What is the practical difference between a CPAP auto adjusting with cflex, versus a BIPAP Auto w/ BiFlex. Don't they essentially do the same thing? Aren't they both designed to make the sleep most comfortable by making the exhale comfortable while still keeping the airway open. Are both equally effective for treating apnea? Any idea why the bipap auto with biflex is alot more expensive than a cpap auto with cflex?
I have not done a sleep study, but I know I have apnea and am trying to find the best device that is most comfortable as well as effective, so that my doctor can then prescribe. Any comments would be appreciated.
Don
re: CPAP auto adjusting w/ CFLEX vs. BiPAP Auto w/BiFLEX
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Don,
At the bottom of your post there are some words in blue type. Click on the on that says "Bi-PAP" and check out the features on the list of machines that come up. There are more features (including higher pressures) in the Bi-PAPs than in the Autos. They're designed more for special usage situations that straight CPAPs and Autos don't accomodate.....hence the higher prices.
Best wishes,
Den
At the bottom of your post there are some words in blue type. Click on the on that says "Bi-PAP" and check out the features on the list of machines that come up. There are more features (including higher pressures) in the Bi-PAPs than in the Autos. They're designed more for special usage situations that straight CPAPs and Autos don't accomodate.....hence the higher prices.
Best wishes,
Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05
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rested gal
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As for the difference in expense, the BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex is like having three different machines in one, as it can be operated as:
CPAP
BiPAP
BiPAP Auto (autopap)
The Auto-titrating CPAP (commonly referred to as "autopap") is like having two machines in one, as it can be operated as:
CPAP
Autopap
With either Respironics machine (BiPAP Auto or REMstar Auto) the comfort features of Bi-Flex or C-Flex can be enabled with some of the modes of operation.
But the main difference is that one machine is first and foremost a bi-level machine which can also vary the pressure as needed (the BiPAP Auto) and the other machine can vary the pressure as needed but has no bi-level capability (the autopap.)
Using a bi-level machine like Respironics BiPAP or the BiPAP Auto means that an exact (exact number of cm H20 ) pressure can be set lower than the inhale pressure. If Bi-Flex is enabled, there can be yet even more drop at the very beginning of the already lower exhale pressure. Icing on the cake, so to speak. In that respect (a temporary small drop at the beginning of exhaling) the Bi-Flex comfort feature is similar to the C-Flex comfort feature.
C-Flex in other Respironics machines, like the REMstar Auto with C-Flex, does not give an exact drop in cm's when you exhale. It gives "some" pressure drop....the amount of drop is very much dependent on how forcefully you exhale. The pressure drop during exhalation with C-Flex enabled does not last throughout the entire exhalation. C-Flex's pressure reduction happens only during the first part of the exhalation. As you continue exhaling, the "regular pressure" comes back in...before you are finished exhaling.
Bi-level machines, on the other hand, maintain the reduced pressure for exhaling throughout the entire exhalation. The higher inhale pressure does not come back in until the instant you start to inhale again. If you don't inhale, the bi-level machine will maintain the lower exhale pressure "forever". (A bi-level "ST" with timed backup rate capability is another type of bi-level altogether.)
There's also a very important comfort setting on the bi-level machine. Usually called "rise" time, it's a setting which governs how long it takes for the inhalation pressure to resume full force when you switch from exhaling to inhaling. This setting can make a difference in how smooth the bi-level treatment feels when the user begins to inhale again.
If I were prescribed a high pressure, the machine I'd want is the Respironics BiPAP Auto. I'd want the combo of a machine that would vary the pressure as needed (a la autopap) AND let me set an exact exhalation pressure that would stay low throughout the entire exhalation.
Since I don't need a high pressure and have no difficulty breathing out against the pressure I need (about 10 cm H20), I would do fine on straight CPAP at 10. But I prefer using an autopap...and do fine on that.
There's usually more than one machine or type of machine that can treat most people well. If you get a chance to try several, you might like one more than another simply because of some of the features or the design, yet get good treatment from more than one.
CPAP
BiPAP
BiPAP Auto (autopap)
The Auto-titrating CPAP (commonly referred to as "autopap") is like having two machines in one, as it can be operated as:
CPAP
Autopap
With either Respironics machine (BiPAP Auto or REMstar Auto) the comfort features of Bi-Flex or C-Flex can be enabled with some of the modes of operation.
But the main difference is that one machine is first and foremost a bi-level machine which can also vary the pressure as needed (the BiPAP Auto) and the other machine can vary the pressure as needed but has no bi-level capability (the autopap.)
Using a bi-level machine like Respironics BiPAP or the BiPAP Auto means that an exact (exact number of cm H20 ) pressure can be set lower than the inhale pressure. If Bi-Flex is enabled, there can be yet even more drop at the very beginning of the already lower exhale pressure. Icing on the cake, so to speak. In that respect (a temporary small drop at the beginning of exhaling) the Bi-Flex comfort feature is similar to the C-Flex comfort feature.
C-Flex in other Respironics machines, like the REMstar Auto with C-Flex, does not give an exact drop in cm's when you exhale. It gives "some" pressure drop....the amount of drop is very much dependent on how forcefully you exhale. The pressure drop during exhalation with C-Flex enabled does not last throughout the entire exhalation. C-Flex's pressure reduction happens only during the first part of the exhalation. As you continue exhaling, the "regular pressure" comes back in...before you are finished exhaling.
Bi-level machines, on the other hand, maintain the reduced pressure for exhaling throughout the entire exhalation. The higher inhale pressure does not come back in until the instant you start to inhale again. If you don't inhale, the bi-level machine will maintain the lower exhale pressure "forever". (A bi-level "ST" with timed backup rate capability is another type of bi-level altogether.)
There's also a very important comfort setting on the bi-level machine. Usually called "rise" time, it's a setting which governs how long it takes for the inhalation pressure to resume full force when you switch from exhaling to inhaling. This setting can make a difference in how smooth the bi-level treatment feels when the user begins to inhale again.
If I were prescribed a high pressure, the machine I'd want is the Respironics BiPAP Auto. I'd want the combo of a machine that would vary the pressure as needed (a la autopap) AND let me set an exact exhalation pressure that would stay low throughout the entire exhalation.
Since I don't need a high pressure and have no difficulty breathing out against the pressure I need (about 10 cm H20), I would do fine on straight CPAP at 10. But I prefer using an autopap...and do fine on that.
There's usually more than one machine or type of machine that can treat most people well. If you get a chance to try several, you might like one more than another simply because of some of the features or the design, yet get good treatment from more than one.
-
Don
RG has provided an excellent overview.
I lean toward the BiPap AUTO being close to the ideal type of machine.
As I understand it, when in Auto BiPap mode It actually adjusts both the IPAP and EPAP pressures based on feed back and does these independantly of each other. Obviously it would never lower (i hope) IPAP below EPAP
DSM
I lean toward the BiPap AUTO being close to the ideal type of machine.
As I understand it, when in Auto BiPap mode It actually adjusts both the IPAP and EPAP pressures based on feed back and does these independantly of each other. Obviously it would never lower (i hope) IPAP below EPAP
DSM
xPAP and Quattro std mask (plus a pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap)
5 posts
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