Patent ID: 8220457

Claim:
A Continuous Positive Airway Pressure device that detects flow limitations and apneas of a patient under treatment during sleep and in response thereto auto-adjusts the treatment pressure comprising: a breathing tube connectable to a mask for delivery of a supply of air or breathable gas at a treatment pressure to an entrance of the patient's airway; a motor driven blower adapted to provide the supply of air or breathable gas to the breathing tube at a controllable pressure; a flow sensor arranged to determine a flow of air to the patient; a controller adapted to detect flow limitations and apneas from said flow signal, and being further adapted to control the treatment pressure in accordance with an auto-adjusting algorithm; the auto-adjusting algorithm being characterized in that: the treatment pressure has a range defined by a minimum pressure and a maximum pressure; and in response to flow limitations, the treatment pressure is increased to a pressure no higher than the maximum pressure; and in response to apneas, the treatment pressure is increased to a pressure no higher than an apnea cap pressure, wherein the apnea cap pressure is a pressure that is less than the maximum pressure.