​​What is a BiPAP Machine and How does it Work? Bilevel posit | NCERT NOTES

​​What is a BiPAP Machine and How does it Work?

Bilevel positive airway pressure Machine (BiPAP) is a small ventilator, the size of a tiffin box.

It is used to provide ventilation to patients who are insufficiently breathing.

It is a non-invasive technique of ventilation provided by using either a nasal mask or a face mask.

Breathing is accomplished normally by the movement of the diaphragm, when breathing in the diaphragm moves down, resulting in a drop in pressure in the sacs of the lungs, allowing air to flow in and when breathing out the diaphragm rises increasing the pressure, and pushing the air out.

The BiPAP machine cycles between two levels of continuous positive airway pressure.

This means that the machine pumps air at two different pressures. This is diffrent from a continuous positive airway pressure machine (CPAP) which pumps air at only one pressure level.

The machine works by providing air at a higher pressure to facilitate inhalation and at a lower pressure to facilitate exhalation.

BiPAP Machines are used to treat patients suffering from respiratory failures in diseases such as Pneumonia, Pulmonary Edema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This mode of ventilation in adults has resulted in shorter duration of ventilation, less need for sedation, and fewer complications than intubation and positive pressure ventilation.