Resmed technology

Resmed’s renowned and clinically proven AutoSet algorithm – one of the most clinically published algorithms in the field of sleep-disordered breathing – continually monitors each patient’s unique breathing pattern on a breath-by-breath basis, making automatic adjustments for comfortable therapy throughout the night.

When AutoSet detects an event, it doesn’t just apply a fixed pressure response, but instead assesses the severity of each event – whether it’s flow limitation, snoring or apnea – before determining and delivering the ideal, lowest pressure solution. After breathing stabilizes, AutoSet gradually decreases the pressure, while continuously monitoring for recurring events. Through it all, patients remain comfortable, receiving the pressure that’s right for them, at any given time – no more, no less.

And, because research shows that women with OSA experience more upper airway resistance and flow limitation¹, we’ve designed a special AutoSet for Her algorithm that offers a more sensitive response. It also provides more subtle changes in pressure to minimize disturbance, and automatically adjusts the minimum pressure if multiple apneas occur below a certain threshold.

Our AirCurve™ devices offer a selection of different algorithms to treat a variety of SDB types. In VAuto mode, the AutoSet algorithm automatically adjusts pressure in response to flow limitation, snoring and apneas – ideal for patients who need greater pressure support.

In S mode, two different treatment pressures can be set – one for inspiration (IPAP) and one for expiration (EPAP). The algorithm senses when the patient is inhaling and exhaling, and supplies the appropriate pressures accordingly.

Vsync is a leak management algorithm and the product of Resmed’s extensive experience in noninvasive ventilation (NIV). Vsync monitors and compensates for unintentional mask leak, so that patients receive their prescribed therapy pressure. Working in sync with TiControl™, Vsync ensures reliable breath detection (patient–device synchronization), even in conditions of high leak.

Central sleep apnea (CSA) detection is an advanced technology that uses the forced oscillation technique (FOT) to determine whether a patient’s airway is open during an apnea. When an apnea is detected, small oscillations (1 cm H20 peak-to-peak at 4Hz) are added to the pressure.

If flow is detected, the airway is open and the apnea is from CSA. The algorithm uses the resulting flow and pressure (determined at the mask) to measure whether the airway is open or closed. If no flow is detected, the airway is closed from an obstruction. The device responds by either increasing pressure or maintaining current pressure and recording the event for the patient’s apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) report.

Cheyne–Stokes respiration (CSR) detection helps you identify patients on fixed or auto-adjusting pressure devices who may present with this form of sleep-disordered breathing, which is characterized by a periodic waxing and waning of respiration. Throughout the night, the intelligent algorithm continually monitors the patient’s breathing, checking cycle lengths, searching for indications of CSR.

Respiratory effort related arousals (RERA) are periods of increased respiratory effort leading to an arousal. These flow-based RERA events are logged and stored as summary and/or detailed data and can then be viewed in AirView, Resmed’s cloud-based patient management system.

We put our best engineers to work on a device that was small without affecting the quality of therapy. What they came up with was ActiveAir, a system that’s so efficient that therapy can be delivered by a motor that is 45% smaller than the motor in our bestselling device, the AirSense 10. This enabled us to create AirMini, the smallest CPAP device ever at the time of its release.

Delivering therapy that’s as effective as a traditional bedside device but with a smaller motor means having to increase pressure without the need to proportionally increase flow. ActiveAir uses a flexible silicone valve to regulate vent flow across the pressure range, reducing the overall flow required to achieve the prescribed pressure.

Designed to make the start of therapy easier to accept, the Ramp feature lets patients gradually increase from a lower, more comfortable starting level to the prescribed treatment pressure. AutoRamp delivers the same benefit, along with automatic adjustment. It works by delivering a low pressure to help patients fall asleep with ease, then comfortably increases the pressure to reach the prescribed level.

Built into Resmed’s AirSense 10 series, AutoRamp with sleep onset detection helps make falling asleep more comfortable for patients. With ramp times automatically adapting to each patient’s individual sleeping patterns, AutoRamp gives your patients a tailored start to therapy, and makes the most of every valuable moment of therapy time.

Under normal conditions, the device triggers (initiates IPAP) and cycles (terminates IPAP and changes to EPAP) as it senses the change in patient flow. Patient breath detection is enhanced by ResMed’s automatic leak management. In addition, the device has adjustable trigger/cycle sensitivity to optimize the sensing level according to patient conditions.

Unique to Resmed bilevel devices, TiControl lets you set minimum (Ti Min) and maximum (Ti Max) limits on the time the device spends in IPAP. These time limits are set at either side of the patient’s ideal spontaneous inspiratory time, providing a window of opportunity for them to spontaneously cycle to EPAP.

Designed to make therapy more comfortable, expiratory pressure relief (EPR) maintains optimal treatment for the patient during inhalation and reduces the delivered mask pressure during exhalation. The Easy-Breathe waveform intelligently recreates a patient’s individual breathing pattern, so breathing feels more natural and therapy is more comfortable.

Humidification can make a positive difference in your patients’ therapy experience by increasing their comfort and helping to prevent dry nose, throat and mouth². With this in mind, ResMed devices offer adjustable humidity levels to help moisten the air and make therapy more comfortable.

The humidity level can be set to Off, or on a rising scale between 1 and 8. Higher levels are recommended for patients who experience dry nose or mouth, while lower levels are preferable for those who complain of excess moisture in their mask.

For each humidifier setting, the Climate Control system delivers a constant amount of water vapor, or absolute humidity (AH), to the patient’s upper airway. An intelligent system that controls the Resmed HumidAir heated humidifier and ClimateLineAir™ heated tubing to deliver a consistent, comfortable temperature and humidity level throughout therapy, Climate Control is available as an Auto setting, where both temperature and humidity levels are pre-set to deliver optimal comfort, and as a Manual setting, which lets patients adjust the temperature and humidity to what’s comfortable for them.

