leftover info

 

It’s important not to over-tighten your mask. Doing so may be a sign that you have the wrong cushion size or an incorrectly adjusted forehead support. If you’re using a ResMed mask that has a MicroFit dial, it’s important to note that your clinician has set the dial at the optimal position and adjusting it significantly from that position may cause discomfort. If you experience difficulties in fitting you mask, please refer to your mask user guide  for complete fitting instructions or discuss this with your medical equipment provider or physician.

 

 

Feature Definitions

  • Leak Compensation - Small leaks in your mask can cause a pressure drop. ResMed Airsense 10 CPAP, Philips Dreamstation CPAP and Fisher & Paykel ICON CPAP machines with this feature can compensate for those small air leaks to help keep the prescribed pressure at all times.
  • Mask On/Off Alert - A small beep, or at the least a message on the LCD will alert you if the mask is off. This is especially helpful for patients who involuntarily pull the mask off during sleep.
  • Altitude Adjustment - Altitude can cause changes to the air pressure being delivered from your CPAP. ResMed Airsense 10 CPAP, Philips Dreamstation CPAP and Fisher & Paykel ICON CPAP machines either automatically adjust for high altitudes, or have a manual switch.
  • Heated Tubing - A small heating element is placed in the tubing to keep the air at a constant temperature. This helps prevent condensation in the tubing or "rain-out". Three manufacturers have this feature, ResMed Airsense 10 CPAP, Philips Dreamstation CPAP and Fisher & Paykel ICON CPAP
  • Voltage Selection - Most machines have the ability to switch from standard US voltages to international (Europe and Asia) voltages.
  • Ramp - The CPAP machine will start at a low pressure and slowly ramp to the prescribed pressure. This helps you to fall asleep faster under low pressures, and to adjust to the higher pressures while reading or watching television before sleep. Ramp times are usually set between 0-45 mins.
  • Warranties - All CPAP machines and humidifiers have a 3 year warranty.

 

 

Pressure Relief - C-Flex, A-Flex, EPR, SensAwake

Exhalation relief is the ability of a CPAP machine or BiPAP machine to reduce the inspiratory pressure during exhale, making it easier to breathe out against the pressure. Manufacturers have different names for exhalation relief, but they mostly work the same way. Pressure can be adjusted up to 3cm for comfort.

 

Philips Dreamstation refers to their pressure relief C-Flex, A-Flex, or C-Flex+. C-Flex lowers the pressure on exhale and comfortably ramps back up to the prescribed pressure. A-Flex, available on Auto CPAP machines only, lowers the pressure on exhalation and slowly increases the pressure during inhalation. This allows for a more natural breathing pattern. ResMed AirSense 10 uses EPR also known as External Pressure Relief. Pressures are decreased up to 3cm during exhale and quickly increased back to prescribed pressure when inhale is detected.