C-Flex vs biPAP?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:53 pm

[quote="NightHawkeye"]Yep, I like the BiPAP-auto, and the price difference between it and the Remstar-auto may be less than $300. It has been on sale at other online retailers for $999 (although I haven't checked in a few weeks). Doing a Google search should find the best prices.

As for BiFlex, it actually relieves pressure at the beginning of exhale to values lower than the EPAP settings. This can be seen on the machine's display. On my BiPAP-Auto, with a BiFlex setting of 3, I can see the pressure briefly drop up to 3 cm less than the EPAP setting.

IMHO, anyone who is prescribed a bilevel should give the BiPAP-auto a try. It really is in a class by itself. No other manufacturer has a machine which can compare to it.

Regards,
Bill

WillCunningham · Post by **WillCunningham** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 8:45 pm

I ordered the biPAP auto tonight, I also snagged the software. The description on cpap.com sounded almost like it came with the software but I am now convinced it just means it supports the software. I can't beleive I forgot to order the 10' hose, lol. I never would have guessed I would get this excited about a medical device, but I am now anxiously waiting for it to arrive.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:26 pm

The BiPAP-auto can be set as a CPAP. The confusion about this comes from the fact that there is no CPAP mode. However, setting IPAP=EPAP provides CPAP function. To eliminate this confusion, Respironics would have been well advised to include a "CPAP" mode.

There is not, however, an APAP mode with the BiPAP-auto.

Hope this clears up the confusion.

Regards,
Bill

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:30 pm

Don't we all just hate it when I open my mouth and don't know what in the heck I'm talking about?

Okay, now that we all agree on that, let's move on.

Just what does the Auto stand for in Bi-Pap Auto then?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:43 pm

Linda3032 wrote:Just what does the Auto stand for in Bi-Pap Auto then?

Linda,

Does this help?

Manufacturer: Respironics
Part Number: 1017442

The new BiPAP Auto brings together a unique combination of Respironics technologies to create the most advanced BiPAP on the market. It offers

* Auto Adjust Maintains the minimum effective pressure to deliver only the level that is needed, when it is needed.
* Bi-Flex Makes the breathing cycle much more natural and comfortable.
* Digital Auto-Trak Algorithm Allows this machine to track and react to your natural breathing pattern.
* Encore Pro Advanced ReportingAllows you to track key performance metrics like AHI, leak and snoring data on a nightly basis.

From:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/bipap- ... ifier.html

Den

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 9:55 pm

Linda, the BiPAP-auto is a fully automatic BiPAP machine, the same way the Remstar-auto is a fully automatic CPAP machine. The BiPAP-auto will automatically let the BiPAP pressures go up and down as needed, the same way an APAP lets its single CPAP pressure go up and down as needed. Only difference is that the BiPAP-auto is continually adjusting two independent pressures, whereas the APAP is adjusting only a single pressure.

When I said that the BiPAP-auto can't function as an APAP, I was saying that there is no way for it to function in auto mode without distinct EPAP and IPAP pressures. The BiPAP-auto will operate as a CPAP, if you set the IPAP and EPAP pressures to the same value though, say 7 cm.

Does that clarify? Or have my words just confused things further? (I'm trying to be accurate here without being unnecessarily wordy.)

Regards,
Bill

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 2:21 pm

The Respironics AutoBiPAP has a setting called "pressure support" which determines the maximum pressure difference between IPAP and EPAP. The max. is 8cm and I think the min. is 2cm.

If you set the unit for AutoBiPAP mode, with a pressure support of 2cm, with BiFLEX, then you will have a machine very much like an APAP. The exhale pressure will drop no more than 2cm. The BiPAP determines your pressure need for IPAP and EPAP separately, but by using this "support" setting, you can minimize the difference.

I don' know why anyone would want to restrict this parameter so much, but you can if you want to.

BTW, my DME did not seem to even know what this setting was, and the Clinician's Manual does a poor job of explaining it. It is explained much better in the demonstration software that was recently posted (until the link was pulled off at the request of Respironics).

Moogy

C-Flex vs biPAP?

BiPAP settings