Hybrid and S8 machine info from horse's mouth

I emailed Innomed about which setting to use with my S8 Elite. Here is basically their response I received this morning.
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· We recommend setting the machine on the Full Face Mask setting

· We recommend tightening the lower straps of the headgear slightly to better keep the cushion in place. If you are having issues with your Headgear, please send us your address and we will send you a replacement one. We will be introducing a new and improved headgear in one month, so we recommend checking back with us then.

· Some Hybrid users with S8 machines are blocking one port to account for the issues this CPAP has with the Hybrid’s generous flow rate. We are looking into modifying our mask in the near future to be more compliant with the S8 in the future, so please check back with us on that.

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They didn't specify WHICH full face mask and ResMed makes more than one I believe. I think I will start with the MIR FULL setting on the S8 and then maybe try the Standard.

Now that my nose isn't hurting anymore I am really liking the Hybrid.

Using the Activa I would wake up with a sore back, but with the Hybrid I don't. However, I wake up with the hose wound all around my neck!

It seems that with the Activa I didn't move at all during the night but stayed in one position almost all the time. Probably because in my subconcious I was afraid of knocking the Darth Vader front end against the pillow and dislodging it or something.

With the Hybrid I seem to move a LOT more and roll over and change positions. I know I come semi-awake and get on my stomach once or twice a night which I could NOT do with the Activa.

I have jammed a broken off round toothpick into one port this morning and will see how that helps with the readings. Also changed the setting from Activa to MIR FULL. I had tried that before but the readings seemed slightly better if I just left it on Activa. However, with reducing the flow I will follow their advise for awhile before I change settings again.

I thought it was interesting that they are planning changes in the mask and that they are bringing out a new headgear.

I suppose we will have to pay for both of those, eh.

I was surprised not to see anyones name at the end of the email.
I was told something different when I call the Respcare number a week or so ago. I was told that they are not changing the air exchange holes and that that is an important feature of the technology. Although I didn't mention the tape i saw over a hole I saw on this site, I got the impression that they designed for the additional air flow.
Now I'm confused.

Are you sure you don't have an Innomed sales person guessing this stuff?
Respcare makes the Hybrid. Innomed makes the Nasal-Aires.

you NEED to use the Mirage Full setting as they suggested.

The Hybrid mask (as with many Full Face masks including the UltraMirage Full Face masks) have a anti-asphyxia valve should the power fail you can still breathe.

Anti-asphyxia valves are incompatible with the Autoset algorithm. When you select the "Mir Full" setting on the machine it disables the SmartStart feature on the machine so it is compatible with the machine.

This is stated in the User Manual of the machine in greater detail. Innomed must believe the Mir Full setting has a similar leak rate as the UMFF series masks.

sidesleeper wrote:Respcare makes the Hybrid. Innomed makes the Nasal-Aires.

I may be wrong about all this, but I *think* Innomed designed the Hybrid in the first place. And I *think* Teleflex Medical/Hudson RCI manufactures and markets the Hybrid. I've never figured out exactly what the business connection is between Innomed and those other two; but as far as I know, Innomed designed the Hybrid. Looked to me like Respcare is just another online cpap supplies dealer, isn't it?

no. they are companies in the same Incubator.
Respcare manufactures and owns Hybrid , Teleflex/HudsonRCI distributes it and they are in the same Incubator as Innomed. There's a few other companies in there too. Look at http://www.mergenet.com

I cut off the last line with the person's name who responded from Innomed on purpose.

I also corrected some grammar and spelling mistakes

I probably should have gone and asked for permission to post the response but I figured if I removed the name and fixed the mistakes I wasn't posting their exact response.

Not that it matters probably.

The mix of companies involved in design, production, and marketing of the mask is confusing.

Someone one here had sent me the phone number at Innomed, but instead of calling I went to http://www.hybrid-mask.com site and emailed support there, because I wanted to get it in writing as I learn better visually than aurally and the response came back from name.removed@innomedinc.com.

And, the same person just emailed me again with more info. I had asked about which full face mask and they confirmed that I should use the MIR FULL setting on the S8.

They said that the pricing policy for upgraded headgear and ( possible ) revamped mask was still TBD ( To Be Decided ).

I had also asked if we needed to register our purchase and she said no, but recommended to keep the manual with the LOT number which came with the mask.

Now where the heck is that thing. I think the DME may have it, not sure.

Anyway, I have been pleased with the response from support. They actually answered my quetions instead of sluffing it off. And they responded pretty quickly too.

from the various websites...


Hybrid is a trademark of Innomed Technologies

Manufacturer:
RespCare, Inc.
6601 Lyons Road, Buildings B1-B4
Coconut Creek, FL 33073 USA

Distributed Exclusively By:
Teleflex Medical, a division of Teleflex Incorporated, is a global supplier of medical devices, surgical instruments, and disposable medical products. Headquartered in Limerick, Pa.

These are the companies I could find on the web:
Mergenet Solutions, Inc http://www.mergenet.com
Innomed Technologies http://www.innomedinc.com
Respcare http://www.Respcare.com and http://www.hybridmask.com
Mergenet Medical, Inc. http://www.mergenetmedical.com
the last company looks more like a science incubator with very different products, it looks technical.
Since they share space (assuming they share space because the address said Lyons Road buildings B 1-4), they probably share other resources, as well. That's how these start up companies save money and popped out innovative inventions one after another.
You've heard of Silicon Valley ? Well now it's more like Silicone Valley!

Whatever and whoever they are, the Zook family is sure glad they are here.