HAVE A SAY IN INNOVATION ! ! ! !

beavnut33 · Post by **beavnut33** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:04 am

I am a designer who is currently working for a CPAP / interface mask manufacturer. Let me know any gripes and complaints about your current CPAP and mask system. This will help to create a better system. Any input would be extrememly useful. THANK YOU.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:14 am

It would help by stating what kind of interface(s) you are designing ... nasal pillow? ... nasal mask? ... full face mask? ... other?

- r

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:17 am

I want a full face mask that allows me to wear my eyeglasses. I also need to be able to sleep on my side. (I've tried the Hybrid and it didn't work good for me.)

Kimberly

beavnut33 · Post by **beavnut33** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:27 am

I'm at the point where the type of interface is dependant on the info I collect from posts. The one way I am leaning is a type of composite mask that deals with those whose mouth opens during sleep, without using a bulky full-face interface.

Arizona-Willie · Post by **Arizona-Willie** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:44 am

I would suggest that if you use a nasal prong / pillow interface that it would be a good idea to have something that goes up into the nostril and inflates with the air pressure to seal against the inside of the nostril like expanding a stent in an artery or a balloon being blown up.

Pillows seems to irritate the soft tissue at the bottom of the nostrils and since they are designed to push / rest against the nostril they often pop out during sleep.

I've given up on my Hybrid during the night twice now because the darn pillows came out of my nostrils and I could NOT get them to quite leaking and stay in place. Most night they have been tolerable ( except for the irritation of the soft tissue which most eventually adapt to ) but the pillows come out easily.

If the interface went into the nostril and expanded to seal it would alleviate that problem.

As for sealing around the facial parts, check out the Active Cel on a ResMed Activa mask. I'm sure that is probably patented but you might be able to come up with something that does the same thing in a different way. I think the Activa masks seal the best of all the masks on the market from what I've seen on this board.

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:48 am

ARIZONA WILLY STATED MY DESIRES ALSO!!

THANKS, GOOF PROOF!!! You answered my other question eloquently!

sleepinsoundly · Post by **sleepinsoundly** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:49 am

I noticed, but have not tried, a mask that appears to be flexible and conform to one's face. (Saw it on cpap.com.) I thought this was an interesting idea and intend to try it sometime.

Here's my dilemma: it's much more comfortable to sleep with a ffmask so my mouth is open, but a) it leaks and b) the nose mask just seems to work much better (thanks to a brilliant suggestion here, I use polident to seal my mouth, which works great). I don't know the physics of it, but I feel more pressure in my sinuses with the nasal mask; perhaps that is what helps.

The FFmask is comfortable, but I sleep on my side and I must knock it enough askew at night that it leaks. Also, the material causes me some kind of skin reaction below the corners of my mouth.

That said, I am fascinated by the design of these masks. I think they are a triumph of engineering and all you designers should be praised to the hilt.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:55 am

beavnut33 wrote:I'm at the point where the type of interface is dependant on the info I collect from posts. The one way I am leaning is a type of composite mask that deals with those whose mouth opens during sleep, without using a bulky full-face interface.

In that case you need to do a search for all of the Hybrid posts and you will get an idea of the problems that users are dealing with for "composite" masks.

Most common issue is with fitting to different facial architecture (ie. long faces, round faces, angular faces, square faces, etc.). Other issues include noise, hose placement such as down or overhead, compatiblitiy with different machine brands regarding CO2 flushing, force vectors of the mask on face such as not pushing jaw back and yet maintaining mask in fixed position so that it does not shift around during sleep, comfortable and reliable easy-to-use headgear, easy assembly/disassembly for cleaning, affordable price ... and perhaps other characteristics I may have left out.

- r

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 10:59 am

Offerocker, Your O2 supplier has the answer needed, It is a check valve that fits on the HH and the hose attached to it. When the blower is off the O2 dumps out of the vent holes in the valve, and is blocked from flow into the blower. The only downside is you have to start the blower by hand, as the valve blocks the flow into the machine. Jim

gulfpearl · Post by **gulfpearl** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:16 am

A mask that doesn't leak no matter what position I sleep in, also a headgear designed for women. Most head gears are too bulky and pull out clumps of my hair.

ThunderSnorem · Post by **ThunderSnorem** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:27 am

I use the Activa for a nasal interface and it's the best I've used. I love it. But I'm a mouth breather so I tape.

I want a FF mask that is similar to the activa. I've tried the Hans Rudolph as a backup mask and that is 'close' to working perfectly for me, but the silicone is a bit too stiff. It needs to be more flexible and conforming to my nose and face. I think if the HR FF mask used the stiff silicone for the mask body, and a softer silicone for the seal area they'd have it just right.

The UMFF seal just wouldn't work on my face.

Mile High Sleeper · Post by **Mile High Sleeper** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:07 pm

Ditto to all the above plus:

a wide choice of sizes of masks and headgear, not just 3 to 5 sizes for mask and one size for headgear. Examples: UMFF small (ResMed's mallest, they don't make a petite) is just too big for my small face. AEIOIMed headgear even with adjustments is too big for my head.

a quiet vent that vents upward toward the headboard, like the AEIOMed Headrest with Nasal Pillows. Very important for comfort, so mask doesn't vent on hands, arms, bed partner.

I think the Hybrid people are on to something. Would like to see more designs that combine nasal pillows and oral interface, since my nose gets stuffy during the night but nasal pillows give me the lowest AHI.

aka_oldgearhead · Post by **aka_oldgearhead** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:11 pm

GOOF PROOF!!! You answered my other question eloquently!

Goofproof is eloquent?

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 12:20 pm

aka_oldgearhead wrote:
GOOF PROOF!!! You answered my other question eloquently!
Goofproof is eloquent?

UH-OH - The truth is OUT!
I'm sorry, GoofProof.
He's actually a different 'plumber' in PM!
You're right - his Public Persona does need improvement - but that's HIS mask, I do believe. Clever, eh?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 1:23 pm

A FULL FACE MASK THAT MOLDS AROUND YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH JUST LIKE YOU WOULD MAKE A SILICON CAST, OR PARTY MASK TYPE..

HAVE A SAY IN INNOVATION ! ! ! !

HAVE A SAY IN INNOVATION ! ! ! !

Type of interface.

Mask design

Re: HAVE A SAY IN INNOVATION ! ! ! !

ideas

Re: Type of interface.

mask needs