Activa LT / Activa Mask Feedback

[SleepyJoeMS]

There are a couple threads around here on the new ResMed Activa LT mask and I recently went from the Activa to the LT so I thought I'd finally posts my experience/observations, which may be repeated in the previous posts by others. These are all antecdotal since I don't have Encore running yet to see any impirical data regarding leaks for example. Here they are in no particular order:

First, the bottom line for me is, there is no difference in the functionality of the "active cell" technology. They both seem equally adept at minimizing leaks and, a big benefit for me, allowing the head gear to be more loosely fit than say the comfort gel, and definitely the CL2 which I tried without success with the nasal cushion, because the headgear feels like a vice grip by the middle of the night. The LT is not better than the original Activa in this regard, it's the same for me. For both the original and LT, I concur with what someone else has mentioned, you have to get the head gear tightened "just right", but once it is, they are both very effective at minimizing leaks with a minimally tightened head gear. Generally, the looser the better; just tight enough to keep it from floating around on your face.

The LT plan-view or "foot/face print" as it were, is somewhat smaller than the original. I think someone posted pics of the two which are very good examples. Sorry for not giving credit to the poster person. I didn't go back to check, but thanks for the photos.

The cushions are completely interchangeable between the two frames. This is not what ResMed told me, but it is was CPAP-Supply.com said. They were correct. So, if you have the original Activa and just want to experiment with a different cushion size, you should be able to just purchase it and snap it on. Functionally, my experience is it will be the same as if you're actually using the LT. I tried mixing and matching my cushions between the original and LT and could not notice any significant difference with respect to the function and feel of the cushion on either frame.

Cushion sizes - ResMed sent me the actual plastic cushion templates for both the original and LT. Bottom line: they offer the same sizes exactly, they've just changed the names to protect the innocent I guess. Original vs. LT are named as follows: Large = Large, Standard = Medium, Shallow = Large-Wide. That's it. No new sizes with the LT.

Another note on Activa cushion sizes from my experience... I've been on the hunt for the best Activa cushion fit for a while and then the LT came along. My main issue was that the Large cushion that I started with was too long, but when I pulled it down so the bottom was literally over my upper lip-line, it cut eye leaks significantly. I went to the standard, which is a better fit for sure because it is a bit shorter than the large. I still improved the eye leaks when I pull it down abit, but it doesn't have to come down so far as the large. It's definitely more comfortable for me. Finally, ResMed sent me, for free (this is another story I'll try to post soon), the LT with a medium and Large-Wide cushion. My thought, (which was completely contrary to my DME's opinion) was that since the Large-Wide is even shorter, I wouldn't have to pull it down at all. I felt the wider fit would not pose a new leak problem around the sides or bottom. I was right about the height, but unfortunately, as my DME suggested, it does leak around the sides and bottom, which I've been unable to resolve. So, I've found the best fit for my somewhat long, but narrow-bridged sicilian nose is the Medium/Standard cushion. I haven't yet called my DME to tell them what I've discovered, but I'll muster up the courage to admit they were correct soon and to give them the feedback. In any case, It seems like a cross between the medium/standard with the shallow/large-wide height would be just the fit, and it seems from some posts I've seen by some of the women here it could benefit them too. Alas it does not exist and I wonder if ResMed is open to direct customer feedback. I hope to find that out soon.

The LT does seem much quieter than the original and the exhaust is ported out away from the face rather than down toward my chest. The exhaust on the LT is through many smaller holes situated in a circular fashion on the elbow piece. I've read by more than one user that if these get clogged for some reason the exhaust makes a whistling sound. I have not experienced this in the few weeks I've used the mask and suspect that with weekly cleanings it should not be a problem. Also, I have not had any condensation problems on setting number one on my Respironics M-series auto BiPap, which could clog those holes.

The forehead piece seems a bit bulkier than the original, with its twist dial feature and cylindrical post. All-in-all the LT feels a bit heavier than the original up here at the top, but not so much when I actually put it on. If it is heavier, its a non-issue for me. I've found the dial feature not as significant an improvement as I thought it would be, but I do think there is potential to really fine tune the mask if it would need to be for a particular person. I've found I can use the mask with the forehead pad set fully out (same as the original for me), or pulled in about five clicks. Pulling it in more than that for me starts to open up the bottom of the cushion producing some leak there. It may be that's about the same as one notch on the original's frame, but I haven't done any real analysis of that.

