building new cpap mask: consumer please answer

My name is Alysia Castillo and I am a student at Capt. John L. Chapin High School currently enrolled in senior year Design and Development class for the pre-engineering magnet program. I am currently working on modifying a CPAP mask for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If you could please take a moment of your time to answer the following questions, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Consumer Survey
1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes No

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
A. Once a week
B. 2-3 times a week
C. 4-6 times a week
D. Over 6 times

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Yes No
4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always
B. Almost Always
C. Occasionally
D. Never

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
1- Very comfortable
2 -slightly comfortable
3- No preference
4- Slightly uncomfortable
5- Extremely uncomfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes No
Without CPAP- Yes No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes No

8. Which mask do you prefer?
A. Nasal mask
B. Nasal prongs
C. Nose cushion
D. Oral mask

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?

You need to add at least a couple more options to #8. Those being "Full Face Mask" and "Hybrid style" (combination of nose pillows and mouth cover)

Good luck with your project.


Den

alysia_castillo@yahoo.com wrote:My name is Alysia Castillo and I am a student at Capt. John L. Chapin High School currently enrolled in senior year Design and Development class for the pre-engineering magnet program. I am currently working on modifying a CPAP mask for those who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea. If you could please take a moment of your time to answer the following questions, I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
Consumer Survey
1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes No

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
A. Once a week
B. 2-3 times a week
C. 4-6 times a week
D. Over 6 times

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Yes No
4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always
B. Almost Always
C. Occasionally
D. Never

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
1- Very comfortable
2 -slightly comfortable
3- No preference
4- Slightly uncomfortable
5- Extremely uncomfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes No
Without CPAP- Yes No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes No

8. Which mask do you prefer?
A. Nasal mask
B. Nasal prongs
C. Nose cushion
D. Oral mask

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?

1. Yes
2. 67 times/hour
3. Prescribed Yes.......required??? not by any law
4. always...100% compliant
5. 2. slightly comfortable
6. I definitely sleep better using apap
7. Yes, when insurance allows only
8. b. Nasal mask
8. first I'd start with an easier format for this survey.........on the mask, I'd like to find a way to get rid of the forehead piece

Hi Alysia,

Your project sounds interesting. I wish you the best of luck!!!!

See my answers below:

alysia_castillo@yahoo.com wrote: Consumer Survey
1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
D. Over 6 times

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Yes

4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
4- Slightly uncomfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes
Without CPAP- No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes

8. Which mask do you prefer?
D. Oral mask

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?

Solve the problem with leaks (air leaking out of the mask) with as small a mask as possible with as few straps as possible and make me not look like a complete dork if possible (not possible).

1. Yes
2 If you mean how many times did I wake up? I would wake up 118 times an hour (I used to be one tired little boy...) If you meant how many times did I get up and out of bed then D over 6 times a week.
3. Yes, it is a prescription
4. A.
5. 1
6. Absolutely yes with CPAP
7. Yes
8. Full face mask
9. Stop the leaks.

If you will take the time to register (it's free) there is a nifty poll feature that would be real handy for this that is available to members.

Do a quick search for "poll" and you may get a better idea. Unfortunately, you would have to repost.

1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
D. Over 6 times

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
No - Has CPAP and mask use been prescribed? Yes. But NO DOCTOR can MAKE me use my CPAP and mask if I am not so inclined. You would do well to reword this question.

4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
1- Very comfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes
Without CPAP- No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes I've been blessed w/Medicare and a good secondary insurance

8. Which mask do you prefer?
A. Nasal mask - Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion
E. Full Face cushion ProBasics Zzz-Mask cushion

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?
The mouth cushion on the Zzz-Mask Small could be a shade wider for the corners of the mouth
For the Simplicty the velcro ends of the headgear should be tapered rather than the same width as the straps
For both the Simplicity and the Zzz-Mask, the headgear, they are both too large for me and I had to do some "lab-ratting" to downsize them a bit.

I prefer 1] lightweight, 2] the less there is to the mask the better, 3] no forehead piece, 4] slightly lower fit off the bridge of the nose, 5] headgear that doesn't thin and break my hair, 6] more stable headgear so it doesn't make such a mess of our hair do.

