Aloha mask issues

[Papit]

" But in Papit's defense (comparing Swift FX and Aloha pillows), he did qualify what he said with: The conclusion I've come to thus far …

Nate, thank you for pointing that out. While I have had better success (re. minimal leak) with the FX as compared to the Aloha through their pillows, I'm not at all done with my testing and effort on that subject. I also notice clearly, for whatever the reason might be, that my central apnea readings are now substantially lower using the Aloha as compared to the FX and I'm loving it for that. I'm happy and excited about that apparent development, but of course still looking for more night's confirmation on that score.
Bottom line, I have no bone to pick with any manufacturer. I'm trained in my profession simply to call it as it is as I observe what I see.
Thanks again for your clarification of my review comment.

[portiemom]

O.K. now boys, I know you feel you must stick together, but really come on, do the words "thus far" negate the statement "the pillows on the Swift FX are superior to the Aloha ones?" So tell me are either of you guys politicians?

[NateS]

O.K. now boys, I know you feel you must stick together, but really come on, do the words "thus far" negate the statement "the pillows on the Swift FX are superior to the Aloha ones?" So tell me are either of you guys politicians?

You'll have to ask Ben Franklin whether he sees a difference between "The conclusion I've come to thus far …" and "it so appears to me at present."


I didn't.

Best wishes, Nate

[NateS]

I personally find the Aloha pillows to be superior to the Swift FX pillows, at least it so appears to me at present.

Nate

[NateS]

To throw another log onto the fire, last night I returned the top straps to the rear loops, and it eliminated the sore nose I have been experiencing lately with them in the forward position. But my leak graph went back up.

Grrrrr

Nate

PS - By way of explanation, my motivation for moving the straps back to their rear loop was a hunch that this might be the functional equivalent of rotating the nasal pillows outward and upward another notch or two beyond their limit in the other position. I don't have a technical background, so I am not overly confident as to whether this is true, but I had the idea that, while leaving the hooks as exposed outside the nasal pillows as possible without disconnecting, it rotated the bottom of the nasal pillow base outward and upward away from my face a little more, without losing contact with my nostrils, leaving just the flat base out. Although seems as if then there were times when the pillows did not remain locked into place.

(I had to edit this because I got my forward and backward positions reversed!)

[Papit]

I personally find the Aloha pillows to be superior to the Swift FX pillows, at least it so appears to me at present.
Nate

"Thus far", Nate, the Aloha is the only mask I've used ("at present" lol! ) for two weeks. Gotta say again though, the main reason I truly prefer the Aloha (and I DO) is its better headgear for me and the recent trend in numbers as I tweak it. That's mainly because of its provision for fastening the short hose on top, as that goes a long way I think in somehow bringing my centrals nicely below 5, sometimes below 2 or 3. You do have to fasten it tightly though to the top strap (with tape or anything else), otherwise it's loose in the provided velcro loop and won't hold well to do it's pillow-holding and leak-reducing job for me.

I'm actually optimistic that I'll figure out how to tweak the leak down for my particular nose. Here are my last couple night's ResSCan data: 5/27 CA: 2.4, OA: 1.0, LeaK: 6.0, AHI: 4.0 8+hours good sleep
5/26 CA: 0.8, OA: 0.9, LeaK: 7.2, AHI: 1.7 7 hours good sleep

If it can hold those levels, I'm happy and converted. --mike

Btw, I've studied carefully the mechanics of the prongs and their positioning in the reservoir side channels including with respect to the indent located about half-way up each channel. Your intuitive analysis in your postscript is exactly right in my analysis.

m.











--Mike

[NateS]

I personally find the Aloha pillows to be superior to the Swift FX pillows, at least it so appears to me at present.
Nate

"Thus far", Nate, the Aloha is the only mask I've used ("at present" lol! ) for two weeks. Gotta say again though, the main reason I truly preferring the Aloha (and I DO) is its better headgear for me and the recent trend in numbers as I tweak it. That's mainly because of its provision for fastening the short hose on top as that goes a long way I think in somehow bringing my centrals nicely below 5, sometimes below 2 or 3. You do have to fasten it tightly though to the top strap (with tape or anything else), otherwise it's loose in the provided velcro loop and won't hold well to do it's pillow-holding and leak-reducing job for me.
How are you doing on that latter score; i.e. taming the leak?

I'm actually optimistic that I'll figure out how to tweak the leak down for my particular nose. Here are my last couple night's ResSCan data: 5/27 CA: 2.4, OA: 1.0, LeaK: 6.0, AHI: 4.0 8+hours good sleep
5/26 CA: 0.8, OA: 0.9, LeaK: 7.2, AHI: 1.7 7 hours good sleep

If it can hold those levels, I'm happy and converted. --mike



--Mike

Yes, that velcro tube-loop is the only chintzy part of the Aloha IMHO!

Which Leak number are you using off the ResScan Statistics tab?

