Mask Leak Rate Experiment

Guys and ladies,

I don't want to yell, but please understand:

In this thread, we are NOT talking about the possible leaks from any particular MASK!
I do understand that probably the majority of people on this forum have issues with mask leaks, it's just that this is not
what this particular thread is about, and I do realize it probably could have had a better name.

My Swift FX does NOT have oxygen ports as far as I know and if it did, and they were leaking at 25 lpm or more iI would feel it!

What this thread is about is the FISHER PAYKEL SLEEPSTYLE 244 CPAP pump, and why it shows a baseline leakage of around 30 lpm even when there
is NO MASK attached and everything is sealed off!

I do realize that someone randomly dropping into this thread would might have no way of knowing what it was about, based on the thread title.

So I'm sorry if that's the case....

larry63 wrote:Guys and ladies,

I don't want to yell, but please understand:

In this thread, we are NOT talking about the possible leaks from any particular MASK!
I do understand that probably the majority of people on this forum have issues with mask leaks, it's just that this is not
what this particular thread is about, and I do realize it probably could have had a better name.

My Swift FX does NOT have oxygen ports as far as I know and if it did, and they were leaking at 25 lpm or more iI would feel it!

What this thread is about is the FISHER PAYKEL SLEEPSTYLE 244 CPAP pump, and why it shows a baseline leakage of around 30 lpm even when there
is NO MASK attached and everything is sealed off!

I do realize that someone randomly dropping into this thread would might have no way of knowing what it was about, based on the thread title.

So I'm sorry if that's the case....

Guess that is a reason to start a new thread since the thread starter did not state the problem that the thread has evolved into. There are not many users of this machine, so it will be difficult to find the kind of following available for problems on ResMed and Respironics machines. Good Luck!!!

Most machines are mean't to have a hose and mask strapped to a live breathing person. I'm not sure what they would do about having their output blocked off completely. There are ways to test the output by plugging the hose with something with a set size hole in it, to allow the unit to work, while the pressure is measured. That's how it's done to cal the unit. Jim

And no I don't know off hand what size the hole needs to be, I read it somewhere in the last 6 years but the data has been erased or overwritten in my head.

Goofproof wrote:There are ways to test the output by plugging the hose with something with a set size hole in it, to allow the unit to work, while the pressure is measured. That's how it's done to cal the unit. Jim.

Actually Jim that is basically what I did. I completely sealed my Quattro mask except for the exhaust holes. At 10 pressure the chart says that mask should vent 35 l/pm. My Sleepstyle 244 showed a total of 60 l/pm leak rate. According to the manual the Sleepstyle 244 does not adjust in its reporting for the masks, it reports the exhaust flow, mask leak and mouth leak all in one number. Theoretically the leak rate should have shown 35 l/pm, this entire discussion got started because a few of us wonder where the additional 25 l/pm are coming from.

Zeke351

Zeke351 wrote:Actually Jim that is basically what I did. I completely sealed my Quattro mask except for the exhaust holes.

For the sake of science, could you tell us how you sealed the mask?

Zeke351 wrote: I sealed the mask under the silicon seal with a plastic sheet. I verified that there were no leaks except out the exhaust vent. I even went so far as to use soapy water around the edges to look for bubbles of leaking air. I then let it run for 2.5 hours. When I checked the reported leak rate on the machine, guess what it said? Thats right a straight 60 l/pm and no AHI!

GumbyCT here is a quote from my earlier post. The Quattro has a removable seal on the front. The sheet of plastic I used I placed under that and snapped the seal back on.

Zeke351

If that number is what you got, I wouldn't trust the flow numbers from that machine. I'd call the manufacturer and ask them, "What's up Doc." I have found the Remstar Tanks to report numbers true, but I have found vast leak rate differences from the same ComfortGel masks due to poor manufacturing in China, as much as 8 to 10 LPM. Jim

It sounds like the chipmonk thats on the wheel in your unit, hasn't been CAL correctly, I'll bet he's getting tired too. Jim

Larry63,

I finally got a response to my e-mail to F&P..of course it was only to tell me that my question was forwarded to their product manager and he would get back to me! At least I can be sure that there is a human being that works there. LOL

Zeke351

Hi Harry,

Your question has be forwarded to our Product Manager and will get back to you as soon as he can. Thank you for your patience.

Jason Cunanan
Customer Care Specialist
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
15365 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92618