I have a Respironics Bipap plus M series, can I use the card reader with this machine? And were do you stick the card to dowload the data?

I'm not familiar w/the Respironics products as I have a Resmed VPAP Auto (bi-level auto). But these bi-levels are quite advanced and I can't imagine that yours is not fully data capable meaning there HAS to be some way to download the data whether w/a cable direct to your computer or via the data card and cable reader.

It seems to me, in the dim recesses of my beady little brain, that I did read somewhere that the data card slot is under a door or in the side of the devices near the top but ..... get out your User's Manual and read thru it. There should be some information there about the data card. If you weren't given a data card w/your Bi-PAP you can buy them online as well as the EncoreViewer software which I assume would be compatable w/your Bi-PAP. But again, I'm not all that well-versed on the Respironics devices.


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Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

I see you have an M Series Bipap Plus.  I don't know about Bipaps but with the Cpaps in the M Series you need a PRO or an AUTO not a PLUS to get any more data than just compliance.  If this is true of the M Series Bipaps, and I expect it is, Encore Viewer is no use to you.  You already know how often you are using your machine.   With a PRO or an AUTO you can use Encore Viewer software, a smart card and a smart card reader to get detailed daily data.  If you have only had your machine a short time, maybe your DME or your Doctor would exchange it for a data capable machine (PRO or AUTO).  There is a slot at the back of the machine (on the right) where the smart card slides in.  If you have a data capable machine and no software or card reader, your DME or Doctor can read your smart card for detailed data.

Here's a link to the user manual for the M series BiPAP Plus:
http://global.respironics.com/UserGuides/BiPAPPlusMUserMan.pdf

It appears the BiPAP Plus does not have a smartcard.  It only collects compliance data anyway (e.g. hours used and blower hours) so it would be of little value.

All the M Series machines that do have a smartcard, it is in a vertical slot at the extreme left of the back of the machine (when looking directly at the back, it is all the way left of the filter access door and power cord connection).  I don't see a slot in the above PDF and there is no mention of the smartcard in that document.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

You're right Pseudonym.  The smartcard slot is on the left, if you are looking at the back of the machine.  It is a vertical slot left of the filters.  I described it from the front but my explanation was confusing.  Thanks for clarifying.  I checked your link and is does not appear that the Bipap Plus has a place for a smart card.   It would, as you said, be of no use on a Plus anyway, since the Plus only records compliance.  I have the M Series Auto and it came with the smart card and, of course, the slot for it where you describe.  The Pro would have the slot as well because it is data capable.  I have the software and card reader and get daily data from my Auto.  Hopefully, the Plus is new enough to be exchanged, if data capability is wanted and the DME or Doctor would exchange it.

@Hawthorne Agreed, perhaps shortbus can exchange the machine for one with data capability?

@shortbus  To answer your opening question in this thread:

If you get a machine with full data capability, the card stays in the machine all the time and captures the data.  

When ready to read the data, the card is removed and is inserted into a card reader attached to the computer (usually plugs in via USB but there are serial port and other connections available too).  The software reads the data from the card, and then the card is returned to the machine until the next time the data is wanted from it.

The M Series smartcards keep seven detailed (hour-by-hour) sessions.  Usually this means 7 nights but if the machine is used at other times (such as naps) then the card will not make it a full week.  It is a rolling 7 sessions so the oldest data is deleted and the newest is recorded.

Summary and averages are also kept for 30 days and more on the smartcard, just not the detail.  So it is a good idea to read the card every 7 sessions so no detail is lost.  The viewer software will keep the data indefinitely or until you purge it.

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Thank you pseudonym and Hawthorne