The NEW Fresenius Liberty Cycler

[RCA]

Anyone using the new Liberty cycler?  What do you like/dislike about this cycler? 

[RCA]

I spoke to the PD nurse today.  She said there are a few glitches with the new Liberty Cycler and they will need to work out the bugs before the will deliver any more machines. 

The older machine, Newton, is driven by gravity. 

The Liberty uses cassettes (not sure what that means) and has a pump to pump fluid in and out (so probably works faster than the Newton) and also has a touch screen. 

[TK101]

I am supposed to start training with it this Monday....

[7piglets]

I have been training on it and was to begin at home on Fri but my cather wont drain..
One thing I noticed that is a pain in the you know what is the amount of checks it does..You push a button it does a 2min ck..hit ok does another 2 min ck etc etc

[Wattle]

Is the Liberty the same as the Sleep Safe?

I have been using the sleep safe for 3 years. I do have problems occasionally but they come and swap the machine over quickly. I just have to go back to doing manuals until a new one is delivered.

[RCA]

Wattle,

I don't think Liberty is the same as Sleep Safe because the Liberty only came out this year.  Maybe when they swap the machine, you'll get the Liberty (if they are actually available)! 

[Wattle]

It maybe available here, in Australia, before you get it. I posted a photo a while back but can't find it on my computer so I will include the post link. Mine has a touch screen and is pump fed.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=375.20

Take a pic of yours. 

[Wattle]

 


   Hey RCA

How are you going on the cycler? Did you manage to take a pic?

I hope everything is going smoothly.   

[MiSSis]

When I restared PD 5+ years ago, I was put on the Fresenius Safe-Lock system.  Here's a link to a picture of my setup:  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=375.40.  Safe-Lock was entirely gravity fed.

Last June or so, I was switch to the Stay-Safe system which looks very similar although the clamp box has now been moved higher on the machine (it was on one of the lower legs before) and it also has a pump for priming the lines and draining the drain bags.  I haven't been totally sold on the Stay-Safe machine.  It's noisier during the pumping cycles and I don't care for the new "pin" system that is used when disconnecting.  I find the pin assembly cumbersome and uncomfortable when I'm trying to sleep and I also didn't like that the extension my nurse had to attach to my existing catheter added another 12 inches so the darn thing hangs down to my knees now.  It's such a hassle to try and bundle it up each day to try and keep it out of the way. 

What kind of new things do they have in store with this Liberty Cycler?  I'm sure they're saying it's improved and safer but I sure would like to know if any of the designers have ever actually tried to work with and sleep with these machines.  Wouldn't that be a novelty ... letting dialysis patients help to design a new machine.  I doubt it ever occurs to the designers or engineers to talk to people who actually have first hand knowledge. 

Unless you're really sold on this new machine RCA or 7Piglets, I think I'll hold out with the one I have until I'm forced to change, just like I did with the last one.  Old dogs like me just do not like change!

[Wattle]

Hi Missis,

The Stay-safe system is used with my machine also. Here it is called the sleep safe machine. Everything else sounds the same. My catheter hangs to my knees and has the pin safety system.

I am just curious to know if the Liberty is the same as what I am using here.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=375.20    My machine is at the bottom of the page.

[MiSSis]

Yours looks quite different from mine, Wattle.  Do you do manual exchanges throughout the day or does the machine do it all for you during the night?  What do you do to keep your catheter out of the way during the day? 

[Wattle]

I carry fluid all the time MiSSis. I do one manual exchange at around 4 or 5 in the afternoon then the machine for 8 hrs. It does three exchanges overnight. I did only manual for six months and that did my head in. You are ruled by exchanges.  Ahhh   

I use a belt for the catheter. It is loose enough to tuck into my underpants. I have found it to be the easiest. The tape takes my skin off and makes me really itchy.

[MiSSis]

Wattle,  I use belts too.  I like the ones from Kidneystuff.com.  In fact, I ordered some new ones yesterday and even ordered 1extra to give to my PD nurse so she can show them to new patients when she's training them.  They sure to save the skin from the tape burn, don't they. 

[RCA]

Wattle,

My mom hasn't actually started PD yet.  When she does, we'll get whatever Fresenius machine is available at that time. 

[MiSSis]

RCA, Obviously Fresenius has a variety of machines and they can apparently differ depending upon where you live.  Wattle (who is from Australia) uses a very different machine than I do (from the US).  Ours don't look at all alike but seem to perform the same.  Even those of us in the US seem to have different variations of a Fresenius machine.  I'd be interested in knowing why the differences and if one is considered better than any of the others.

[greattwitch]

very interesting stuff!