Opus Users...HELP!!!

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:30 pm

Hello all:

I received my new Opus 360 on Friday. I was away this weekend, so I didn't really have quiet time to sit down with the mask other than throwing it on and finding that it leaked and whistled like a sieve. Needless to say I was not happy.

I tried the large pillows and they seem to help. However, it still leaks.

Upon further examination, I found that many leaks were coming from around where the nose pillows seat onto the frame. I played with that to get it on, and got it better, but discovered the following:

The instructions for install quite clearly show that there is a notch on the outer edge of the frame. The instructions also show that the pillow insert has a corresponding groove on the top of the pillows that slide into that notch.

Pictures of the notch in the frame illustrated here:

However, the top edge of my pillows that fit into the frame is completely smooth. Therefore, the notch seems to be allowing air to leak.

Other users, help! How can I get the pillows to go in securely? And do your pillows have this ridge on top?

If I am confusing people, I can take pics, however I'm tired (5:30, 6:30, 6:30 and 6:00 wakeups the last 4 days, and 800 miles in the car).

Thanks!!!

mmsiciliana · Post by **mmsiciliana** » Mon May 05, 2008 5:18 am

OK, I recently purchased this interface also. Mine also does not have the notch and I am having big time (I think) mask leakage problems. (My machine says 30 liters per minute and my AHI is up to 7 something.) I have found that if the nasal cushion isn't inserted into the frame all the way, there will be whistling, so I make sure to get it fully seated into the frame. There is a notch in the frame, but it's on the outside edge, so I don't see how there could be leaking happening because of it, but I'm not an engineer, I just play one on TV.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Mon May 05, 2008 6:38 am

Well, that makes me feel better.

It looks like that notch only goes 1/2 way back to the edge where the pillows seat. So I think for the most part I have eliminated that as a leak issue.

These pillows are strange, though, as they do not fit nearly as well as my Swift ones. I had to do the trick that I saw on here someplace of tying the two pillows together with a piece of dental floss to shorten up the spacing between the two pillows.

Having said that, the headgear seems to offer barely more stabiity than the swift. It takes some manouvering while on my side in order to not knock it out of my nose. But seeing as how the nasal piece is much narrower, and the hose comes out the front and can pivot, it's a much better setup than the swift. and even lighter!

I looked under the Light Bulb and Question Mark above and looked through RG's Lab Rat awards thread, but didn't see much in the way of Opus mods other than the Ballcap, Mouthgard and Cover it all up mods.

Any other Opus mods out there?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:01 am

The notch is an artifact of the previous version of the Opus ... it did have a corresponding notch on the pillows to line up. I think they may have left the notch on the newer Opus 360 version in order to be backward compatible with pillows from older model. The pillows from older model however suck and I don't see why anyone would want to use the older pillows. I'll explain later.

I added some stretchy straps to the new Opus from my Breeze headgear for added stability. I took a couple of pics this past Sunday but I have not had a chance to upload ... I'll try tonight.

Another thing to keep in mind is that facial oils will reduce ability for pillows to seal ... so you need to wash the pillows daily.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:06 am

Another thing to keep in mind is that facial oils will reduce ability for pillows to seal ... so you need to wash the pillows daily.

And the nostril area too. My face is not at all oily - but a daily wash of both pillows and nostrils makes a difference.

O.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:22 am

[quote="DreamStalker"]The notch is an artifact of the previous version of the Opus ... it did have a corresponding notch on the pillows to line up. I think they may have left the notch on the newer Opus 360 version in order to be backward compatible with pillows from older model. The pillows from older model however suck and I don't see why anyone would want to use the older pillows. I'll explain later.

I added some stretchy straps to the new Opus from my Breeze headgear for added stability. I took a couple of pics this past Sunday but I have not had a chance to upload ... I'll try tonight.

Another thing to keep in mind is that facial oils will reduce ability for pillows to seal ... so you need to wash the pillows daily.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:23 am

Sorry about your luck hopefully someone could help you out Opus was the last mask I tried before meeting my best friend the Nasal Aire II. Too bad it sure was comfy but just couldnt get it to not leak.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon May 05, 2008 8:52 pm

I tried the Opus when it first came out and thought it had a lot of potential. In the end I was unable to stop the leaks. Its major flaw was the nasal pillow design. The pillows would get all deformed out of shape reducing flow and causing pressure buildup to leak out of the edge around the nares.

The new Opus “360” pillows were designed to keep them from folding over (note upper-left picture) and reducing the flow which caused pressure buildup and leaks. The notch is a relic of the original Opus pillow design (note upper-right picture) … I guess they thought people would be too stupid to figure out which way the pillows were supposed to fit.

The only complaints I have with the improved Opus “360” design is that it needs (1) a longer hose. I lengthened mine by using the ResMed Activa swivel tube (note lower-left picture). (2) I also added stability by using some spare halo straps from my Breeze (note lower pictures). These help keep the nasal assembly in place during my toss-n-turn sleep night.

