To be hosted by the American Sleep Apnea Association and the American Trucking Associations.

http://www.auto-mobi.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=vie...

I've been asked to assist with a project for the Truckers for a Cause AWAKE chapter.

Truck driver's shopping for a CPAP will have slightly different criteria for what a "good" CPAP for them would be than a normal home CPAP user.

The person requesting my assistance is a truck driver and we want to develop a list of things a trucker shopping for a cpap would want/need as well as a list of the CPAPs on the market meeting those needs.

Their plan is to get our tentative list to the vendors and do our best to actually see and evaluate the CPAP models at the conference... put together a final list... then post it on the TFAC-AKAKE web site....

The following is his suggested list of needs:

1] MUST have compliance data
2] should have full data capability
3] good to have 12-V power cord available
4] BEST if 12-V powers both CPAP and heat/humidification
5] must have heated humidification
6] good to have wireless data transfer capability
7] better to have humidification chamber that opens up for cleaning or filling with ice in dry hot locations
8] Better if has washable air intake filters versus replaced filters...

I've only gotten started, this is what I've come up w/so far:

Respironics M Series Plus w/C-Flex CPAP Machine
1] optional Encore Pro SmartCard capability for basic compliance reporting; SmartCard: Date/time, hours of use, usage patterns, FOSQ, Compliance Monitoring, Breathing detection
2] NOT fully data capable
3] 3 ft AC Power cord. Operates automatically between 110v – 240v AC w/Power Adapter Plug kit available for travel outside the US;
4] equipped with a DC plug on the back of the unit, allowing user to connect CPAP to external DC battery source. Respironics 12volt DC Power Cord can be powered by plugging into a cigarette lighter plug. Optional Respironics 12volt DC Battery Adapter Cable recommended that you use a 100 amp hour, 12v DC deep cycle marine battery for operating CPAP machine when not connected to 110v AC /230v AC. The two cables are needed to configure the M Series Plus with a Marine Deep Cycle Battery. They fit together to make a connection from the back of the M Series Remstar Plus to the battery clip terminals on the marine battery. Respironics Battery Pack This battery pack will give roughly 26 hours of use, depending on the cpap pressure setting. (Results may vary.); must be charged with shore power. This unit can be charged at voltages ranging from 115v – 230v.
5] DC Compatible Heated Humidifier Optional; makes Machine and Humidifier battery Compatible
6] No wireless data transfer capability
7] ????

Exhalation pressure relief. Sound level 32 db. No auto altitude adjustment. 2 yr warranty.
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AEIOmed Everest 3 Travel CPAP Machine
1] Records 13 months of daily compliance data (Total therapy hours, Therapy session greater than 8 hours, 6 hours and 4 hours, Total blower hours, 13 months daily compliance storage)
2] NOT fully data capable, optional DataRest Docking Station and Software to transfer data from CPAP to Data Card for graphical interpretation of therapy.
3] Everest Aura 19V Mobile Converter Optional; CPAP, heated humidifier and/or battery mobile converter plugs into cigarette lighter. Aeiomed specific Hirosi connector fits battery system or CPAP. Independently power CPAP & heated humidifier as required or Recharge battery system to power CPAP and heated humidifier
4] Everest 2 Rechargeable Battery Pack Optional; integrated, rechargeable battery, capable of powering the unit throughout the night, provides a backup during power outages, can operate the system all night, and adds only one inch to the systems height
5] 22 Decibals without the humidifier, installing the humidifier brings the sound up to 28 dbA due to the extra volume of space
6] No wireless data transfer capability
7] ????

Automatically adjusts up to 8,000 feet altitude. No exhalation pressure relief. Domestic voltage 110, International voltage 220. Warrenty 2 Years.
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These are just rough drafts so far with many more CPAPs, APAPs, bi-levels, etc. to go