3 Modeling of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) Available to Purchase

In this chapter a lumped parameter approach for modeling a typical air breather such as the Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device is presented. It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the basic laws of physics and engineering curricula that are applied to generate models that are implemented in Simulink™ in the Matlab™ environment. It is important to acknowledge that the primary aim of such models is to help the engineering design process. The challenge therein lies in the ability of the model to incorporate as many design parameters as are necessary to adequately describe the dynamic behavior of the system for the purposes required, while reducing model complexity by sacrificing details that have insignificant effects on system dynamics. The manner in which model components as well as the overall model can be validated experimentally is shown here.

The objective of modeling techniques in this book is to produce practical models based on realistic assumptions, as opposed to hypothetical models based on highly idealized assumptions. Such models (as presented in this chapter) could be used for one of many objectives, including optimization, determination of various design parameters, development of new components, or as a good educational exercise of the modeling process undertaken in lung supportive devices. The example presented at the end of this chapter models a prototype CPAP device in order to test its performance when particular design parameters are changed.