Bipap Machines

Bipap Machines

What are Bipap and CPAP machines?

Bipap and CPAP machines both are therapy devices used for the treatment and management of sleep apnea. PAP in both types of machines stands for, Positive Airway Pressure, the principle they both work on. PAP machines (both Bi- and C- PAP) use air pressure supplied through a tube or a mask to, the patient’s mouth or nose to keep the patient’s airway from partial obstruction or a full collapse, preventing instances of apnea.

And both types of machines are similar in their mechanism, used for the prevention of sleep apnea episodes. And are also equally effective in managing Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

What sets them apart?

BIpap machines: Bi-level meaning the machine uses two different pre-set Positive airway pressures. One for inhales and another, usually a lower, air pressure for exhales. Allowing patients to make settings, for inhalation Positive Airway Pressure (I-PAP) and an Exhalation Positive Airway Pressure (E-PAP), as recommended by the physician. Only when the patient finds CPAP utterly unmanageable and uncomfortable for OBS (obstructive Sleep Apnea), after the trials, do doctors recommend a BIPAP machine.

CPAP machines:  C stands for a Continuous (Positive Airway Pressure) that these machines use, a single and unchanging pressure, irrespective of the exhales or inhales.

What is a Bipap Machines used for?

A Bipap machine is often recommended in cases of:

Central sleep apnea (CSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA),

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Asthma (attacks) etc.

And can be used for treating a variety of lung, heart, and respiratory conditions, where the respiratory system’s, function or structure is compromised making it difficult to breathe.

What are the different modes available in a Bipap machine? And when, and why are they are used?

Bipap Machines have the following basic modes:

1. CPAP Mode: yes, Bipap Machines have a CPAP mode as well. A prescribed Positive Airway Pressure (PAP), can be manually pre-set by the patient, as per the professional’s recommendation.
2. S Mode or Spontaneous Mode: the machine relies on the patient’s inhales or efforts to inhale, as a signal to deliver the pre-set, I-PAP (inhalation-positive airway pressure) and an EPAP for each exhale.

That is to mean, that if the machine does not sense an inhalation, on the patient’s part, it does send the IPAP for countering, any possible blockage in the patient’s air pathway. So, initiation and supply of Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) in a patient’s breathing is dependent on his/her breathing rate and cycle.

1. T-Mode or Time Mode: in a Bipap machine can be set, according to how many times the patient breathes-in in a minute. The machine relies on this pre-set time, to supply Positive Airway Pressure at equal intervals. So, to keep the air pathway clear and avoid apnea episodes, instead of relying on the patient, this mode keeps it more consistent and reliable by using fixed time intervals, as a stimulus for delivering PAP.
2. ST or Spontaneous Time Mode: mixes both S and T modes mentioned above. Making it more reliable and safer for use, instead of relying on any one signal for supplying Positive Airway Pressure, of time, or of patient’s initiation of an inhale. It supplies Positive Airway Pressure on initiation of each breath but also at a set time- intervals, when and if the machine does not sense an inhale or an effort to inhale.
3. Auto-Spontaneous Mode: with Auto-spontaneous mode, the patients can manually pre-set the upper limit (a maximum air pressure they may need and can tolerate, for their I (inhalation)-PAPs, to keep the airway unobstructed). And then based on its sensors, it supplies an I-PAP pressure anywhere from the lowest to the patients set upper limit, based on the pressure needed for each inhale and exhale spontaneously.

What are the possible side effects, and complaints that may arise from the use of a Bipap machine?

These are some of the possible complaints and side effects that may accompany the regular use of Bipap Machines:

1. Skin discomfort or irritability: people may experience irritable skin or breakouts, due to mask or intubation use.
2. Dry mouth or Nasal Cavity: a very common complaint, the continuous air exposure does leave the mouth and nasal cavities (airways) dry, making them sensitive.
3. In some cases, there may instance of nose bleeding, so the use of a humidifier is advisable, for moisture and comfort.
4. Bloating: abdominal bloating is the probability with the use of Bipap Machines, with long hours, and continuous taking in air to avoid apnea episodes.

What Is the Price of Bipap Machines in India?

The Bipap Machines in India range from an average, lower price range of Rupees 30,000 going up to 95,000. Depending upon the brand, quality, modes, and additional features the prices may vary.

What are the Top-5 Bipap manufacturers (brands) in India?

1. ResMed Bipap Machines: ResMed is an American medical device manufacturer and service provider. With its headquarters based in San Diego, in the state of California. ResMed specializes in manufacturing respiratory, sleep care, and software services for healthcare professionals.
2. Sefam – Sefam is a French manufacturer of Sleep therapy products, which include, Bipap Machines, CPAP Machines, Sleep apnea Diagnostic Systems
3. BMC Bipap Machines: BMC is a Chinese medical device manufacturer, founded in the year 2001. Its headquarters is in Beijing, China. The company spiralizes in respiratory support and assistance devices, and sleep-related respiratory (breathing) disorders. BMC is one of the largest manufacturers of Sleep therapy equipment by volume.
4. Philips (Respironics) Bipap Machines: is one of the most well-known brands not only in India but across the globe, Philips Respironics, is Philip’s venture into respiratory (health care), machines for sleeping and breathing assistance. But the Philips Bipap and CPAP machines recall in America and across has set the customers off, looking for alternatives to other Respiratory care brands.
5. Evox Bipap Machines- Evox is one Of the Indian brands to Make it to the List, Evox has a Complete range of Bipap machines, CPAP Machines, and Oxygen Concentrators. It’s the Most popular Indian brand in Respiratory Systems
6. DeVilbiss Bipap Machines: is a healthcare service and devices provider, specializing in respiratory, ENT, and ICU equipment for professional and home care.

