EPR vs. C-Flex

Just curious but is the EPR on the S9 machines the same feature as C-FLEX on Respironic equipment? Are there differences in how they work and comfort level for people?

I guess that in order to respond effectively, someone will have to have owned both machines.

Already covered here: viewtopic/t79899/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=66 ... PR#p619581

(you can use the search function to find earlier posts on any given topic...)

RandyJ wrote:Already covered here: viewtopic/t79899/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=66 ... PR#p619581

(you can use the search function to find earlier posts on any given topic...)

Yes --search functions are good IF you enter the query properly. In this case, I couldn't think of how to narrow down the field. So, I entered the exact "EPR vs. C-Flex" that this thread is titled.

I came up with 6626 hits -- none of which had your link anywhere close to the top.
Anyway -- thanks for the link. Good stuff and yes, it answered my question. I now believe that C-Flex is a bit more sophisticated feature, and possibly might be better suited for folks who struggle with breathing problems with CPAP. IMO of course.
Part of this comes from the fact that 20 years ago, the ONLY machine that had a Flex type feature, was the Healthdyne Tranquility +. So they naturally had a jump on the competition. Respironics bought Healthdyne, I think it was 10-15 years ago. And Respironics improved on the original feature, and introduced C-Flex.

I have never tried C Flex but I currently use Bi Flex at setting 1 and like it. When I was using an S9 I tried EPR at all settings and didn't like it so I always kept it set to Off.

I mentioned the Search function because I saw you joined recently and thought you might not have known about searching past posts.

you didn't mention aflex. A-Flex is a little more comfortable than C-Flex, in that it provides pressure relief on both inhalation and exhalation. C-Flex only provides pressure relief on exhalation.


cflex vs epr from cpap.com:

Respironics C-Flex vs. Resmed EPR: There Is A Difference

Many similarities exist between Respironics C-Flex and Resmed EPR but they are NOT the same thing! Both are easy breathing, expiratory pressure reduction systems. Both decrease the pressure to the patient at the beginning of each exhalation and both have three comfort settings. However, major differences exist in the availability and effectiveness of these features.

Here are a list of the major differences:

Auto Mode Pressure Adjustments. C-Flex works when the machine is in the "Automatic Pressure Adjust", or "Auto" mode. EPR only works in "Constant Pressure", or "CPAP" mode. EPR will not work when an S8 Vantage machine is in the "Auto" mode.


Length Of Pressure Drop. C-Flex decreases pressure at the beginning of each breath. The decrease lasts for less than a second and then returns to the base pressure. EPR decreases the pressure at the beginning of each breath also but keeps the pressure low throughout the exhalation.


Relative vs. Exact Pressure Drop. C-Flex settings reduce the pressure relative to the patient’s exhalation strength and the machine pressure setting. EPR reduces the pressure by one, two or three centimeters of water pressure.


Sleep Disordered Breathing Event Handling. EPR has an Event Detection Circuit. When a sleep disordered breathing event is expected or has occurred, EPR stops until the event concludes and normal breathing resumes. C-Flex is of such short duration it is thought that is has no negative effect on sleep disordered breathing events and does not need to stop.


Ramp Mode Pressure Relief. EPR can be limited to work in the ramp mode only. C-Flex can not be limited in this way.
So, if EPR reduces the expiratory pressure by a controlled 1, 2, or 3 centimeters, what is the difference between EPR and BiPAP (tm) or Bilevel?

Bilevel machines are categorized as "ventilatory devices". They use rapid pressure changes to expand and contract lung volume. EPR uses slower pressure changes, so there is little ventilatory effect. However, EPR does feel very much like a Bilevel to the patient.

viewtopic.php?p=436054#p436054

This is how Rested Gal explains it, must reading!

As someone who has had the chance to use both the Respironics machines (CFlex and Aflex and BiFlex) along with the ResMed EPR....
all I can say is that each one feels a wee bit different. Between CFlex and AFlex I preferred AFlex. It just seemed smoother to me and much more like my own natural breathing rhythm. The reduction is pressure is much more subtle than with EPR and its sudden marked reduction.
When I used the ResMed machine in cpap mode with EPR of 3 it sort of felt like Bilevel mode. Not exactly the same but very close.

Is anyone of the above "better" than the other? Not really. This is just another YMMV thing that comes with using these machines.
Sometimes the being different thing works better for some people and not for other people. I found that with AFlex and EPR being used that there were pros and cons to each feature. Very minor differences and each with either one being very comfortable. Can't say that I found that either was superior to the other...just different.
I didn't care for CFlex all that much though to be honest...didn't spend a lot of time with it. My first M Series APAP machine only had CFlex and I did give it a trial but found that I did well with it off. Then I got the M Series APAP with AFlex available and I really liked AFlex.
For those that don't know me and my settings I used APAP mode 10 min and 20 max.

EPR has an Event Detection Circuit. When a sleep disordered breathing event is expected or has occurred, EPR stops until the event concludes and normal breathing resumes

It has been my observation that the EPR stops at the lower pressure in response to an event, not the higher pressure. That seems backwards, shouldn't I be wanting the higher pressure to open things up?