Chin cushion for mouth leaks

[AReedy]

For several months after starting with my Resmed  machine I was having continual problems with jaw drop and mask leakage. Tried mouth guard, chin straps, taping, etc. with not a lot of success. So I invented my own jaw holderupper device.  It consists of:

1.  A 4 inch long piece of 1.5 inch diameter pvc pipe  wrapped in several socks to a diameter of 4 inches and then covered with another sock with the toe cut off, stretched over the roll and tucked in around the  pipe. This forms the chin pillow.

2. Seven feet of parachute cord

3. One 12 x 12 inch wash cloth

4. Mr Pen bag clips

2 and 4  are available from Amazon, pvc pipe from your friendly plumber or home store (probably in 10 foot lengths).

The wash cloth is firmly rolled around the cord to form a pillow. Hold in place with rubber bands. This forms as cushion for the back of the neck so the cord doesn't irritate your skin.

Then  the parachute cord is threaded through the center of the pvc  twice and a "half knot" looped below the cushion for tightening. So the jaw  is supported firmly up from the collarbone and not pulled from the top. Instant success. My MyAir app shows no leakage at all for the last several  weeks.

Adrian

[G. Szabo]

Seeing a device that would not pull your jaw backward is good. But a soft neck brace might have the same effect as your device.
Or am I missing something?

[HalfAsleep]

I would be concerned about strangulation.

[AReedy]

Not a problem.  I leave it slightly loose so I can get two fingers behind it.  Even if it's pulled as tight as possible it does not impede breathing.  Prove it for yourself.  Roll up a medium sized hand towel (attached photo is 28"x16") and secure with rubber bands.  Place it under your chin and push very hard while breathing. I have no problem breathing while doing this.

[AReedy]

I've tried a Walgreen cervical collar and find the velcro attach material, the wide 3 inchs around the neck and the rough materal to be irirtating. The soft part at the front crushes down and lets your jaw drop. My "stiff" device does not crush down and entirely prevents jaw drop. And I find it comfortable and non irritating on the skin.

[ejbpesca]

I empathize with your attempts to solve jaw drop.  To get a collar to work I have to tighten it to the point I feel it is choking me.  If I loosen it my jaw drops to the inside of the collar.

It's great that you have found a new way to prevent jaw drop.

I was just thinking yesterday of how to rig a neck pillow to wear backward to maybe solve jaw drop.  I don't think that will work.

I wish you the best with your invention.

[OpalRose]

new way to prevent jaw drop.
I was just thinking yesterday of how to rig a neck pillow to wear backward to maybe solve jaw drop.  I don't think that will work.

I used to use a toddler size travel neck pillow worn backwards. I asked a friend to sew on each end two pieces of elastic with Velcro similar to any headgear strap, so it could be secured in the back.
Worked fairly well... eventually I was able to keep my head and neck aligned without it.

[TonyJ]

Very ingenious. You should get that patented and sell it.

[HalfAsleep]

I would be concerned about strangulation with the STRING.

A cervical collar can't inadvertently swivel around and put pressure on the throat. But string around the neck while sleeping seems kinda risky.

[AReedy]

I just pulled it around so the cord was in front of my throat and pulled very hard.  I'm still here.