The Lumin Bullet by 3B Medical is a revolutionary UV sanitizing system designed to quickly clean the inside of almost any CPAP hose in under two minutes. It’s quick and easy, with no mess. In this article, we’ll cover the following topics:
- What is the Lumin Bullet?
- Hose Cleaning Overview
- How Does it Work?
- How Much Does the Lumin Bullet Cost?
- Which Hoses Aren’t Compatible
Let’s dive in!
What is the Lumin Bullet?
3B Medical created the Lumin Bullet as a solution for sanitizing the inside of a CPAP hose, without using ozone or other chemicals. It also uses no soap or water, and there’s no drying or waiting period after you sanitize the hose before you can use it again.
The Lumin Bullet gives new and existing Lumin CPAP Cleaner users the ability to finally be able to clean the inside of a hose using the same technology found in the Lumin. Once you get the hang of using the Lumin Bullet, you can thoroughly sanitize your CPAP hose in under two minutes and prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
Hose Cleaning Overview
To clean a hose without using a sanitizer like the Lumin Bullet, you’d need to run soapy water through the hose, and then rinse it. Alternatively, you could do the same thing with vinegar, but you’d need to set the hose over a towel rack to dry when you’re done cleaning by hand. Air drying a hose could take a few hours, as it needs to be completely dry before using again.
Cleaning with ozone, or activated oxygen cleaner, cuts down on that time, but you’ll still need to wait a full 30 minutes for the ozone to leave the device before using it again in order to avoid breathing in toxic chemicals.
With the Lumin Bullet, you simply sanitize, and you’re ready to use. Start to finish you can be done in under two minutes, with no waiting period. That’s the benefit to using the Lumin Bullet, the world’s only UV light CPAP hose cleaner.
How Does it Work?
When the Lumin CPAP Cleaner first hit the market, a big complaint was its inability to sanitize the inside of the hose, and the manufacturer was listening. The Lumin Bullet is intended to be a compliment to the Lumin and to resolve its biggest pain point.
The Lumin Bullet uses a small metallic probe to create the UV light source and is guided through the hose by powerful magnets in an outer shell that collapses around the hose— with the probe inside. The case also shields the user’s eyes from the light source, so it doesn’t pose any health risks from accidentally looking at the light.
To use, place the silver bullet inside your CPAP hose, then enclose the CPAP hose within the magnetized case, next hold the outer magnetized case and slowly guide it along the hose.
How Much Does it Cost?
Currently, the Lumin Bullet costs $99, but this could go up or down over time. $99 is a great price when you consider the technology that goes into the device, and how effortless it makes the usually difficult task of cleaning a CPAP hose.
Which Hoses Aren’t Compatible?
The Lumin Bullet is compatible with most hoses that are on the market today, with a few exceptions. Currently, there are only three hoses that aren’t compatible. They are:
- ClimateLine Air
- ClimateLine Air Oxy
- DreamStation Go 12mm Micro Tubing
ClimateLine Air & ClimateLine Oxy
These hoses are designed in such a way that both ends of the hose are obstructed by plastic, leaving no entry point for the Lumin Bullet’s probe. The ClimateLine hoses also have a sharp 90-degree turn at one end that the probe would be unable to navigate.
DreamStation Go 12mm Micro Tubing
The DreamStation Go uses 12mm Micro Tubing and would be a tight squeeze for the Lumin Bullet—if it were to fit. But like the ClimateLine Air and the ClimateLine Oxy, each end of the hose has connectors that use plastic and blocks the path of the sanitizing probe, keeping it from being able to enter the hose.
Conclusion
The Lumin Bullet makes it easier to take care of your CPAP hose and reduces the amount of downtime you need before you can use it again. We really like this product, and we hope you will too.
13 Responses
I am very disappointed that the Lumin busllet will not fit in my longer hose to clean it. I would have not boughten it had I known that However it does do a fantastic job on the shorter hose.
Please update your information on hoses incompatible with the lumen bullet to include the resmed tubing for the Airsense10 for her. I reviewed various articles (including this one) on the bullet before i purchased one. I was so disappointed to discover that I won’t be able to use it. Does anyone know if is there a cpap tubing that would work with my airsense 10 machine and the bullet?
thank you
Hi MSturdevant, on our website CPAP.com, we list the hoses which are not compatible with the Bullet. Please see the link below for more information.
https://grabby.cpap.com/2020-04-14_071107542-Zq078i-0732.png
The hose included with the AirSense 10 machines, which is the SlimLine will work with the Lumin. Please see the link below for further details. The Climateline Heated Hose will not work with the Bullet.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-airsense-aircurve-10-s9-cpap-machine-slimline-tubing
For further questions, or concerns, please reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Have a great day!
How long does it take to slide the tube down the Resmed Airsense 10 slimline long tube? In other words, I assume you have to do that by hand. Will any of the UV escape while moving the bullet down the tube?
Also, will the Lumin CPAP cleaner bin clean the short tube that connects the nasal pillow mask to the long tube?
Many thanks,
Hi Tom, it takes less than 2 minutes to sanitize your hose when using the Lumin Bullet. Per the manufacturer, the UV, will not escape its chamber (white casing), while your hose is being sanitized.
The Lumin Mask and Accessories Cleaner, will not clean the inside of your short tube. We would recommend you clean your short hose via hand with mild detergent and warm water, or vinegar and water.
Please feel free to reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com, for further questions, or concerns.
Have a great day!
I removed the tab at the end of the tube, and now I use it on my resmed ClimateLine tubing
How long a hose can you use with the bullet.
Hi Vickie, the Lumin, will work with almost any sized hose. For hoses longer, or shorter than 6ft, please be careful as to pull the hose through the Bullet slowly as to not drop the bullet, or the hose.
For further questions, or concerns, please reach us at: 1-800-356-5221, or you may e-mail us at: cpap@cpap.com.
Enjoy your day!
Occasionally when I plugged the bullet to the charger the green light turned on immediately. I had to redo it a few times carefully to activate the red light instead. I have been using this device for only less than a year. Can this be fixed or replaced? Is this still under warranty?
Hey Thomas,
The green light was indicating that your Bullet, was fully charged when you plugged it into the charger. Since the light is red, that’s the indication that the Bullet, is charging.
Since, you had to try multiple times to get the red indicator, please make sure that your USB is working properly by plugging a different item into it, like a cell phone. If there isn’t any issue with charging a different item, your Bullet, could be defective.
If you purchased your Bullet, from CPAP.com, it was sold with a one year manufacturer’s warranty. Please give us a call at: 1-800-356-5221 so that we may further assist you.
We hope to hear from you soon!
I have an issue with the metal bullet-the tip of the bullet separated from the long metal body. Is there a replacement for the tip? Thank you for your time!
Hi Linda, my apologies about the broken piece. Are you referring to the tip of the Probe? If so, did you purchase the Bullet, from CPAP.com?
If so, the Bullet, was sold with a one year manufacturer’s warranty. Please contact us at: 1-800-356-5221 so that we may get a new Probe shipped to you.
If you didn’t purchase your Bullet, from us, please contact whichever company supplied you with your Bullet for warranty information.
We don’t sell just the Probe (tip), but the manufacturer, will replace it if your Bullet, is still under warranty.
We hope to hear from you soon!
I have the flannel SnuggleHose cover on my RESPIRONICS hose. Will that fit the BULLET hose sanitizer, or do I have to use it uncovered? I Originally added the cover to stop my cat from chewing holes in the hose. He’s probably over that stage now, so I can un-snuggle it now.