In Auto mode, patients can receive comfortable therapy by attaching the ClimateLineAir heated tube and pressing Start, with no settings or menus to navigate.

Designed to be small, slim and flexible, Resmed SlimLine™ tubes are 40% lighter, 20% thinner and take up 35% less space than standard 19 mm tubing. SlimLine makes it easier for patients to comfortably move around without pulling the mask or breaking the seal. It’s also travel-friendly for added freedom and convenience.

The ClimateLineAir heated tube is our most advanced heated tubing, with a built-in temperature sensor to keep the temperature at the preferred settings regardless of changes in the room temperature or humidity.

The sculpted inner wall of the Mirage™ dual-wall cushion provides support and stability, while the thin outer membrane creates a comfortable seal. Air flowing between the two walls helps achieve a comfortable, stable seal without the need to over-tighten the headgear.

Designed to follow a patient’s unique facial contours and adapt to their movements during sleep, cushions equipped with Spring Air technology gently stretch around the jaw without losing the seal (ideal for patients who breathe through their mouth while asleep).

Built-in elasticity in the cushion creates a spring effect to better retain the seal, while the moving membrane comfortably hugs the nasal bridge to minimize the chance of air leaking into the eyes.

Made from material that’s soft, flexible and breathable, SoftEdge headgear is designed to be kind to the face. It’s easy to fit and wear, with a seamless design to reduce the chance of marks on the face.

Soft and durable, Breathe-O-Prene™ is designed to facilitate air flow and draw moisture away from the skin for added comfort.

ActiveCell technology allows the cushion to move independently from the mask frame, accommodating patients who move around during sleep (i.e., “active” sleepers). The headgear follows the contours of the face, minimizing pressure and discomfort, while an inflatable chamber in the cushion expands and contracts during therapy to maintain a gentle, secure seal and reduce the chance of mask leak.

Designed to maintain seal during sleep, the dual-wall pillows sit gently at the entrance of the nostrils and move independently of each other to better accommodate active sleepers. The thin outer wall is soft and comfortable, while the flexible inner wall creates a secure, stable seal. Airflow between the two walls gently inflates the pillows to softly seal across a wide range of nasal types.

With a choice of 24 positions in 1mm increments, the MicroFit dial (on the forehead support) allows for a fit that’s tailored to your patient’s unique facial characteristics. For added convenience, patients can easily adjust the dial with one hand while wearing the mask. The dial works hand-in-hand with our dual-wall cushion technology to reinforce the seal without the need to over-tighten the headgear.

Gently directing air away from patients (and their bed partners), diffused venting helps create a quieter, more comfortable sleeping environment, while the squeeze-tab elbow makes it simple to disassemble the mask for easier cleaning and part replacement.

For added safety, the anti-asphyxia valve lets patients breathe standard room air in the event of a power failure (featured in all ResMed vented full-face masks).

Resmed’s intelligent Volume-Assured Pressure Support mode, or iVAPS, is a unique algorithm that intelligently and automatically tailors therapy to meet each patient’s individual breathing needs. It leverages our proprietary intelligent Backup Rate (iBR) to constantly monitor actual ventilation and respiration in relation to target rates, then automatically adjust pressure support as needed.

Unlike other volume-assured modes, iVAPS maintains a patient’s unique alveolar ventilation target even when their respiratory rate changes throughout the night (especially during different stages of sleep). The result is more consistent and reliable care for those whose condition is likely to change during therapy, like patients with neuromuscular disease, obesity hypoventilation syndrome or COPD.

Because each patient is unique, Resmed provides five levels of adjustable Trigger & Cycle sensitivity* to help you customize the beginning and end of each inspiration. The Cycle sensitivity helps ensure appropriate breath termination for every patient, promoting patient–ventilator synchronization.

The Trigger setting helps customize the sensitivity level to better treat patients with decreased inspiratory efforts. The more sensitive settings (‘High’ and ‘Very High’) provide flexibility for high airflow resistance, ideal for pediatric patients and those with obstructive lung diseases. Less sensitive settings (“Low” and “Very Low”) are suited for patients prone to auto-triggering caused by cardiogenic artefact.

Trigger & Cycle sensitivities work with another proprietary Resmed technology called Vsync to measure unintentional leak. Together, these technologies provide optimal synchronization. Some ventilators also feature Resmed’s NIV+ trigger sensitivity technology to further enhance existing trigger settings.

* Astral provides an adjustable cycle sensitivity expressed as a percentage of the maximum flow.

Resmed’s Vsync technology is designed to detect and compensate for unstable and fast-changing leaks, delivering the right flow at the right time to ensure that patient–device synchrony is maintained. When Vsync detects a sudden, significant change in leak flow, it rapidly closes its usual 10-second scanning window to two seconds. This allows for rapid resynchronization, usually within two to three breaths.

Without Vsync, the increased flow from a leak could be misinterpreted as patient inhalation, causing the ventilator to miss the trigger from EPAP to IPAP. A loss of synchronicity with the patient’s breathing effort could then occur, as well as a potentially diminished ability of the ventilator to cycle the breath.

TiControl lets you more closely manage inspiratory time according to a patient’s specific treatment needs, particularly useful for those with comorbidities. For challenging respiratory conditions, TiControl also allows you to manage spontaneous flow, letting you set your ideal levels. The feature works closely with Vsync to further maintain synchronization, even during instances of leak.

TiControl has two settings: Ti Max lets you set a maximum inspiratory time to reduce risk of intrinsic PEEP and missed patient effort, which can be helpful for patients with diseases associated with OSA. Ti Min helps ensure adequate time for gas exchange without having to increase the pressure setting, and may be helpful for patients with restrictive lung disease.