So I can buy...

[djtowle]

Having now played CPAP mask roulette for the past few weeks I was wondering why I can buy...

Custom made to fit earphones for my ears and iPod:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx

http://www.ultimateears.com/resource-gu ... hones.html

Custom made Orthotics for my feet.

http://bbowden.bizland.com/store/index.html

Custom made crowns for my teeth from my dentist.

Custom made glasses, contacts or even new lenses for my eyes.

So WHY can't I get a custom made mask for my CPAP therapy???!!! Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Or am I Google(ing) with the wrong keywords?

[Slinky]

Wellllllll ..... gravity doesn't change the shape of your ears when you stand up or lay down.
Come to think of it gravity doesn't change the shape or placement of your teeth when you sit or lay down either.
Hmmm, I suppose your body weight might widen your feet a bit when you stand on them rather than when you are sitting down or have your feet propped in the air. But then our feet don't have that much flesh on them compared to our faces.
I don't think gravity has anything to do w/the surface shape of our eye balls or lenses either.

Now, there is a company or individual in Australia which does make a custom-fitted, custom-made CPAP mask. IF you can afford the trip or multiple trips to Australia for fitting and whilst it is being made and IF you can afford to pay for that custom-made mask. I seem to remember it was something like US$2000 to have one made - and that was BEFORE the US dollar's value took such a dive. It seems to me this outfit made two different styles, one being called the Phantom??

[RipVW]

Wow, Slinky! I wish I had asked SantaCPAP for one of those custom masks :<) I want one that is black and styled like Darth Vader. No, maybe a Spyderman . . .

[JeffH]

You can. There's a company in Oz that makes them. Sorry, don't have the link, but someone here will have it.

[RipVW]

You can. There's a company in Oz that makes them. Sorry, don't have the link, but someone here will have it.

Don't need a link, just follow the Yellow Brick Road :<)

[djtowle]

Well... not quite a true analogy, we have standard size shoes, standard earphones/plug which work acceptably for most people, but the custom stuff works a lot better.

As to the CPAP masks... Because of the necessity of it working perfectly i.e. no air-leaks, good comfort, low noise I feel that the universal solutions available to us are inadequate. I've taken my current leading contender the Activa (great idea with the inflatable cushion makes this mask somewhat auto-customizable), pull the cushion off the frame and stick it over my nose, looking inside it with a mirror I can clearly see the 4 places (symmetrical 2 each side) it leaks every night do to the geometry of my face and the mask not matching. Why... because this is a universal mask and it isn't shaped to my face. While face tissues may de-form and change shapes for a variety of reasons, there is a basic structure under there that doesn't change. (except after a year of eating too many Whoppers) I really think we need some labs here in the US that could provide an economical alternative to the mass produced one-size-fits all solution that seems to be giving everyone fits.

[quote="Slinky"]Wellllllll ..... gravity doesn't change the shape of your ears when you stand up or lay down.
Come to think of it gravity doesn't change the shape or placement of your teeth when you sit or lay down either.
Hmmm, I suppose your body weight might widen your feet a bit when you stand on them rather than when you are sitting down or have your feet propped in the air. But then our feet don't have that much flesh on them compared to our faces.
I don't think gravity has anything to do w/the surface shape of our eye balls or lenses either.

Now, there is a company or individual in Australia which does make a custom-fitted, custom-made CPAP mask. IF you can afford the trip or multiple trips to Australia for fitting and whilst it is being made and IF you can afford to pay for that custom-made mask. I seem to remember it was something like US$2000 to have one made - and that was BEFORE the US dollar's value took such a dive. It seems to me this outfit made two different styles, one being called the Phantom??

[Wulfman]

Having now played CPAP mask roulette for the past few weeks I was wondering why I can buy...

Custom made to fit earphones for my ears and iPod:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/erme.aspx

http://www.ultimateears.com/resource-gu ... hones.html

Custom made Orthotics for my feet.

http://bbowden.bizland.com/store/index.html

Custom made crowns for my teeth from my dentist.

Custom made glasses, contacts or even new lenses for my eyes.

So WHY can't I get a custom made mask for my CPAP therapy???!!! Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Or am I Google(ing) with the wrong keywords?

You CAN.....if you have LOTS and LOTS of money.

viewtopic.php?p=165278&highlight=custom#165278

http://www.sleepapneamasks.com.au/logical.asp
http://www.sleepapneamasks.com.au/default.asp

Now.....quit complaining and order one. You'll need to make a couple of trips to Australia though.....


Den

[Suz-E-Q]

I like the idea of a custom made mask, you would think someone would have started the business by now....maybe the orthotic folks....they use plaster to get the shape of your foot, they could to the same thing with your nose and lower face....I have seen it done by artists !!

Hmmm, I know someone that makes orthotics.....hmmmm. It could be expensive though. There must be an engineer out there that has apnea and would want to design a way to do this....hmmm.

If nothing less but to get the dimensions better. I use the Activa and the standard size is just a tad too large. A custom fit would get the length from the bridge of my nose to just under my nose and get me someting that isn't too long like the Activa is on me.

Great idea DJ.

[msheda]

OK... here is the home kit.

First, mix up this plaster, next stick your face in it for 20 minutes until it hardens.......


oooops... maybe we should have mentioned the straws for the nostrils...

[Perchancetodream]

Well... not quite a true analogy, we have standard size shoes, standard earphones/plug which work acceptably for most people, but the custom stuff works a lot better.

As to the CPAP masks... Because of the necessity of it working perfectly i.e. no air-leaks, good comfort, low noise I feel that the universal solutions available to us are inadequate. I've taken my current leading contender the Activa (great idea with the inflatable cushion makes this mask somewhat auto-customizable), pull the cushion off the frame and stick it over my nose, looking inside it with a mirror I can clearly see the 4 places (symmetrical 2 each side) it leaks every night do to the geometry of my face and the mask not matching. Why... because this is a universal mask and it isn't shaped to my face. While face tissues may de-form and change shapes for a variety of reasons, there is a basic structure under there that doesn't change. (except after a year of eating too many Whoppers) I really think we need some labs here in the US that could provide an economical alternative to the mass produced one-size-fits all solution that seems to be giving everyone fits.

Why can't a manufacturer come up with a cushion that has an air filled chamber that will conform to your face? Or use a memory foam filler of some sort?

I think I would pay out of pocket for a mask that fit.

Susan

[Suz-E-Q]

Susan,
The memory foam idea is great....
Suzanne