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Julie wrote:And I'm not really sure you can create such a thing anyhow because unfortunately, whether we like it or not, our faces change a fair amount from one position to another. What works for me in one position produces unmentionable sounds and unfixable leaks in others.

If someone was serious about doing this which I doubt will ever happen for various reasons, wouldn't they be able to at least test for this under certain conditions? I have absolutely no knowledge of how masks are created so perhaps I am shooting in the dark. But I do wonder.

And if sleep medicine dentists can create one for folks who need a full face mask for combination pap therapy/oral appliance treatment, I wonder if it is really as hard as we think to do this. Then again, there has been no objective evaluations of this treatment that I am aware of so that is something else to consider.

49er

My face is not compatible with any ResMed full face mask, but I found the gel full face mask
made by Respironics worked, due to it having an unusually deep cushion.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-com ... -mask.html
The 30-day return insurance is very reasonable, indicating not many are returned.
Gel weighs more, but it makes little difference lying down.

So I understand the fitting stuff, when my current mask is strapped down I sleep fine. The problem is the by product of a mask that does not fit my face by 2cm at the bottom of my chin. (I have also tried on almost everything that Walgreens respiratory carries.)

The information on the Australian company, TUREFit was perfect, that is exactly what I thought was out there. Basically old school technology.

I know two technologies that might make the process vastly better and cheaper.

1. Digital scanning of your face. Instead of taking a mold of you face I know a technology that can make a perfect 3D rendering of your face based on a simple Skype conversation. All the person has to do it turn their face 180 degrees on camera.

2. 3D printing. Both the silicon parts and hard plastic resin are easily rendered by cheap and accessible 3D printers. All you have to do is write the code that will allow you to take the digital 3D scans and turn them into printed masks. Frankly, that is my business and I know I can make that happen.

The hard part is the design of the mask beyond the parts that hit your face, the air flow, hose connections, ect. There is quite a bit of innovation on that side of the mask and that is an expertise i do not have.

But saying that, I am sure, if you could get that expertise, you could easily build a company, like Warby Parker or Dollar Shave Club, that delivers their business via the web. The start-up cost is not that big and the market seems that it might be receptive to that innovation. Again, I know I would.

I wish you luck; it is a small niche for such a huge outlay, but anything can happen.
Considering the variety of masks available--but not always accessible--I had hoped that someone
would someday utilize 3D imaging to help people with "non-standard" faces find the best fitting mask.
Of course the imaging would have to be done lying down for better accuracy.
Somebody would have to work out a way to make it profitable . . . (not me, no talent, and retired)

Today I contacted TrueFITTM Custom CPAP Mask at 877-242-7951. He works in Madison, WI making prosthetic devices, and custom CPAP masks. I hope he can help me, and maybe he can help you too. Good luck.

Please let us know what the bottom line is.

I would like to know what you found out also.

49er

There is a company working on using 3D printing to create masks. Maybe you can beg to be a beta tester. http://www.prweb.com/releases/Metamason ... 042981.htm

BlowingWithTheWind wrote:There is a company working on using 3D printing to create masks. Maybe you can beg to be a beta tester. http://www.prweb.com/releases/Metamason ... 042981.htm

Thanks, I just emailed the PR contact in the hope she can refer me to the right person. If I don't receive a response, I will call the company directly to see about beta testing.

49er