Cushion popping in resmed quattro fx mask

[minniesc]

I have been really successful with my CPAP. However, for the past two months I have a new problem, and that is my mask cushion. The cushion keeps popping out of the mask in the night, always up by the bridge of my nose. I have tried two different cushions and a new mask, with the same problem. Since I am not feeling greatly rested, I am assuming this affects my sleep. Any suggestions?

[Slinky]

Yup, it must be a very common area for the cushion to separate from the mask frame. I no longer take my Quattro FX apart to clean it. That helped its "staying power" quite a bit.

I've just learned to be ensure that that area is correctly fitted, cushion to frame, before I put the Quattro FX on and if and/or when I hear or feel the cushion/frame leak I just reach up w/my hand and "pinch" the cushion/frame fit back together. If I "pinch" a bit down each side of the bridge of the nose area as well as the top it usually secures and is good to go the rest of the night or at least for several more hours.

I assume we put a bit more stress on the fit in that area by the way we place the mask on our face and then roll it down in to place. We have it tilted up to place it then roll it down to fit to the face the way we are shown in the fitting diagram.

[chunkyfrog]

I tried a Quattro FX mask for ONE NIGHT! The cushion and frame would NOT stay together.
Even if they had my size, (small was about a half size too large) that problem alone soured me on that mask forever.
Yes, somebody did not finish the design work there.

[Bobby269]

I have been using the Quattro Fx since it came out last year. Never had this problem. Is it possible the top strap isn't adjusted properly?
Install the top groove first and work your way around and put the bottom 2 grooves in last. Make sure the cushion fits into the groove all the way around.Take a look at these video's it might help. http://www.resmed.com/us/products/quatt ... s&sec=true

[Jay Aitchsee]

Has anybody found a solution to this separation of frame and cushion yet?

I called ResMed and they are aware of the problem, but apparently haven't taken any steps to fix it yet. At least not according to the rep I talked with.

Maybe some type of gasket to make the fit tighter?

Jay

[Slinky]

I've found the problem occurs when I tip mask too much when I am first putting it on. Tip it less and I don't have the problem.

[chunkyfrog]

If they ever come out with an extra small, I might try it again.
If it fits me, but still slips apart, I might consider putting holes through frame and silicone,
and inserting cotter keys.

[Jay Aitchsee]

My fix?

I took a length of dental floss, about 8", folded it in the middle, and threaded it up under the spring frame. I caught the little tab at the top of the cushion with the middle of the floss and pulled it down and forward and then tied the ends of the floss to the spring frame to hold the tab into the frame.

Tried it out last night and no separations . 1st time for this frame and cushion that I haven't been awakened by a leak caused by a separation. We'll have to see how it goes. I think I'll be able to remove the cushion to wash it and put it back together without untying the floss, but I don't know for sure, haven't tried it yet.

Jay

[morfenmom]

This mask comes in an XS but it has to be special ordered. I have one.

[greatunclebill]

i use the quattro fx, medium mask and medium headgear. i've never had leaking problems or cushion to mask problems. make sure you have the correct size per the resmed fitting guide and the correct headgear. fx's all ship with medium headgear. if you want small or large headgear it is extra. if the headgear is the wrong size and pulls the mask in an odd way i guess its possible to have these problems. not sayin', just sayin'.

[chunkyfrog]

Morfenmom:
Quattro FX in an extra small?
Not at cpap.com.
No way will I order it from the evil DME!

[zoocrewphoto]

This mask comes in an XS but it has to be special ordered. I have one.

Does it come with smaller head gear? Do you have the sizing info for it? I would be interested in ordering this size, but if it needs to be ordered, I will need to make sure it is an okay size for me.

[ziipppp]

I have a love hate with this mask because of this separating problem. I've been working with it for probably over a year. I love the idea of the floss, and I'm going to try that. I came from that full Quattro mask, which was a delight in terms of maintenance, but a disaster with soreness of the bridge of the nose, too many moving parts etc etc. Love the simplicity of this. If only it would stay put in the frame. Its a fatal flaw.

One of the things I do now is pull the top strap down towards the back of my head. The top strap is shown going over the top of the head in the illustrations, but it just pulls the mask up too much and exacerbates this separation issue. By pulling that top strap further down/back (basically just below the crown) it exerts pressure on the frame at the bridge of the nose, that seems to push the frame more on the nose, which keeps the cushion in place better.

One other trick is that I use a QTip to run soap inside the frame and also inside the cushion seat - I'm hoping that by de-greasing a bit that it grips better. It seems to work, although not sure completely.

I also now replace the mask every six months - again seems like a waste, but the extra elasticity of the straps really help keep this frame and cushion stuck your face and so helps separation.

I'm also going to play around with this idea of not taking out of the frame every night. I certainly notice that towards the end of the month that this thing is coming loose even more; its stressful and unpleasant that last week while waiting for the new month and the new cushion.

If ResMed are reading these forums I'd say that this mask is ruining your reputation for good design. Every time I put this one I feel like "oh, they did this so you HAVE to buy a cushion at the end of each month" - it just feels like a deliberately sloppy design. It wouldn't take much to make the fit much more "positive" which would lead to a more positive (hah) experience.

Thanks for the tips.

[Slinky]

Don't roll the Quattro FX so much when placing it on your face. The instructions show you to tip it while fitting it. I found tipping it too much put stress on the fit of the cushion to the frame and mid-way thru the night or so is when the separation would occur. I also make it a point to check and secure the fit each night before I put it on.

[Pugsy]

Does it come with smaller head gear? Do you have the sizing info for it? I would be interested in ordering this size, but if it needs to be ordered, I will need to make sure it is an okay size for me.

I found it for sale in the XSmall without headgear at cpap.com
Cpap.com also has it offered with the standard headgear but apparently there is a smaller and larger size headgear available that will work with it that can be bought separately.
I couldn't find anything about an XSmall head gear.

If someone could use the Small headgear they could purchase the XSmall by itself without headgear and buy the headgear separately.