1.
Yes

2.
D. Over 6 times

3.
No

4.
A. Always

5.
1- Very comfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes
Without CPAP- No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes

8. Which mask do you prefer?
A. Nasal mask (pillow type - Swift LT)

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?
A ball and socket pivot connection between mask pillow frame and mask hose ... just like the one on the Opus mask. Alternatively the Opus would be great with the headgear and pillow design of the Swift LT.

1. Yes
2. Once every night.
3. Yes (prescription)
4. A.
5. 3
6. Better quality sleep with CPAP machine.
7. Yes
8. Full face mask
9.Comfort. (don't touch nose bridge please with FF mask.)

1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
I have no idea as I never sleep without my machine. In my sleep study, my AHI (apnea hypopnea index) was 62 per hour with 37 arousals per hour due to other causes and those did not include my 8-10 trips to pee every night.

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Required? No; it is prescribed.

4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
Every single time I go to sleep at night or take a nap.

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
1- Very comfortable

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it?
I sleep well using my autotitrating CPAP (APAP) machine; in fact, I sleep better than I did with my plain CPAP machine. I had terrible sleep before I got my machine.

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Currently yes.

8. Which mask do you prefer?
Other: I wear a hybrid-style mask. It covers my mouth and has nasal pillows (prongs I think you listed) -- it is considered a form of full face mask.

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?[/quote]
I wish the headgear could be ordered in sizes; I have small head and all the straps overlap and are not positioned quite right for my head shape. Others here have complained the headgear is too small.

Good luck on your project.

1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
D. Over 6 times Diagnosed with 96 apnea events/hour

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
No in the legal sense, but I do have a prescription for a machine/mask.

4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always

5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
2 -slightly comfortable 1.5 moderately comfortable is closer!

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes
Without CPAP- No

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes - Bought out-of-pocket to get what I wanted, even though I have good insurance.

8. Which mask do you prefer?

E. Full face mask (currently use the Hybrid FFM)

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask?

A good mask design should effectively seal to the skin and allow some movement, and not irritate the skin. (No such thing currently exists!)

#9-make sure exhaust is aimed up over head, not straight out at bed partner.

1. Yes
2. 34 times an hour
3. yes
4. A - Always
5. 2 - slightly comfortable
6. Using CPAP - Yes
Without CPAP - No
7. Yes
8. Nasal mask
9. Quieter, not make sounds that follow breathing. Exhaust that doesn't blow back.


The Dreamer.

alysia_castillo@yahoo.com wrote:My name is Alysia Castillo and I am a student at Capt. John L. Chapin High School...

Redesigning all masks is very courageous of you.
1. Yes
2. I never sleep without CPAP. Prior to CPAP I was rated at 32 times per hour - waking once every two minutes - so, yeah - more than six times. I think you'll find everyone answers 'more than six times'.
3. Yes
4. Always
5. All masks are in a range of 'uncomfortable'. There is no 'slightly comfortable.' Ask anyone who wears them. Some masks become more uncomfortable the longer you wear them. Some masks are simply unwearable because they don't fit well regardless of comfort. A better question might be 'how long before you just have to rip the darned mask off?'
6. With - yes
Without - no
7. Barely - with insurance
8. E. Full Face Mask - I know of no one who wears just an oral mask, though I think they make them.
9. Currently there is no mask maker that actually incorporates decent chin support. There is no mask that fits seals all surfaces properly. Design a better seal and a better chin support for all masks and you'll be well on your way to making millions on the wheel of medical fortune.

Consumer Survey
1. Have you been formally diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea?
Yes

2. How often do you wake up due to obstructive sleep apnea (without a CPAP machine) per week?
A. Once a week

3. Are you medically required (by a doctor) to use a CPAP mask while sleeping?
Yes
4. How often do you wear your CPAP mask to sleep?
A. Always


5. How would you rate the comfort ability of your CPAP machine mask on a scale of 1-5?
4- Slightly uncomfortable (glad to take it off in the morning-- but glad to not be O2 deprived and not causing my wife to sleep deprived due to my snoring)

6. Would you say that your CPAP allows you to sleep better while using it? Without using it?
Using CPAP- Yes

7. Are you able to afford a CPAP machine and the different face masks?
Yes

8. Which mask do you prefer?
C. Nose cushion

9. Open Ended: What modifications to the facial mask would you want to improve your machine and mask? I use Optilife Mask (currently with pillows- have used cushions in the past) & have added a neck strap for additional stability--- and enlarged the air holds for greater airflow.