26 February 2010

The Air She Breathes


Before/After

This UFO-looking device is the air filter for Vera's BiPAP machine. See how dirty it is after 1 week? Imagine not having this filter and blowing all that pollution into the little girl's airway.

This is how it works.

Air gets sucked into the iSleep25 (machine on the right) and travels through this contraption, removing the dust particles. It then travels through the machine on the left which is a humidifier. This moistens the air before supplying it via the transparent tubing to Vera's mask. Without a humidifier, the constant gush of air for hours will dry out Vera's mucousa. I read that the mucousa - the lining in our nostrils and air passage - is our body's natural protection against respiratory infections.


Air blows into Vera's nostrils, and she as she breathes out, Carbon Dioxide is expelled through the tiny holes in the mask. You can sit near her and enjoy the aircon - the draft is that strong.

What tends to happen during the night is the little girl moves about and the lower flap can cover the nostrils and block her breathing. So mummy is still on standby at night, readjusting the mask when it happens.

All said, this is a great pediatric mask. Unfortunately, the Australian company doesn't make them any bigger. What will happen when Vera outgrows it? I keep thinking. I can only wish Maskmedic would make the next size up in time for Vera when she needs it.

(In MasterCard-speak:)

BiPAP machine: $5,885
Humidifier: $485
Mask: $350
Filters for a year: $260
A good night's sleep for Vera: Priceless

2 comments:

Susan said...

Wow, May. What an informative look at the BiPAP machine. I am sorry you have to be on stand-by at night. Reading your description makes me think we all should have a filtration system to clean and moisten our air. Overall, it sounds like a positive thing for Vera.
Susan

Cathy said...

I have a bipap/cpap machine that converts if need be. I had no clue these cost so much. Annabel is on a program that supplied this to us. Like you said a good night sleep for Vera PRICELESS...Happy 2nd Belated Birthday to her...