AEIOMed Twilight NP - the rubber band trick

SevereApnea1 · Post by **SevereApnea1** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 7:53 pm

[quote="SevereApnea1"]Looking at the Aura Mask pictures, I can't tell if the nasal system has "prongs" like the Infiniti HC481A or "prongs" like the PB Breeze SleepGear or a "pillow" like the Respironics ComfortCurve. For those who use the system, can somebody post a JPEG picture? Thanks!!!

_________________

I went to the AEIOmed website and blew up their PDF 200% to see that the Aura Mask has nasal prongs like the PB Breeze Sleep Gear.

http://www.aeiomed.com/press/perfect_poster.pdf

My preference is for the nasal pillow like on the ComfortCurve. Does anybody know of another nasal pillow (with no intrusion into the nostril prongs) system?

Jerry69 · Post by **Jerry69** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 9:42 pm

SevereApnea1 wrote:Looking at the Aura Mask pictures, I can't tell if the nasal system has "prongs" like the Infiniti HC481A or "prongs" like the PB Breeze SleepGear or a "pillow" like the Respironics ComfortCurve. For those who use the system, can somebody post a JPEG picture? Thanks!!!

Like the Breeze and Swift.

Jerry

laurel · Post by **laurel** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 10:25 am

The rubberband trick rocks! I used it last night for the first time and I'm so very pleased.

I received my Aura/Headrest at the end of January and gave up on it after one night because I just couldn't get a good seal. I hated to do that because I absolutely *love* the interface and the way the straps work and everything, but it just felt like I wasn't getting a decent seal. So I went back to my good old Swift.

But last night I tried the Aura again with the rubberbands. Yay!

I'm probably going to visit Aeiomed sometime this week or next week; I'd contacted them regarding my seal issue and they invited me over (they're in Minneapolis, I'm in Minneapolis). I'm going to bring up the seal issue and the sizing issue (I have to tighten the head straps about as tight as they can go to keep it on my head, I'm glad there's just enough velcro left that I can keep it on and not resort to the pantyhose trick!). Will definitely mention how helpful this forum has been-- heck, I may show them the rubberband trick. Will report back.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:12 pm

laurel wrote:I'm probably going to visit Aeiomed sometime this week or next week; I'd contacted them regarding my seal issue and they invited me over (they're in Minneapolis, I'm in Minneapolis). I'm going to bring up the seal issue and the sizing issue (I have to tighten the head straps about as tight as they can go to keep it on my head, I'm glad there's just enough velcro left that I can keep it on and not resort to the pantyhose trick!). Will definitely mention how helpful this forum has been-- heck, I may show them the rubberband trick. Will report back.

Tell them they would sell a zillion more Auras if they had smaller headgear. They have only to look back at all the posts to see how many people gave up because it was too big. Just for grins, you might also want to mention the new name --Everest Aura Headrest-- can't be helping their sales. Conjures up images of an enormous bulky obstacle you have to lay your head in to keep it immobile all night....

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:09 pm

SevereApnea1 wrote: My preference is for the nasal pillow like on the ComfortCurve. Does anybody know of another nasal pillow (with no intrusion into the nostril prongs) system?

The Respironics Comfort Curve has an odd little cushion. I don't know of any other interface like it. (Thank goodness. )

Even though the Comfort Curve's cushion doesn't cover the nose like a traditional nasal mask, it does surround the nares in front -- covering them. It attempts to make a seal around the outside of the nares, thus making it a nasal mask.

