Healthcare Professionals

Bubble CPAP components

Bubble CPAP components

Early treatment of respiratory distress is essential to reduce infant and child mortality in resource-limited settings. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) can provide effective, affordable and non-invasive respiratory support. CPAP has been a well-established treatment in clinical practice for over 40 years. It is used to replace invasive ventilation for premature children suffering from respiratory distress syndrome. Bubble cpap

How does a bubble CPAP machine work?

Like “ventilator-derived” or “machine-derived” CPAP devices, CPAP bubble devices emerge pressure on the neonatal respiratory system through nasal tips. These tips  are placed in the infant’s nostrils, forming a sealing to reduce air leaks. The bubble CPAP system consists of three major components :

1/ Gas source 

An oxygen blender connected to a source of oxygen and compressed air. It is used to provide an appropriate concentration of inspired oxygen (FiO2). The humidified mixed oxygen then circulates through corrugated tubes.

2/ Pressure generator 

In the bubble CPAP system, pressure is created by placing the distal expiratory tubing in water. Designated pressure is determined by the length of tubing immersed.

3/ Patient interface

Nasal prongs are used as the nasal interface between the circuit and the infant’s airway. Short and wide nasal prongs provide a low resistance to air flow. It is important to apply the nasal interface to the infant without air leakage, while taking measures to prevent nasal trauma.

What is the role of the humidifier ?

In a bubble CPAP machine, the humidifier promotes airway hydration. It adjusts the energy delivered to the wire to maintain humidity and reduce condensate in the inspiratory limb  The humidification chamber, that holds water, is filled from a rigid or flexible water bag through the water feed tube. 

Bubble CPAP machine reduces the need for invasive ventilation

The bubble CPAP machine delivers a heated and humidified mixture of air and oxygen and produces a continuous pressure during the entire breathing cycle thanks to a waterproof interface. There are different methods for delivering CPAP processing, such as Bubble CPAP, Variable Flow CPAP and Ventilation Derived CPAP. The Bubble CPAP is a simple and cost-effective method to deliver CPAP to newborns, especially premature babies or newborns with low birth weight. Bubble Cpap   Continuous pressure has several many advantages, such as opening the upper airways, maintaining lung expansion, preventing alveolar collapse at the end of exhalation, and preserving the surfactant.   The essential mechanisms and benefits of CPAP treatment are:  
  • Maintains functional residual capacity (FRC)
    • CPAP can improve lung volume recruitment, establish and maintain FRC,11,12 to help keep the lungs open 
  • CPAP reduces respiratory work
    • Reduces respiratory work CPAP has been shown to increase the end-exhalation lung volume, which helps relieve inspiratory muscles and reduce respiratory work.
  • CPAP Mechanical Ventilation for Infants
    • Reduces the need for mechanical ventilation The use of CPAP alone or surfactant-associated CPAP as the primary respiratory aid was associated with reduced intubation and invasive ventilation requirements.
  Respiratory failure is a frequent cause of neonatal mortality in the developing world. Bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) is a safe and effective intervention for infants with respiratory problems.

Start exploring our learning modules in bCPAP.

The Bubble CPAP Institute is an interactive educational platform aiming to make the knowledge and skill set of Bubble CPAP accessible to practitioners who care for neonates and young infants across the globe. This platform will primarily focus on the know-how and will offer educational modules on issues like when to consider bCPAP in managing infants with respiratory distress, how to assemble the bCPAP circuits, how to apply the nasal interface and how to troubleshoot bedside issues.

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