Distinguishing between closed and open airway apneas and treating patients accordingly

摘要

A method of controlling treatment of respiratory conditions of a patient includes determining a signal representative of patient respiratory flow. The signal is analyzed to determine (i) the presence of an apnea and a hypopnea and (ii) if present, a type of the apnea or hypopnea. A motor driven blower is controlled to increase a treatment pressure of an airflow delivered toward the airway of the patient upon determination of the presence of an apnea or a hypopnea depending on the type of the apnea or hypopnea, and otherwise to decrease the treatment pressure.