Comfort Curve and PB 420E

tombiowami · Post by **tombiowami** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 10:00 am

I am researching getting my first CPAP. Looking into the PB 420e and the Comfort Curve mask. What is the deal with this 'sensor line'? I cannot find much about it on the comfort curve site or the PB site. Cpap.com has a special product offering suggesting this added sensor line tube is needed with the comfort curve and PB 420e. Any input?

I am also wondering if the 'snuggle tubes' really help in any one's opinion or is it just a your mileage may vary deal?

Thanks for any help.
Tommy

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 11:01 am

The PB 420E is an automatic machine. It adjusts the pressure according to the information it gets about your breathing. It sense the pressure with a very thin tube treaded through the hose. One side of the sensor tube comes out at the end of the hose, and picks up info about the air flow in the mask the other side connects to the machine.

The PB420E will not function in auto mode if it does not have a sensor line properly connected. I never tried it on straight PAP without the sensor.

The Comfort Curve has it's own special tubing, like no other mask.
MissAmethyst2U uses a Comfort Curve and PB420E combination.
Here's a link to what she wrote:

viewtopic.php?p=40872#40872

John M · Post by **John M** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:30 pm

I have a 420E and just ordered a Comfort Curve to try with it. So far, I'm not so happy with it, but usually it takes me a while to get used to a mask. If you decide to try this it, the sensor line won't be a problem, but getting a proper leak free fit might be.

The two best masks for me have been the Mirage Vista (which most people don't like) and the Acclaim 2 (I haven't heard much about it lately--it's an older mask). I wouldn't recommend any other Fisher-Paykel (sp?) mask.

As far as preventing leaks, there is no match for the ResMed Activa, but I find it too bulky to use long term.

If you're just starting with xPAP, I think I would recommend a more conventional mask. ResMed seems to make the best (imho). If you don't think you will have problems with feeling "smoothered" by a mask, and a large mask doesn't bother you, I'd highly recommend the Activa, because it seals better than any other mask on the market. The F-P Acclaim 2 might be worth a try--it's the quietest mask I've ever used, and it is relatively cheap.

-John

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Dec 31, 2005 12:56 pm

Tommy, the 420E auto is an excellent choice of machine. You might, however, want to think about a different mask, no matter what machine you get.

If you're looking for a mask that has nothing in front of the eyes, ResMed's Swift is much more likely to work for more people than the ComfortCurve, imho.

The ComfortCurve looks soooo pretty in pictures and the product writeup sounds soooo good. You may have already checked out a lot of previous discussions about it, but if not, here's where you can find a lot of pros and cons (true of any mask, of course) as well as some fixes:

LINKS to Comfort Curve nasal mask topics

Good luck!