HME Filter and AutoPAP

I've always used a Heat Moisture Exchange filter on my hose during CPAP use (no humidifier).

This has a noticable effect on how the resulting air is percieved when it gets to the mask (seems to reduce the airflow possibly).

Now I'm on Auto PAP (Intellipap Auto) I just wondered if using the HME filter is likely to cause any issues with the machine detecting pressures correclty. I've read one source that said the filters were not recommended for lower pressures of around 6 cmH20 but mine is quite a bit higher than that (12-18).

Anyone using these filters with APAP ?

I could be way off here but aren’t the new portable CPAP machines technically apap? Resmed’s Air Mini uses the HME cartridges and I have not read of any issues around pressure and HME use.

Perhaps Pugsy or someone with a lot more experience can speak to this better.

CPAPSteve wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 26, 2018 12:47 am

I could be way off here but aren’t the new portable CPAP machines technically apap? Resmed’s Air Mini uses the HME cartridges and I have not read of any issues around pressure and HME use.

Perhaps Pugsy or someone with a lot more experience can speak to this better.

Anything that causes additional air flow resistance needs to be compensated for. That's why there are multiple tube settings on machines, (including 3meter on resmed bilevels, as well as antibacterial filter settings).

Extra resistance to airflow will cause a drop in pressure at the mask..

That may very well be one of the reasons that the Resmed AirMini is only spec'd to use the three masks that are designed for it, with the HME cartridges... to give 'the right' pressure.

Thanks for the reply guys ... Great, just what I needed, another variable to add to the couple of dozen I already have

It's such an adventure when your sleep clinic literally has zero idea what they're doing and no information or useful advice.

God bless the NHS ...

Brits do not have a monopoly on mentally disabled healthcare providers.
We in the US have our fair share.
As if anyone wanted them!

Makes me grateful for places like this Chunkyfrog

At least we're in it together eh.