Abstract: A patient interface for use with the administration of CPAP therapy to a patient, comprising: a body for connection with a supply of pressurized breathable gas pressurized above ambient; and a compliant patient contacting element to communicate the pressurized gas to at least the patient's nasal passages, the element including a multilayered cushioning interface, the interface comprising an interior layer and an exterior layer being provided in spaced relation to the interior layer, the exterior layer being elastically and resiliently movable towards and away the interior layer in use. Along at least a portion of the perimeter of the exterior layer, a surface of the exterior layer is deformable from the spaced relation to abut against and contact against a surface of the interior layer in dependence at least in part on a deformation force applied to the exterior layer.

Abstract: CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed having a controllable flow generator (34, 38, 40) operable to produce breathable gas at a treatment pressure elevated above atmosphere to a patient by a delivery tube (32) coupled to a mask (30) having connection with a patient's airway. A sensor (44, 50, 56, 58) generates a signal representative of patient respiratory flow, that is provided to a controller (54, 62, 64). The controller (54, 62, 64) is operable to determine the occurrence of an apnea from a reduction in respiratory airflow below a threshold, and if an apnea has occurred, to determine the duration of the apnea and to cause the flow generator (34, 38) to increase the treatment pressure. In one preferred form the increase in pressure is zero if the treatment pressure before the apnea exceeds a pressure threshold.