Ultra Mirage FF - exhaust port plastic thingy question

johnfm · Post by **johnfm** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 1:23 pm

First off, I wish I knew about this forum 15 months ago when I first started using CPAP. I browsed through posts the other day, and saw one concerning the problem of a whistling sound in the Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask. It was pointed out by one poster that he had inserted the plastic exhaust port piece in backwards. I then checked mine, and saw that I also have mine in backwards, and I believe it has been in backwards the whole time I have used it. I was wondering if it is in any way detrimental (besides the whistling noises) to have it in backwards. I ask because for the past 3 nights, since putting it in the proper way, I have not slept nearly as well as I did when the thing was in backwards. I know that doesn't sound right. I am thinking of going back to having it in the wrong orientation. Does this in some way affect the pressure? I wish I had the computer software, as then I could monitor the results, but all I have to go on is how many times I seem to get up, and instead of it being about once in 5 hours it is now more like once every 2 hours. I also notice that with the piece in its proper orientation I can feel the air against my nose when I breathe in, and I can't recall ever feeling anything like that when I had it in the wrong way.

I also realized that the asphyxia protection feature of the mask must not have been working properly, because for the first few months I recall that when putting on the mask I had to start it very quickly, as I could not breathe at all. I believe I then moved on to just starting it up and then putting the mask on, which was odd but at least I wasn't panicked

It wasn't until recently that I realized I could breathe with the mask on and the cpap power off. My guess is that this only happened after one of the times when I took it apart. Maybe I messed something up early on, much like the exhaust port, and then got it back to working completely by accident.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 2:41 pm

just looked at mine, seems it would be pretty hard to install it backwards, but I guess it could be done. It installs from the outside.

on mine, the silicone flap in the center of the horseshoe is on the outside at the top, the exhaust holes are tapered with the larger diameter of the holes on the inside.

if the mask whistles on inhale it means your air pressure is too low and the low pressure should be increased.

johnfm · Post by **johnfm** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:27 pm

Anonymous wrote:just looked at mine, seems it would be pretty hard to install it backwards, but I guess it could be done. It installs from the outside.

on mine, the silicone flap in the center of the horseshoe is on the outside at the top, the exhaust holes are tapered with the larger diameter of the holes on the inside.

if the mask whistles on inhale it means your air pressure is too low and the low pressure should be increased.

thanks for the reply. Perhaps "whistle" is the wrong word, It is a constant noise, and as soon as the piece is put in properly, it does go away, and then there is silence. It was odd for me, because now everything was quiet, while I accustomed to having this noise all the time. I don't think it is the cessation of the noise which is making me sleep poorly this week, I suppose I will have to do a study on myself , though it would be much nicer and easier had I some data to help me out.

Basically, I just want to know if anyone has any quantitative measurements on what happens to the pressure with the exhaust port piece placed incorrectly. It still functions, and I slept better than I had in many, many years. Had I not come here I would have never known that the noise is wrong, I figured that is just the way it sounds, previously I had no reason to doubt it. It reminds me of someone hanging abstract art upside-down, it still functions as art, even if you are using it in a way that differs from the original intent

I find it is easy to put it in either correctly (with the the "nub" on the outside) or incorrectly. I think had they not made it symmetric no-one would have ever put it in incorrectly - and I know I am not the only one

Handgunner45 · Post by **Handgunner45** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:36 pm

Having the exhaust port installed backwards will not effect the pressure of your machine. The pressure is controlled by a sensor that in inside the machine just internal to the hose connector. The only thing that could be affected is the flow rate through the exhaust port of the mask. This could have an effect on the amount of CO2 that you inhale, but I would think that unless you change the size of the holes, this would not be effected either.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:17 pm

Have been meaning to ask - what are the two 'screw's just in front of the mouth when the mask is on? the two things on either side that can be screwed on or off? I never saw anything about those when watching the video for the cleaning of the mask - nor info on them in directions - should I be doing something with those?

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:23 pm

If you are prescribed Oxygen in addition to cpap the screw things are where you would hook it up to.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:25 pm

Thank you _ I don't have to wonder any longer!!!!

WindFlyer · Post by **WindFlyer** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:47 am

Johnfm:

With regards to the exhaust port on the UMFF being installed backwards: My machine is a CPAP which is not a "closed loop" system as far as the pressure it puts out. The DME sets the pressure number, and a corresponding RPM is spun in the fan motor to generate this constant pressure. There isn't any active feedback to speed up/slow down/ correct it. So in my experience when I had the exhaust port of the mask in backwards, it did increase the pressure slightly because the shape of that silicone piece actually has conical holes in it and the overall diameter of the holes is much smaller when the piece is installed backwards.

So, johnfm, you may want to visit your DME to have your pressure bumped up after your flip the exhaust port cover back to the proper position.

Handgunner45 · Post by **Handgunner45** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:18 pm

Windflyer,

I can't comment on your S6, but johnfm has the Remstar Pro 2 and this machine has pressure sensors in the machine to allow it to adjust the pressure with changing flow rates. This is what allows it to be used with a variety of masks, with different exhaust rates, without requiring manual changes to the pressure. Going to the DME to readjust the pressure just because you reversed the exhaust port would be a waste of time. The Pro 2 will adjust to the proper pressure regardless of the flow rate up to a certain level. I do not know what the level is that will start to cause a drop in the pressure, but I do know that the machine is calibrated to deliver 160 LPM at the end of a 6' hose with the end open.

WindFlyer · Post by **WindFlyer** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:53 am

Thanks for correcting my oversight, there, handgunner. I keep forgetting to look down at ppl's equipment list

I don't want to see anyone waste their time going to the DME, either. Lord knows I hardly ever go to mine (because all their good for is using a shop vac to clean out my wallet if I get new equipment from them).

johnfm · Post by **johnfm** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 5:14 pm

I want to thank everyone for their very helpful advice. Tonight I am going back to having the exhaust port in thw wrong way. The three nights where I had it in the right way were just terrible. It could be due to other factors, but I just wanted things to be back the way they were.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:16 pm

while the holes are conical, I doubt it will impact your therapy much if at all. It will make more noise if installed backwards that is about it.

Of course I've only used that mask for 2 years the right way.

here is the way it is supposed to be installed:
http://www.resmed.com/Shared/StaticFile ... cc-usa.pdf

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:39 pm

Johnfm,

Being a UMFF mask user and having an auto with the software I put the exhaust port in the other way around and fired up the machine. I ran it for about 15 minutes and could not find any difference in reported leak rates or pressure the machine supplied from my usual readings. The noise from the mask however was much worse. Hope this helps.

Peterau · Post by **Peterau** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:44 pm

Last post was me. I couldn't login for some reason.

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