Unneeded part?

[grandmajoy]

Help, please.

My DME set up my apap machine. Now, after all these months, I notice a part called, "Pressure Valve." The number is 302418. I've looked it up on the Respironics web site and it appears to go with a Bipap S/T system.

Do I need this on my Apap system? I don't think so, but wanted your opinion(s). The reason I'm now first looking into this, is that the valve now keeps opening up, causes leaks and makes tons of noise. Should I remove it all together? I do have a replacement for it. I guess I should have paid more attention to it in the first place, but with everything to get used to, I ignored it.

Joy

[rested gal]

I went to the Respironics site just now and looked for the part # you mentioned. As you said, it's listed as a part available for the S/T machine. Not listed at all for the M Auto with C-Flex or even the one with A-Flex. Nothing called a "pressure valve" was listed as a part for the M Auto machines.

So... I'd say, no, your machine doesn't need that part.

I'm confused about this:

the valve now keeps opening up, causes leaks and makes tons of noise. Should I remove it all together? I do have a replacement for it

I can't picture what "valve" you're seeing on your machine (M Auto with C-Flex) that "keeps opening up, causes leaks and makes tons of noise." Where, exactly, on your machine is it?

The "replacement" you have... whatever it is... did it come with your machine/humidifier, or have you bought it since then yourself? What does the "replacement" you have look like and where on the machine does it go, if you were to use it?

[grandmajoy]

It is hooked up right before my mask. So on the Opus 360 when I have the mask hooked to the top of my head, it's right behind that. The extra valve came with the things I got from the DME. It has a tube on each end that hooks up to the hoses, and is wider in the middle with some kind of spring loaded contraption on the inside. It is open when I turn on the machine and then after a few seconds closes and allows the air to go to my mask. Then, up until now, it doesn't do anything. But the valve "opens" somehow and no air comes to my mask. It is also noisy, like when there is a major mask leak, and, I suppose, is raising my leak rate. So I am going to remove it. I think the BME was confused and believed I have a Bipap machine. She is a little bit of a "ditz" so I don't believe I'll get any reasonable answer if I ask her.

[ozij]

I did a search in google images:

https://cpapusa.com/item.php?id=757&pro ... uctkey=394

The Pressure Valve is a spring-loaded valve that helps prevent the back flow of oxygen (O2) or water from the patient circuit in to the BiPAP or CPAP machine when the machine is turned off. Any back flow passes out of the circuit through the vents. When the BiPAP or CPAP machine is operating, the valve allows air to flow through the patient circuit. The vents are sealed to prevent flow out of the circuit.

Water back flowing into a BiPAP or CPAP can cause permanent damage to the machine, while the back flow of oxygen can be a fire hazard.

The Pressure Valve is designed for single patient use on nearly all BiPAP and CPAP machines though for a machine with an integrated humidifier the primary function would only be to prevent oxygen back flow since it could only be located after the humidifier.

Product Features:
Minimum operating pressure is 2 cm H2O.
Inlet and outlet connector are 22 mm compatible with almost all BiPAP and CPAP machines.
Can be used inline with a bacteria filter.

My emphasis

Unless you're on oxygen, I doubt you need it.

[grandmajoy]

Thanks Ozij, that's the part. It could be there because I also was using oxygen. Now that the oxygen has been discontinued, it isn't needed, and that may be the reason the valve is opening up. I don't know, really don't care, and will disconnect it.

Thanks so much.

[rested gal]

Good sleuthing, ozij!!

I was preparing to run down the rabbit trail toward "in-line bacteria filter":
https://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum ... r-main.jpg

But you and grandmajoy got to the bottom of the mystery. Cool !

[ozij]

All I did was google for an image of "Bipap S/T system valve".

Wouldn't have found it without your info, Rested Gal. Just caught the ball you threw... isn't that what this forum is usually about?
grandmajoy had the number, you had the name, and I got the picture....

O.