Posted by Jeff Welch on November 05, 1997 at 18:46:28:

Being a newly diagnosed OSA sufferer, I quickly learned that despite the new world opened by my CPAP machine, the mask I was using had definite drawbacks.

The diaphragm on my Healthdyne "Soft Series" mask quickly developed a tear, and after a few days I developed sores on the bridge of my nose and at the bottom of my nose where the mask made contact.

The 4 strap headgeard offered little in the way of adjustability, and since the straps were made of a non-flexible material, all of the pressure holding the mask on is on the mask itself--most notably the two pressure points at the bridge and bottom of the nose.

I've read about folks using lambs wool, band-aids and all kinds of things to make their masks work, but I also heard about the Mirage Mask. It looked like somebody finally has made an effort to design a more "ergonomic" mask and headgear. The triangular-type mask, despite the flexible gelatinous diaphragm would work as well on the face of a German Shepherd as a human. Not so the Mirage.

The headgear, though still pretty much the same 4-strap design, is made of a lycra-like flexible material that better distributes the pressure around the head. The mask itself has some great features, including a better designed, inward curved diaphragm, a smaller profile, and an adjustable cushion system that distributes some of the pressure to the forehead above the eybrows. The adjustments allow for the wearer to determine how near the face the top part of the mask is, allowing some leeway in evening out pressure, depending on individual facial structure. WHAT A CONCEPT!

The cushion arrangement is itself removable, and I assume replacable should it tear, as are other parts of the mask including vent holes. This should come in really handy, especially given the current pricing of the Mirage (you won't have to buy a whole new mask), which brings me to downsides.

The Mirage is EXPENSIVE--I've heard people spending anywhere from $135.00 to $175.00. I contacted ResMed Sandiego (headquarters is actually in Australia), and was referred to a local distributor, and told that ResMed sold direct only to licensed retailer. Maybe the person I spoke with was being sincere, maybe he just wanted to get home, I'm not sure.

At any rate, a call to Apria got me a price of $175.00, Lincare $165.00. I went with Lincare. Oh, yes, my HMO will not pay for Mirage at this time. They will, however, pay for 80% of an endless supply of triangular masks that wear holes in my skin.

Despite it's advances, there are still some design downsides to the Mirage Mask. The vent holes (there are 5) cause air to be vented at approximately a 45 degree angle from the face. Though the literature touts this as a plus, it actually ends up being kind of annoying for your partner. I also wonder whether having 5 holes instead of 1 will effect the pressure of my CPAP. Simple physics make it seem likely. I'll have to check with my respiratory therapists on that one.

The hose assembly comes out the top of the mask, and though this could prove beneficial depending on the layout of your sleeping area, it causes my hose to nudge up against my headboard, where my out-and-down Healthdyne mask went right to the side of the bed (or across my side if I turned over.. Also, the swivel assembly is a bit tight, and I'm somewhat concerned I'll be having damaged hoses soon.

Follow Ups:

• Re: Mirage Mask-Review AJ 11/09/97

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  • Re: Mirage Mask-Review Jeff Welch 11/09/97

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    • Re: Mirage Mask-Review Bob Holbert 11/23/97

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      • Re: Mirage Mask-Review Jeff Welch 11/23/97 (0)

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