Design and Development of Low Cost, High Precision Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Machine

Abstract

Sleep Apnea (or Sleep Apnoea) means lack of breath during sleep; it is a condition where a person's breathing is interrupted for several seconds, multiple times at night, the oxygen supply in the blood and subsequently to the brain declines. It is a dangerous state which causes many people and is linked with many health related problems. It is because of airway collapsing or becoming blocked during sleep. This is a common disorder affecting about 30% of the population, moreover WHO has also reported sleep apnea is one of chronic respiratory disease. Sleep apnea is characterised in two types CSA (Central Sleep Apnea) and OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnea). CSA, happens when the brain is unsuccessful to send the proper signals to the breathing muscles to start respiration, on the other hand OSA is caused by the complete or partial blockage in upper airway. By the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine a person who is having OSA can have a nice sleep as this machine increases air pressure in the throat so that airway does not get blocked. Existing machines in the market are costly. This paper presents a simple, low cost technique for the development of CPAP Machine.