My Quattro leaks!

abysmillard · Post by **abysmillard** » Mon May 21, 2007 5:53 pm

This might be a stupid question, but I want to be prepared for stupid answers when I talk to my DME:

I have been trying to use a ResMed Quattro for a couple of weeks but it's been driving me crazy with air leaks. No matter how tight (or loose) I adjust it it still hisses like crazy and I feel cold air on my cheek. The funny thing is where I feel the air on my cheek keeps changing with my head position. I finally figured out last night that the mask is fitting fine most of the time. The leak I hear and feel is coming from the elbow that connects the air hose to the mask and shoots out in different directions depending on which way the swivel is pointing. I can't see any cracks or other flaws in the elbow or mask, or any other reason that it should leak.

Is it usual for a mask to leak at its swivel connection? Is there something that I'm missing that I should be doing to keep it from leaking? My setting is 10.8.

I don't want to go to my DME without some answers that I can use when he tells me it's normal, so thoughts anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon May 21, 2007 7:09 pm

abysmillard wrote:This might be a stupid question, but I want to be prepared for stupid answers when I talk to my DME:

I have been trying to use a ResMed Quattro for a couple of weeks but it's been driving me crazy with air leaks. No matter how tight (or loose) I adjust it it still hisses like crazy and I feel cold air on my cheek. The funny thing is where I feel the air on my cheek keeps changing with my head position. I finally figured out last night that the mask is fitting fine most of the time. The leak I hear and feel is coming from the elbow that connects the air hose to the mask and shoots out in different directions depending on which way the swivel is pointing. I can't see any cracks or other flaws in the elbow or mask, or any other reason that it should leak.

Is it usual for a mask to leak at its swivel connection? Is there something that I'm missing that I should be doing to keep it from leaking? My setting is 10.8.

I don't want to go to my DME without some answers that I can use when he tells me it's normal, so thoughts anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.

Have you taken it apart?......like to clean it?
I've always advised people to NOT take their masks apart and to clean them completely assembled.

Numerous folks have had that same problem with the UMFF when they took them apart and didn't get them back together correctly.

I haven't seen the Quattro (except for pictures) but on the UMFF there's a quick disconnect at that elbow that if you don't get it snapped together correctly, will leak badly.

Den

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:24 pm

Can you post your equipment types and leak rates?

I have found the Quattro a bit prone to leakiness, but it can be managed. I've used a Rested Gal strap with good effect on that and many other masks. But we have to know if you are using equipment that records data to help much with your case.

My wife reported today that the Quattro was making more noise the other night than I used to make snoring, and that's pretty bad. I was asleep at the time of the leak, so I'm still trying to figure out what she meant.

abysmillard · Post by **abysmillard** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:01 am

Thanks!

I've taken it apart, but only to try to fix the leaks.

My equipment doesn't give me data on leaks (or anything else, for that matter; sore subject....) and, anyway, my problem is not in getting a seal between the mask and my face. That seems fine. The problem is the connection between the swivel elbow and the mask. Even though I can't see anything wrong with the connection, or the individual parts, there's getting to be more and more play at their connection so it should be obvious that there's a problem.

We'll see what they say when I bring it back tomorrow....

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:22 am

you might be having the same problem as I am having with my Quattro, don't think it is conventional cushion to face leak, the hiss on mine appears to be coming from the swivel or elbow area out the anti-asphyxia holes.

I'm still researching it, but a phone call to Resmed's Customer Service line and speaking to Hazel was a complete waste of time, I might as well just ask my dog what is up with that, at least he would have cocked his head to one side then the other and looked inquisitive

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Tue May 22, 2007 11:50 am

Every time without fail, if I take everything off before watching the video or reading everthing,and sometimes when I do all those things before dismantling, even just cleaning it (those cushions can be very difficult to put back in), I'll end up with a little whistle or hiss.
Theres no reason to dismantle anything on these masks until your ready to replace a pillow or cushion with a new one.
And never, never, mess with the asphyxiation hole. That's a sure noise problem.Wipe with a damp soft cloth once a week or so and your good to go. Keep the darn things intact.

abysmillard · Post by **abysmillard** » Tue May 22, 2007 3:44 pm

Snoredog, I think we have exactly the same problem. I'm pretty sure the air is leaking from the attachment of the elbow to the mask, but I've also been sure at times that it was coming from the anti-asphyxia valve. I'm glad to hear that ResMed customer service was so helpful--saves me a call. My DME assured me over the phone that the mask was supposed to vent through the coupling. I asked him what the ventilation holes above were for, then. Anyway, tomorrow's my day off and I'm going to bring the mask in so that he can see and hear the problem.

