Does anyone make custom masks?

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:24 pm

If not, why not?

I know that custom orthotics are available for your feet, so it seems that a mask, custom made for an individual's own facial structure would eliminate a lot of the mask hoping and adjustments that we must go through in order to get a good fit.

Susan

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 7:36 pm

Yelp, over in OZ.

Someone here probably has a link to the site....it's interesting.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:44 pm

Have seen "custom" masks mentioned before. Don't remember the sites. One was in Australia, as JeffH said.

My one qualm about how effective a custom mask would be is that our skin, muscles, and "fat" in the cheeks, do shift depending on which sleep positions we turn to during sleep. Gravity, as well as the pillow being used, can sure change how a mask fits, feels, or works when a person tilts their head one way or another or turns over.

I can imagine a custom mask fitting beautifully (like most any mask can) while a person is sleeping in one position. I can also see it becoming about as leaky as any other mask if a person moved into other sleeping positions.

I wonder if "custom mask" is something that looks good on paper but wouldn't perform quite as hoped for with a toss'n'turn sleeper or even moderately active sleeper.

The "Headrest" (also called "Aura" or "Twilight NP") mask has me so spoiled. It's the only mask I've ever used that allows me to put the side of my face flat against the head pillow, like in the "good old days before cpap." I think even a "custom" mask in the traditional style of mask would annoy the heck out of me when I felt it between my face and the pillow when sleeping on my side.

Of course, I do add a homemade strap across the front to steady the "Headrest" mask...toss and turn sleeper that I am.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:12 pm

rested gal wrote: <snip>

Of course, I do add a homemade strap across the front to steady the "Headrest" mask...toss and turn sleeper that I am.

...and cut off the lockbox lookalike headgear....

O.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:14 pm

Here is the Aussie guy who makes them. This is his Mark II design (a biiiig improvement over Mark I (dubbed the phantom of the Opera version ))

http://www.sleepapneamasks.com.au/

DSM

allergyridden · Post by **allergyridden** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:18 am

It seems to come down on the upper lip quite a bit. Does the twilight come down that far? Rested gal has me considering the twilight. It could be my "Halloween Mask."

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:35 am

I am just waiting for someone to invent a device that injects oxygen into the bloodstream, right thru the skin.

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 7:47 am

rested gal wrote: The "Headrest" (also called "Aura" or "Twilight NP") mask has me so spoiled. It's the only mask I've ever used that allows me to put the side of my face flat against the head pillow, like in the "good old days before cpap." I think even a "custom" mask in the traditional style of mask would annoy the heck out of me when I felt it between my face and the pillow when sleeping on my side.

Hey "Rested Gal," can you let me know the web-address to find this mask you speak about? Thanks!

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:08 am

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/aeiome ... rface.html

My absolute favorite too, and for the same reasons.

O.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 8:29 am

Dgrendahl wrote:Hey "Rested Gal," can you let me know the web-address to find this mask you speak about? Thanks!

In addition to the link to the picture ozij posted, here's another link which has some reviews:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=1717&PAID=215

Don't be fooled by the bulky, heavy look of the "lockbox" (as we affectionately call that thing on top.) It's not heavy at all. Very light.

I can wear that mask either way -- with or without the headgear. I prefer it without.

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:17 am

That mask without the dreadful headgear is very light indeed.

The home-made straps are light in weight as well, so together they make a winning combination.

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:37 am

ozij wrote:

It just dawned on me...I sleep on my back so this mask would do me NO good. Am I right or am I wrong?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:49 am

I guess you could call this a "custom" mask in a way.

Pics of what's left of the Headrest mask after decapitation:

Catnapper:
viewtopic.php?t=19113

Strap routing drawn on a mannequin head picture:
viewtopic.php?t=16755

Linda3032:
viewtopic.php?t=6832

Where I cut the plastic to remove headgear:
viewtopic.php?t=5919
(picture is on page 2 of that topic)

My decapitated Headrest and red "leg" straps:
viewtopic.php?t=17514

Wearing the infamous pantyhose straps:
viewtopic.php?t=10171
I put it on hastily for a picture. Normally I have the bottom strap folded less wide (doesn't cover mouth) and routed upward in front of ears instead of straight back.

__________________________________

Topics about hanging the main air hose up out of the way. Helpful for just about any mask, not just the Headrest mask:

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (same mask has had other names: Aeiomed Aura, then Headrest, then Invacare Twilight NP, then back to Headrest again.)
viewtopic.php?t=3098

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 10:59 am

Dgrendahl wrote:It just dawned on me...I sleep on my back so this mask would do me NO good. Am I right or am I wrong?

You can sleep on your back perfectly comfortably with this mask. It's one of the few masks that works well in any sleeping position -- on sides, back, and even stomach.

I understand what you mean, Dgrendahl. It's confusing when you see pictures of the connector hose routed down behind. I don't know why mask manufacturers use that kind of picture. It's bound to be a turn-off for back sleepers who think that means the hose has to go down the back of the head.

After going through the guide on top of head, the connector tube is loose at top of head. Most of us use a hose hanger on wall or headboard to hang the main air hose up out of the way. The Headrest connector hose easily can go upward from top of head whether you're wearing the original headgear or not. If you use a hose hanger of some kind to keep the main air hose up anyway, the Headrest's connector tube stays up out of the way, too.

The loose connector tube doesn't have to hang down behind head at all the way it's shown in the advertising pictures.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:10 am

rested gal wrote: <snip>... I don't know why mask manufacturers use that kind of picture -- bound to be a turn-off for back sleepers who see that.
<snip>

Maybe they're trying to save money - color printing of brochures is expensive, and putting the hose above the model's head either needs more space, or makes the head and seal part of the picture smaller.... and I have to admit that there's something less elegant about a picture of the hose coming from above, with all that empty space around it, and the all those head / face details dangling beneath (it also has an "ouch, my nostrils" factor to the uninitiated. This way there's this cool elagant loop to entice your eyes around the picture -- so who cares how it's used...

O.

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i

Does anyone make custom masks?

Does anyone make custom masks?

Custom mask

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