Continuous Positive Airway Pressure

The most frequently used therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea; abbreviated "CPAP." Invented in 1981 by Dr. Colin Sullivan of the University of Sydney in Australia.

A CPAP system delivers pressurized air, (Commonly 4 to 20cm H2O), through a nasal mask, to prevent collapse of the upper airway during sleep. If the patient can adjust to the sensations of CPAP, fatigue, blood sugar, blood pressure and a host of other conditions can be dramatically improved.

During the early years of experimentation, CPAP machines were made from common household vacuum cleaners blowing air into the patient’s airway at different pressures.

CPAP works by creating a "pneumatic splint" for the upper airway. A flow generator sends pressurized air through air tubing and a mask (usually a nasal mask) and through the nose to the upper airway. The pressurized air prevents the soft tissues of the upper airway from narrowing and collapsing.

CPAP Machine Choices

The choice of type, brand, and model of machine is both a medical decision and a patient-preference decision, best made as a collaborative decision between you and your prescribing physician. A sleep doctor will know your medical needs and should ideally, but not necessarily, have knowledge of brands and models of machines. You are the one who needs to use the machine all night, every night, for the rest of your life, so your agreement, cooperation, and comfort are essential. You can research machines at CPAP.com and manufacturers’ web sites, and perhaps through local, unbiased sources such as a hospital sleep lab. As you learn about equipment, bring that knowledge to your doctor’s appointment. You can anticipate your machine preferences and needs for adaptability and comfort.

The choice of a machine is best not left solely to a Respiratory Therapist (RT) at a Durable Medical Equipment/home care provider. The RT may know about various machines, but their inventory (and maybe knowledge) will be limited by the brands of machine carried by their company. For example, it’s said that Apria favors Respironics machines and Lincare favors ResMed machines because of their business contracts with those manufacturers. Your patient needs are not necessarily the same as the DME’s business deal or need to move inventory. (The same is true for masks.) The DME may be able to get other brands, but not initially suggest them unless you request it. In the end, your research and trial and error are the methods for finding the best machine for you, since each person is unique.

For the full article on CPAP Machine Choice, with its full list of options and reviews of each see the page devoted to CPAP Machine Choices.

Fully data capable CPAPs

a] Resmed S8 II Elite w/EPR b] Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR c] Respironics M Series Pro w/C-Flex