Bleep/DreamPort nasal mask review thread

[Dreaming1]

I just updated my personal mask selection to the bleep! I might add that the black mannequin head is pretty nifty!

[Dog Slobber]

I might add that the black mannequin head is pretty nifty!

When it comes to decapitated mannequin heads, they are very inclusive.

[djams]

I just updated my personal mask selection to the bleep! I might add that the black mannequin head is pretty nifty!

It also shows a much more correct and comfy installation of the ports than the white head in babydino's post. That white head port attachment is all messed up.

[sleptimize]

It is not a copyright issue to modify or customize a mask for your own benefit. Please, folks, you have been very nice on this forum with suggestions, mailing things, etc. I just would like a close up photo of the port and measurement of its diameter so I can decide if spending over $100 is worth it. If it makes the device cheaper to own, maybe more people will choose it and get the therapy they need.

[sam2jack]

I just ordered mine from Cpap.com. Free shipping and free return insurance. Looks like an interesting mask. Not sure I will like the tape on the nose but will like having no headgear.

Thanks for all the positive reviews! Hope it works for me.

[palerider]

copyright law

patent law

[katestyles]

It is not a copyright issue to modify or customize a mask for your own benefit. Please, folks, you have been very nice on this forum with suggestions, mailing things, etc. I just would like a close up photo of the port and measurement of its diameter so I can decide if spending over $100 is worth it. If it makes the device cheaper to own, maybe more people will choose it and get the therapy they need.

I think we should be discussing this with the Bleep company. There is obviously a demand for a less disposable product. The adhesive strength on the ports is not the same as the micropore tape though - it is stronger.

[katestyles]

copyright law

patent law

my bad.

Intellectual property?

[Dog Slobber]

copyright law

patent law

my bad.

Intellectual property?

Yes.

Intellectual property can mean patent, copyright, trademark.

[djams]

It is not a copyright issue to modify or customize a mask for your own benefit. Please, folks, you have been very nice on this forum with suggestions, mailing things, etc. I just would like a close up photo of the port and measurement of its diameter so I can decide if spending over $100 is worth it. If it makes the device cheaper to own, maybe more people will choose it and get the therapy they need.

I think we should be discussing this with the Bleep company. There is obviously a demand for a less disposable product. The adhesive strength on the ports is not the same as the micropore tape though - it is stronger.

I'd have to try a sample as mouth tape before I could call it stronger. It's certainly more comfortable and can be removed painlessly. I'd really like to try it as mouth tape.

[sleptimize]

It is not a copyright issue to modify or customize a mask for your own benefit. Please, folks, you have been very nice on this forum with suggestions, mailing things, etc. I just would like a close up photo of the port and measurement of its diameter so I can decide if spending over $100 is worth it. If it makes the device cheaper to own, maybe more people will choose it and get the therapy they need.

I think we should be discussing this with the Bleep company. There is obviously a demand for a less disposable product. The adhesive strength on the ports is not the same as the micropore tape though - it is stronger.

What about 3M Absolute Waterproof or 3M First Aid tape? Both have strong hold and gentle removal. (Maybe too strong? I have not used them.) The latter can even be repositioned. I would choose the one that has the weakest hold which does the job. At 1" wide, I'm guessing they would be wide enough for re-use on the ports. I may just buy a box to prove it out first.

Of course, one needs to be careful and I don't recommend making changes where you don't know what you are doing. It just occurred to me that the FDA approval does not extend to modifications (I.e. use only as directed -- are we to follow that to the letter?).

As for patent law, I believe that only prevents a person from manufacturing or selling the invention without licensed permission. Once you buy a product, you can do with it what you like for your own purposes unless modified use is regulated (e.g. cars, radios, etc.) I too would rather see Bleep offer another patented version where the user applies their own tape (but maybe it would be harder for the FDA to approve it?). Let's hope this ushers in a new style of mask / port design where many cheap options are available. The wider appeal the better since it will increase both compliance rates and manufacturer revenue (driving higher volume, lower cost, more R&D, and superior options in a virtuous circle).

