Amusing results of recent tests

Some days back in one of the then active threads I put forward some ideas on tests I might try as part of trying to better understand why 2 different models of Bipaps seem to flip from IPAP to EPAP far to soon in the cycle.

Test 1) One suggested test was to shorten the 6' + 1' air hose I use, to see if that might have some effect. In the test I reduced the length to 4' using short hoses coupled together.
#2 (added comment on length of test hose)

Test 2) To extend the pressure sensor line up the air hose from the Bipap (similar to hose Puritan Bennett have one).

Test 1 seemed worth a try, especially after I had read an interview given by a representative of one manufacturer. In it he stated that the length of the air hose made a difference to how their AUTO performed due to changes in 'resistance' in the air hoses due to length. Although my machine is a Bipap, it seemed worth a try.

Test 2 just seemed like it was worth a try.

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I tried test 1 and 2 with these masks

a) Resmed Ultra Mirage F/F mask - std

b) Resmed swift with std cushion

c) Adams Circuit Nasal Pillows

d) Innomed Nasalaire II


I set the Bipap S/T to S mode as there was no benefit to doing these tests in S/T mode first go. I could try that later if the machines passed this set of tests. The Bipap Pro 2 was set with Biflex off.

CMS tried was 15/8 then 15/10 then 15/12

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Test 1 on the Bipap S/T (in S mode) made no difference to the flipping problem, it still flipped early (sometimes 50% into a breath) using the F/F mask & worked almost normally with the other three masks.

Test 1 on the Bipap Pro 2 was as for the other machine.

Test 2 was only done on the Bipap S/T (in S mode) as the results made any further testing pointless

the effect on the mask, of extending the pressure sensor line up to the mask, was that it still flipped early BUT if I stopped breathing - ALL - masks would go into a pulsing frenzy - my guess is that they were vibrating at between 3 to 5 times per second (the F/F mask pulsed slowest, the Nasalaire pulsed fastest.

(#2 corrected the pulsing rate)
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So what did these tests achive ?

Only that I won't try them again

Cheers

DSM

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