Coronavirus has sparked a new conversation about the difference between ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP machines.

A BiPAP machine, along with CPAP machines, are typically used by patients who suffer from sleep apnea, McLaughlin explained.

Pulmonology > Sleep Disorders Reworked Philips CPAP, BiPAP Machines May Not Deliver Correct Therapy — And some of the remediated breathing devices may not provide any treatment at all, FDA warns ...

More than 17 million masks for BiPAP and CPAP machines have been recalled, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

But Onufrak says using these machines to treat COVID-19 patients is a last resort. While ventilators are closed-circuit systems, CPAP and BiPAP devices are not.

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most commonly prescribed aide for someone suffering from obstructive sleep apnea.

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a Class I recall Friday, the most serious type of recall, for certain Philips Respironics DreamStation1 CPAP machines.

Reworked Respironics DreamStation CPAP, BiPAP machines, made by Phillips, are being recalled because they may not work.

Several Philips ventilators, CPAP and BiPAP machines were recalled in June 2021. The company is currently working to repair and replace the affected devices.