Auto-feedback valve for a sleep apnea device

A system for treating a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, the system comprising:

• a manifold;
• an air flow generator connected to the manifold and configured to deliver an air flow at a positive therapeutic pressure during the treatment and transition between an off condition and an on condition;
• an expiratory valve connected to the manifold comprising an open pressure that is dependent on the therapeutic pressure from the air flow generator, the expiratory valve further comprises:
• a membrane with a surface that experiences the therapeutic pressure, wherein the membrane has an elasticity;
• a plunger on the opposite side of the surface, the plunger forming a seal and having a weight;
• a magnet that magnetically biases the plunger against the seal, thereby closing the expiratory valve;
• wherein when the expiratory valve opens the plunger contacts the membrane;
• wherein the expiratory valve exerts a back pressure upon each exhalation from the patient sufficient to create a pneumatic splint in the patient's respiratory tract, the back pressure comprised of the therapeutic pressure and the magnetic bias;
• wherein the exhalation from the patient has a first half followed by a second half and the back pressure is varied such that during the start of the first half the back pressure is between 0 and 50% of a peak back pressure and increases to a peak back pressure in the second half;
• and
• at least one inspiratory one-way valve connected to the manifold to provide air flow at a therapeutic pressure from the air flow generator to the patient;
• wherein the plunger weight, the membrane elasticity and the magnetic bias are selected to create an opening pressure of less than 2.0 CM of H2O when the airflow generator is not delivering air flow to the expiatory valve.