Bi-Flex (Respironics)

Does anyone know what exactly Bi-Flex does?
I tried bi-flex at a sleep study and liked it a lot, but my home bi-pap is a ResMed that doesn't have that feature, but instead has various other timing settings. I'm hoping to make some adjustments to mimic the Bi-flex feature if possible.

-- Bob

Bob,

Here's the description in the CPAPopedia (above). Hope it tells you what you need to know.

Den


A Bi-Level machine is a positive airway device that can be set to two distinct pressure settings. The inhalation setting, (IPAP), is adjusted to relieve snore and hypopnea. The exhalation pressure, (EPAP), is adjusted to relieve apnea.

Bi-Level devices are commonly used when a patient cannot tolerate the pressure of a CPAP. Used for this purpose, the Bi-level machines are set to run in Spontaneous Mode. Spontaneous referring to the presence of respiratory drive.

A Bi-Level set to run in Timed Mode, are used for patient’s with a host of medical issues, including Central Apnea, ALS, and many forms of COPD. The timed Bi-Level will initiate a breath, when respiratory drive is not present.

See: https://www.cpap.com/find-cpap-products/BIPAP

bilbo1 wrote:Does anyone know what exactly Bi-Flex does?
I tried bi-flex at a sleep study and liked it a lot, but my home bi-pap is a ResMed that doesn't have that feature, but instead has various other timing settings. I'm hoping to make some adjustments to mimic the Bi-flex feature if possible.

-- Bob

Based on a discussion elsewhere. I believe that APAP machines are more sophisticated today than most BiPAP/VPAPs are. But most modern BiPAP/VPAPs seem to have very sensitive algorithms for determining when to switch from iLevel & oLevel. (iLevel=breathing in, oLevel=breathing out)

Also BiPAPs ability to be set to either spontaneous switching of iLevel to oLevel to iLevel and timed control of iLevel to oLevel to iLevel, makes these boxes very specialized & not ideal for the normal OSA sufferer. Also they cost an arm and a leg.

Modern APAP is the way to fly. CFLEX adds to that.

Cheers

DSM

Bob, i have the Respironics Bi-PAP Pro2. If I get into the clinician's menu, I have the choice of setting it on either Bi-Flex or straight Bi-PAP. When it's set on Bi-PAP, my pressures alternate strictly between my inhale and exhale pressures. When it's on Bi-Flex, the pressures kind of wander around a little more, sort of softening the pressure changes. It will hit the inhale pressure, but then backs off of it a litttle. Same with the exhale pressure.

I'm not explaining it very well. If you go to the respironics.com website and click on "BiPAP PRo2 with Bi-Flex" you can get to a demo that draws you a picture of the difference between Bi-Flex and straight Bi-PAP. http://bipap.respironics.com/demo.htm#

Personally, I can't tell much difference between Bi-PAP and Bi-Flex, but I find it a little easier to fall asleep with the Bi-Flex, as I'm not quite as aware of the machine changing pressures with each breath. Hope this helps.