Please tell me about gel cushions on FFMs

I just got an email from our host about a new gel cushion being available on the Amara FFM. I like the Amara for a lot of reasons but have never been able to achieve a good leak-free seal with it.

Will the gel cushion help with sealing off leaks, or at least would it allow me to tighten the mask down a little more while remaining comfortable?

The only full face mask that gives me a really good seal is a gel.
Some, like the Respironics Comfort gel and CG Blue, have a deep cushion to accommodate
more 3D variation in facial geometry than the silicone seals.
Gel cushions weigh significantly more than silicone.

old dude wrote:I just got an email from our host about a new gel cushion being available on the Amara FFM. I like the Amara for a lot of reasons but have never been able to achieve a good leak-free seal with it.

Will the gel cushion help with sealing off leaks, or at least would it allow me to tighten the mask down a little more while remaining comfortable?

This is so spooky! I was going through my drawer o masks last night and was going to put up a posting today -- Does anyone know if the damned Amara cushion has been redesigned yet???? And here you are now talking about a new gel version.....

I have to check out the new gel design now -- because the original version was for me and apparently a LOT of users, including Lanky Lefty, terrible. It's such a great mask, with great headgear, quiet vent, and a light, elegant design, far better than the old Quattro, and so easy to disassemble and clean. The problem alas, is the cushion. Unlike the ResMed designs and others, the Amara cushion has no cut-out area at the bridge of the nose. The plastic left there then digs into the bridge of the nose and causes really severe pressure sores. No matter how I adjusted it, it inevitably caused blistering sores. Totally bummed out because this is otherwise such a great FF mask, like the Quattro Air or the upcoming F&P Simplus FFM.

Thanks, there may now be hope for finally using this thing!

(F/U just saw the pics on cpap.com. It's hard to tell if the new gel cushion has a nasal cut-out at the top or if its still the same old design just crammed with 'gel'. Is there a Respironics rep on this blog who may know?????)

Hi Hyperlexis,

I just spoke to a cpap.com rep because of your great question and according to her, the design is exactly the same. But I guess since the return insurance is free, it would be worth trying if you or anyone else wanted to give this a shot. I can't say I am that interested although I reserve the right to change my mind.

49er

hyperlexis wrote:

old dude wrote:I just got an email from our host about a new gel cushion being available on the Amara FFM. I like the Amara for a lot of reasons but have never been able to achieve a good leak-free seal with it.

Will the gel cushion help with sealing off leaks, or at least would it allow me to tighten the mask down a little more while remaining comfortable?

This is so spooky! I was going through my drawer o masks last night and was going to put up a posting today -- Does anyone know if the damned Amara cushion has been redesigned yet???? And here you are now talking about a new gel version.....

I have to check out the new gel design now -- because the original version was for me and apparently a LOT of users, including Lanky Lefty, terrible. It's such a great mask, with great headgear, quiet vent, and a light, elegant design, far better than the old Quattro, and so easy to disassemble and clean. The problem alas, is the cushion. Unlike the ResMed designs and others, the Amara cushion has no cut-out area at the bridge of the nose. The plastic left there then digs into the bridge of the nose and causes really severe pressure sores. No matter how I adjusted it, it inevitably caused blistering sores. Totally bummed out because this is otherwise such a great FF mask, like the Quattro Air or the upcoming F&P Simplus FFM.

Thanks, there may now be hope for finally using this thing!

(F/U just saw the pics on cpap.com. It's hard to tell if the new gel cushion has a nasal cut-out at the top or if its still the same old design just crammed with 'gel'. Is there a Respironics rep on this blog who may know?????)

Well, I'll let everyone know soon-I just ordered one. With free insurance I didn't see a way to lose.

I've never held a gel mask, but I can't see how you'd need a cut out with any reasonable thickness of gel over it.

49er wrote:Hi Hyperlexis,

I just spoke to a cpap.com rep because of your great question and according to her, the design is exactly the same. But I guess since the return insurance is free, it would be worth trying if you or anyone else wanted to give this a shot. I can't say I am that interested although I reserve the right to change my mind.

49er

hyperlexis wrote:

old dude wrote:I just got an email from our host about a new gel cushion being available on the Amara FFM. I like the Amara for a lot of reasons but have never been able to achieve a good leak-free seal with it.

Will the gel cushion help with sealing off leaks, or at least would it allow me to tighten the mask down a little more while remaining comfortable?

This is so spooky! I was going through my drawer o masks last night and was going to put up a posting today -- Does anyone know if the damned Amara cushion has been redesigned yet???? And here you are now talking about a new gel version.....

I have to check out the new gel design now -- because the original version was for me and apparently a LOT of users, including Lanky Lefty, terrible. It's such a great mask, with great headgear, quiet vent, and a light, elegant design, far better than the old Quattro, and so easy to disassemble and clean. The problem alas, is the cushion. Unlike the ResMed designs and others, the Amara cushion has no cut-out area at the bridge of the nose. The plastic left there then digs into the bridge of the nose and causes really severe pressure sores. No matter how I adjusted it, it inevitably caused blistering sores. Totally bummed out because this is otherwise such a great FF mask, like the Quattro Air or the upcoming F&P Simplus FFM.

Thanks, there may now be hope for finally using this thing!

(F/U just saw the pics on cpap.com. It's hard to tell if the new gel cushion has a nasal cut-out at the top or if its still the same old design just crammed with 'gel'. Is there a Respironics rep on this blog who may know?????)

That's great -- I will order one too and just check it out. Worth a shot if there is the 30 day guarantee from the website or my DME. PR really, really needs to do something to fix this design problem. Hopefully the gel version does the trick. Otherwise it will be going back.

See:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl7_-sReXFY

My regular silicone Amara hurt my nose too, and that's why I only used it about a week before relegating it to my Mask Boneyard Bin. I'd have to go dig it out but I seem to remember a place in the bridge of the nose area of the firmer inner part of the cushion where it was sort of turned back a little on both sides. Not exactly a cut out, but it looks like they tried to make some accommodation in that area.

Am I right about this or did I somehow just mess mine up by over tightening it?

old dude wrote:My regular silicone Amara hurt my nose too, and that's why I only used it about a week before relegating it to my Mask Boneyard Bin. I'd have to go dig it out but I seem to remember a place in the bridge of the nose area of the firmer inner part of the cushion where it was sort of turned back a little on both sides. Not exactly a cut out, but it looks like they tried to make some accommodation in that area.

Am I right about this or did I somehow just mess mine up by over tightening it?

No it's not you -- it's a lot of people having the same problem. The Quattro/FX/Air and other FF masks have a cut out in the plastic support right at the nasal bridge area. The mask cushion supports squeeze the sides of the nose, not the very top front. The PR Amara does not have such a cut out. The plastic inner layer is firm and runs all around the perimeter of the mask, and sits right across the bridge of the nose like an upside-down horseshoe. That puts a lot of pressure in that one spot and cuts off the blood flow in the skin. (Look in the mirror with it on -- your nose turns pale white right in that spot). Then, after hours of sleeping you get swelling and a blister or pressure sore in that area. It was a cheap design omission and they should have fixed it 10 months ago, but, apparently, have not bothered, even with all the bad reports and returns. The new gel version may or may not have a fix. We shall see.... I only wish there was a Respironics engineer to talk with when things like this come up. It's always something with their masks. Breaking retainer tabs on the Wisp, bad cushions on the Amara..... Sheesh.