Respironics M Series Bipap Auto W/biflex Provider Manual

I was wondering if anyone could please point me in the right direction to find the provider manual for the Respironics M series Bipap auto w/biflex. I know how to get in the set-up menu, however there is one screen that i don't know what the adjustmen is for. The adjustment for "Max press sup" My max ip is 20 and my min ep is 13 and my Max press sup is 4 ? just wanted to know the value of max press sup. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

I know you can purchase on ebay
I did do a search for the manual, both on this site and web.

Thanks, Rich

That machine has a built-in or hard coded "Minimum" Pressure Support of 2 cm. This means the pressures in Auto mode can never get closer than 2.0 cm.

This means if you set your EPAP to 10.0 cm when you turn on the machine EPAP will start at 10.0 cm and IPAP will automatically be 2 cm higher at 12.0 cm.

The "Maximum" Pressure Support (PS) is settable by you. The range is from 3.0 cm to 8.0 cm. Think of the PS setting as a string between IPAP and EPAP. You adjust how long you want that string. If you use the minimum setting of 3 then that is the Maximum allowed differential in pressure (difference between IPAP and EPAP, how far they can get away from each other). Next you have to understand the function of what those individual IPAP and EPAP pressures do as related to SDB events.

If you use 8 the Maximum allowed separation or Pressure Support it can impact how the machine responds to event. You establish a Minimum for EPAP and a Maximum for IPAP. The machine then works between that established range. If that range is too narrow (IPAP max being too low) you can limit the machines response.

You might think of the built-in PS=2 as being a tennis ball between your IPAP and EPAP pressures, they will never get closer than 2 cm differential. The PS setting you establish is a string between those same pressures. If the event that drives UP IPAP pressure isn't sufficient, then using a shorter PS string will pull up EPAP earlier than use of a longer one at 8 (i.e. a FL or Hypopnea for example).

The same concept works on the downward trend also as events subside. In the absence of apnea or snoring, the dropping EPAP can pull down a high IPAP.

My guess is if you use a lower PS say 3-4 that you will use a lower IPAP pressure even if the IPAP Max is set up high. When you first turn on the machine that differential will always be a minimum of 2.

In CPAP world if you have a Flow Limitation that increases in severity or duration that it develops into a Hypopnea, theoretically it could also develop into an apnea. While most apnea is not a increasing obstruction (apnea is usually a sudden event that slams shut as opposed to a gradual closing). If you apply enough pressure to reduce a hypopnea down to a Flow Limitation increasing further eliminates the FL.

Similar concept behind the Bipap, if you are bumping into the IPAP maximum then by increasing EPAP would eliminate the Hypopnea and result in a lower IPAP pressure.

Having the separate IPAP and EPAP pressures allows the Bipap to maintain "splint" pressure over the complete breathing cycle. Since those pressures adjust as you breathe it feels much more comfortable than CPAP if the timing is correct.

Below is an example of which pressure generally handles which event and you can see the difference with a higher/lower PS setting, the Min PS you cannot change, only the Maximum:

Thanks Snoredog for that info . I was just confused with the 3rd set of numbers. After reading that it makes sense. Thanks again.

Papdaddy, I have both the older BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex and the M series model. I always set the Max PS (called Max Press Sup on the M-series model) as high as it will let me. The most that setting will allow for a PS difference is " 8 ".

I like to allow the EPAP/IPAP pressures to do their job as independently of each other as possible.

Here are links to a couple of previous posts I wrote with my thoughts about the pressure support setting:


viewtopic.php?t=15666
Dec 08, 2006 subject: Question for BiPap users - UPDATED 12/14/2006

viewtopic.php?t=17887
Mar 04, 2007 subject: Need a little help to set my Respironics BiPap on auto !

About the Provider manual -- please PM me your email address.

Thanks RestedGal, That was a very good read. This is why I really love this forum. I learned more in the last few weeks here, than I have in the past 5 1/2 years on a xpap.

Thanks again, Rich

Thanks evryone, I have received a manul.