pad a cheek?

[greatunclebill]

Hey G.U.B., I was just reading your OP again and notice you make reference to "Total Leak". I'm not sure how Respironics machines measure leaks as far as what is acceptable or not. I have a ResMed S9 Autoset and they score you as far as "unintentional leaks" with anything under 24.0 l/min deemed to be acceptable as the machine can compensate for it. I looked up the flow rate chart for the Resmed Ultra Mirage which I'm attaching here:



The way I believe you read this chart (maybe somebody else can confirm or refute this) is that for your pressure range of 8 to 12, the intentional or acceptable leak rate is 32 to 41 l/min. Adding 24 l/min unintentional but still acceptable leak rate to these numbers would result in 56 to 65 l/min Total Leak, as being an acceptable level. So if you have 95% Total Leaks of 64 to 70, maybe your leaks aren't really too bad after all??? I may be way off base with this post, but just asking if this is a possibility?

thanks for that. my system one doesn't give leak data like the resmed but i do also use encore viewer which is a pr product. it identifies what it considers as large leaks. i told you the sleepyhead numbers for last night. encore for the same data tells me 67 minutes total in large leak and 21% of the night in large leak with the average leak being 44.

for comparison,

here is the graph from sleepyhead:

[attachment=142]

here is the graph from encore viewer:

[attachment=143]

[moondoggy]

Well, I'm going to give you a different opinion. I have a Resmed Softgel nasal mask which I selected because it caused the least problems with red marks on my nose. The problem with the softgel is that it's heavy and larger than most masks so when you turn to sleep on your side, you usually end up with a lot of leaks. Before I got a PadACheek liner my AHI was about 7.0 whereas my AHI now is about 3.5 and I feel that my leak rate is down because I'm no longer awaken by face farts.

[PaulaO2]

Before I got a PadACheek liner my AHI was about 7.0 whereas my AHI now is about 3.5 and I feel that my leak rate is down because I'm no longer awaken by face farts.

You owe me a new keyboard.

[zonk]

Intentional leak rates for masks and exhalation ports
Philips Respironics sleep therapy devices report and/or display total leak rates.
Total leak = intentional leak plus unintentional leak
This chart provides the intentional leak rates of our mask exhalation ports at various pressure settings.
Unintentional leak = total leak minus intentional leak (from mouth, mask, etc.)
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/asset....111027.pdf

[b360155]

G.U.B. Thanks for posting your graphs. Now I better understand how the different companies measure leak rates. I always wondered how people could sleep at all when they were getting leak rates in the 60's or 70's. The way Resmed measures leaks (unintentional leaks), anything in the 60's or 70's would sound like a hurricane! Anyway, good luck on finding a method to get your leaks under better control.

Well, I'm going to give you a different opinion. I have a Resmed Softgel nasal mask which I selected because it caused the least problems with red marks on my nose. The problem with the softgel is that it's heavy and larger than most masks so when you turn to sleep on your side, you usually end up with a lot of leaks. Before I got a PadACheek liner my AHI was about 7.0 whereas my AHI now is about 3.5 and I feel that my leak rate is down because I'm no longer awaken by face farts.

Moondoggy: Like I said, some people have said they experience lower leaks with the Padacheek. That just hasn't been my experience. However, I do think it's a great product and although leaks are a little higher for me with the Padacheek, it still is within the acceptable range and makes mask wearing more comfortable, so I use them. Here's a comparison of 2 typical leak rate graphs for me with my Quattro FX:

1. Without Padacheek


2. With Padacheek

Intentional leak rates for masks and exhalation ports
Philips Respironics sleep therapy devices report and/or display total leak rates.
Total leak = intentional leak plus unintentional leak
This chart provides the intentional leak rates of our mask exhalation ports at various pressure settings.
Unintentional leak = total leak minus intentional leak (from mouth, mask, etc.)
http://www.healthcare.philips.com/asset....111027.pdf

Zonk: Thanks! So what shows up on the graphs as 0.0 l/min on ResScan will show up as something much higher on Respironics and others which only provide total leaks. Makes sense now.

[oldteddybear]

I had a very hard time finding a mask that did not leak, going through nearly all of the DME's stock of samples. The last one that they tried was the Respironics EasyLife nasal mask which has worked for me 98% of the time(a couple of times I had a problem getting it to do the initial seal when I went to bed and had to shut the machine off to start again because of facial hair). It has a separate seal and support system which helps if you toss and turn at night.