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Mask Leak Fix (long)

Posted by Kiwi Bob on August 06, 2001 at 02:30:24:

I have been on CPAP for about 16 months. I have lurked on this list for much of that time and learnt a great deal from the different posts. It's time I contributed something that may help somebody else. Over that time I have also struck many of the problems and frustrations commented on by others. This therapy seems to be an evolutionary experience, often 2 steps forward and 1 back. I was able to try several different CPAP machines in the early days and for various reasons settled on a Sullivan V CPAP with Humidaire humidifier and Respironics Profile Custom nasal mask. My pressure is currently 11cm H2O. More recently I tried a Breeze unit. I found it very difficult to maintain an adequate seal (perhaps I have odd shaped nostrils?) so have reverted back to the Profile Custom mask.

The Profile Custom mask is supposedly mouldable after soaking in boiling water. I have not found this particularly successful. The major problem I had with this mask was leaks either side of the nose and up into the eyes. After some thought and experimentation I have made a modification to my mask that has eliminated this problem for me and may be of help to others.

Where the gel cushion is square on to the face it can seal well, like on the upper jaw below the nose and either side of the nostrils. Higher up the wedge shape of the nose flexes it outward and it is not possible to get the same pressure and consequent seal. I have glued 2 pieces of perspex about 40mm x 15mm x 4mm thick to either side of the mask facing upward. An additional small wedge is glued between these pieces of perspex and the body of the mask for additional support. An aluminium plate about 35mm x 40mm is screwed to these pieces of perspex and extends down alongside the gel either side of the nose. When you put the mask on the nose tries to splay the gel outwards but is prevented by the aluminium plates. This provides additional pressure on the sides of the nose and consequently a much better seal. This side pressure could be adjusted by bending the plates in or out, although I found this unnecessary. I appreciate it is very difficult to explain something like this in words so have a couple of photographs and a drawing to try and make it clearer. If anyone would like this information you can contact me by email.

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