[Equipment] Can CPAP Internal Software be Hacked? [by user]

[InTouch28]

I'm 9 days into a new Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP and the "Auto-Start" feature is garbage. I shouldn't have to exert excess inhalation for the machine to recognize I'm breathing, it should be natural and relaxed.  I certainly shouldn't have to do this 3, 5, 8+ times before it kicks in or I give up and turn it on manually - It should be on with one breath, two tops.


My previous machine was a REMstar Pro + System One and with this, I had to hold my breath a little when putting on the mask or it would turn on before I was clipped in.  Well, little did I know that was a blessing in comparison to the absurdity of using a machine with a barely usable auto-start function.  

During my latest sleep, I got up in the middle of the night then went back to bed shortly after.  I laid down and I was out like a light.  About 90 minutes later I woke up in the usual panic when breath escapes me, except I was wearing the mask, BUT the machine never auto-started.  

How effective can the machine be or accurate in its data if it doesn't recognize I'm hooked up to the darn thing without being turned on manually?  If you're going to add and market a feature, make sure it works great or add some customization to it.  Alas, my DME provider indicated there's no customizing this.

Next week I'm taking the machine in, but I'm not certain what the refund policy is on it.  I'm thinking refund because while I would switch to a ResMed AirSense 10 Auto, my DME provider doesn't sell ResMed products.  If they don't refund, I may end up being stuck with the DreamStation as the better of whatever their other offerings are, so hacking the CPAP so I can adjust the sensitivity of the auto-start may be my only option for getting this to work right. 

[SarcasticDave94]

Welcome to Apnea Board.

I could be wrong, but you may be setting yourself up for a disappointment if the DME doesn't offer a refund. Especially when it's based on the Auto Start feature not working as you had expected. I'm certainly aware I'll be stating the obvious, but you can just press the Start button to begin therapy. I think the DME will probably state this as well.

Also, the DME is correct when it told you the Auto Start is not customizable. There's an on and off for Auto Start and the same regarding Auto Stop.

Which type of mask are you using? I'm pretty sure the Auto Start would work most effectively with a full face mask.

Lastly, I doubt there's any hacking methods existing that will permit adjusting the Auto Start in any form.

[Sleeprider]

Resmed machines Auto-start with 1-pull.

Respironics machines might start after a half-dozen or more pulls...pull hard.

Better get used to using that control knob.

[greatunclebill]

Just slow down and relax. The auto start button is not a life and death thing that should be worried about. After a while you'll feel better and won't even remember the auto start. i doubt you'll get a refund because that will involve breaking a legal contract between them and the insurance company. If you start playing hacker and destroy the machine,,,,,,,,,,,,,no good.

[Fedman]

Not sure why you're having problems.  One or 2 breaths and my Dreamstation starts every time.  I never turn it on manually cause I keep my Dreamstation in a drawer and it's easier to just put on my mask and let it start automatically.

[Sheepish]

Not sure why you're having problems.  One or 2 breaths and my Dreamstation starts every time.  I never turn it on manually cause I keep my Dreamstation in a drawer and it's easier to just put on my mask and let it start automatically.

Same here: one or two, maybe three normal breaths tops and it spins right up every time, regardless of the mask I'm using. Also, it came back on automatically as soon as power was restored after a power failure.

[InTouch28]

Well, I've come to expect disappointment from corrupt systems, but with so little accountability as it is, it doesn't feel right to let Brands off the hook so easily as to shrug one's shoulders and just accept what you got.  It's not worth stressing over of course, but the convenience is designed into the system.  It's not too much to expect it to work properly.  

The button isn't next to my head.  My wife isn't fond of the excess noise so its built into a drawer and between the electrical in the house and incompetent municipal power, the power goes out from time to time.  At least with the Resmed, the CPAP would actually auto-start, but with this unit, I can expect to suffocate during these occasions.  Besides, how trustworthy are its sensors and data if the Auro-start can't recognize it's being used, like the 90-minute period I slept with the mask on, but the machine didn't turn on.

If I'm stuck with it, I was thinking of getting the wireless modem to add to it for system access.  If I can't find a software hack in the short-term, perhaps there's a hardware solution using Arduino or something low-tech, like extending a corded switch for the on/off button.  It's not perfect, but it's a step in the right direction.  Besides, with the advent of open-source, it's time we take the power from the medical device industry that would try to control us.

I use a Fisher & Paykel Simplus full mask.  It's a different experience than my former nasal mask, but I prefer the Simplus overall design.  I do wonder if it has anything to do with the auto-start not working as it should.  I'll need to find my nasal mask and give it a try on this new machine.

It may not sound like a big deal. and sure, it's just a drawer and button press away, but if you've ever experienced suffocation during your sleep and the nightmares often associated with them, it can feel like life or death, especially when your sweating and gasping for air when it takes too long for you to wake up.

When you think about it though, does it really make sense that a machine designed for sleep respiration, NOT be able to sense when you're breathing or not?  It's a designed function and it doesn't work properly, so what other issues does it have that have gone unnoticed?  Having said that, I also planned to bring the machine in because the heating tube doesn't appear to work.  No matter what I set the temperature, from 1-5, when I wake up, the hose is never warm or hot.  The DME initially told me the hose can get pretty hot, so most people keep it low at 1 or 2.  I sent him a video of the clinical and patient settings and everything is set properly, but it isn't heating up at any level.

[PaulaO2]

Autostart may not work with a full face mask, if I remember correctly.

And you will not suffocate if the power goes out. Full face masks have a valve to prevent this and the other masks vent enough. More than likely you will wake up on your own.

Get a small dowel. Open the drawer and reach down the the dowel to push the button.

Edited to add: you do not need to make your font so large. Those of us who have trouble seeing regular sized font know how to make it bigger on our own screens. Those of us who don't have trouble, don't need it so big.

[greatunclebill]

That model is no longer even available at suppliers. it looks like its an old model that has been replaced. ,lets make sure you even got a new machine. the mfgr date is on the bottom of the sticker with the bar code on the bottom of the machine. it is written like 20180216 which would be todays date. if you have water in the humidifier take it out before tipping it over. what is the date? next in your settings the machine has blower hours for user that can be reset, but it also has total blower hours for the machine that can not be changed. if the total blower hours is more than your user hours you got a used and maybe even refurbished unit. what is the blower hours situation?

[SarcasticDave94]

If you could edit your sidebar to reflect current device and mask info, it helps those that are helping you to see what you are using. Include details like model name & number if available. Example: Respironics DreamStation #xxx. Thank you.