Preventing Upper Airway Collapse Using CPAP With and Without Pressure Oscillations

During respiration, upper airway collapse occurs when the forces generated from the airway negative pressures become greater than the forces of the airway wall muscles. For patients diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most effective non-invasive treatment. The CPAP provides a continuous humidified and pressurized air to prevent airway collapse. The use of the CPAP has been reported to be associated with some side effects including nasal congestion and dry nose. Also stroke symptoms were recorded for cardiovascular disease patients due to the high operating pressure. Using MRI scans, this paper investigates the effects of using the pressure oscillations superimposed on the CPAP to keep the airway open at lower pressure distributions inside the upper airway and consequently increase the patients’ comfort and reduce their rejection to the CPAP.