Nate

[Papit]

". . .Yes, that velcro tube-loop is the only chintzy part of the Aloha IMHO!
Which Leak number are you using off the ResScan Statistics tab?
Nate

I'm using the 95%-ile leak numbers in the data I gave.

Btw, as I inserted in my edit below, I've studied carefully the mechanics of the prongs and their positioning in the Aloha pillows reservoir side channels, including with respect to the indent located about half-way up each channel. Your intuitive analysis in your postscript is exactly right in my analysis. Those channels need to be improved and I know exactly how to do that. The prongs also need to be modified and that won't be rocket science either for the purposes you and I both need help on, and probably other Aloha customers as well. The mfr. has the basic concept down pretty good, but their detailed design execution leaves a lot to be desired for effective use by a wider population of users. I could help them if they got the message, but don't know who to contact at ResCare. Don't even know where they are.

m.

[NateS]

". . .Yes, that velcro tube-loop is the only chintzy part of the Aloha IMHO!
Which Leak number are you using off the ResScan Statistics tab?
Nate

I'm using the 95%-ile leak numbers in the data I gave.

Btw, as I inserted in my edit below, I've studied carefully the mechanics of the prongs and their positioning in the Aloha pillows reservoir side channels, including with respect to the indent located about half-way up each channel. Your intuitive analysis in your postscript is exactly right in my analysis. Those channels need to be improved and I know exactly how to do that. The prongs also need to be modified and that won't be rocket science either for the purposes you and I both need help on, and probably other Aloha customers as well. The mfr. has the basic concept down pretty good, but their detailed design execution leaves a lot to be desired for effective use by a wider population of users. I could help them if they got the message, but don't know who to contact at ResCare. Don't even know where they are.

m.

Those leak numbers at 95% are amazing! Wish I could achieve those!

http://www.mergenet.co/respcare/customerservice.htm

Contacting RespCare

Mailing Address
6601 Lyons Road
Buildings B1-B4
Coconut Creek, FL 33073

Email
customerservice@respcare.com

Telephone
Toll Free: 888-280-6546
From Abroad: +1 561 208 3770

Fax
Toll Free: 888-280-6607
From Abroad: +1 561 892 2350


Good luck!

Nate

[Papit]

Good man, Nate. Thanks for the contact info. I just sent both an IM and an email to Respcare's executive level, c/o their office of customer service. If they respond in 24 hours, fine. If not, I'll consider providing the needed technical guidance to both Resmed and Respironics, both of which are probably already working on similar designs.

Here are the Statistics Summary pages from ResScan for the past 10 days during which I have been tweaking and doing modifications some of which I have already posted photos and descriptions. I like the way both my centrals and leaks have have trended down during the tweaking and modification efforts.

[portiemom]

All, joking aside, you guys are great with tweaking and researching, I look forward to your posts on this. I have a lot of problems with central events and although my AHI's with the Aloha never go over 0.8 my leak line is OVER the top! I don't mouth breathe so this is very confusing.

[neverbetter]

wow, I hope they don't change a thing. My average pressure rocks from 16 to 20 and I have few leaks with the Aloha as it is. I'm in love with this mask. As far as the tusks being too long, how could that be a problem when you can set them anywhere you want? I don't think we will ever find a mask that is perfect for everyone but this Aloha has a higher star rating than even the swift FX for goodness sake. If they change anything, I'll be very upset. I would expect that the "for her" version will probably be smaller in every respect if they come out with one (and why wouldn't they since it's a whole new market) and that might address your angle.

[NateS]

Studying Papit's current Statistics chart, I can quickly see that his AHIs are higher than mine, but his Leak numbers are lower, which poses the question as to whether I can rely on my AHIs.

This is why I keep striving to get my leakage down - If I could get my leak numbers down like the ones in his charts, would my AHI numbers be higher but more accurate? I would like to know the answer, but will only know if and when I can trim the Leaks.

Nate

For the last 7 days, my numbers look like this:

[NateS]

All, joking aside, you guys are great with tweaking and researching, I look forward to your posts on this. I have a lot of problems with central events and although my AHI's with the Aloha never go over 0.8 my leak line is OVER the top! I don't mouth breathe so this is very confusing.

I also have to deal with Centrals, portiemom but because of the peculiarity of my machine, an ASV which was prescribed because of my centrals, it does not distinguish between Obstructives and Centrals when reporting, so I am in the dark but for the fact that all my apneas are way down now with this setup.

Best regards, Nate

[Papit]

Studying Papit's current Statistics chart, I can quickly see that his AHIs are higher than mine, but his Leak numbers are lower, which poses the question as to whether I can rely on my AHIs.

This is why I keep striving to get my leakage down - If I could get my leak numbers down like the ones in his charts, would my AHI numbers be higher but more accurate? I would like to know the answer, but will only know if and when I can trim the Leaks.

Nate

For the last 7 days, my numbers look like this:

Nate, I think Pugsy and others would agree that an average leak even up to 40 is not a show-stopper, but as you know Resmed's alert line is at 24 L/min. What were your average 95%-ile leaks using the FX and what were they with other masks?