a 15-minute Hybrid Review

[Snoredog]

Well UPS dropped off my Hybrid mask yesterday. Came in a nice box with a nice powder blue case, blah, blah, blah, they must have used 2-3 tubes of silicone to make that thing

So I tried giving it a honest go at it last night... the headgear was already pretty close with the correct setup right out of the box (they must have dug my head mold out of the dumpster). I used the Large cushion and pillow setup that it comes with out of the box. They seemed to be the correct size for me. I didn't break the seal on the others sizes.

Neoprene headgear wasn't hard to adjust with the velcro straps. I didn't care much for that extra strap going up over the top of the head, but I guess it is needed to keep the mask from pivoting out at the top. It was tolerable. The quick-release clips are not really quick release, but are simple and functional, takes a bit to get one strap unhooked so you can remove it, but I guess it all boils down to what you are used to. I'm used to squeezing a clip to release it vs unhooking.

I put it on, did some adjustments, hit the On button, pressure came up to my Min. of 6.5cm, right away I had some leaks in the pillow area and some to the upper lip area (I have a trimmed mustache).

I tried adjusting things around a bit and did get them finally stopped. I had to cinch up on the upper straps to stop the leak to the upper lip area, then it seemed to pivot the cushion where the pillows wanted to pop out, sounds like the same problem others had. I guess you have to do the happy dance with the upper and lower straps to control the pivot so they don't pop out.

With no forehead support there is not much pivoting you can actually do to stop leaks other than tighten up the top straps. Get the straps too tight and this interface becomes uncomfortable like other masks.

The incoming air into the nares via the pillows was more diffused than other pillow style masks I had tried in the past but it was still colder and more direct than the UMFF I'm used to. Last night it was a bit warmer in the room since it was 109F yesterday, AC had it at 78F. I don't use the heat on the humidifier this time of the year, but incoming cold air made it really uncomfortable for me and I didn't feel like dragging out the aussie hose.

So I guess I'm one of those people that just can't tolerate the pillow-style interfaces and having things stuck up his nose. I had a rhinoplasty years ago, maybe that is why I cannot tolerate anything in the nares. I have no idea how some of you tolerate those things.

The pillows and cushions seemed of good quality, in fact the whole mask was of pretty good quality. The mouth cushion comes equipped with a thin membrane like inner-flap to help with the seal like the mirage series masks have, so no complaints there.

It came with a dual 360-degree hose swivel/elbow. The elbow has the anti-asyphixa flapper valve incorporated. Turning the machine off you seem to get good airflow from it. It also had a twist swivel to keep the hose from kinking up.

The chin support seemed to fit my chin just fine, it did create a different feeling. I could see where this could keep the mandible from dropping. I'd say the Hybrid is probably the better of the pillow style interfaces I have tried in the past.

However, the Hybrid is still NOT not for me, I just can't stand the pillows in the nares. After about 15-minutes I put it back in the box and went back to using the UMFF.

So if I had to compare the Hybrid to another mask, I'd compare it to the UMFF that I have been using for the past 3yrs. Had the Hybrid worked out, it would have replaced my UMFF.

The Hybrid is far from being the "perfect mask" in my opinion, I should have realized that was just all Innomed hype when it got posted here. They are notorious for coming on chat boards like this one at every new product launch and flooding it with always positive testimonials from people you have never heard of before.

But if you can tolerate the pillow style masks, I could see where this one might work out for you. Comparing it to other Innomed masks I've owned/tried, they did put more into this interface design than they have in others especially with the headgear.

But comparing the Hybrid to the UMFF of which I've used for the past 3yrs, I find the UMFF remains the winner for me and is:

-more comfortable than the Hybrid
-leaks less than the Hybrid (I have a mustache, it goes over it).
-is quieter than the Hybrid.
-has better quality quick release clips & headgear.
-diffuses the incoming air much better, not cold.
-doesn't require as much strap pressure to make the seal.

I have some other like-new duds for sale that lasted me about the same amount of time if you are interested:

Breeze (new style, pillows complete).
Swift
Nasalaire
Vista

The Hybrid has been sold.
The Remstar Auto has been sold.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): breeze, humidifier, mirage, hose, swift, seal, auto

[sidesleeper]

Does MikeMoran work for Innomed ? He was the only user until a little over a week ago...
Mike, are you a secret Innomed enployee ???