Sort of a weird problem with a Quattro Air cushion

[old dude]

For about 9 months now I've had really good success taming the dreaded FFM leak monster with my Quattro Air, so much so that I've bragged on it repeatedly and recommended it often. About all I can get out of a seal (cushion to be accurate) has been 1-1/2 to 2 months max, then it will begin leaking a little so I replace it. With a new-ish cushion my total leaks are normally around 30 L/Min or slightly over, with no leaking perceptible to me at all. So 3 nights ago I put on a new cushion only to have it leak constantly around the top of my nose right into my eyes, obviously not conducive to a good night's sleep. Total leaks are up around 40 L/Min. Let me say up front that I changed NO other variables at all, either in my mask itself or my protocol for masking up. Somehow it has to be the seal itself, but visually it appears to be fine. I even just called ResMed to see if they made any slight change to the cushions when they made them share duty with the F10, but they said no.

So my question is, has anyone else ever gotten what seems to be a perfectly good cushion that just flat turns out to be a dud? Not only a Quattro Air, but anything? I hate being out the $54.00, but that's not so much the point as is wondering if somehow the Quattro Air has just stopped working for me overnight for some unknown reason. I'd sure hate to have to start the search process all over again.

[aminator]

I don't know about new cushions, but someone on this forum posted about using sealer for diving masks. You can get it on Amazon - search for "mask sealer". It's $7, works great. I'm a new user and have been going crazy with leaks from the Quattro air, and this helped tremendously.

[library lady]

You don't say if you are using mask liners... they were a game changer for me when I couldn't "tame" my Quattro Air, and now I wouldn't go without them. I tried several kinds, Pad-A-Cheek (order online), Quietus (out of business) and RemZzzzs (available online and at most DMEs). I like RemZzzzs the best. I have also started making my own liners based on a DIY pattern I found online, mentioned by someone from this forum, they are much like the RemZzzzs, old t-shirts work nicely, and I wash them, lay them flat to dry then iron to eliminate wrinkles and help them retain your shape. If you haven't tried liners yet, you may find it to be a cheaper alternative to monthly replacement.

As for replacing the cushion, I found that even using the liners, my first Air got too leaky after about 3-3.5 months with a clean, ironed liner, or a brand new RemZzzz liner. I did replace it at that point, but it got more mileage than yours did. I swear by these things, but hey, to each his own. We all solve our problems in different ways.

That reminds me, and I will be back later with a new post about a company in Minneapolis that I read about - it's another brand of liners but I can't remember the name of it and I don't recall seeing it mentioned here on the forum.

[Julie]

I find that using wipes made for Cpap cushions (and sold by e.g. Cpap.com and other DME's) do a better job at keeping the cushions less floppy than regular washing.

[old dude]

I find that using wipes made for Cpap cushions (and sold by e.g. Cpap.com and other DME's) do a better job at keeping the cushions less floppy than regular washing.

Julie, I have tried using wipes but my skin is evidently oily enough that a significant amount of oily residue is left on the seal every morning before washing. Have you had success with the wipes under this condition? (I'm talking about just one night's usage here.)

[chunkyfrog]

I'm probably all wet but when trying out the Liberty mask,
I noticed the doggone cushion refused to stay in the track, creating huge leaks.
Maybe the same design crew botched this one too.

[Julie]

Well... I only use the wipes... not even weekly, and have no trouble, but then my skin isn't oily at all... good luck...

[flyingwithoutwings]

I also tamed the leaks on my Quattro Air with home made liners (from hubby's old t-shirts). There is also a video clip on taming FFM leaks by using a mouth guard. I tried that too and Zero leaks.

LL - this is the site you're talking about.
http://www.cpapcomfortpads.com/products.html

[steamfan]

I think the qualify of the Quattro FFM has gone down hill in the four years or so, since I began using it. I never had any trouble with it, or its headgear for about three years. Then I got a mask that leaked insanely. Tried all sorts of things to no effect (including the evil RemZZZZZ). Ordered another Quattro. Same thing. Leaked horribly. Revisited the sleep clinic. They said, "Looks fine to us, it shouldn't be leaking. Numerous rounds of return to sleep clinic to no avail. Finally they ordered a new sleep study. Sleep tech said, "Let's try a different mask."

So they tried a Fisher-Paykel Simplus FFM. And my leaks are gone and the thing is way more comfortable than my old mask.

[Jay Aitchsee]

So my question is, has anyone else ever gotten what seems to be a perfectly good cushion that just flat turns out to be a dud? Not only a Quattro Air, but anything? I hate being out the $54.00, but that's not so much the point as is wondering if somehow the Quattro Air has just stopped working for me overnight for some unknown reason. I'd sure hate to have to start the search process all over again.

Dude, when I was using the Mirage Quattro FFM I used to notice that sometimes new cushions would leak for the first few days when I replaced them. It was as if it took some nights to "break in" the mask so that it conformed to my face.

[old dude]

So my question is, has anyone else ever gotten what seems to be a perfectly good cushion that just flat turns out to be a dud? Not only a Quattro Air, but anything? I hate being out the $54.00, but that's not so much the point as is wondering if somehow the Quattro Air has just stopped working for me overnight for some unknown reason. I'd sure hate to have to start the search process all over again.

Dude, when I was using the Mirage Quattro FFM I used to notice that sometimes new cushions would leak for the first few days when I replaced them. It was as if it took some nights to "break in" the mask so that it conformed to my face.

Ahhhh, now there's a possibility! Just because I haven't experienced that before doesn't mean it couldn't be happening now. Your theory could also explain why the new cushion also left me with a sore on the bridge of my nose, something I don't ordinarily experience with the Q. Air.

Thanks for the idea, Jay. I think I'll try the new cushion again and just have a known good one on my nightstand for a quick low-disruption swap over if the new one starts leaking again.

[knothead]

Dude,

might want to boil some of your old cushions that do not leak. Boiling cleans them back to new. Just a thought...

[old dude]

Dude,

might want to boil some of your old cushions that do not leak. Boiling cleans them back to new. Just a thought...

knothead, do you boil them plastic and all? The Q. Air FFM silicone seal doesn't appear to be separable from the plastic base.

Also, how long do you boil them for?

[knothead]

Dude,

might want to boil some of your old cushions that do not leak. Boiling cleans them back to new. Just a thought...

knothead, do you boil them plastic and all? The Q. Air FFM silicone seal doesn't appear to be separable from the plastic base.

Also, how long do you boil them for?

I dont know if the cushion will separate from the plastic, I use a Quattro FFM that they do come apart. Try one of your oldest cushions, if its ruined nothing lost.
Add couple teaspoons of baking soda to pot of water, bring to boil, drop on cushion, let it boil for 5-6 minutes, dig out with fork & cool with tap water, let it dry out of sunlight. Mine came back just like new & I can get longer use out of them now by doing this...hope it will work on the Air. There is a post here somewhere I got this from...works like a charm.

[knothead]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=74686&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... il+cushion[/quote]
Dude...
Here is the post if I did it right...