoid is the recommended machines machines are fully data capable and display airflow waveforms. This data gives you or a good doctor a very powerful additional tool to tell if your therapy is working.

There is no "S9 Auto" model. Be very careful when discussing this with your CPAP salesman, that you specify "AutoSet," not "Auto," or you may be dispensed the less capable Escape Auto. Do not confuse S9 Escape Auto with S9 AutoSet.

The Philips Respironics Dorma models are fairly new, and I don't have a lot of information on them, but I think they have very limited data collection.

I do not recommend any other brands of CPAP/APAP machines because either they do not record as much data or it's not as easy to access it.

Auto vs. Manual CPAP

The Auto CPAP machines are preferable to manual CPAP machines in all cases for all patients.

The Auto machines can be set to perform as manual CPAP machines, if necessary, so they have all the functions of a manual CPAP PLUS the additional capability of the APAP modes.

Philips Respironics PRS1 models

Many PRS1 machines have a newer "60 series" model. The main difference is that the 60 series has an optional heated hose. The original or 60 series models are both good.

60 series models have a 6 instead of 5 as the second digit. For instance, model 560 is the 60 series model equivalent of the PRS1 Auto model 550.

Bilevel/BiPAP/VPAP

Some people need bilevel machines.

BiPAP and VPAP are trademarks for the term "bilevel"

I consider any of the PRS1,ResMed S9 bilevel, or ResMed AirCurve 10 machines to be acceptable, because all of them record full data, including airflow data.

I do not recommend any other brands because they either do not record as much data, including airflow waveforms, or it isn't as easy for the user to access the data.

Misinformation

Many doctors, technicians, and DMEs give out misinformation about CPAP machines and choices. Many are honestly misinformed. I believe some of them are "willfully ignorant" or outright dishonest.

In particular, it's hard to get clear information about which model a particular CPAP machine is. The labeling on the machines is confusing. It's almost like birdwatching. You almost need a "spotters guide" to figure out which machine you have.

Wireless Modems

Most CPAP's now have a wireless modem option. It connects to a server via the cellphone network.

The wireless modem only reports what the base CPAP machine records. If your machine is a brick, it will be a brick even with a wireless modem.

Even when the machine has a wireless modem, it usually reports a LOT less data than the machine records on the SD card. If there is a problem, you need to look at the SD card data.

Reading Your Own Data

If you have a good CPAP machine, especially the Philips Respironics or ResMed machines, you can get free software to see your own data.

SleepyHead is a free, open source program to read your data from many CPAP machines.

Philips and ResMed have online programs to access your CPAP data, but the data is limited compared to SleepyHead or other programs that access the data from the SD card. The online programs also require someone to pay someone every month for the service. You may not get a bill, but you or your insurance is paying somehow.

The online system also requires you to have cell phone coverage for whatever system of towers the system is using. Even if it's "free" now, it might not be free or even available in the future, or if you change equipment suppliers, doctors, insurance, etc. Having your own software and using the SD card for the data makes you independent of others for access to your data.

Donate to Apnea Board