Compact continuous positive airway pressure apparatus and method

A CPAP apparatus for providing continuous positive airway pressure to a user, the apparatus defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions extending substantially orthogonally with respect one another, the apparatus comprising:

• a patient interface for delivering pressurized air to the user's airway for providing CPAP therapy;
• a housing having an exterior length extending in the longitudinal direction, exterior width extending in the lateral direction, and exterior height extending in the transverse direction, each of the exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height being substantially equivalent in value to a respective exterior dimension of a laptop computer;
• the housing further comprising
• a lower flange extending in the longitudinal direction a first distance equal to the exterior length and in the lateral direction a second distance equal to the exterior width,
• an upper flange extending in the longitudinal direction the first distance and in the lateral direction the second distance, and
• the upper flange spaced in the transverse direction a third distance from the lower flange;
• a drive system configured to selectively elevate the pressure of air passing therethrough;
• the drive system mounted to the housing and contained within the exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height thereof;
• and
• a delivery system comprising a conduit for conducting air, the conduit
• encircling the drive system at a location between the upper and lower flanges, and
• being stowed completely within the housing and within the exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height thereof.

A method comprising:

• selecting an article of luggage comprising a dedicated compartment designed to securely house a laptop computer;
• selecting a CPAP apparatus comprising
• a housing having an exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height, each substantially equivalent in value to a respective exterior dimension of the laptop computer, the housing comprising
• a lower flange extending in a longitudinal direction a first distance equal to the exterior length and in a lateral direction a second distance equal to the exterior width,
• an upper flange extending in the longitudinal direction the first distance and in the lateral direction the second distance, and
• the upper flange spaced in the transverse direction a third distance from the lower flange,
• a drive system configured to selectively elevate the pressure of air passing therethrough,
• the drive system mounted to the housing and contained within the exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height thereof, and
• a delivery system comprising a conduit for conducting air, the conduit
• having an exterior diameter and a length, the exterior diameter being less than the exterior height, greater than one half of the exterior height, and substantially equivalent to the third distance, and
• being stowed completely within the housing and within the exterior length, exterior width, and exterior height thereof;
• and
• stowing the CPAP apparatus within the dedicated compartment.