Taping Quattro Elbow? Who?

Who taped their elbow in their Quattro? How did you do this?

Also - has anyone had their Quattro elbow replaced? Or the entire unit?

I'm calling my sleep center Monday and and ask for a new mask - hope this works out because I love the Quattro - except for this pesky elbow leak!

If I can't get a replacement, I'm taping!

I confess, it was me. I just wrapped teflon tape around the end of the elbow before inserting it into the mask.

Has any one heard if Resmed plans to fix this defect by means of a recall or replacement?

Wonderful! Was the elbow easy to take off?

Hey - if it works and helps others...

When someone is willing to take an expensive mask and modify it in anyway - kudos to your adventurous spirit!

You need RG's lab rat award!

Thanks!

I'll call Resmed tomorrow and will check with my sleep center - will update tomorrow night.

Sleepyred

[quote="cwsanfor"]Has any one heard if Resmed plans to fix this defect by means of a recall or replacement?

I don't know how the Quattro is made where it leaks (I don't have one), but just in case what I did with my Hybrid elbow might work on the Quattro, I'll pass it on.

I can't take credit for this one, as I read it somewhere else. On the Hybrid, there's a little groove where the elbow rotates. I took some sewing thread and wrapped it around in that groove, which puts the thread in between two pieces of plastic. The elbow still rotates and the air is not leaking there anymore. It's hard to explain, so I hope it makes sense. Again, don't know if the Quattro elbow is made the same way, but thought I'd throw the idea out there.

Pam

I know some are having leaks at the elbow to mask frame location however, still after several weeks and even now disassembly I have zero leaks there. Is it possible they (Resmed) made some defective first units? I have noted elsewhere I have even bumped mine off during night (not a good design) and it still does not leak.. seems I can not make it leak at the elbow

I wonder if the elbows might have had a bad batch? Rather than the whole mask? The mask parts are made separately and then assembled. It's possible a bad batch of elbows or a bad batch of mask coupling parts were/are out there.

I like the thread idea! You could probably also create a gasket with a rubber band. Maybe cut one down and glue it into that groove.

Cheers,
B.

maybe that company should be "commended" for all their outstanding customer service efforts?

all you have to do is call one of these numbers below and ask for that ole witch Hazel. Tell them you are a patient, see how far you get:

ResMed Corp
14040 Danielson Street
Poway CA 92064-6857
Email: reception@resmed.com
Website: http://www.resmed.com
Fax: +1 (858) 746-2900
Telephone: +1 (858) 746-2400
Telephone: 1-800-424-0737 (toll free)
Contact: Ms Caroline Carr, VP,
Global Customer Operations

Should your ResMed device require servicing, please contact your equipment provider. If you need assistance in locating a provider in your area, contact ResMed Customer Service M–F between 6am and 5pm Pacific Time..

Well I called the above 800 number above and asked if others were complaining of the same thing "oh no we have not heard of that problem before..." I then asked what I could do to get it resolved? I was told to contact the DME where I purchased it.

I did, I sent an email to Mark at CPAPUSA.COM with the same question, hey has anyone else had a problem with this mask hissing via the elbow? Reply I got back was No, no one else is complaining of that problem. "But" I'll put your comments on our website.

Oh they did, I bought it from one of those so called "Resmed Preferred Providers", CPAPUSA.COM. Nice guy, responds to your questions, but if you have problem with a product purchased, don't expect him to volunteer any suggestions or take your question and complaint with any kind of concern.

Here is what they put up:, I'm assuming those were my comments from my email:

I've used the Ultra Mirafe Full Face Mask for 3 years, compared to the UMFF, this new Quattro mask has a major hissing problem where it was supposed to be 50% quieter.
The hissing noise doesn't appear to be coming from the cushion area or leaking between the cushion and skin, it appears to be coming from the flapper valve in the elbow, like the flapper valve doesn't seal completely when CPAP pressure is applied.
I'll keep trying to use it, but it is getting annoyingly loud.

But the point is, I have to be careful of what I say here or I'll be accused of just bashing Resmed for the fun of it. When I have a problem with one of their products, I have to wait until you guys all start complaining of the "same" thing before I can do anything about it.

I don't really place any blame on CPAPUSA.COM, I'm just one of the poor "suckers" that was unfortunate enough to be one of first few to purchase the Quattro.

I've been doing this long enough to know if you do that, you'll get burned more times than not.

I tried to forewarn you people about the elbow hissing problem in advance, that is all I can do.

I'm not a newbie at this, I've purchased enough masks over the years to know what is normal and what is not. I had a problem with the Soyala Full Face too, it was due to their sizing guide being off. My measurements were correct, their mask guide was off. I knew their nasal version was great and the Full Face couldn't be that bad. But I didn't give up on it, I analyzed it, took measurements, took photographs of it, sent those off to Somnotech, he sent me a replacement mask the correct size this time, it resolved the problem.