That's about it. Hope this isn't TMI, but I know I've been helped greatly by reading the personal experiences of others around here and coming to my own conclusions. So, at this juncture in what I've come to fondly refer to as my CPAP odessy since September -08, I can say that I'm using the Activa LT as my workhorse, go-to mask... for now.

To boil it all down for me, surprisingly the two primary reasons I'm going to the LT vs. the original are that it's quieter and the exhaust is less intrusive for me. All the rest of it between the two including overall functionality and size, is a wash. They both work for me about the same. Finally, I believe the online cost of the LT is significantly less than the original, so there may be a benefit to many who pay out of pocket or just want to try it between insurance cycles.

I hope this helps someone out there. Thanks to all of you for helping me and good sleeping too.

Joe

[rested gal]

Joe, that was a great comparison review! Thanks, very much.

Another cpap user who lives near me (jsmythe on this message board) kindly brought by an Activa LT for me to see -- one that she had just gotten from her DME. She had her original Activa with her. As you described, the LT cushion fits the same original mask frame. Joyce also mentioned that they had renamed the sizes for the LT.

I didn't try on her LT, but got a good look at it. Everything you said was what I saw about it, too. The circular diffused vent design, the forehead support dial, the less bulky looking cushion design, the slightly smaller outer dimensions of the cushion.

I did notice that when I pulled on the cushion of the LT, to extend the "bellows" out as far as possible, it doesn't seem to extend outward as far as the original cushion does. That may not matter at all. Still looked like it had enough flexible bellows effect to not get leaky if the side of a person's face (and side of mask cushion) gets smushed against the bed pillow. Looked like it still had enough sideways "give" to accomodate that happening, just like the original Activa does.

The Activa has always been one of my favorites if I had to use a nasal mask instead of the nasal pillows I prefer. Looks like the Activa LT is a winner, too. Appreciated your thorough report on it!

[SleepyJoeMS]

I did notice that when I pulled on the cushion of the LT, to extend the "bellows" out as far as possible, it doesn't seem to extend outward as far as the original cushion does. That may not matter at all. Still looked like it had enough flexible bellows effect to not get leaky if the side of a person's face (and side of mask cushion) gets smushed against the bed pillow. Looked like it still had enough sideways "give" to accomodate that happening, just like the original Activa does.

I haven't noticed any functional difference at all between the LT's shorter "bellows" and the original cushion. I thought there might be, but ResMed said there wasn't when I specifically queried them about it, and that is what I observed also. So the LT has the added benefit that the "extra" cushion material, which is where the LT reduces its "face print" over the original, does not overlap the lip so much as the original cushion might. - Joe

[goose]

Thanks for the great report Joe -- well done!!
I've been trying out the original Activa recently and I really like it. I've been considering the "shallow" because of the length issue I'll have to keep the width problem in mind. Like RG, I use a nasal pillow mask, the Headrest, and have been experimenting with the Activa. It's definitely going to replace my ComfortGel as my backup!!!!

Again, thanks for the great report
cheers
goose

[SleepyJoeMS]

I've been trying out the original Activa recently and I really like it. I've been considering the "shallow" because of the length issue I'll have to keep the width problem in mind. Like RG, I use a nasal pillow mask, the Headrest, and have been experimenting with the Activa. It's definitely going to replace my ComfortGel as my backup!!!!

Goose - The Activa replaced my comfort gel too. The Comfort Gel was a good mask, but the Activa gives me more control over the leaks with alot less tightening of the head gear. That's the clincher for me. The trick with the Activa is getting the head gear just right. It takes some fine tuning each night, I find. I also have to wash the cushion daily and my face nightly to minimize any unintended movement of the cushion due to picking up face oils. I was dissapointed in the shallow / large-wide in my case; I thought it was going to be the answer to my mask dreams but it wasn't. But it may work for those with a rounder face / cheeks or overall wider nose. Good luck and would like to hear what works.

Joe

[goose]

Hey Joe,
I got the ComfortGel to work pretty well without a lot of leaks the same way we use the Activa!!! I learned not to tighten it down a lot so that the membrane would inflate and create a seal. The secret I found to the CG is you have to have the proper size -- anything else is next to futile, though I did make a medium work fairly well for a long time until I discovered the small....

