Sleep Weaver Cloth Mask 1st night

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:25 pm

Got mine today. The mask appears to be made of very fine quality parachute material. It inflates into a conical tube with a very cleverly shaped nose shaped place for your nose to fit. The inflation creates the possiblity for the fabric to seal against the face.

I haven't slept with it yet (oh, the things we say on cpap!), but for me, it required the straps to be fairly snug (not tight, just snugger than I'm used to) to prevent leaks. There is one strap that goes around the head under the ears with another strap that attatches in one spot to the mask and goes up over the head and attatches to the other strap on the back of the head/neck. There is also a third strap which is optional and seemed to be superfluous to me.

Looks a bit like an elephant trunk, that is true. And it is a lot smaller than it looks on the mannequin in the picture on the website. I could see how it could very easily be one size fits all.

That is all I have to say for now. I'll be able to say more after I have slept wearing it.

Jen

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 2:36 pm

Smart move, Circadian! And I mean that sincerely. The people on this forum make a great focus group; if a mask can be worn effectively we will figure out a way to do it.

And I agree with Jen, it takes some courage and belief in your product to test it publicly.

So now I want you to hurry up and produce a full face mask that I can try! I would love a comfortable light weight mask...which isn't so easy to find as my Rx'd pressures are 20/18.

Susan

JZ · Post by JZ » Thu Dec 06, 2007 10:16 pm

I wore the SleepWeaver all night on my 3rd night. I had not talked with Circadiance, so did not yet have their helpful tips on leak management. I had big time leaks when I first laid down. All I could think of while I laid there was that there should be some fix. When i pushed down on the mask on either side of my nose, no leaks. But since I can not hold my mask on with my hand and sleep, I tried to think of something else that would hold it down.

I got up and taped the wings of the mask to my cheeks. Perfect seal, totally without leaks. I felt so smug. The first time I turned over it all went to hell. Should have used super glue. I will never get a lab rat prize - LOL. Eventually I got a fairly good seal and went to sleep.

Once again I did not have time to call Circadiance today. But the mask designer emailed me the more detailed fitting instructions. I will give that a try and report back.

Janna

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:11 am

I slept all night last night with the Sleep Weaver and had no trouble whatsoever. Since I spent about 45 minutes fiddling with the fit yesterday afternoon to get it just right, all I had to do was put it on and go to sleep last night. I slept mostly on my side and then moved to my back mid-night. If it leaked at all during the transition it was only for a moment and I was able to adjust it quickly and go back to sleep.

Being so used to the feel and sound of the Swift II, the mask I have relied on for most of the last six months, it took a little adjusting to the sound and feel of something different, but it was very comfortable. One thing did annoy me a tiny bit that I’m sure I will easily get used to and that is because I’m using a bilevel machine, the changes in pressure caused a bit of a pulse in the mask itself—the inflation subsides ever so slightly with the exhale pressure. That is a nitpicky thing to say, really, but it is, I believe, inherent to the mask design and couldn’t be changed really, so I am putting it here as an observation with no expectation that it could be changed or improved. I’m sure a couple of nights will pass and I won’t even notice it.

The mask is utterly lightweight and once you get used to how different the fit is from a typical mask, very comfortable. It is nice to have little to no pressure on the face. In order to keep it from leaking, I do have to keep the neck strap quite snug which resulted in a small but quickly disappearing red mark under my nose. I will try to loosen it by a mm or two to see if that will prevent that red mark without losing seal. While the straps were snug, they did not leave marks on my face this morning, just the one small red mark under the nose. I think there might be a seam in the fabric there.

I appreciate the more complete fitting instructions. I think they are helpful and should be refined even more and included with product literature.

My only other comment is that the velcro/elastic straps could be made out of a softer material. They do touch the face and while they do not bother me once in place, it feels rough dragging the strap over the face to don the mask. The other option would be to make the parachute material "wings" that come over the sides of the nose a little longer so the straps don't have to touch the face, only the silky smooth parachute material.

This mask is so different from anything else on the market. I am really enjoying getting the opportunity to try it. I really hope them much future success in their innovative processes. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!

Jen

Bamalady · Post by **Bamalady** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:29 pm

...only the silky smooth parachute material.

Oh, Jen, that sounds wonderful....definitely a step up from what we usually feel against our skin.

Will wait for more from you all!

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 12:56 am

Questions...

There's no vent? What about the exhaled air?

Went to web site - photos and diagrams there show only one strap. More than one model?

swtsassy65 - can you explain what you did to make the hose go overhead?

Kathy

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 2:06 am

Question(s):

Does it have that white fluffy fury stuff inside?
Does it squeak when you squeeze it?

