Effectiveness of adding EERS. Data attached.

[Sleeprider]

Crowter, I think like a lot of CPAP, the EERS is trial and error. I did include some calculations in the draft wiki as a possibility for design. The most scientific method would design EERS volume as a percent of median tidal volume, but in reality, whatever works to maintain a portion of expired CO2 is going to work better for the individuals that benefit from this.

[foxfire]

Wow, does this mean that if i block the front hole in my philips dreamwear it directly transforms into an EERS headset, since the vents are also at the top of your head away from the nose?

The Whisper Swivel II Exhalation Port used in the EERS setup has a known intentional leak rate. You have no idea how much the leak rate would be on the dreamwear if you block the front hole.

I could always model the top vents in CAD and do a flow analysis with Solidworks. Is there a database on EERS, leak range etc. Where do you guys get the theoretical models to make these prototypes? I understand the basic idea but I'd love some hard data and numbers.

I mean you added 150mL, why not 100 or 200, did you use a captograph during the night to measure CO2 levels and then decided on 150mL?

During a sleep study where EERS is being investigated CO2 levels are monitored and EERS is titrated with volumes of 50, 100 and 150mL, this is strictly for convenience as the EERS volume is made up of sections of corr-a-flex tubing, but, as Sleeprider pointed out in another post, one 6" section of corr-a-flex is not exactly 50mL of volume. 

As far as leak rate goes, again the Whisper Swivel II was used as a matter of convenience since it is an approved device. It does seem from the leak rate data of this device that it is in the same general ballpark of the leak rate for several masks that I checked it against. If you can do a SW model you could compare your result against the published results for an unmodified dreamwear.

Most of what we know comes from this paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3014237/ and my own discussions with Dr. Thomas and a respiratory therapist at my DME.

[ardenum]

Most of what we know comes from this paper: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3014237/ and my own discussions with Dr. Thomas and a respiratory therapist at my DME.

Thanks!

[Sleeprider]

I'm glad to announce firefox has joined the Wiki Editor team and will be able to help contribute and edit the wiki I started on this subject. I think this may turn out to be as important of a new development as the soft cervical collar as a therapy enhancement and improvement.

[Sleeprider]

I sent an older relative of mine to see my sleep specialist in Boston. His former sleep specialist, although well intentioned, couldn't get a handle on the correct therapy to treat my relative due to a variety of comorbidities. After a sleep study it was decided he should stay with his current machine and pressures and just add 150mL or EERS. Here are the results.

Summary


Before EERS


After EERS

Since this technology is generally unknown, could you please name the sleep practice you are working with so others may contact and consult on this?  Do not include links, bit name, address and phone is allowed.

[foxfire]

I sent an older relative of mine to see my sleep specialist in Boston. His former sleep specialist, although well intentioned, couldn't get a handle on the correct therapy to treat my relative due to a variety of comorbidities. After a sleep study it was decided he should stay with his current machine and pressures and just add 150mL or EERS. Here are the results.

Summary


Before EERS


After EERS

Since this technology is generally unknown, could you please name the sleep practice you are working with so others may contact and consult on this?  Do not include links, bit name, address and phone is allowed.

Dr. Robert Thomas MD
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine
330 Brookline Avenue, Shapiro 7
Boston, MA  02215-5400
Phone: (617) 667-5864
 

The DME that provides the EERS supplies is:

Regional Homecare
125 Tolman Avenue
Leominster MA, 01453
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00-5:00 Eastern
Phone: 978-840-0113