Custom Made CPAP Mask

angcor580 · Post by **angcor580** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 8:57 am

Hi there!

I am on my 3rd mask now: Mirage Liberty™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows. I tried the Quattro Full Face & FX but the air leaks kept drying out my eyes. The mask I wear now has leaks and I tried all the tips to prevent them. I now have a bad habit of taking the mask off in the middle of the nights which most of the time I don't remember doing that. I did not do this with the other masks. I hate the fact that I am constantly drooling in my mask which I have to wash frequently. My next step is maybe try the nasal pillows with a chip strap. However I am concern that my nose won't be handle all that pressure. I certainly didn't like the nasal mask I tried at sleep study since I felt like I hard time breathing with all that forced air pressure. Enough of my venting. I stumbled upon this website http://www.acurest.com.au/truefit-custom-mask/features/ and they make custom made masks. Such a bummer that I don't live in Australia. Anyone know of a company that does this in the States? I wonder if a custom made mask would solve my frustrations. It is pricey of $1500 but I would be willing to pay if it eliminate all the problems. Good consistent sleep is important.

cflame1 · Post by **cflame1** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 9:45 am

Not that I'd suggest the product, 'cause as you said it's pricey... but there was somebody on here trying to sell the fact that it was available in the US... do a search for truefit and you may find more information.

search.php?keywords=truefit

beckah · Post by **beckah** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 11:18 am

I don't know anything about the custom fit mask you mentioned but it is pricey. My fear would be changing face shape due to weight loss/gain, the effects of gravity etc.....I assume with any of these changes the mask would not fit properly anymore.

Breathe Jimbo · Post by **Breathe Jimbo** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:31 pm

Incredibly expensive and, frankly, unnecessary if one can use a stock mask at a tiny fraction of the price.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:51 pm

angcor580 wrote:My next step is maybe try the nasal pillows with a chip strap. However I am concern that my nose won't be handle all that pressure. I certainly didn't like the nasal mask I tried at sleep study since I felt like I hard time breathing with all that forced air pressure

What nasal mask was hated?
What is or are your pressure settings? You would be surprised what pressures can be used with nasal pillows quite comfortably.

codinqueen · Post by **codinqueen** » Fri Jun 10, 2011 5:55 pm

I believe it is available in Wisconsin and maybe one other state (midwest or west) in the USA. I got some info from them, via email, but I deleted it. I got one of their coupons for $75.00 that expired 3 days after I got it, and when I found out I would have to travel within 3 days to the midwest from the far south, I deleted the whole email. The company did say they would be expanding throughout the USA in the near future, but did not yet know what states. If you write to them thru their website I am sure they will send you info.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Jun 11, 2011 10:16 am

beckah wrote:My fear would be changing face shape due to weight loss/gain, the effects of gravity etc.....I assume with any of these changes the mask would not fit properly anymore.

I agree with beckah. The contours of the soft tissue around cheeks and mouth can change quite a bit throughout the night, every night... depending on sleep position, turning to a new sleep position, where the face is placed on the pillow if sleeping on one's side, movements of the jaw or mouth, etc. In other words, all the same factors that can make any reasonably well fitted mask spring a leak here and there could happen with an expensive "custom" molded mask, too, imho.

Custom Fit Mask - topic started Jan. 18, 2011 by Slartybartfast
viewtopic.php?p=557573#p557573

BigNortherner · Post by **BigNortherner** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:39 pm

Custom fit is a very good idea, but takes provider time and investment in equipment, materials, and learning how to use them. Impression and manufacturing technology is available, I’ve done some work on it for myself, as well as on other measuring methods.

Besides being custom made, the Acurest product is a very different design than I’ve seen. They call it a “mask” but it is actually a nostril interface. It appears to use a custom-molded over-nose cup to position it.

It appears to have wings against the cheeks and forehead for stabilization. Air inlet is from the top, which is essential for those who sleep on their side and turn over. They’ve made some effort to keep the air duct low profile near the nose (in contrast to the ADAMS kludge). I can’t see the vent(s), like many people they claim theirs are quiet.
Critical to its functionality is the nature of the nostril interface, which I cannot see in the photos on their web site. The only nostril interface that works well in my experience is the ADAMS/Breeze pillows. (Some end-of-nose designs like ComfortCurve would work well if they could be kept in place – it is the most comfortable nasal interface I’ve tried.)
(A side view is provided in the September 2010 newsletter, an earlier version is shown in the January 2010 newsletter Also read their “How we do it” page.)

BigNortherner · Post by **BigNortherner** » Sun Jun 12, 2011 12:41 pm

They have improved the device and its headgear, which is a good sign. (Unlike Puritan-Bennett for example, who were shown how but didn’t.)

Their newsletters have educational articles on emerging treatments for OSA, and tips for users and their sleep partner. They have an interesting article advising against full-face masks, but overlook that some people have a very stuffy nose. (They do impress me by warning against fully taping the mouth.)

They have a vague guarantee that it will seal effectively, and work with the user to “make adjustments”, but will not refund.

“beckah” raised the question of whether or not face changes due weight change or aging. I suggest it depends on where the changes are, since Acurest’s product depends on the nose, and perhaps face beside the nose for stability, but does not seal against the cheeks. A question to put to Acurest.

Acurest seems like a very good initiative, unique in using the nose to keep it in position, effectiveness depending on how good their nostril interface is. Worth investigating further. While the price is several times a single off-the-shelf interface, if it works well it is worth it. (One question is durability, which depends on molding materials and methods as well as some user factors like sweat and handling.)

I’ve only heard of two other custom-fit offerings - Hans Rudolph’s optical-measurement method available in Europe (not in Canada or the US last I heard), and an unknown provider shaping masks somehow for several hundred dollars.

westozman · Post by **westozman** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 1:44 am

The custom made mask you are talking about is very expensive & only lasts 2 years.

BigNortherner · Post by **BigNortherner** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:22 pm

Apparently Acurest TruFit is now available in the US:
http://www.facebook.com/Acurest (Acurest web site link does not work, Dallas newspaper one does but to read full article need to subscribe).

http://sleepapneadisorder.info/2011/06/ ... ed-states/

BigNortherner · Post by **BigNortherner** » Mon Jun 13, 2011 5:28 pm

The US partner is at http://www.medicalartprosthetics.com/co ... &sec=other, some photos of the product.

Acurest's web site has some photos but uses that buggy "Flash" viewer. Sigh, marketing people snooze and lose again.

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