Top 5 Best-Selling Bipap Machines in India?

1. BMC Y-30T Bipap machine
2. ResMed Aircurve10 ST
3. Evox Bipap Machine
4. Nidek Breath Smart 30 Pro
5. Sefam Dream Star DUO
6. Devilbiss DV56 Bi-level ST

When or how often should you clean your Bipap Machines?

Cleaning your Bipap and CPAP machines is advisable. Regular cleaning keeps your machine in a better condition and makes sure therapy is effective.

How should you clean your CPAP and Bipap machines?

Luke-warm water mixed with a soft and a small amount of detergent should do the trick for cleaning the humidifier, and the air tube.

And thoroughly rinse off the detergent, then air dry the humidifier and the tube, not in direct sunlight.

Bipap and CPAP machines can be cleaned with any dry cloth.

Which machine is better and more advantageous, Bipap or CPAP?

Both Bipap and CPAP are equally efficient when you are solely looking for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Except for one advantage of the comfort that Bipap Machines have against the CPAP machines. And a Disadvantage of higher prices when compared with lower-priced CPAP machines.

When looking for management and treatment of Central Sleep Apnea or other respiratory and neurological conditions that require breathing support, Bipap Machines are a better choice. They are better equipped and have a wider range of functions and operations.

What are the differences between Bipap and CPAP machines?

Features	Bipap	CPAP
Type/Levels. of PAP pressure	Bipap Machines emit Positive airway pressure at Two levels: one for inhales and the other for exhales, both pre-set.	CPAP machine uses a Single pressure, consistent and continuous throughout. This too is pre-set according to the prescription of your physician.
Pressure ranges	The Bipap machine’s usual pressure spectrum ranges from a 4 to 25 cm H20 (a measuring scale of air pressure, in proportion to how much, it be as water pressure in cm).	CPAP machines though set on a single unvarying air pressure, typically range from 4-20 cm H2O.
Available modes	Bipap Machines come with various modes, and integrated functions like CPAP mode, S, T, and ST modes.	CPAP machines have only a CPAP mode.
Tubes and masks	Uses nasal or mouth (covering) masks and tubes.	Uses nasal or mouth masks and tubes for the air pressure supply.
Prices	Keeping in mind the variety, of functions, modes and relatively higher comfort provided by Bipap Machines puts them in the higher price range than average CPAP machines.	These CPAP machines are relatively cheaper than the Bipap machines available in the market.
Usage	Bipap Machines can also be used for cases of central sleep apnea, and COPD. And a variety of lung, heart, and neurological conditions where, there are problems in the structure or function of the airway, or respiratory system.	Unlike Bipap Machines these are primarily used as an intervention for Obstructive Sleep apnea, as CPAP is not effective in Central sleep apnea. CPAP machines relative to Bipap Machines have limited usage.

Glossary:

What is APAP?

APAP is a short form for Automatic Positive Airway Pressure. PAP in APAP is a design where, a higher air pressure, than the surrounding environment, is supplied to the patient’s airways with the help of masks or tubes. To the patient’s mouth and nasal cavity in order to prevent any partial or full blockage of these airways, which may prevent swift and normal breathing. In APAPs this positive airway pressure is automatically adjusted and adapted, to the patient’s need, by the machine itself.

How is APAP different from CPAP?

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines work on a single, unchanging air pressure that has been manually set, until changes again manually. Whereas the APAP machines use sensors. To keep Continuous Positive Airway Pressure at lower levels; until the machine senses an obstruction in the airways, or more resistance than in normal breathing, and then increase the air pressure as needed.

How are APAP machines different from Bipap Machines?

Though APAP machines may seem like they are just like Bipap Machines, they are actually quite different in various aspects. Bipap Machines use two different levels of PAP (positive airway pressure, one for inhales (IPAP) and another for exhales (EPAP), whereas APAP machines only change the pressure (keeping the pressure at a lower range and increasing when needed) to help with the inhales. Something else that differentiates Bipap Machines from APAP machines is the variety of respiratory diseases and disorders they can be used in, whereas APAPs machines have a more limited use, for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and milder central sleep apnea (CSA) therapy and a variety of modes and operations that

What is COPD? What causes COPD?

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition as the name suggests a chronic (long-lasting, and progressive condition), inflammation of lung structures, primarily damage of alveoli, or chronic inflammation of the bronchi. Due to long-term exposure to particulate matter (like breathing in polluted air), another set of harmful gases, or smoking. That causes problems in breathing.