BIPAP

Bi-level pressure devices, also known as VPAP (Variable) or BiPap (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) provides two levels of pressure: Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure (IPAP) and a lower Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP). More commonly, BIPAP stands for Bi-Level Positive Airway Pressure due to the two (or Bi-Level) settings. It is a breathing device that helps people get more air into their lungs. BIPAP was created in the 1990s and it was developed out of the CPAP machine for those individuals with more specific breathing requirements.

The extra pressure from a CPAP machine allowed users to sleep by keeping airways open. Sometimes a problem arose when a person had to exhale against the extra pressure. This became a problem for some people, for example those individuals suffering from neuromuscular diseases. With the development of the BIPAP, air delivered through a mask can be set at one pressure setting for inhaling and another for exhaling. As a result of these dual settings, BIPAP allows more air in and out of the lungs without the natural muscular effort of the individual.

BIPAP can be especially usefully to those individuals that have sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, lung disorders, atelectasis or other disorders as determined by your physician. Additionally, a BIPAP can be especially usefully when noninvasive ventilation (NIV), ventilator support without using an invasive artificial airway such as intubation. As a result, BIPAP has become an integral tool in the management of both acute and chronic respiratory failure. Because of the flexibility of a BIPAP, it is a valuable complement in patient management.   

Recent developments to noninvasive ventilator (NIV) include AVAPS or average volume assured pressure support which automatically adapts to disease progression and changing patient needs. This allows more efficient care for patients by allowing automatic adjustments.

At SleepRestfully.com we understand how important it is for you to find a machine that works best for you and can assist you through our website or by contacting us directly. If you require non-invasive ventilation, we carry lines such as Resmed, Phillips Respironics, and Puritan Bennett – Covidien to allow you and your physician to determine your best option.