Taping Quattro Elbow? Who?

[oceanpearl]

[quote="Snoredog"]ooops! that is what happens when you type with your index fingers.

It is interesting yesterday you reported that mask was working fine.

I kind of experienced the same thing, it seems to be intermittent. It starts leaking, the mask is making all kinds of noise, you grab the elbow try and move it around to isolate the leak and it disappears.

Because it "comes and goes" so suddenly, I suspected it was the anti-asphyxia flapper valve getting stuck or not sealing. The leak when it happens on mine is HUGE, it is not some minor leak at a swivel or something it is a large leak. But every night I used that mask I was woken up with it hissing away.

Those leak characteristics tell me it is the silicone "flapper" valve, but it is definitely coming from the elbow. I don't know if you guys are shallow "breathers" or not, but I know I am, I breathe so shallow sometimes the machine may even pick them up as centrals.

That valve works with pressure. When you turn on your machine that valve closes, it is supposed to open when pressure is lost in the mask. That is the "pop" you hear when you turn on your machine, that valve closing and sealing.

I examined that swivel connection with the base of the mask, I don't think my leak is coming from there. I suspect it is a defective flapper valve. I removed mine as the video showed, replaced it, same thing next morning about 5AM.

I haven't been having the problem lately, because the Quattro is in my DUD drawer and I've been using my Soyala.

[Snoredog]

[quote="ddpelp"]it does work fine if that comment was directed to me.. I have yet to have a leak at the elobw only problem i noted is I have knocked the elobw off twice now during sleep to be awaken with the blast of air free falling from hose elbow.
I think that makes it a bad design just since it comes off easy it appears.. I do NOT have a leak at the elbow after knocking it off and fumbling while half asleep putting it back on while stil having mask on..

Now I have totally disassembled it re-assembled it and stil zero leaks at the elbow.. The Quattro is much better then my UMFF and I never thought that would be possible..

I still think the first batch might of had problems mine came from a new delibery 5/22/07 received that morning direct from Resmed rep to the DME. I assume they must be close to factory but who really knows.. anyway great mask for me

[cwsanfor]

Wonder what Resmed's QC Product Manager would say about those stats.

Not a damn thing, Dog.

[oceanpearl]

Good luck, my email bounced.
This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

Webmaster2@resmed.com.au

[JimW]

Good luck, my email bounced.
This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification.

Delivery to the following recipients failed.

Webmaster2@resmed.com.au

Yep, I got that message, as well. Followed a few days later by an e-mail response from their 'patient advocate.'

Wanna bet their communication system works a whole lot better for their 'real' customers?

[cwsanfor]

Actually, I've heard from a vendor, a Resmed Preferred Whatever, who I may not name, that Resmed is not much better with them as far as communication goes. Just a bunch of right bastards, apparently.

It's bizarre to me: I travel a fair amount, and anywhere in the world I see a Kiwi or Aussie I assume mirth is about to ensue. Never met one I didn't like. So how does a country with such good mates form a company that is such a flaming tool?

[dizzy]

I've given up on mine because of face leaks, but the elbow leaked from day one. It is where the elbow connects to the mask. There is a bit of play in the connection, and I can wiggle the elbow around to certain positions and get rid of the leak (its a very noisy leak), but as soon as I let go of it, it starts whooshing again. I first tried electrical tape around the connector (careful to stay away from the valve opening), and that worked one night, but only one night. I then took the elbow off and wrapped the end in teflon plumbers tape where it fits into the mask and that seems to have fixed it. Of course it no longer rotates with the tape in there, but at least its quiet. The elbow was fairly easy to get off, but took a little dexterity...

I have not been able to get the leaks around my eyes and cheeks to stop though, so I'm no longer using it...

-David

[ddpelp]

Snoredog

Got mine direct from a local DME (also my sleep doctor) 5/22/07. It actually came direct from a Resmed rep that had a few "samples" FedEx'd in to the doctor that day for them to try w/patients and their sleep center. I had a doctor appt that morning and was told these were coming in and I could have one. about 2 hours after appt they called and said FedEx had dropped them off and come get one..

I wonder if I lucked out and got one from a bunch that was specially checked before being sent directly to a sleep doctor's office/DME place? Dunno and only guessing but seems weird to me that mine is just fine even after disassembly

Side note.. I have got to know one of the sleep techs at this sleep center He and he says the rest of the techs there prefer the Somatech Soyala full face mask for titration studies as they seem to be very forgiving for leaks and do well with newbies during titration ..
Dan

[sleepyred]

I got mine from my sleep center and I'm going back Monday and try to exchange it. If not - will try surgery on it!

It's one thing to have a mask just not work for you because you don't like it or because it's not for your shaped face or whatever.

It's another thing if it is not working because of a flaw or defect. IMHO.

I have had masks which I've put in the closet, traded, or sold just because I did not like it or could not make it work for me.

Sleepyred

[sleepyred]

I called my sleep center - they will exchange my quattro - will see if the new one hisses at me!

Will update later today if I take a nap or tomorrow!

Sleepyred

[sleepyred]

Called my sleep center and got a brand new quattro - guess what? Took a nap with it - leaky elbow. Maybe I'm getting used to the hissing, but it does not seem as loud.

They are sending it back as "defective - with a hissing elbow." We'll see. Now I will try contacting resmed.

Sleepyred

[ddpelp]

sleepyred
Mine still no leak even after total disassembly and reassembly. or maybe I do not know what to look for. Could you please detail how you know it is leaking? I mean do you feel a leak? Is it at the elbow to frame? Is it closer to the flapper valve? I sure feel or hear nothing but want to make sure I just do not know what to look for thanks
Dan

[sleepyred]

It is exactly where the elbow meets the frame of the mask. If I put my finger on the elbow right where it meets, it stops.

I had a long talk with a rep from resmed. She took down the lot number and told me to take the 2nd one back to the sleep center and try to get one from another lot number. She said this should not be happening and she was sending my message along to "product development."

I suggested putting the same quick connect on the quattro as they have on the activa - if it a'int broke don't fix it!

sleepyred
Mine still no leak even after total disassembly and reassembly. or maybe I do not know what to look for. Could you please detail how you know it is leaking? I mean do you feel a leak? Is it at the elbow to frame? Is it closer to the flapper valve? I sure feel or hear nothing but want to make sure I just do not know what to look for thanks
Dan

[Guest]

how did she/you determine lot number?

[ddpelp]

I always wonder why/how the forum does not log in for me oh well above is me..