Simplus leak rate

[alexsmom]

I have been using the Simplus for 5 days now. Does anyone know the acceptable leak rate for this mask? I have had the green smiley face every night with this mask which I have never had during the year I have been using CPAP. (Machine is an S9 Autoset) I have used about 4 different types of fullface masks and have never been able to get the smiley face more than occasionally. My AHI is less than 1 and I have felt better since starting CPAP so have not been overly concerned about that. I just wonder if the readings I'm getting with the Simplus are accurate. Seems too good to be true

[Sir NoddinOff]

I have been using the Simplus for 5 days now. Does anyone know the acceptable leak rate for this mask? I have had the green smiley face every night with this mask which I have never had during the year I have been using CPAP. (Machine is an S9 Autoset) I have used about 4 different types of fullface masks and have never been able to get the smiley face more than occasionally. My AHI is less than 1 and I have felt better since starting CPAP so have not been overly concerned about that. I just wonder if the readings I'm getting with the Simplus are accurate. Seems too good to be true

That's better than I was getting with a new F&P Flexifit 431 FFM (under the chin type) from the same company. It was totally frustrating trying to get it to work without leaks, especially since so many folks report success with it. I just seem to have a hard time with that model of F&P even tho my face is pretty regular in every way, including my mouth and chin structure. BTW, my leak rate with my Wisp or with Swift FX nasal pillows is usually below 12L/min, for what's it worth (as reported by my S9 Adapt and Sleepyhead).

[Jay Aitchsee]

Alexsmom,
Here's my take on your smiley face question. Remember, the S9 subtracts the mask exhaust flow rate from the total flow to get leaks. If the exhaust flow rate of the Simplus is substantially less than the mask type you've entered into the S9, your apparent leak rate would be lower than it actually is making it easier to get the smiley face. I would guess your S9 entry is based on your use of the ResMed Quattro FX full face type mask. I would also guess the exhaust flow rates of the Simplus and the Quattro (you should have both rates in the literature that came with your masks) are about the same and therefore, you probably are experiencing a lower leak rate with the Simplus.
Just a guess
Jay

[Jay Aitchsee]

Well I couldn't stand it, so I looked up the flow rates of the Resmed and the F&P masks. They are here:
http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... sa_eng.pdf
http://www.fphcare.co.nz/files/document ... flow-sheet
It does seem the Simplus exhaust flow is 2 to 4 L/min less than the Quattro. Not really significant, but could be just enough to get that smiley face .

[alexsmom]

Jay- I think you got it right- I have been using the FX and 90% of the time had the frowning face. I did notice the Simplus has much lower perceived exhaust- in fact the first night I kept checking to make sure I was hooked up! Not going to worry about it as long as I feel good and the AHI stays so low.

[robysue]

I have been using the Simplus for 5 days now. Does anyone know the acceptable leak rate for this mask? I have had the green smiley face every night with this mask which I have never had during the year I have been using CPAP. (Machine is an S9 Autoset)

Since you are using a Resmed S9, the only leak that is reported is the excess leak rate. An estimation of the mask's intentional leak rate is subtracted off before the leak data is recorded to the machine's internal memory and the SD card. That means you don't need to worry about the mask's intentional leak rate at all when judging the leak rate numbers recorded by an S9. The ideal goal is to keep the (excessive) leak rate down as close to 0.0 L/min as possible.

Realistically, however, you simply want your leak rate to stay below 24 L/min as much as possible when you are using an S9 since Resmed defines the border of "Large Leak" territory as "the (excess) leak rate is at or above 24 L/min". Mr. Red Frowny Face only shows up when the Leak rate is AT or ABOVE 24 L/min for at least 30% of the night. If the leak rate is LESS than 24 L/min for 31% (or more) of the night, Mr. Green Smiley Face shows up the next morning.

You ought to get into the habit of checking the 95% leak rate number in the long version of the Sleep Quality Report on the Resmed S9's LCD as well as looking for Mr. Red Frowny Face vs. Mr Green Smiley Face. Even more useful in dealing with fighting leaks might be looking at your leak data in SleepyHead or ResScan.