There is another type of device which is less commonly prescribed. This is the BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) device. Like the CPAP devices, they are also a non-invasive form of treatment for Sleep Apnoea. However, BiPAP devices deliver two pressure settings instead of one.
In the BiPAP, one pressure setting is for inhalation (IPAP) and a lower pressure setting is for exhalation (EPAP). For some patients on CPAP, exhaling is uncomfortable because the constant pressure makes it difficult for them to breathe against. This is the case especially for those who require high pressures on CPAP. With a BiPAP device, the pressure can be set to a higher setting for inhalation in order to keep the airways open, but deliver a lower pressure during exhalation so the user can breathe out comfortably without feeling like they are fighting against the pressure.
BiPAP may be prescribed for patients who require high pressures but cannot get used to CPAP especially for exhalation. It can also be recommended to patients who require some breathing assistance, or for those who have congestive heart failure and other conditions affecting the heart and lungs.