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The original CPAP device was the result of studies on obstructive sleep apnea being done by Dr. Colin Sullivan in Australia during the 1970's and 1980's. He along with 2 colleagues Michael Berthon-Jones and Faiq Issa were doing experiments on occlusion in humans. Dr. Sullivan was working with a patient that was about to undergo a tracheotomy for his apnea and really did not relish the procedure. An experiment was set up to try keeping the patient's airway open using some available tubing and a pressure device that was available. The experiment worked and proved to Dr. Sullivan that blowing air into the patient would allow the patient to sleep throughout the night. |
| From these early experiments, the first, crude CPAP devices were developed. At first, a mask was literally made and "glued" onto the patient. The first blowers tried were vacuum cleaners run in the reverse mode. From these humble beginnings, the modern CPAP devices of today were developed. New technologies and materials have helped make the CPAP the accepted method of treating sleep apnea. | |
| Just a quick note on why I chose this subject. I work(yes, I have a regular job) for one CPAP manufacturer, Hoffman Laboratories, makers of the BreatheX portable CPAP. Being in the industry, I found the early technology fascinating. We will be adding more to this story as we go. |