Hello Benzi!
Going back to the start, when I was issued with a new ResMed S10, I have cleaned the machine itself roughly every 4 weeks, by that I mean I unplug everything, extract the Humidification Tank, remove the Mains Supply, remove the SD Card, and then I just clean all of the visible surfaces of the S10 itself and with 99.9% Isopropanol.
I also remove the little grey funnel bit that enters the humidification area, and wipe that down, including running a Cotton Bud dipped in 99% Isopropanol around the air seal part, and the same around the inner air seal inside the humidification void where the blower blows out from!
I also remove and change the Inlet Filter (near and below and to the rear of the SD Card, under the hatch with all of the holes in it), and replace that with a new Hypoallergenic Filter. That stops dust and dirt getting into both the machine, and then into your lungs!
When I have taken my S10 apart further, the motor inside has always been pristine, with no dirt or crud inside of it.
Then, every single day, I clean my ClimateLine Air pipe, the Humidification Tank and Seal, and my ResMed F20 Mask Cushion, Rotating Elbow Joint and the Outer Mask Frame Unit.
I just use Baby Shampoo (because it has very few nasty additives) and Warm Water, then finish with Hot Water as a final rinse for all of those items (apart from the Mask Frame, please see below).
The tube I clean by squirting Baby Shampoo down one end, then I slush that around inside a few times with some Hot Water, then I flush it out for 15 seconds with Hot Water, then 15 second with Warm Water, then a final further 15 Seconds with Hot Water. I dangle the pipe to drain out of each end and, later on before bed, I give the ends a shake to remove any remaining water.
The Humidification Tank needs the inner seal cleaning too, and I just lift that out, and squirt Baby Shampoo into the corners and into the centre air seal, and wipe that around with my fingers, and then rinse with Warm Water. The same with the Tank, then I put it all back together, flush with Warm Water, then finally rinse with Hot Water.
Mask & Elbow Joint the same.
Mask Frame I clean with Mouth Wash in a Spray, and wipe down with a piece of Kitchen Roll. That's because it has cloth around the arms, and if that gets wet, it can take a long time to dry.
That keeps everything spotless, with absolutely no odours. If I suspected any bugs were around, I would give everything a blast with 99.9% Isopropanol as well!
ResMed S10 For Her
I think this has later and better algorithms than the black S10, supposedly for ladies, but the For Her Firmware version does manage things more proactively, and is designed to respond to any adverse breathing issues faster. It also lifts any pre-set base pressure if it needs to be raised during a sleeping Session, and keeps it at that new level for the remainder of that Session.
Although I am definitely all male, if presented with a choice, I would probably opt for the For Her version, as I think it's just a better version.
ResMed no longer do different versions for the S11 machine, the For Her option is now included in the same S11 machine.
Ladies Sleep Apnoea is supposedly slightly different than that of men but, from what I have read, the For Her Model makes more sense in terms of how it is programmed to respond to problems.
There is ResMed documentation that covers the differences, I will see if I can find it.
15 seconds later...
Yes, found it, it's in the Clinician's Guide, here is the bit I mean (uses US Spelling, so Apneas and not Apnoeas which is how an Englishman writes it!):
AutoSet for Her mode
AutoSet for Her mode is based on key aspects of ResMed’s AutoSet algorithm and delivers therapeutic responses tailored to the characteristics of female OSA patients.
The AutoSet for Her is similar to ResMed’s AutoSet algorithm with the following modifications:
- Reduced rate of pressure increments designed to help prevent arousals.
- Slower pressure decays.
- Treats apneas up to 12 cm H2O and continues to respond to flow limitation and snore up to 20 cm H2O.
- Minimum pressure (Min. Pressure) that adjusts according to the frequency of apneas: If two apneas occur within a minute, the pressure reached in response to the second apnea will become the new minimum treatment pressure until the next treatment session.
Patients who use AutoSet for Her will still get the benefits of ResMed's AutoSet technologyincluding improved sensitivity to flow-limitation and Central Sleep Apnoea Detection with Forced Oscillation Technique.
In terms of cleaning, it's worth knowing that when asleep, your exhaled breath probably gets all the way down the pipe and into the Humidification Tank, so if you do not clean things daily, there will always be a chance of bacteria build up and odours.
Likewise, do not overlook oral hygiene for the same reason.
If one goes to bed without cleaning mouth, tongue and teeth well, then any stale issues there will both populate the CPAP kit, and be force fed under pressure into your lungs!
Bacteria and Viruses do tend to live first in mouth, nose and throat so, it's wise to clean all of those areas before bed, and use a good mouth wash as well. Just blow the nose, or use, say, a Saline Nasal Spray. Avoid the drug based decongestants, as many do list Tachycardia as a possible side effect.
In clinical reviews, I know Iodine and Listerine have come up trumps for killing bugs and viruses in the mouth and throat area, but 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) is a close second, and even rinsing one's mouth with water is better than doing nothing.
H2O2 is very low cost, and if you buy Food Grade 12%, you can dilute that down, as needed, and 1L can then last ages when used diluted for Mouth Wash (just use 4:1 water to H2O2).
I tend to halve that again when rinsing my mouth, so 50:50 Water to 3% H2O2. I also add a little to my Water Pik, and blast that between teeth to help kill any bugs lurking there.
I hope this helps.
MoreBeers