I still like my modified Breeze a lot but the Opus “360” now provides me with an effective alternate nasal pillow interface.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon May 05, 2008 9:26 pm

Thanks for the great pics. and explanations, Roberto.
O.

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue May 06, 2008 7:35 am

Dream Stalker:

Thanks for those pics, they really help!! Couple of questions:

1) Those straps, can you order them separately? I have definitley found that the opus straps ride up a bit in the back of my head. I know others have said the same thing about the Swift, but I have never had a problem with those.

2) How did you secure the straps to the stock straps on the back?

3) Hose length...when you say "it needs a longer hose" why do you say that? I'm curious to see how you have your hose routed from your machine. I have mine running up and over a swivel arm that sticks out from over my head. The one thing I found was that the mask hose to blower hose connection is too far up over my head, and too close to the wall, so that while I'm laying on my back, it's twisting the hose and mask. I tried putting the swivel angle that goes on the back of the Respironics blowers, but that didn't really seem to do much. So I ended up just letting ths hose float free, which works but not the greatest.

Is this what you were attempting to rectify?

Thanks!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue May 06, 2008 8:00 am

Needsdecaf wrote:Dream Stalker:

Thanks for those pics, they really help!! Couple of questions:

1) Those straps, can you order them separately? I have definitley found that the opus straps ride up a bit in the back of my head. I know others have said the same thing about the Swift, but I have never had a problem with those.

2) How did you secure the straps to the stock straps on the back?

3) Hose length...when you say "it needs a longer hose" why do you say that? I'm curious to see how you have your hose routed from your machine. I have mine running up and over a swivel arm that sticks out from over my head. The one thing I found was that the mask hose to blower hose connection is too far up over my head, and too close to the wall, so that while I'm laying on my back, it's twisting the hose and mask. I tried putting the swivel angle that goes on the back of the Respironics blowers, but that didn't really seem to do much. So I ended up just letting ths hose float free, which works but not the greatest.

Is this what you were attempting to rectify?

Thanks!

(1) Yes. If you click on the link https://www.cpap.com/productpage/1601 you will find them on cpap.com.

(2) The halo straps have velcro at both ends. They are also made of stretchy material so they are fully adjustable for comfort and proper tension.

(3) Hose length is just something I prefer ... I guess I'm just used to the extra hose length on my Breeze. Here is a link to my hose routing setup.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:14 am

The notch is a relic of the original Opus pillow design (note upper-right picture) … I guess they thought people would be too stupid to figure out which way the pillows were supposed to fit.

hahaha I'm one of theose who needs the little notch to get the pillows in there the right way, in my defence however I am frequently trying to get them in there in the dark after they have annoyingly come out of place and the blast of air waiking me. I can feel the notch and so know they are back in right....

but its only my backup mask, I could really like this, but the straps are not quite right and the silly pillows don't stay in, but if I ever sit down and am able to tweak it right......when its working perfectly its the most comfortable...for a few seconds anyway....

3isles · Post by **3isles** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:18 am

oops..... that was me...thought I was signed in

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:19 am

Dream Stalker:

Just wanted to say THANKS!

Obviously I haven't been able to order and recieve these strips yet, so last night I used, for the first time, the tried and true CPAP replacement material. The duct tape of the OSA world: PANTYHOSE!

Rigged up some pantyhose straps that went from the front almost by the nasal pillows and around to the back and looped through the two ends of the straps.

What a difference! The mask is SO much more secure now, it's unbelievable. I slept on both sides last night and even woke up at one point face down with the mask partially buried in my pillow, and it worked great! Only problem was that now the strap marks were REALLY visible on my cheeks. Time for the wife to get busy with the sewing machine!

Thanks again!! The Opus has now officially taken over as my preferred mask. Now, how to deal with that hose....

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed May 07, 2008 7:40 am

Needsdecaf wrote:Dream Stalker:

Just wanted to say THANKS!

Obviously I haven't been able to order and recieve these strips yet, so last night I used, for the first time, the tried and true CPAP replacement material. The duct tape of the OSA world: PANTYHOSE!

Rigged up some pantyhose straps that went from the front almost by the nasal pillows and around to the back and looped through the two ends of the straps.

What a difference! The mask is SO much more secure now, it's unbelievable. I slept on both sides last night and even woke up at one point face down with the mask partially buried in my pillow, and it worked great! Only problem was that now the strap marks were REALLY visible on my cheeks. Time for the wife to get busy with the sewing machine!

Thanks again!! The Opus has now officially taken over as my preferred mask. Now, how to deal with that hose....

Of all that I learned during my school years, the principles of physics are the ones that I use on a daily basis. Isn't the world of physics wonderful? ... no need to "stress" over whether chance or faith will save the night [pun intended]

Too bad science is not a priority in our education system anymore