Fisher & Paykel BC161 Infant Bubble CPAP System

Safe, Effective Bubble CPAP for Spontaneously Breathing Infants

The Fisher & Paykel BC161 is a complete, single-patient Bubble CPAP system designed for premature neonates and infants up to 10 kg who require non-invasive respiratory support. Distributed by Shah Trading Corporation, Mumbai, the BC161 variant connects directly to the F&P Infant Interface (FlexiTrunk), making it purpose-built for use within the F&P neonatal care ecosystem.

The system delivers continuously humidified, heated gas at a prescribed positive airway pressure, helping to maintain lung recruitment, reduce the need for intubation, and support natural breathing in vulnerable neonates. All key components are included in one ready-to-use kit — heated inspiratory circuit, MR290 autofeed humidification chamber, pressure manifold, and bubble CPAP generator — minimizing setup time in busy NICUs.

Bubble CPAP Generator (Included) - Auto-leveling, adjustable 3–10 cmH₂O, detachable overflow container

Heated Breathing Circuit (Included) - Blue inspiratory + white expiratory tubes with spiral heater wire

MR290 Autofeed Chamber (Included) - Auto-fill, closed-system design; minimizes infection risk

Pressure Relief Manifold (Included) - Limits pressure during occlusion; accepts O₂ analyzer and pressure monitor

KEY FEATURES:

Consistent Pressure Delivery - The auto-leveling Bubble CPAP generator moves excess liquid into a separate overflow chamber, so the set CPAP pressure remains stable regardless of water accumulation.

Spiral Heated Wire Circuit - Even heat distribution throughout the inspiratory limb reduces heat loss and condensate build-up, ensuring warm, humidified gas reaches the infant consistently.

Pressure Relief Safety Manifold - Actively limits pressure in the event of circuit occlusion. Includes dedicated ports for pressure monitoring and oxygen/air analyzer — critical for NICU safety protocols.

MR290 Autofeed Humidification - Closed autofill design maintains constant water supply without manual refilling. The sealed system minimizes contamination risk — a key requirement in neonatal intensive care.

Uninterrupted Therapy During Overflow Emptying - The overflow container is detachable without stopping CPAP delivery — nursing staff can remove excess water without interrupting therapy or disturbing the infant.

F&P Infant Interface Compatible - The BC161 is specifically configured for the F&P FlexiTrunk™ Interface — lightweight nasal tubing engineered for stable prong and mask fixation while allowing natural infant movement.

Single-Patient, All-in-One Kit - Every component arrives sterile and ready in one pack. Single-patient use for up to 7 days eliminates cross-contamination risks and simplifies infection control documentation.

Clinically Proven NICU Outcomes - Bubble CPAP with heated humidification is clinically associated with reduced delivery-room intubations, fewer days on mechanical ventilation, and improved postnatal weight gain in preterm neonates.

Technical Data

Parameter	Value / Detail
Model / SKU	BC161 (BC161-10: 10 kits per box)
Intended Patient Population	Premature neonates and infants up to 10 kg
Interface Compatibility	F&P Infant Interface (FlexiTrunk™) — BC161 specific
Usage Period	Single patient use, maximum 7 days
Input Flow Range	4 – 15 L/min
Recommended Input Flow	6 – 8 L/min
Compatible Humidifier	F&P MR850 or MR730 — Invasive Mode only
Operating Temperature Range	Per F&P standard clinical environment
Manufacturer	Fisher & Paykel, New Zealand
Distributor in India	Shah Trading Corporation, Mumbai

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between BC151 and BC161 — and how do we choose the right model for our NICU?

The difference is the patient interface connection. The BC151 connects to third-party T-bar prong interfaces (e.g. Hudson, Inca), while the BC161 is designed specifically for the F&P Infant Interface (FlexiTrunk™). If your NICU uses — or plans to adopt — the F&P FlexiTrunk nasal tubing with F&P prongs or masks, the BC161 is the correct choice. The clinical circuit, humidification chamber, and CPAP generator are identical across both models.

The CPAP pressure in our unit drifts as condensate builds up. How does the BC161 generator prevent this?

This is a well-known issue with conventional bubble CPAP generators. The F&P generator solves it with an auto-leveling design — excess water is automatically diverted into a separate overflow chamber away from the main pressure-generating water column. Because the depth of the expiratory tube in water determines the delivered CPAP, keeping that level stable ensures the set pressure (3–10 cmH₂O) is maintained consistently even as condensate accumulates.

Our premature neonates are very sensitive to temperature. How does the heated circuit prevent cold gas delivery?

The inspiratory limb uses a spiral heater wire running its entire length, providing even heat distribution rather than spot heating at one point. This prevents the gas from cooling as it travels from the humidifier chamber to the patient interface — a particular concern in open radiant warmer environments or air-conditioned NICUs. The circuit works in tandem with the MR850 humidifier (set to Invasive Mode) to deliver gas at optimal temperature and humidity all the way to the infant's nares.