But that said, when I got the Activa I kept the headgear pretty loose and it worked great practically right out of the box....I really like that active cell technology -- it really does work as advertised.....
I'm wondering if I can make a shallow work -- I may call the DME tomorrow and see if I can get that interface and I'll send them back the one that works the least.....

thanks!!
take care
cheers
goose

[SleepyJoeMS]

The secret I found to the CG is you have to have the proper size -- anything else is next to futile, though I did make a medium work fairly well for a long time until I discovered the small....

Hey Goose -

I ended up with the CG small too, eventually. I'll try loosening the head gear some time and see if that helps. It seems counter intuitive on that mask.

'm wondering if I can make a shallow work -- I may call the DME tomorrow and see if I can get that interface and I'll send them back the one that works the least.....

I'd be interested to know if you make the shallow work for you, how you did it. It probably is all in the face anatomy. I wish the manufacturers would make a nasal mask that is just plain shorter. There seems no need for it to go so high up on the bridge, imho and experience. My experience has been the smallest mask that just fits over the nose, the better. The CL2 nasal cushion seemed almost ideal in that it just covers the part of the nose that does the breathing. I just couldn't get used to the head gear.

Good luck

Joe

[Debjax]

I was very disappointed to find that the Activa LT does not come in a small, so we can't try it yet.

[MeToo]

Good write-up SleepyJoe! I recently got the LT medium and was surprised to see that they had changed the active-cell that worked so well on the original Activa. Like you say, the new design works quite well and i am happy with the minimal leakage this mask (and it's predecessor) provide.
The reason for purchasing the LT was to try to eliminate a pronounced red mark on the bridge of my nose. On my original Activa, I fold a bandanna about 4 times and place it between the forehead cushion & my forehead and have the bottom of the folded bandanna (which is pretty thick) push slightly against the top of the mask interface. This solved the nose-bridge problem, but is a little cumbersome, hence when I noticed the adjustable screw design on the LT I thought "eureka!". Unfortunately, I haven't been able to make the new design work on this front, but I'm still fiddling.
I did notice, on the first night, that the LT seemed a little "softer" at the same pressure (this may have been my imagination, though) and thought this was due to exhalation ports. The new mask interface is smaller and more firm and I wonder if the two "face-pieces" of the Activa and LT are truly interchangeable. It sounds like they are...I may try swapping them and see how they work. Thank you for sharing, SleepyJoe!

[SleepyJoeMS]

I recently got the LT medium and was surprised to see that they had changed the active-cell that worked so well on the original Activa. Like you say, the new design works quite well and i am happy with the minimal leakage this mask (and it's predecessor) provide.

Hey MeToo - are you finding that the original and the LT cushions are equally adept at minimizing leakage? I'm asking because RG observed in the string above the difference in the size of the "bellows" and wondered if the smaller LT would have enough room to maintain the seal during side sleeping against a pillow. I originally answered that both cushions seemed to be functionally identical. Lately though, I've noticed some new leak problems of and I don't know where they're coming from, the LT or just new variables I'm not aware of. So I'm going to put the original cushion on the LT frame and see if there's any difference. I'll post my findings.

The reason for purchasing the LT was to try to eliminate a pronounced red mark on the bridge of my nose.

I don't have this issue. I find I have to pull down the medium/standard slightly to reduce eye leaks and it's more comfortable on my bridge too. I run the forehead pad all the way out usually or just 5 or so clicks in, so I have very little pressure on the forehead and top of the mask. If it's too tight, it seems to squish the outer seal and cause leaks or starts creating leaks at the bottom of the mask.

I did notice, on the first night, that the LT seemed a little "softer" at the same pressure (this may have been my imagination, though) and thought this was due to exhalation ports.

I don't know what you mean by "softer", except that I do think the more numerous but smaller exhalation ports reduce the sound of the exhaust flow.

The new mask interface is smaller and more firm and I wonder if the two "face-pieces" of the Activa and LT are truly interchangeable.

Yes they seem to be completely interchangeable. Save for the color, the triangular retainer inserts are the same size and shape and the clips are in the same place. When I've interchanged mine (in both directions so to speak), each mask worked with the others' cushion - no leaks around the cushion/frame connection. This is what I'm going to check next for a full night or more on my LT frame as I noted above.

Thanks MeToo for your feedback and additional thoughts. - Joe