[katestyles]

It is not a copyright issue to modify or customize a mask for your own benefit. Please, folks, you have been very nice on this forum with suggestions, mailing things, etc. I just would like a close up photo of the port and measurement of its diameter so I can decide if spending over $100 is worth it. If it makes the device cheaper to own, maybe more people will choose it and get the therapy they need.

I think we should be discussing this with the Bleep company. There is obviously a demand for a less disposable product. The adhesive strength on the ports is not the same as the micropore tape though - it is stronger.

What about 3M Absolute Waterproof or 3M First Aid tape? Both have strong hold and gentle removal. (Maybe too strong? I have not used them.) The latter can even be repositioned. I would choose the one that has the weakest hold which does the job. At 1" wide, I'm guessing they would be wide enough for re-use on the ports. I may just buy a box to prove it out first.

Of course, one needs to be careful and I don't recommend making changes where you don't know what you are doing. It just occurred to me that the FDA approval does not extend to modifications (I.e. use only as directed -- are we to follow that to the letter?).

As for patent law, I believe that only prevents a person from manufacturing or selling the invention without licensed permission. Once you buy a product, you can do with it what you like for your own purposes unless modified use is regulated (e.g. cars, radios, etc.) I too would rather see Bleep offer another patented version where the user applies their own tape (but maybe it would be harder for the FDA to approve it?). Let's hope this ushers in a new style of mask / port design where many cheap options are available. The wider appeal the better since it will increase both compliance rates and manufacturer revenue (driving higher volume, lower cost, more R&D, and superior options in a virtuous circle).

FDA approval can take years. Modification of something with FDA approval invalidates the approval.

I appreciate that you are trying to be creative. I agree that you may do as you wish once you have purchased the product. I am currently paying out of pocket for my ports, since I have not yet persuaded my DME to stock them, so cannot get them through my insurance. I may try to improvise.

The cost of the ports is completely comparable to the mask cushions. I don't see people trying to mcGyver them. However I know many people use their cushions for longer than the recommended 2 weeks. It may prove difficult to extend the life of a pair of bleep ports. Spirit gum? new tape? Buy the system and go ahead - McGuyver to your hearts content.

[palerider]

However I know many people use their cushions for longer than the recommended 2 weeks.

Obligatory "the only reason there is a 2 week recommendation on replacing nasal pillows is that the greedy DMEs can't bill their insurance any more frequently. If they could, they'd tell you to buy a new cushion every week, or every day, (however often they could bilk you and your insurance out of more money). There's no justifiable *reason* to replace nasal cushions that often.

[Miss Emerita]

I’ve tried the bleep and have decided that for now I’ll keep using my P10, though it’s a close call. The bleep gave me the experience of seeing a zero leak line—that was something! (My mouth tape apparently does its job.) Putting the bleep on is fiddly, but once I got the hang of the two clicks per side, it went smoothly enough. The general bleep concept is brilliant.

The minuses for me were:

Vent. I tried using a Resmed filter to diffuse the air from the vent, but it worked well only when I put it right up against the vent and taped it snugly in place, and doing this made me worry that I was interfering with adequate venting of CO2. (I’m a cautious soul.)

Hose. The stiffness of the hose means I can’t use my Hose Buddy, and I like it a lot.

Noise. I spent several hours one afternoon experimenting. I went over the connections among all the bleep pieces, and I think they were all snug. I definitely had the ports fitted correctly. Yet when I connected the short hose to my long hose and fired up the machine, I got an annoying, rustling-type sound that I’m pretty sure is somewhat louder than the P10.

When Dreamport comes out with the next version, I’ll happily try the bleep again. It has a lot going for it, and how else would I ever see another zero leak line??

[palerider]

Vent. I tried using a Resmed filter to diffuse the air from the vent, but it worked well only when I put it right up against the vent and taped it snugly in place, and doing this made me worry that I was interfering with adequate venting of CO2. (I’m a cautious soul.)

There's nothing to worry about, at most, having a resmed coarse filter installed like I suggested drops the vent rate about 1lpm, an insignificant amount.