Which headgear can fit the PB 420S or E?

bigheadr · Post by **bigheadr** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 9:47 am

I am about to go through the process of selecting a CPAP machine and headgear. My CPAP Titration study said that I only needed a pressure of 7 but I want to get the 420e if I can through my DME. I like the weight of the PB 420 and I would like to be involved with collecting my own data from its software like a number of you are doing. I have to wait for my nurse practitioner to change my prescription to a range rather a set pressure. I used a Profile Lite mask in my titration study and this is on my prescription. I didn't have a problem with the Profile Lite but I haven't tried other masks like the Breeze and the Mirage Swift. I know that the 420 works with the Breeze but does it work with the Mirage Swift? I wear glasses so I think that Mirage has some advantages as well as being light to travel. If weight wasn't concern of mine, I would have gotten the Remstar Pro C-Flex machine since C-Flex sounds great to me and the 420 doesn't have that technology. What other mask fits with the PB 420s?

DME · Post by **DME** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 10:23 am

All brands fit with the 420S and E. The only problem that may occur is the software may record erroneously because it was not tested with a certain mask.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:17 pm

bigheadr, I used a 420E with the Silverlining software. Excellent machine and software, imho. I used a variety of different masks with my 420E - different brands of nasal mask (covers the nose), nasal pillows masks, and full face masks. Got good treatment with any combo.

As the poster nicknamed "DME" mentioned, there can be variations in the data the next day, depending on which interface you're using. All autopaps respond only to what their particular algorithms sense. Consequently they can record only what they sensed happening. Some of the tick marks (or lack thereof) on the data the next day may or may not be correct depending on a lot of factors.

That can be the case even between different masks that are tested and recommended for a particular machine. And can be the case with some individuals and some autopaps. But as far as the treatment itself, the 420E auto worked fine for me with any interface..."mix and match".

Janelle · Post by **Janelle** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:32 pm

there is only one mask you cannot use with the 420s, and that is the new Comfort Curve. You *could* use it is you buy another sensor line as required by the 420s and jury-rig it to go in the hose that is part of the Comfort Curve interface.

If you want travel-light, go for the Swift. Very very light and it doesn't take up any room at all in your bag. Also has its own zippered carry case that is very nice.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 2:47 pm

Good catch, Janelle! Since I tried the Comfort Curve for only awhile (long enough to see that it leaked like crazy for me) I'd forgotten about that new interface. And I was trying it with my REMstar auto.

You're right, Janelle. The Comfort Curve, with the proprietary smaller diameter main air hose that comes with it, wouldn't work with the 420E. At least not without jury rigging a sensor line into the CC's hose, as you said. The 420E uses a standard size main air hose with a sensor tube running through it.

bigheadr · Post by **bigheadr** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:07 pm

Well, I just got word back from the sleep clinic that they will not change my prescription to an autopap because they think that my CPAP pressure of 7 eliminates my apnea without having to prescribe an autopap like a 420E. I guess that I will go with a 420S initially and then if I try it and have problems with it then I will switch to a 420E later on. I might have to buy the Silverlining software from cpap.com if my insurance does cover it or my DME gives me a hard time about it. I think that I will try the Swift because of the lightness and the fact that I can read with my glasses with it.

Heather · Post by **Heather** » Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:27 pm

I just wanted to comment I have the PB 420S with the sensor line and i use the comfortcurve. My sleep doc's office rigged mine up for me all the did was use the 6 ft hose with the sensor and used a little connector piece to connect the comfortcurve tubing and my machine worked fine with it pressure stayed the same and all (we were concerned abotu that at first) and my machine still records data just fine. I just had it read for the first time and I was having 20+ episodes an hr during sleep study and now with the 420 and the comfortcurve I had only 26 episodes in 26 days so they said average of one per night but the doc was very pleased with this. So yes it can be done! Ohh and I was the first person to try the comfortcurve in their office...