Sleep Apnea Machines

There are many considerations as to which Sleep Apnea Machines are best and what the differences are.

The best treatment for sleep apnea is a CPAP system – a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure System. A CPAP machine gently blows pressurised air into your airway via the nose, keeping the airway open. The air is blown through a tube or hose that is attached to a mask. The mask can either cover your nose, or your nose and mouth.

A basic CPAP machine has an on/off switch, a setting for the pressure level and the hose. Most modern machines include many more features, although the more sophisticated the machine, the higher the price tag.

Most models will include some of the following features. Your choice of CPAP machine will depend on which features you feel will benefit your experience with the machine.

·        Many of the more affordable models have a continuous pressure flow, while a bi-level flow is standard on the more feature-rich models. Bi-level flow decreases the pressure when the user exhales, making exhaling more comfortable.

·        A Pressure Ramping facility slowly increases the pressure every five minutes for the first half hour of use, until full pressure is reached. This helps your body adjust to the machine gradually. Some models have a control that allows the user to adjust the increments and the time period of the ramp.

·        An integrated heated humidifier prevents the nasal passages from drying out, and also helps to prevent ‘rainout’ – where condensation builds up in the hose. Most models can accommodate a humidifier that may be sold separately, some have the humidifier built-in.

          Batterypacks vary in the amount of back-up power they supply. The humidifier tends to drain battery power quite quickly, so if you are travelling or away from electricity for a while, check how long your batteries will last.

·        Altitude adjustment is useful if you travel frequently. Because the air is thinner at higher altitudes, the machine should be adjusted to compensate for the difference. Some models have automatic altitude adjustment.

·        Most modern CPAP machines will capture data regarding your CPAP therapy to check your sleep patterns and the number of apneas you have. Some have the facility to download this information to send to your doctor or clinician. They use the information to adjust the pressure flow and fine tune the treatment. Check how much data can be stored, and whether you can download it easily before purchasing a machine.

·        DC adapters can be useful if you are travelling by car or going camping, and an AC adapter can be useful if you are travelling abroad. Some machines require special cables, so check with the vendor before buying a machine you can only use at home.

·        Standard hose length is six feet. More than 12 feet makes it difficult for the CPAP machine to maintain pressure. Different masks and headgear allow you to attach the hose in different ways, usually across the chest or over the head. Run the hose over the headboard or the back of a chair, and make sure it has no kinks or squashed areas in it.

CPAP machines have a high success rate, and many sleep apnea sufferers find they can get a full night’s sleep on the machine. Caring for the machine involves no more than replacing filters, keeping the humidifier free of mold and algae, as well as keeping hoses and masks free of any particle build up or dust.

Resmed make several popular CPAP machines. The S8 Escape Travel CPAP machine, with a heated humidifier, is a compact machine with a ‘Personal Assistant’ to guide you through downloading data. It also alerts you when it’s time to call your doctor, replace your mask or change the filter. A new data card option means you can send data and receive pressure adjustments electronically, rather than having to visit your doctor in person.

The S8 Escape II features improvements in the noise level of the motor, and a new ‘Easy-Breathe’ technology that allows the user to set the machine to lower the pressure when exhaling so that breathing feels more natural. This machine also has the alerts and data card facility of the Escape Travel model, as well as an automatic Altitude Adjustment. A built in power supply automatically detects DC input, making this machine ideal for travel. Pressure ramping and settling options add to the user comfort. Note that it must be used with a 12 volt jack, and a regular AC to DC inverter will not work with this machine – you will need a pure sine wave inverter.

Respironics’ M Series Pro C-Flex CPAP Machine has a heated humidifier which must be bought separately.  The M Series Pro is an extremely compact, lightweight and portable machine. With easy to use light-touch controls for power, ramp and C-Flex, the LCD display makes for easy set up and convenient use even in the dark. This machine operates automatically between 110v – 240v AC, so travelling abroad requires only an adapter plug kit. A cigarette lighter adapter and a Marine Deep Cycle Battery adapter can be purchased separately, so this machine can really be used anytime, anywhere.  A battery pack, providing about 26 hours back up power and weighing only 13lbs, can also be bought to go with this machine. The standard machine has a smart card writer for easy data downloading, but the EncoreViewer Software and card reader must be bought separately.

The Intellipap Standard CPAP Machine from DeVilbiss is designed to make CPAP as easy as possible for the user. Operation of this machine is via three simple buttons, but with features like pressure ramping, automatic altitude adjustment and an integrated humidifier, there is nothing simple about this machine. Particularly useful is the automatic on/off setting. An easy to follow menu, reminder alerts and SmartCode data tracking make this a feature-full machine.

The SleepStyle 233 CPAP machine from Fisher & Raykel is a durable, affordable machine with an integrated heated humidifier with auto-adjusting technology. There is no software or data card facility on this model, but it does include manual altitude adjustment and has a good pressure range.

The SleepStyle 242 is similar to the 233 model, with the addition of Performance Maximizer Software to track data, and Smartstick data card capability.

The SleepStyle ThermoSmart CPAP machine features patented heated coil tubing to eliminate condensation. These automatically adjust to give you the exact amount of humidification you need. Heated tubing prevents loss of heat and moisture due to the temperature of the hose and room air. This technology makes this the ideal machine for users who have sinus problems or a dry mouth when using their CPAP system.

The AEIOmed Everest 3 Travel CPAP machine is affordable, small and reliable. By stacking the machine on the optional heated humidifier and Battery Pack, this unit will easily fit on your nightstand. Optional software and a DataRest Docking Station easily transfers data to a data card, although built-in data capture can also be copied off the machine. Lightweight and quiet, this is a great machine for travelling.

Puritan Bennett’s Sandman Intro HC CPAP machine has a built-in heated humidifier with new HumidControl technology. This measures the room temperature and adjusts the heating plate in order to minimize condensation. AC or DC battery capability and auto-altitude adjustment make this a super machine for travellers. The Sandman Series of CPAP machines uses a unique Adaptive Pressure Stability Technology that limits the variations of pressure when the user breathes in and out, and responds quickly to any changes in pressure caused by mask leak or changes in body position. At only 2.75 lbs, this lightweight machine has reminder alerts, a memory card and the option of additional software – a lot of features in a small package.

Most of these and other CPAP machine manufacturers also make Auto-Adjusting CPAP machines. Software measures the pressure on a breath-by-breath basis and automatically adjusts to find the lowest pressure needed to prevent most sleep apnea events. Many of these models also adjust the pressure to allow for differences in inhaling and exhaling. Also known as APAP machines (Automatic Positive Airway Pressure), these machines tend to be a bit more expensive than a CPAP machine. They do have more features, and many users find them more comfortable and easier to breathe with.

A BiPAP machine delivers two separate and distinct pressures which are set by the doctor’s prescription, one for inhaling and one for exhaling. These machines are generally prescribed for more severe cases.

Humidifiers, battery packs, AC or DC capabilities and pressure ramping can make a difference to the user’s comfort, and therefore their willingness to continue with the therapy. The easier and more comfortable the machine is to use, the higher the chances of the user successfully using the machine. The mask used will have a good deal of influence in terms of comfort, so choose carefully.

CPAP machines are helping sleep apnea sufferers around the world get a good night’s sleep, and whatever model you choose, you will find it an effective therapy.