CPAP product reviews and other helpful tips for CPAP users!

If you read our previous blog on the AirMini™ then welcome to part 2 of that discussion!  For those of you who didn't: in a nutshell, we highlighted the AirMini™ travel-specific unit and listed some of the accessories and add-ons we found to be the most impressive. The goal is to help savvy customers like yourself customized a travel unit to best fit your adventurous needs.

Next up on the list, (also the last) quickly became a bestseller in the travel category - the Dreamstation Go Auto CPAP. Continue reading to learn more on which accessories are worth buying and which ones to pass on.  

Dreamstation Go

A relatively new release, the Dreamstation Go by Philips Respironics made its way onto the Canadian market (and into our hearts), spring of 2018. It was designed to be a direct competitor to the beloved and highly buzzed about AirMini™. The Dreamstation Go is a small, sleek and compact, but don't be fooled by appearances:  it weighs more than it looks.

Notable differences between the Dreamstation Go and the AirMini™ - the Dreamstation Go has a touch screen, full compatibility with all CPAP masks and compatibility to various heated and standard tubing!

Sounds good so far doesn’t it? Let’s move on to it’s accessories.

Heat/Moisture Exchanger (HME) Filter

As mentioned in our look at the AirMini™, travel units do not come with built in humidification chambers. Travel units use a waterless technology in the form of dry filters or tablets that provide moisture and heat. But Respironics does not make a waterless solution exclusive to the Dreamstation Go.  You can get a third party heat/moisture exchanger.  The HME filter accessory from the Z1™ Auto travel CPAP by HDM works pretty well on the Dreamstation.  Those filters are  certified for 7 full days of use.

Small or Medium Travel Kit

Personally, I am at the mercy of any attractively designed case or bag.  Philips Respironics has travel cases for the Dreamstation.  The smallest (below, on the left) is sturdy, stylish and rugged enough, but it is big enough to fit only the Dreamstation unit itself.  

There's a medium size case (above, centre) that's more robust and can store both the main unit and the optional battery (which we'll talk about next). Both Small and Medium Travel Kits have a zipper closure and come with a separate washable canvas bag (top, right) to house your mask and tubing.   

Dreamstation Go Overnight Battery

One of the core features of the Dreamstation Go is it’s exclusive overnight battery. Weighing in at 1.53lbs, it’s designed to match the look of the Dreamstation Go. First, remove the panel on the unit to reveal the battery port.  The overnight battery connects seamlessly to the unit, giving you about 13 hours of uninterrupted therapy (at 10cmH20 pressure) on a 4-to-5 hour charge.  

Medistrom™ Pilot-12 Lite Battery & Backup Power Supply

Although Philips Respironics makes a cordless backup and overnight battery exclusively for the Dreamstation Go, there are other options. Choice One Medical released the Medistrom™ Pilot-12 Lite as an alternative portable battery for the Dreamstation Go (also compatible with other CPAP brands and devices). A 3-hour charge with the Dreamstation AC Adapter can power up to 2 nights of therapy (on average pressure of 10 cmH20) with humidification and heated tubing disabled if using with main units.  

There you have it, that’s a wrap on the Dreamstation Go. Completely in love? We know, we are too. We hope you enjoyed our informal “part one” and “part two” ongoing discussion of the tech- filled travel CPAPs and all their accessories.

The take home message? Regardless of which travel CPAP you invest in, both machines offer consistent and reliable therapy. It truly comes down to personal preferences in brands, look, compatibility and accessories. Now leaving your CPAP therapy at home is a thing of the past.

CPAP Sanitizer & Cleaner Machine Review: The Lumin™

Today we will be reviewing the Lumin™ CPAP cleaner & sanitizer, providing our pros and cons of this unit from our own experiences, including feedback from our clients across North America. 

Earlier this year, we started carrying a relatively new sanitizing device called the Lumin™ (made by 3B Medical) as an alternative to the very popular SoClean 2 CPAP sanitizing device. The Lumin™ is a sanitizer for everyday household objects like toothbrushes, baby bottles, smartphones, dentures etc... but is also marketed as a CPAP equipment cleaner.   

According to the manufacturer, the Lumin™ CPAP Cleaner & Personal Sanitizer is a waterless sanitizing device that operates by emitting a high energy light within a narrow spectrum referred to as UV-C. They claim this UV light will disinfect up to 99% of detrimental bacteria, pathogens and fungi that can cause infection and illness on items placed inside the chamber.

Simply place household items you wish to sanitize into the chamber, close it and press start and the special UV bulb does all the dirty work.  The manufacturer describes this method as the safest disinfection option on the market. 

Lumin CPAP Cleaner Review: Here’s What We Think 

What Are The Pros Of The Lumin™? 

• It's a quick 5-minute cycle to kill most bacteria and mould on a surface: It takes the same amount of time to brush your teeth in the morning so you can easily sanitize items while you get ready for work or while you are giving your children breakfast. 
• Minimal set-up: It took a couple of minutes from taking it out of the box to our very first sanitizing cycle. The instructions are easy to follow and self-explanatory. 
• Versatile device: You can clean and sanitize almost anything you have around the house - sunglasses, headphones, baby bottles, cell phones etc. 
• It is competitively priced compared to the SoClean 2: Besides the bulb, there are no replacement parts, such as filters and adapters.
• No lasting smell: There is no odour associated with the usage of the Lumin™. 

 What Are The Cons Of This CPAP Cleaning Machine? 

• Cleaning is limited: The Lumin™ CPAP Cleaner and Personal Sanitizer cannot disinfect the inside of your CPAP machine because the UV light cannot reach the inside.  You can use the device to sanitize your mask, standard hose and water chamber.
• The drawer opening to the chamber is not very big: There are limits to what you can and cannot fit into the chamber. This can be frustrating for some users.
• Metallic lining can cause scratches: We found that, if you're not careful, you can scratch yourself or your stuff on the drawer's metallic lining.  As long as you're not rushing, this shouldn't be an issue.

Our Honest Verdict: What We Really Think Of The Lumin™ CPAP Cleaner & Personal Sanitizing Device 

Overall, we think the Lumin™ is a great cleaning product for CPAP equipment but is it right for you? Well, that depends.

In our opinion, if you have little children or elderly family members who are susceptible to getting sick, it is a handy device to have in the house to keep bacteria at bay.  The Lumin™ will help keep you healthy and keep your mask from smelling like an old running shoe. But if you're looking to disinfect your CPAP machine inside and out -- motor and all -- you might want to consider an alternative like the SoClean 2.