Does anyone know of a lubricant to use for a hose connection

grahams · Post by **grahams** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 11:43 am

Hi- I have the DeVilbiss RPM bilevel machine with the 9100D heated humidifier. It has a small hose that must fit onto the same size outlet as the 6 ft hose (on the water reservoir, the outlets are side by side). This hose has a slightly smaller circumference, and it is just terrible trying to get it disconnected from the outlets to clean. Does anyone know of a safe lubricant to use onthese hoses? Thank you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 12:13 pm

SMALL AMOUNT OLIVE OIL

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 1:52 pm

Anonymous wrote:SMALL AMOUNT OLIVE OIL

That might make Popeye jelious! Sorry bad humor!

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:04 pm

How about a silicone lubricant?

VenDexter · Post by **VenDexter** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:15 pm

I would also suggest a silicone based lubricant since they are safe for rubber and plastics.

However, I would be very cautious even about using something silicone based as almost all lubricants are going to have some type of petroleum/synthetic base and many of them, regardless of how safe they are for plastics and rubber, should not be inhaled.

Ideally, you will need to get a medical grade silicone lubricant such as MDM (polydimethylsiloxane) or Dow Corning 360. These are silicone based lubricants that are extremely safe and are even used for applications on or inside the body.

Bearded_One · Post by **Bearded_One** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 3:39 pm

Silicone oil causes certain types of silicone rubber to deteriorate.

grahams · Post by **grahams** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:50 am

Thank you all! Does anyone know where you buy the medical grade silicone lubricants? The only one I could find online was not for retail sale.

DeVilbiss replied to me via a phone message and told me to not put it on so far, or order another one. This is a 15 inch hose and is designed to be very snug...that doesn't help me! LOL

Susan

VenDexter · Post by **VenDexter** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:20 am

Talk to you local medical supply and/or pharmacy.

Ask them about silicone lubricant used for prosthetic eyes. It is polydimethylsiloxane which is what you want. It shouldn't be too terribly expensive since those who wear ocular prostheses have to use the stuff daily and it's over the counter.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:23 am

A couple other thoughts.

Rub some parafin on the connector-make sure you remove any loose "flakes" of wax before connecting the tubing.

Check on temperature recommendations for your tubing before doing this. Heat some water to very hot-boiling if OK for your tubing-put the part of the tubing that has to stretch in the hot water and while it is hot stretch it over the connection.

grahams · Post by **grahams** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:22 am

Thank you again--I will try asking at a drugstore today. I walked aisles yesterday looking for something that would work, as the only pharmacist was busy. I looked at mineral oil, etc, but am afraid to damage the connector.

Also, the paraffin suggestion sounds logical, and I have some in my pantry.

Keep any ideas coming!

PS--this whole cpap (bilevel for me) thing is just unbelievably frustrating. I cannot find a device that is comfortable....have nasal pillows, nasal mask, and Oracle oral. It has been 5 weeks now......have doctor today, sigh. When I get up, tired and cranky from the evenings battle with this and I can't get that darn hose out of the reservoir so I can empty it for airy drying, I could almost cry...........

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:37 am

The plastic quick release fitting won't fit? Is it not a normal hose size?

grahams · Post by **grahams** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:41 am

no, the connector is a bit smaller than the 6ft hose one. Yet the ports are the same size.

Why, is this not normal? Are they usually both the same?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:51 am

I would think it all standard. I too use devillbis, but have the old humidaire heated humidifier. No problem with the plastic release fitting. Have you tried it?

grahams · Post by **grahams** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 11:59 am

no, but would it not be made for the standard connector?

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:01 pm

Just a weird thought offa the top of my head.....could you be trying to put to hose on backwards??

Kajun