Introduction

While CPAP therapy has been available for over 25 years the use of this mode of treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been generally limited to locations where there is a continuous source of power. This meant that remote camping, sailboat trips and similar activities could not be done by CPAP users. The only option available to CPAP users was to carry a large battery (approximately 30 lbs) and fi nd a way to charge it after each use.

Newer CPAP technology has been developed that uses much smaller and more effi cient blowers. This allows these devices to be smaller, but also more power effi cient. With the current battery technologies available that have higher energy densities, such as Lithium Ion, it is possible to power a CPAP device for an entire night on a battery that can fi t into the palm of your hand. This allows CPAP users to engage in recreational activities and still receive the benefits of CPAP therapy.

Rick from Colorado

Rick Cobb, a Colorado based computer specialist and experienced mountain bike rider has been using CPAP therapy for about one and a half years. He had been planning the trip for a while and believed that he would not be able complete this rigorous course without nightly CPAP therapy.

The Trip

The San Juan Huts Mountain Bike trip extends 215 mile from Durango to Moab Utah. The “route follows dirt roads from the high alpine tundra of the San Juan Mountains to the desert sliprock and canyon country of Utah”, with elevations up to 11,411 feet. The trip involves an estimated 26,000 feet of climbing and is intended for experienced mountain bikers. The trip is a seven day six night trip that goes from hut to hut along the trail. The huts are spaced about 35 miles apart and while stocked with food, water and sleeping provisions do not have power. There is no motor vehicle support along the trail, so riders must carry all of their personal items including clothing, sleeping bag liner and in the case of one rider, a CPAP system and batteries.

The CPAP System

Rick evaluated a number of CPAP/ Battery solutions for his trip and found that none provided the compact size, light weight and battery operation capabilities offered by the BreatheX Journey. The BreatheX Journey provides CPAP pressure up to 12 cmH2O, ramp and manual altitude compensation. The device measures 6.5”x 4.0”x11.0” and weighs 2.5 lbs. The battery which is included in the above size and weight measures only 2.9”x 2.1”x3.4”. The battery will operate the CPAP device for 11 to 12 hours at 10 cmH2O and can be fully recharged in 5 hours.

In Rick’s case he would not be able to recharge the battery between uses, so he brought seven batteries with him. Since his trip ranged in elevations from 5,400 feet to over 11,000 feet Rick needed to compensate for this change with the BreatheX Journey system. The normal altitude compensation addresses elevations up to 6,000 feet. Rick was provided with a table of pressure adjustments that could be made to assure that he received his therapy pressure of 10 cmH2O.

The Result

After seven days, 215 miles and 26,000 feet of climbing on his mountain bike Rick successfully completed his trip. Rick was able to sleep well at every one of the six stops along the way, which included one hut at 11,414 feet.

The BreatheX Journey provided the needed therapy and the batteries, which were changed after each use provided all of the power needed for six full nights sleep. Rick says, “I don’t think that I could have done this trip without the BreatheX Journey.”