Respironics' own product description of the Comfort Curve doesn't call the little nasal part a "pillow" -- they refer to it with the same terminology as used in nasal masks, as a "cushion."

nasal prongs - cannulas that are inserted firmly up into the nostrils, relying on the inside rims of the nares (nostril openings) as well as optional headgear to hold them in place. Prongs create their seal inside the nostrils.
Examples of "prongs" interfaces:
Innomed NasalAire II
Innomed Freestyle
Fisher & Paykel Infiinity HC481
Tiara Snapp
Viasys Lyra

nasal pillows - open tips barely inserted into the nostrils, relying almost entirely on headgear to keep them in place. Pillows create their seal mostly outside and against the front of the nostrils.
Examples of "pillows" interfaces:
Aeiomed Headrest (Aura)
ResMed Swift
Puritan Bennett Breeze
Respironics ComfortLite
Adams Circuit

oral interface - a mouthpiece delivering air into the mouth only.
Example:
Fisher & Paykel Oracle

nasal mask - covers the nose.
Examples:
ResMed Mirage Activa
ResMed Ultra Mirage
Puritan Bennett DreamFit
SomnoTech SomnoPlus
Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 405,6,7
DeVilbiss Serenity
several Respironics masks including the Comfort Curve

full face mask - covers mouth and nose.
Examples:
ResMed Ultra Mirage FF
Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC431
Hans Rudolph FF
Respironics ComfortFull

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:32 am

Bump.

This really should be made into a sticky.

O.

Aswab · Post by **Aswab** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 12:32 pm

Bump - I agree with Sticky idea.

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 9:43 pm

Thanks J. C. Carn. Just got my Aura and the rubberband fix is fabulous!

Doovid · Post by **Doovid** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:13 pm

The re-posting of all this info is great timing for me!!! After reading many of the postings (obviously not all) about the Aura, I ordered and received the mast this Wednesday. I tried for two nights everything I could think of to get a good seal, and failed! The head band appeared comfortable, but just couldn't get the pillows to make a good seal. I was really down, since so many had good reports on using the mask...

After reading about the rubber band fix, I immediately got my mask and made the modification. It certainly feels like a great seal...I'll be trying it tonite.

Prior to this the only mask I've found to be personally comfortable is the Swift. After tying the hose extension in the "up" position, it's very comfortable, abeit a little mositure condensation at times...

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 10:47 am

Doovid and all new Aura (Headrest) users: It's almost imperative to buy an Aussie heated hose to prevent rainout witht he Aura.

Without a heated hose, you will most certainly get rainout. Even with a heated hose (covered with 3 hose covers), I still get some rainout.

Doovid · Post by **Doovid** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:22 am

After doing the band trick lasst nite (had perfect fit...no leakeage), I plugged in my smart card and ran the My emcore software. Is it possible that I could have these readings: AH:0; H:0. Even the snore was down significantly. Previosu reading were giving me an AHI of 3.4 to 5.6.

Guess I'll have to try it again to seee if results remain the same or similiar....

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 12:07 pm

Doovid,

Yes, it is possible and you did it. Congratulations - and welcome to the Aura Appreciation Club, a/k/a the AAC, or the HAC (Headrest Appreciation Club), of which I am an avid member. Keep up the wonderful results!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:48 pm

Thanks!! I was thinking that perhaps my CPAP had shorted out the smart card (LOL) and the result were erroneous.

I can't understand if their is any correlation between using a different mask (with a great fit) and how the apnea incidences would drop to zero. It seems to me that they would still occur, just that a good fitting mask would allow for the machine to respond more efficiently. You learn something new every day!!

Jere · Post by **Jere** » Sat Apr 15, 2006 9:59 pm

No doubt that a good seal is essential to good results.
.

PhilinOK · Post by **PhilinOK** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:15 am

Got my Aura / Headrest last week, it wouldn't seal, nasal pillows too small. Called Aura - got new XL pillows, tried them, not quite sealing well enough. Did the rubber band trick, and it works like a champ. AHI is down, snores are down, and it is great not having anything touching my face. Thanks guys!!!

AEIOMed Twilight NP - the rubber band trick

Re: Nasal prongs on the AEIOmed Aura Mask? Or a nasal pillow

Re: Nasal prongs on the AEIOmed Aura Mask? Or a nasal pillow

thank you

Re: thank you

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