DreamWear Exhalation Port Thoughts!

[thecpapguy!]

So, I have an unusual question for the CPAP community especially since the DreamWear is one of the newest masks on the market. One of the largest selling points for any patient is the lack of headgear and tubing at the front of the mask. It is one of the first masks on the market that you can sleep prone (on your stomach) without hindering the therapy. So here is my question.

If there is an exhalation at the front of the mask (and there is) and you sleep with your head downwards in the pillow it is supposed to be that that you have a secondary exhalation port at the top of the mask where the tubing connects to compensate. However, the tube connects here and is sending air through the elbow, through the headgear and to the cushion ultimately ending at the patient. If the first exhalation is closed off, then is the secondary really going to be able to filter out the Co2 and replace with clean air?

For the record, I use this mask and absolutely love it. I was just thinking about it and thought I get what anyone had to say?

[jonny515]

You might like to look at Lanky Lefty on youtube (also runs a low traffic forum called "freecpapadvise". He did a review where he mentioned the two ports. He might like your question, he's quite a nerd.

[Pugsy]

I never really gave it much thought but then I wake up often with my face almost buried in my bed pillow while using my P10 nasal pillows and it only has the diffused vent holes and I don't seem the worse for it.
I did test out the DreamWear for a month just for fun. Also woke up with my face buried in the bed pillow (buckwheat hull) and no apparent problems.

I think that most of us won't have our faces totally face down even when sleeping on our stomachs. I think that we tend to turn our heads to the side more than we might realize or think and that means those vent holes aren't blocked as much as we might think.

[jagzoo]

First night trying to sleep with DreamWear mask - think M frame size is too big - but after reading your post - I see the slit down opposite the nasal opening that is probably for exhalation/CO2 elimination but also see what I suspect are exhalation ports/ holes up where the mask attaches to the XPAP tubing?

[thecpapguy!]

You might like to look at Lanky Lefty on youtube (also runs a low traffic forum called "freecpapadvise". He did a review where he mentioned the two ports. He might like your question, he's quite a nerd.

I definitely like his channel. I recently commented on his review of the Pico mask! I'm going to look at his review of the DreamWear and through him that question, heck maybe he mentions it. I'd like a technical description explanation though for future reference, but I bet I have to get the from Phillips. ;(

[thecpapguy!]

I never really gave it much thought but then I wake up often with my face almost buried in my bed pillow while using my P10 nasal pillows and it only has the diffused vent holes and I don't seem the worse for it.
I did test out the DreamWear for a month just for fun. Also woke up with my face buried in the bed pillow (buckwheat hull) and no apparent problems.

I think that most of us won't have our faces totally face down even when sleeping on our stomachs. I think that we tend to turn our heads to the side more than we might realize or think and that means those vent holes aren't blocked as much as we might think.

I certainly see that when "burying" your head in the pillow usually will cause a leak which then causes the fresh air to flush the mask free of indigent gases, so sleeping truly prone usually isn't going to cause a problem with the exhalation ports. The problem is, I think worst case scenario constantly when working with patient's and I like to have the truest answer. If you plugged off the exhalation port long enough on the P10 with a proper seal a problem would arise, would it happen with the Dreamwear as well? It shouldn't because the exhalation port at the top of the mask...but I just can't fathom how that works since the air is traveling through the tube and headgear. How can the CO2 escape there? Maybe just enough to cause relief?

[thecpapguy!]

First night trying to sleep with DreamWear mask - think M frame size is too big - but after reading your post - I see the slit down opposite the nasal opening that is probably for exhalation/CO2 elimination but also see what I suspect are exhalation ports/ holes up where the mask attaches to the XPAP tubing?

That is definitely where my question is pointed at Jagzoo. I just wonder if the that exhalation port at the top of the headgear where the tubing is connected really does it's job or not?

[palerider]

It shouldn't because the exhalation port at the top of the mask...but I just can't fathom how that works since the air is traveling through the tube and headgear. How can the CO2 escape there? Maybe just enough to cause relief?

calculate the volume of the mask, compare it to the average exhalation volume in a breath.

do math.

answer your own question.

[Guest]

It shouldn't because the exhalation port at the top of the mask...but I just can't fathom how that works since the air is traveling through the tube and headgear. How can the CO2 escape there? Maybe just enough to cause relief?

calculate the volume of the mask, compare it to the average exhalation volume in a breath.

do math.

answer your own question.

Look guys, another troll! Go back under your bridge, it suits you better.

[palerider]

It shouldn't because the exhalation port at the top of the mask...but I just can't fathom how that works since the air is traveling through the tube and headgear. How can the CO2 escape there? Maybe just enough to cause relief?

calculate the volume of the mask, compare it to the average exhalation volume in a breath.

do math.

answer your own question.

