Methods for pressure regulation in positive pressure respiratory therapy

1 . A method, comprising:

determining a plurality of breath intervals;

increasing a pressure from a sub-therapeutic pressure to a therapeutic pressure to deliver a positive airway pressure therapy by providing a plurality of pressure steps;

delivering each pressure step in the plurality of pressure steps over a time interval less than the breath interval;

including at least one pressure step in at least two of the breath intervals of the plurality of breath intervals.

2 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

providing the pressure step generally coincident with inhalation.

3 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

providing the pressure step generally coincident with the inhalation peak.

4 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

decreasing the pressure from a second pressure by a pressure drop over the maintenance interval.

5 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

maintaining the pressure generally at a second pressure over the maintenance interval.

6 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

delivering each pressure step of the plurality of pressures steps in consecutive breath intervals.

7 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

delivering each pressure step of the plurality of pressures steps every other breath interval.

8 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

delivering one pressure step within the breath interval.

9 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

delivering two pressure steps within the breath interval.

10 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

delivering three or more pressure steps within the breath interval.

11 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the breath interval by detecting the rotation rate of the motor.

12 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the breath interval by detecting the electrical load on the motor.

13 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the breath interval by detecting changes in airflow.

14 . The method, as in claim 1 , wherein the time interval is constant.

15 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

determining the time interval from the breath interval.

16 . The method, as in claim 1 , further comprising:

choosing the pressure step such that the pressure increases from the sub-therapeutic pressure to the therapeutic pressure generally over a selected therapeutic pressure delivery time.

17 . A method of initiating a positive airway pressure therapy, comprising:

delivering pressurized air at a sub-therapeutic pressure to a user;

detecting at least one breathing parameter of the user;

determining a plurality of breath intervals from the at least one breathing parameter;

increasing the pressure of the pressurized air from a sub-therapeutic pressure to a therapeutic pressure in a plurality of pressure steps, at least two of the breath intervals of the plurality of breath intervals including at least one pressure step initiated and terminated within the breath interval; and

administering a positive airway pressure therapy at the therapeutic pressure during at least a portion of a sleep state of the user.

18 . A method of initiating a positive airway pressure therapy, comprising:

delivering pressurized air at a sub-therapeutic pressure to a user;

determining a breath interval of the user;

increasing a pressure of the pressurized air from a sub-therapeutic pressure to a therapeutic pressure over a plurality of the breath intervals, the pressure increasing in pressure steps, each pressure step provided within the breath interval and over a time interval less than the breath interval; and

administering a positive airway pressure therapy at the therapeutic pressure during at least a portion of a sleep state of the user.