BiPAP Bi-Flex Feature

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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izzyb
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Joined: Wed Feb 28, 2007 1:06 pm

BiPAP Bi-Flex Feature

Post by izzyb » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:08 pm

I have the BiPAP with the Bi-Flex feature. I called my DME to ask for information on this feature and what it actually does. She wasn't any help. She (and the description on the websites) say it softens/cushions the exhalation. Does this mean that if you have it set on 1 that the exhalation pressure goes down 1? My exhalation pressure is 10, so does that mean it will be 9? When I asked this she wouldn't say for sure. She danced around it repeating the literature. I think she didn't really know. If it doesn't lower the pressure, then exactly how does it soften the exhalation?

izzyb

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Linda3032
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Location: Georgia

Post by Linda3032 » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:15 pm

Here is a link to a thread that discusses the different machines and functions.

viewtopic.php?p=56836

Hope that helps.

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rested gal
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Re: BiPAP Bi-Flex Feature

Post by rested gal » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:38 pm

izzyb wrote:Does this mean that if you have it set on 1 that the exhalation pressure goes down 1? My exhalation pressure is 10, so does that mean it will be 9?

----

If it doesn't lower the pressure, then exactly how does it soften the exhalation?
Bi-flex (like C-flex) does drop the pressure some at the beginning of each exhalation, but not by any exact number of cm. A setting of "1" doesn't mean bi-flex will drop the pressure exactly 1 cm.

The amount of "drop" either of those features (Bi-Flex in a bipap, C-Flex in a cpap or autopap) give at the beginning of an exhalation is almost completely dependent on just how forcefully your own natural exhalation starts out.

Bi-flex also starts reducing the pressure some at the end of an inhalation. See Christinequilts' post here:
viewtopic.php?t=16266

Letting the pressure start to drop at the end of an inhalation and especially at the beginning of an exhalation is what they mean by bi-flex "softening" it.

Some people prefer using a bipap with Bi-Flex turned on (I do.) Others prefer using a Rise Time to smooth out the transitions between exhale/inhale cycling. Any Rise Time setting I tried felt bumpy to me. But another person might find that any Bi-Flex setting felt bumpy.

Can't use both Bi-Flex and Rise Time at the same time. It's "either/or".

If you want to be able to try the three Bi-Flex settings, the bipap machine has to be put in BFLE mode.

If you want to try out Rise Time at its various settings, the bipap machine has to be put in BPAP mode.

Mode is changed in the clinical menu.
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Rabid1
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Location: Bend, OR

Post by Rabid1 » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:49 pm

RG (as usual) explained it perfectly.

She also made a suggestion to me to try my BiFlex setting at 2, which really did work well for me.

BTW, once you get that BiPAP dialed in...HEAVEN!!!!

Wake me up when this is over...

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izzyb
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Post by izzyb » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:29 pm

Thanks for the help. I think I get it now. I have mine set on 2. If there is a problem with that then I don't know it. What do I need to look for to see if I need to change it?
izzyb

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Rabid1
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Location: Bend, OR

Post by Rabid1 » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:32 pm

izzyb wrote: What do I need to look for to see if I need to change it?
Iz,

The BiFlex is a comfort setting. Set it to what feels most natural for you.
Wake me up when this is over...