FAQs on device use, cleaning & maintenance

There could be a number of reasons for this. The following suggestions should help you to identify and resolve the problem:

• Check that your patient’s device is turned on and that the mask is properly adjusted. If you’re not sure how to adjust your patient’s mask, you might find our FAQs on Mask Fitting helpful. If your patient is experiencing high leak and Smart Start/Stop is turned on, it’s possible the device is stopping automatically because of the leak.
• Check that the power plug is fully and correctly inserted in the device. When it is correctly inserted, the power button will light up.
• Ensure that no blankets or other objects are covering the power supply unit or the device.
• Check whether the filter is clear. If it is blocked, replace the filter.
• For S9 therapy devices, check that the therapy device’s lid is properly closed. If your patient is using a humidifier, make sure the humidifier lid is also closed and that the humidifier tub is fully inserted.
• Make sure the patient is not using the Start/Stop button to light the LCD during the night, as this will stop the therapy.
• Check whether there’s a message on the screen. If there is, follow the instructions to clear the message.
• Try unplugging the device, then plugging it in again.
• From time to time there may be power disturbances that cause the device to power down. Ask your patient to check if other devices (e.g. alarm clock) have powered off at the same time.
• If your patient is set up on an activated AirSense 10 or AirCurve 10 therapy device, you will find useful information on AirView Remote Assist to help you troubleshoot the issue remotely.

We suggest that you try the following solutions:

• Humidifier. Using a PAP therapy device or other sleep apnoea therapy device can sometimes lead to drying and congestion of the throat, nose, and mouth. This is because the airflow generated by the machine is often greater than your patient’s body is accustomed to humidifying on its own. Humidifiers and heated tubes can increase the amount of humidity in the air your patient breathes in, which can help to reduce these symptoms and make therapy more comfortable.
• Nasal decongestant. Nasal allergies and congestion can result in patients breathing through their mouth during the night. This dries the throat and mouth and can negatively affect their sleep apnoea therapy. A nasal decongestant or antihistamine could help to alleviate this issue.
• Chinstrap. If your patient has a dry nose and mouth during sleep apnoea treatment, it might be because of an open mouth during sleep. A chinstrap could resolve this issue by keeping your patient’s mouth closed throughout the night.
• Full face mask. Chronic nasal allergies or other nasal problems such as a deviated septum can make it difficult to breathe through the nose. Full face masks, which ensure your patients receive their treatment whether they breathe through their nose or mouth, could be the answer.

Some people experience bloating when using a PAP device, particularly when treatment first starts. If your patient is having trouble with bloating, we suggest trying the following solutions.

• Try to avoid swallowing air. If new to sleep apnoea therapy, your patient may be swallowing air rather than breathing normally. Swallowing air can cause bloating. Your patient should try to breathe as normally as possible when using the therapy device.
• Try using an APAP (automatic positive airway pressure) therapy device. If your patient’s pressure needs vary throughout the night, one of ResMed’s AutoSet™ therapy devices might be a good choice. These devices automatically adjust pressure throughout the night to suit your patient’s unique breathing patterns. By providing less pressure when they need less pressure, an AutoSet machine can help to reduce bloating.

We recommend that you try the following solutions with your patient:

• The “Ramp” option. The Ramp feature is designed to make therapy more comfortable. It helps your patient ease into therapy each night by setting the device at a lower pressure than prescribed and slowly ramping up to the full therapy pressure over a maximum of 45 minutes. Using Ramp means the machine has more time to reach the prescribed therapy pressure and your patient has more time to comfortably fall asleep. On ResMed’s AirSense 10 therapy devices, we recommend that you use the AutoRamp feature which will automatically detect when your patient falls asleep and increase pressure from this moment on.
• An APAP therapy device. If your patient’s pressure needs vary throughout the night, one of ResMed’s AutoSet™ therapy devices might be a good choice. These devices automatically adjust pressure throughout the night to suit your patient’s unique breathing needs.
• The EPR feature. ResMed therapy devices have an Expiratory Pressure Relief (EPR) feature that decreases pressure as your patient exhales. This can make breathing out feel more natural and comfortable.
• Patience: remind your patient that it takes time to get used to treatment!  It takes a while for most people to get comfortable using a PAP machine and mask every night. Some patients find that wearing their mask with the therapy device running during the day, for example while watching TV, helps them to get used to it.

The Power Save mode is designed to reduce energy consumption. It is activated by pressing the Start/Stop button for 3 seconds. We advise at least a 2-minute wait after the end of therapy if your patient still wishes to unplug the device.

If you are using telemonitoring to track your patient’s data, the device needs to remain turned on so the data can be sent.

It varies depending on the sleep therapy device. For example, on an S9 therapy device a 1GB SD card easily stores 365 days of usage data, 30 days of detailed data, and seven days of high-resolution data. On all AirSense 10 or AirCurve 10 therapy devices, you can get up to 365 days of usage data, and 30 days of both detailed and high-resolution data.

No. These SD cards would work with their device if they were used with an adapter, but they have not been shown to meet the IEC 60601-1 medical electrical equipment safety requirements for this therapy device. As a result, ResMed recommends that they should not be used.

No. Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) cards, as well as mini and micro SDHC cards and SDXC cards, do not work with any ResMed sleep therapy devices.

On the AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 therapy devices, you will need to open the SD card cover to access to the SD Card. To remove the SD card, you need to push the SD card in to release it, and then pull it out. To insert the SD Card, push the SD card into the device until it clicks. We recommend that you insert the SD card when the device is turned off. It is also possible to insert the SD card when the device is powered but not delivering therapy. If the card needs to be removed to check data, please wait at least two minutes after stopping therapy before removing the SD card from the device.

On all AirSense 10 and AirCurve 10 devices, there is a LED next to the SD card slot that indicates when it is safe to remove the SD card. When the LED is flashing, the device is using the SD card and the SD card should not be removed. You can safely remove the SD card when the LED turns off.