When I first got this mask, I thought it was way quieter than my Swift. Now it's a lot noisier. I'm thinking that it's getting near time for plumber's tape but we'll see what happens tomorrow. Hmmm, I used to be expert at stopping air leaks in bagpipes with twine and beeswax. Maybe I should dig my pipe box out....

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:34 am

This is unwelcome news. I would not generally expect to have to modify or repair a new $209 mask. At these prices, I don't do duct taping. I wonder if this may be the issue that caused my wife to comment on the noise from my side of the bed the other night, or the significantly higher AHI I am getting with the Quattro as compared to the CF2. I had noticed that my tank seemed to be working harder with this mask.

I will hazard a guess that Resmed is not monitoring this forum. I'd appreciate it if you all would keep us posted on this leak issue. I sense a recall, or at least some seriously nasty communication from me to Resmed in the immediate future.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:02 pm

cwsanfor wrote:This is unwelcome news. I would not generally expect to have to modify or repair a new $209 mask. At these prices, I don't do duct taping. I wonder if this may be the issue that caused my wife to comment on the noise from my side of the bed the other night, or the significantly higher AHI I am getting with the Quattro as compared to the CF2. I had noticed that my tank seemed to be working harder with this mask.

I will hazard a guess that Resmed is not monitoring this forum. I'd appreciate it if you all would keep us posted on this leak issue. I sense a recall, or at least some seriously nasty communication from me to Resmed in the immediate future.

I agree, if you spend that kind of money on a interface you shouldn't have to resort to straps and duct tape to make it work.

Mine woke me up again early this morning with that same loud hissing sound, again I couldn't determine where it was coming from. After 3 nights use in a row, there is one thing I know, it is NOT quieter than the UMFF that is for sure.

Now that the Quattro has forced me to purchase a set of ear plugs, I may try the CF2 again tonight using the ear plugs maybe I'll get some sleep again.

ddpelp · Post by **ddpelp** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:12 pm

snoredog,
can you advise where you think the leak is? I know you said you can not determine exactly but a general idea? I would like to check my new one but last night it was great very very quite and leak rate was down .. thanks

redwoodguest · Post by **redwoodguest** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:22 pm

Liberty has the same problem and our lab won't use it.
Has anyone heard if resmed is recalling them?

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:24 pm

[quote="Snoredog"]

I'm still researching it, but a phone call to Resmed's Customer Service line and speaking to Hazel was a complete waste of time, I might as well just ask my dog what is up with that, at least he would have cocked his head to one side then the other and looked inquisitive

Bert_Mathews · Post by **Bert_Mathews** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:54 pm

[quote="dieselgal"][quote="Snoredog"]

I'm still researching it, but a phone call to Resmed's Customer Service line and speaking to Hazel was a complete waste of time, I might as well just ask my dog what is up with that, at least he would have cocked his head to one side then the other and looked inquisitive

ddpelp · Post by **ddpelp** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:22 pm

normal for customer service of any kind I think.. BUT

Snoredog.. how do you know Hazel did not "have her head cocked to one side then the other and looking inquisitive"

Really though sad deal isn't it that medical customer service reps know so little about their own product.. Not like calling Dell about a computer problem.. seems medical folks would/should be better trained

BUT.. I have found regardless of the product or company nothing is as good as a forum of users ie this forum.. Actual users seem to of always had a similar problem and already had a fix or at least info on any problems I have asked for/about..

side note.. I ALWAYS read snoredog's replies.. they are informative

abysmillard · Post by **abysmillard** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:39 pm

OK, I took the Quattro to the DME this morning. The Tech (funny, they're all named Arthur at this location) looked at the mask and said the cushion was in crooked. The little blue tab at the chin of the mask wasn't properly engaged. He fixed it and it was pretty obvious that he was right. I asked him how I could feel a leak from the bottom of the mask up on my cheek but he insisted it was so. We hooked me up to a machine and, sure enough, I could not reproduce the leak that I would have sworn came from the coupling.

I did take the cushion off for cleaning at about the same time I started having this leak. I thought I remembered the leak before I touched anything, but hey, I haven't been sleeping well so I might be confused.

I'm gonna give it a try for a couple of hours this afternoon to make sure that this isn't one of those not-reproducible-in-the-shop problems and I'll report back.

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My Quattro leaks!

My Quattro leaks!

Re: My Quattro leaks!

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