Resmed? Package I got says it comes with a 30-day defect warranty, but how in the hell do you exercise it? How do you show someone it is leaking right "here"?

You contact the manufacturer of the problem, they say "oh you have to contact the DME" No one else is reporting this problem? No. you have to contact your DME.

You contact DME about problem. No one else is complaining.

At this point, all you can do is go to FDA website, file complaint of the problem there. It is a medical device, then it becomes permanent record. But unless it can be shown where it impedes the function of the device or causes bodily harm, they won't do anything about it.

I know Wally bought his from the same place I bought mine, his review is right below mine. I reported the steps I went through here.

Buyer beware is all I can say.

ooops! that is what happens when you type with your index fingers.

It is interesting yesterday you reported that mask was working fine.

I kind of experienced the same thing, it seems to be intermittent. It starts leaking, the mask is making all kinds of noise, you grab the elbow try and move it around to isolate the leak and it disappears.

Because it "comes and goes" so suddenly, I suspected it was the anti-asphyxia flapper valve getting stuck or not sealing. The leak when it happens on mine is HUGE, it is not some minor leak at a swivel or something it is a large leak. But every night I used that mask I was woken up with it hissing away.

Those leak characteristics tell me it is the silicone "flapper" valve, but it is definitely coming from the elbow. I don't know if you guys are shallow "breathers" or not, but I know I am, I breathe so shallow sometimes the machine may even pick them up as centrals.

That valve works with pressure. When you turn on your machine that valve closes, it is supposed to open when pressure is lost in the mask. That is the "pop" you hear when you turn on your machine, that valve closing and sealing.

I examined that swivel connection with the base of the mask, I don't think my leak is coming from there. I suspect it is a defective flapper valve. I removed mine as the video showed, replaced it, same thing next morning about 5AM.

I haven't been having the problem lately, because the Quattro is in my DUD drawer and I've been using my Soyala.

it does work fine if that comment was directed to me.. I have yet to have a leak at the elobw only problem i noted is I have knocked the elobw off twice now during sleep to be awaken with the blast of air free falling from hose elbow.
I think that makes it a bad design just since it comes off easy it appears.. I do NOT have a leak at the elbow after knocking it off and fumbling while half asleep putting it back on while stil having mask on..

Now I have totally disassembled it re-assembled it and stil zero leaks at the elbow.. The Quattro is much better then my UMFF and I never thought that would be possible..

I still think the first batch might of had problems mine came from a new delibery 5/22/07 received that morning direct from Resmed rep to the DME. I assume they must be close to factory but who really knows.. anyway great mask for me

I've emailed and called Resmed, no reply. Don't really expect one. I did hear back from Mark at cpapusa, and he's been accommodating. I just haven't decided what I want to do. I would expect most any reputable company would have Fedexed me a replacement by now, but this is Resmed, and they suck.

Mine has a minor leak, very positional, but it's an unacceptable defect.

cwsanfor

Have you determined if your leak is at the elbow or frame connection? Or maybe is a valve issue as snoredog has mentioned. In looking at the little flapper valve I am betting snoredog is right those that leak have a defective or maybe slightly out of position valve. In the re-assemble video they do state to make sure the valve is seated back in the clips I did note when I cleaned mine and reassembled I thought at first the base of the valve was seated but looking closer I saw the edges were up a little on one side I pushed it back and the valve seemed to seat all the way down .. anyway still zero leaks in that are elbow or valve. I am sold on the quattro

I'm not much of a mechanic, but I'm pretty sure it's at the frame. The flapper looks right to me, and if it were the flapper, lateral motion by the hose (or finger) would not affect the noise, I think.

I've just emailed my vendor for a replacement or repair.

The mask is comfy, and I got a 0.4 AHI 0.0 OAI last night. It just has this annoying defect that Resmed is too arrogant or slow to fix. I dislike trading with them.

Unless I see some evidence to the contrary, I have to believe that Resmed is entirely too insulated from its end users, at least in the USA. Seems like most products which can be purchased have a customer help number with folks at least somewhat interested in assisting with problems. I know that this is a medical product, with the machines requiring a prescription, but if I refuse to receive a product, then they don't sell it. If I don't receive good backing following purchasing a product, I'll look to a different line the next time around.

They do have a means for customers to contact them through their website. (http://www.myresmed.com/MyResMedUS/page.do, then 'contact us' at the lower left.) I had a couple of responses from their 'Senior Clinical Patient Advocate' as a result of a question regarding the seeming undercapacity of the 3i humidifier; while she tried to be helpful, she was stuck on the possibility of the humidifier being defective, rather than inherently insufficient.

Perhaps if enough folks contacted them directly regarding the leak problem, they might get the message. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting, though.