Tag: Philips CPAC Lawsuit

There are a variety of treatments available and include devices that assist in maintaining the airway open. Sleep apnea equipment consists of a tiny medical pump as well as a tube attached to a mask that can be worn on the mouth, or over the nose or both. The machines for sleep apnea pump controlled amounts of compressed air into the airway, thereby holding open the muscles that relax similar to how air expands balloons.

Philips CPAC Lawsuit

Sleep apnea devices are available only upon a physician’s explanation and they must be accompanied by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval. The doctor of the patient decides the quantity of pressurized air given, based on the type and severity of the sleep apnea.

Many types of sleep apnea devices are available. The most popular of sleep apnea devices is CPAP which stands for continuously positive airway pressure. A CPAP is typically about as big as a shoebox but occasionally smaller. The machine is connected to the facemask through the flexible tube. It functions by forcing air into the tube at a large enough pressure to stop the occurrence in sleep apnea.

Another form of sleep apnea machine is VPAP or adjustable positive pressure. Also known as bi-level , or BiPAP the machine utilizes an electronic circuit that monitors the patient’s breathing to offer two pressures. Higher pressures are utilized to inhale, whereas the lower pressure is used to exhale. VPAP also known as BiPAP is more costly than CPAP and can be utilized for patients with additional respiratory conditions, and/or those who struggle to breathe against pressure.

Another alternative is APAP which stands for the automatic positive pressure in the airways. Recently accepted by the FDA for sleep apnea, this device is equipped with pressure sensors and an electronic computer that continuously checks the patient’s respiration. APAP will then adjust the pressure in response to breathing patterns change. Of all the options, APAP is by far the most advanced and could be the most costly.

The features available on sleep apnea machines comprise ramps that allow the patient to begin their night’s sleep with low pressure and “ramp” it up as the night progresses. Sleep apnea machines are also equipped with a humidifier heated. A humid and warm atmosphere can help prevent sleep apnea related events, may help with breathing and reduce the effects of dry throat and dry mouth when you wake up. Some sleep apnea equipments can be used to track the frequency of use by the CPAP. They can also track whether the patient has experienced any sleep apnea symptoms during the use of the sleep apnea device. The doctor of the patient is able to access this information to determine the efficacy of the treatment.

A compliance motor added to machines for sleep apnea provides independent evidence of whether the person is getting adequate amounts of deep sleep. With sleep apnea devices that have this feature, the user might have to bring the device to the sleep center to download the data or transmit the data using a phone modem that is included by the machine, which doesn’t need Internet access.

The term ‘CPAP machine’ is a shorthand term that stands for a device known as a ‘continuous positive air pressure’ machine and is traditionally used for aiding in people with OSA, or obstructive sleep apnea disorders and the overall involved breathing issues associated with the dysfunction. They are used to keep the airway open by flowing a moderated air pressure stream down the patient’s airways so that breathing can be maintained during sleep. The PAP machines consist of 3 parts: a mask, a motor, and tubing, while there are various models that also have humidifiers. The sizes vary, but are typically about the size of a small radio and are relatively light-weight. While they are used for treating sleep disordered breathing dysfunctions, they can also be used for respiratory failure in both adults and children.

Philips CPAC Lawsuit

Regarding sleep apnea, a CPAP machine works by forcing the airways open for those patients that exhibit shallow breathing during sleeping. Without the use of a CPAP machine, patients with OSA tend to have laxity in their airways, thus causing an obstruction during sleep. When this occurs, the collapsed airway can minimize the oxygen levels that that are in the bloodstream, and more serious conditions can occur, including loud snoring to even death. The continuous positive airway pressure of the CPAP machines will thus gently open the airway to allow continuous breathing and thus maintain regular oxygen levels during sleep.

Prior to using CPAPs, the patient will need to get a conducted sleep study by a sleep doctor. This will test the levels of breathing, airway flow, oxygen levels, and snoring for the patient. In order to get a CPAP machine prescribed, the patient needs to have this sleep test done. After a diagnosis is reached (either moderate or severe OSA), the patient can then obtain a CPAP from a home medical supplier.

Infants also use CPAPs if their lungs are not fully developed. Often times in premature births, the infants need a device to assist with breathing, so a CPAP is a viable option, and it is typically less invasive than ventilators or other options.

After shopping around for different types of PAP machines, you will notice that there are a variety of mask types available; those that cover the entire face or those that cover either just the nose or the mouth and the nose simultaneously. CPAP machines can also come in a variety of sizes and are highly adjustable. The variety is offered for those patients who are ‘CPAP intolerant,’ or have issues wearing certain masks due to their sleep patterns and positions.

There are also machines known as Auto CPAP machines (or AutoPAP) that are created to titrate the levels of oxygen that are pumped into the system based on breathing patterns. These tend to be a little more money, but offer a wider variety of treatment and often times the patients find that they can see the benefits over the traditional CPAP machines.