CPAP manufacturers address certain cleaning devices

YARMOUTH, Maine - Two of the largest manufacturers of CPAP devices say using ozone to clean and sanitize their products may affect warranties.

Philips Respironics

In a letter responding to a customer's request for written guidance, Philips Respironics said using SoClean on its DreamStation will not automatically void the warranty, but the company “reserves the right to void a warranty if it is determined that the use of SoClean caused a defect for which a device otherwise under warranty was returned.”

The company said in a statement to HME News that it “does not formally validate the use of SoClean with the DreamStation, but as of Jan. 6, Philips has not denied a warranty claim associated with the use of SoClean with a DreamStation.”

Philips told HME News it wrote the letter “to limit confusion and misinformation.”

“Philips is in communication with SoClean to further analyze the potential compatibility of the SoClean with DreamStation therapy devices, and will provide further information as it becomes available,” the company told HME News.

ResMed

ResMed told its provider customers in a letter that it's not voiding the limited warranty for its AirSense 10, but “if a patient purchases a ResMed product on or after Feb. 1, 2020, and uses an ozone device and the product shows damage consistent with the use of an ozone device, repair of the product will not be covered under the limited warranty.”

ResMed told providers in its letter “we are not prohibiting and we are not encouraging” the use of ozone or other aftermarket devices with ResMed products.

“That decision is up to you and your patients,” the letter states.

Standard practice

Both the Philips and ResMed letters refer to the cleaning instructions in their manuals, which say to wash submersible components of the system in a solution of water and mild detergent, and wipe non-submersible components with a damp cloth.