Because if it does, my dog will think its one of his toys and pull the stuffing out of it within minutes to get to the surprise squeaker inside... and if there is no squeaker inside he will surely be disappointed.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:11 pm

[quote="kteague"]Questions...

There's no vent? What about the exhaled air?

Went to web site - photos and diagrams there show only one strap. More than one model?

swtsassy65 - can you explain what you did to make the hose go overhead?

Kathy

JZ · Post by JZ » Sat Dec 08, 2007 5:35 pm

Last night was my 4th night on the SleepWeaver. I have been having leak problems, so I again studied the expanded fitting instructions that Circadiance sent me. They say that the crown strap is not necessary, but may be helpful to stabilize the forehead strap if it slips from side to side. I would prefer the mask without the crown strap, as when it is on, adjustments take longer because of having to unvelcro in two places to tighten or loosen the neck strap (and two more on the other side). But without the crown strap, the forehead strap slides all around on my head.

I remembered a fix that Steve (ufo13) did on his Swift:

viewtopic.php?t=5965

I cut three lengths of velcro about 1 1/2 inch each (the loop side of the velcro, not the fuzzy side). Steve used adhesive velcro, but stapled it into place for fitting. Mine was not adhesive, so I stapled it and if I decide to adhere it permanently, will have to hot glue it. I attached the three strips on the underside of the forehead strap with the loops down towards my head. I placed one just above my forehead, one at the top of my head and one on the back of my head just before the forehead strap connects to the neck strap. The velcro loops gently held onto my hair and kept the strap in place.

I liked the mask better without the crown strap. I got a good seal last night without a great deal of difficulty and slept all night with the mask. I have been pretty tired today, not sure why. The other days following use of the SleepWeaver, I have not been tired. Each night my AHI has been 2.1 or 2.2.

I would also like to hear more from sassy about the overhead routing of the hose. I have not been able to figure out how to do that without restricting air flow.

Janna

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:31 pm

Snoredog wrote:Question(s):

Does it have that white fluffy fury stuff inside?
Does it squeak when you squeeze it?

Because if it does, my dog will think its one of his toys and pull the stuffing out of it within minutes to get to the surprise squeaker inside... and if there is no squeaker inside he will surely be disappointed.

I got a dog that does that exact same thing. He just LOVES getting the squeaker out of the toy. LOL.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 6:35 pm

My dog loves the Beanie Babies and the little plastic thingies in them. He will rip them to shreds and scatter them all over the house. I refuse to let my grandkids have them here now as he can smell them out and will go nuts trying to get them.

swtsassy65 · Post by **swtsassy65** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:54 am

Hi Everyone,
Sorry I did not post sonner but work has been hetic and had to do alot of split shifts tis last weekend.

I have been using the sleepweaver mask on and off now for about a week and have come across some good and some bad.

Before I go on to ge the hose over your head I got creative well kind of. I took some sticks like the ones from popicicles and taped them to my hose
all the way around. The I left about 2 inces free and did it again. Then I just took the extra hose and hooked it up over my head. So it kind of went likt a triangle. I stll had the hose going down then sercured it to my pjs with a clip. So it would stay in place. I hope this ,makes sense to you all. Kind of hard to explain. If not let me know and I will try better.

Now to the good and the bad.
It islightweight and that is a big plus. I like it over the weight and bulkness from my other mask. The problem and I dont know if you others have had this happen. But it seems everynight I have to reajust the mask before bed. And at times this can take awhile and get very frustrating. I also thing it still has to much vekco but I have not come up with away to fix that for myself.
I noticed when mine leaks it really leaks. I usually have to ajust it right after I lay down again. This is the one part that takes awhile. If I sot up it is a 2 step process again.
I have been switching the mask at night with my actvia.
When I do wear the sleepweaver no tape A big plus for me.
Wel that is about it for now.
How is everyone else doing with thiers??

Sassy

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:09 am

In which direction does the mask vent?
Shari

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:55 am

Thank you so much for this detailed test drive analysis. Circadience, you've gone way up in my estimation by sending out these masks for users to try. I think publishing the "expanded fitting directions" on your website would be a good way to go. As well as including video of real people fitting this mask. I've been so helped by all the photos and videos the Nasal Aire II people did for their mask. Take a tip from them, and follow suit.

Jen, as always, I'm particularly impressed by the level of detail in your reports. Thank you so much for the effort you put into this! You've been such an inspiration to this forum and to me personally!!!!

Good luck to all!
Barbara

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:01 pm

momadams wrote:In which direction does the mask vent?
Shari

The vent is tiny perforations laser cut into the fabric. It is very diffuse, coming out the front, just under the nose. It isn't like a blast of air like you see in most masks--it is diffuse, due no doubt from the fact it is made of fabric instead of plastic.

Jen

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Humidifier

Additional Comments: Pressure 16 cm H2O at altitude 6550ft