Resmed Quattro question

[Alathea_Squared]

Hi guys/gals. I use a resmed s9 with a Quattro fullFace silicone mouth gasket mask issued by VA. Is the mask supposed to have a silicone gasket on the inside, where the elbow attaches, too? I can remember ever noticing one way or the other.

I ask because I got rid of my old mask after 6 months (va replaces twice a year) and this one leaks around the elbow and is really noisy compared to the previous ones I’ve had over the last 9 years. It whistles and I dummy remember my masks ever doing that before. Machine set for auto, no changes on my end or on the machine. I’m wondering if I got a bum mask. The elbow is fully snapped in and headgear is adjusted, otherwise.

There is 1 respiratory therapist in the clinic and I can never get ahold of them, so I figured I’d ask you kind people before I go looking for a replacement. In the winter I get sick a lot and I’ma mouth breather so pillows don’t work near as well with me.

What are your thoughts on the memory foam variant of the resmed full have over silicone? Maybe I’ll try that one since va only issues the silicone version.

[chunkyfrog]

The memory foam molds to the face a little better.
Some complain it is a bit warm.
Cleaning is tricky--harder to get long use out of it.

[LSAT]

I used the Quattro for 8 years...There is no gasket where the elbow attaches to the frame. It's difficult to pull out and then it snaps back in. When I was using it I rarely pulled out the elbow. The only silicone is the cushion itself. There is a small flap inside the elbow called an asphyxia valve. If you have a whistle...pull off the elbow and clean it..just soap and water. Then push it back in.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/v ... ction=view

[Alathea_Squared]

I'll give that a shot. It's a new mask and they've never been busy like this before.

[Gryphon]

Back when I used to use the Quattro all the time as my main mask... exactly because of the lack of gaskets around moving parts like the quick disconnect and elbow there was always an issue with air leaking from those places... not so much to compromise therapy in anyway but in a way that would make noise or hissing sounds that could get quite annoying for some people.

"My hearing is really good and before I used to use a white noise machine to play rain sounds till I fall asleep, any little hissing sounds or odd noises from my machine would drive me crazy."

I always used to put about 4 or 5 layers of Teflon pipe tape over the elbow fitting and quick disconnect fitting, you then twist the fitting around over and over to kind of work the Teflon tape in so the joint becomes a bit loose as it will become a bit stiff with the added tape. The added layers of material act like a draft guard on the bottom of a door, allowing the elbow to move but keeping in the air. You don't put any tape over or around the flap or covering the holes for the asphyxia valve, I'm not going to suggest or condone doing anything that could get someone killed.

Just put tape on the two ends of the elbow that attach the mask to the quick disconnect. See if that helps to quiet down the annoying noises.

Best of luck.

Rest well,

Gryphon

[Alathea_Squared]

Thanks to you both. I’ll give that a try. Usually my Quattro are quiet. Not sure why this one is different.

[Gryphon]

one other thing too... if it's something you use for your CPAP, and it's made of some sort of hard plastic, hang on to it, unless you're over run with extras.

The only thing that honestly wears out with our supplies is headgear and mask seals... everything else is usually still good even if it gets dirty, just needs a good scrubbing with dish soap and warm water.

"Filters get thrown away when they're nasty, and replaced"

I've got like 5 or 6 of my old Quattro masks still, the headgear and old mask cushions are all blah.. and have long sense been tossed out, (though I have a few brand new ones still sealed in plastic) but the elbows and hard plastic frames are still good as new, just not quite as shiny. If you have the older ones still, and the design hasn't changed (I'm not 100% sure about this, they may have changed them) you could always try using one of your older quiet elbows and forgo the Teflon tape idea.

Best of luck ether way!

Restwell,

Gryphon

[LSAT]

The Quattro cushions can be "boiled" and they come out like new....When I was using it my cushions lasted over a year. In a saucepan boil some distilled water with a tsp of baking soda. Boil the cushions for about 3 minutes. Rinse and air dry.

[Gryphon]

Thanks for the baking soda boiling trick. I remembered that was possible but forgot to mention it when talking about spare parts.

The quattro was my mask for almost 8 years but, I've since moved onto the AirFit. I've got some old quattro mask seals that are literally amber in color. I'll see if I can't try that and do a before and after for fun.

Push comes to shove, most of our stuff will far far outlast the "Manufacture's suggested replacement window"

YMMV on filters, if you have a dusty house, replace as needed.....

I try to keep any non flexible parts of my old stuff as spares or spare parts.

There are ways to restore mask cushions with boiling, and head gear can sometimes be shrunk back to working again by washing techniques.

There may be others who know the details who can chime in on any other methods to keep our stuff going and going like the energizer bunny.

Speaking of spare parts... Would anyone be in need of older quattro parts?

Thanks,

Gryphon