Look guys, another troll! Go back under your bridge, it suits you better.

aren't you though... coming in, posting barely comprehensible and nonsensical 'english' from your blog... then asking the sort of questions you do.

I was *serious* most of the information you're looking for is in the MANUAL for the mask, if only you'd read it, and *THINK*.

or, having a mask, you could do a scientific experiment.

take the mask, put your fingers and thumb over the port and nose holes, fill it with water up to where the top exhalation port is.

then pour that into a measuring cup...

you'll have a volume of the mask... quite precisely. then, do a tad bit more research, or even look at your own sleepyhead graphs, an figure out your tidal volume.

if your tidal volume exceeds the volume of the mask, then you're pushing your exhalations back up to the top port, where they're flushed out by the airflow.

it really ain't rocket surgery.... but it might be brain science.

and, as far as your second guessing respironics and whether the second port "does it's job or not" and the *massive* lawsuits they'd lose if it didn't.... *ROFL*

[thecpapguy!]

It shouldn't because the exhalation port at the top of the mask...but I just can't fathom how that works since the air is traveling through the tube and headgear. How can the CO2 escape there? Maybe just enough to cause relief?

calculate the volume of the mask, compare it to the average exhalation volume in a breath.

do math.

answer your own question.

Look guys, another troll! Go back under your bridge, it suits you better.

aren't you though... coming in, posting barely comprehensible and nonsensical 'english' from your blog... then asking the sort of questions you do.

I was *serious* most of the information you're looking for is in the MANUAL for the mask, if only you'd read it, and *THINK*.

or, having a mask, you could do a scientific experiment.

take the mask, put your fingers and thumb over the port and nose holes, fill it with water up to where the top exhalation port is.

then pour that into a measuring cup...

you'll have a volume of the mask... quite precisely. then, do a tad bit more research, or even look at your own sleepyhead graphs, an figure out your tidal volume.

if your tidal volume exceeds the volume of the mask, then you're pushing your exhalations back up to the top port, where they're flushed out by the airflow.

it really ain't rocket surgery.... but it might be brain science.

and, as far as your second guessing respironics and whether the second port "does it's job or not" and the *massive* lawsuits they'd lose if it didn't.... *ROFL*

Man, I actually did just waste my time by writing something rude back to you PaleRider. I'll do what I should have done in the first place. Ignore you. G'day!

[palerider]

I was *serious* most of the information you're looking for is in the MANUAL for the mask, if only you'd read it, and *THINK*.

or, having a mask, you could do a scientific experiment.

take the mask, put your fingers and thumb over the port and nose holes, fill it with water up to where the top exhalation port is.

then pour that into a measuring cup...

you'll have a volume of the mask... quite precisely. then, do a tad bit more research, or even look at your own sleepyhead graphs, an figure out your tidal volume.

if your tidal volume exceeds the volume of the mask, then you're pushing your exhalations back up to the top port, where they're flushed out by the airflow.

Man, I actually did just waste my time by writing something rude back to you PaleRider. I'll do what I should have done in the first place. Ignore you. G'day!

well, I guess it's true what they say... you can lead a horse to information, but you can't make him think.

[Sleeprider]

well, I guess it's true what they say... you can lead a horse to information, but you can't make him think.

It's good to see you feeling yourself again. Nice recovery.

[OKCSleepDoc]

for years I have encouraged my patients to join forums like cpaptalk so that they can ask questions and share their experiences while learning from others. Palerider, you are a god damn jack ass who really makes me question whether I should continue to encourage patients to come to this forum. You should try to make this a more welcoming environment for those new and old to cpap. just a thought.

[palerider]

Palerider, you are a god damn jack ass who really makes me question whether I should continue to encourage patients to come to this forum.

it's entirely up to you, 'doc' as to whether you recommend people come to what is arguably the best site for cpap information on the net, or not. what kind of service do you want to provide?

You should try to make this a more welcoming environment for those new and old to cpap

this forum is what it is. the fact that I call 'em like I see 'em in no way detracts from the efficacy of this forum, nor the dissemination of information that it provides.

the person you're proxying your effrontery for came here, professing to be a knowledgeable DME, then proceeded to post nearly incomprehensible gobbledygook about masks... and is now questioning the engineering of the new mask from respironics, whether it can work as designed.

this kind of stuff is *misleading* to people that don't know any better, and *NEEDS* to be called out and refuted.

do you want your patients coming in saying "I read on the internet how this new dreamware mask doesn't work right"? because, if it's on the internet, it's gospel, at least in some people's eyes.

if you don't like me, and my style, and my quest for *correct information* then I suggest you can take advantage of the 'foe' button, so your sensibilities aren't offended anymore.