CPAP machine with data features

[lindalq]

Hi everyone,

Just want to get some of your opinion on this. Our fourth year biomedical engineering design project at University of Toronto involves improving on CPAP machines and this is one of the idea we brainstormed. We would definitely love some user feedback on this.

From previous feedbacks on our posts, it seems that data is a high priority for many users. What do you think?
a) What kind of useful data would you like to see?
b) How much more are you willing to pay for a machine with showing these data? (This is used to rank the priority of this idea)
c) What do you think of incorporating a LCD screen that allow you to quickly view your sleep pattern the next morning? Data will still be stored on a SD card that would allow you to analyze long term sleep pattern.
d) How much more are you willing to pay for a machine with feature mentioned in c? (This is used to rank the priority of this idea)
e) Current CPAP machines store data on a SD card. Would you be interested in having a wireless transfer of data? If so, how much more are you willing to pay for this? (This is used to rank the priority of this idea)

Thank you so much for your help!! Much appreciated!!

(Any feedback would be awesome since we've been getting mixed feedback regarding this and we would really like to key down our design. )

[Grumpy]

WiFi access to data and settings would be ideal

Analysis and configuration could then be via any sort of computing device including smart phones with an appropriate app.

Should be fairly cheap to build too, at most $50 on retail price.

[Sleep2Snore]

Shouldn't cost bery much, yes it might at first.
Once into production shouldn't cost that much more.
Wireless link might be handy to download data without
Risk of deleting data from them card, however most don't understand them graphs anyway. So with this in mind there should be an easy mode and standard mode.
I.e. simple graph of a line going to a good or bad end.
Other just as machine stores it.
You would only be talking $30 or £20 for this once incorperated. Of course and app and or computer programme would need to be developed or both.
I bet you would find that Sleep Tech's would use it as well so there would need to be a Sleep Tech access code so they can and others can't delete them data from them card.
It would be very helpful.

[Grim Sleeper]

Hi there,

not sure if it would be of interest to the others on here but would it be possible to develop a CPAP machine that could measure things like heart rate and blood/oxygen levels, obviously sensors for this would have to be provided with the machine.

Also, as an alternative to the wireless data transfer, the possibility of a USB port or other similar on the equipment so that stats could easily be downloaded onto a PC via a data cable without having to remove SD cards etc?

Not sure about price increase although as an estimate would probably say about another 50% onto the original cost of the equipment?

Just as a last item that may be a wee bit far fetched, how about other sensors that can determine outside influencies on the patients sleep pattern? Possibly motion (of the sleeper) atmospherics and noise/lighting conditions? I know may be a bit rediculous but some people might be interested in this kind of information

Cheers

Grim

[Tricia]

The NHS supplies my CPAP, and I can't access any information from it. I wish I could, as this all sounds really interesting.

[lindalq]

Hey everyone,

Thank you for the helpful reply!

Our professors only wanted us to edit the philips respironics system one REMstar Auto, and we decided that comparing to ResMed, the REMstar is lacking too much data feature and we decided to tackle this by incorporating a better LCD that shows graphs for users to quickly view the next morning as well as a wireless transfer capability.

Seems like most of you would support this idea, so it would be really helpful for us if you could help us consolidate all our data by filling out our survey:https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JFSCFJ9

Also, we're just wondering who's the one that monitors and modifies your therapy?

Thanks!

[Sleep2Snore]

Sleep Cllinics at NHS hospitals mostly.
Once you settle in it is usually just a Sleep Nurse that looks over the machine and checks the data, other areas you do see a Sleep Consultant, though in most hospitals over here they are mostly chest consultants as it is almost always attached to a chest clinic.
Few have dedicated doctors, rather they have moved into Sleep Apnoea (Apnea) and sleep problems.

[Tricia]

I used to take my CPAP in to the Sleep Clinic annually, and a Sleep Nurse would check the data. While she was doing that, a Technician would take the machine away to service it.

For the past three years, because the Clinic is now so busy, the Nurse isn't involved at all! All that happens now is, the Technician takes the machine away to service it and gives me a new mask.

I can phone and ask to see the Nurse, if I feel something isn't right. It all just doesn't feel right, not seeing the Nurse and being monitored.

[Sleep2Snore]

Just shows how busy the clinics are these days.
When I started going I saw the head man every time and we would go over everything and it was at least for 10 - 15 minutes.
Then it went to an assistant, then a nurse, now they don't want to see me for 5 years!

ADDED: At least if we can download the data it could be sent via email if requested.

[lindalq]

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply.

Do you bring your machines in if any settings need to be changed? Or do you change it yourself? Do you ever bring your machine in? If so, what's the purpose? For maintenance?

thanks!

[Sleep2Snore]

They ask you to bring in the machine so filters can be checked, some clinics test them electrically, others don't. The main reason they are taken in is to check them and read the data.
However, they only read the hours used on my machine these days!
Some check the state of the of the masks, tubing etc.

[Tricia]

Hi All,

Thanks for your reply.

Do you bring your machines in if any settings need to be changed? Or do you change it yourself? Do you ever bring your machine in? If so, what's the purpose? For maintenance?

thanks!

I can't change any settings at all. All I can do is switch it on and off.

For the past three years, I've taken my machine in for maintenance only, by a Technician.

For the years before that, a Nurse would go over the data with me and, if necessary, change any settings. The machine would also get maintenance done by the Technician.

[Sleep2Snore]

Most machines are locked by the clinic, though my one has only some things locked. The only thing that is left for the user to adjust is the ramp setting on most machines and sometimes Expiry Relief. If it has been turned on.

[symmit]

I am a cpap user and take active interest im my data and feed that back into tweaking the settings up or down over time, and changing my masks and altering my sleep patterns.

I would be very interested in helping out in any way possible, please PM me if you would like to talk.

What I would like to see more is multi sensor integration, and wireless connection, why not have bluetooth interfaces for tablet apps and oximitry.

I would love to assist and contribute in the design of the ultimate data capable auto cpap...

[Alleycat]

At my clinic the machine is downloaded at every visit. If there are no problems this is once a year. At the yearly appointment the engineer is in clinic and he services the machine (tests the pressure, humidifier, cleans the internal filter and electrical safety (PAT) test), whilst the physiologist goes through the data and swapping out masks etc.