SleepWeaver Elan

[Tom @ Intus]

So I got a response from Circadiance, here is what they said about the leak rates:

Thanks for the feedback and I will address the concerns. Overall, I would inform the patients that there is no need to fret over the leak rates.

SleepWeaver elan leak rates are going to tend to be lower than most competitive masks, even SleepWeaver Advance. The amount of exhalation holes will provide enough exhaled CO2 for the patient. The feather weight tube pressure drop is going to be less than 1 cm H20 for your reference.

Overall, yes the leak rate may be a bit lower but the patient should not be overly concerned as this is the results we have from our product testing which produced the leak chart that is attached.

I've attached the chart as an image, it may help you calibrate your machine as required. Hopefully this is of use and answers any doubts

[martin]

[QUOTE=Tigers Fan;20008]

Before I give it up - how do you nasal breathers keep the air from venting via your mouths?

First time I donned the mask (not to fight crime) my tongue seemed to go up to the roof of my mouth to block venting by itself....seems to stay there most nights. Maybe I just got lucky.

[symmit]

Thanks Tom, I am going to up mine to 10 tonight just to see if the leak rate correlates but it seems steady at 15lpm with pressure at 8 which is well below the curve.

[dravidio]

[QUOTE=martin;20029]

Before I give it up - how do you nasal breathers keep the air from venting via your mouths?

First time I donned the mask (not to fight crime) my tongue seemed to go up to the roof of my mouth to block venting by itself....seems to stay there most nights. Maybe I just got lucky.

Dunno how I stopped the air coming back out of my mouth. While you are awake you can do it consciously - and then just hypnotise yourself into doing it while you are asleep as well...that is not a flippant answer by the way. I thought I was an incurable mouth breather but that is the nearest way I can explain how the Sleepweaver worked for me and continues to work months later...

[komadori]

Sleep quality matters more than leakage

As another previously "full face mask" addict, now finding the sleepweaver masks to do the job for me, I would say don't worry if you have leakage as long as the prime parameters are OK

- Sleeping well
- Acceptable AHI
- Reasonable pressures

As recorded on other threads, my AHI reduced from 15 - 20 with full face mask to 2 - 6 with Sleepweaver, and at lower pressures. My machine does provide an "Exhale Puff index" (EPI) which is a measure of leakage through the mouth. I do find that nights with low EPI my AHI is about 2, whereas on other nights I don't "seal" quite as well between nose and mouth, get a high (can be 30%) EPI and AHI rises to about 6, but this is still a fair performance and so much better than with previous masks.

So my advice is don't over worry about a bit of leakage. If overall performance with this (or any other mask) is bad, try something else, but mouth leakage alone is a minor matter.

[KarenH]

Noise Level

I have now tried the Elan for three nights and have noticed a reduced noise level. I used to find the Advance produced quite a lot of noise as the air moved out through the mask. My husband describes it as being like a strong wind or the sea, this for him was quite soothing after experiencing my snoring. The Elan however, it much quieter and I hardly notice noise at all.

[KarenH]

Finding mask too big & hot

I should have written more on my last post, I am as I said really happy with the noise level but I also have some negatives.
The headgear feels much bulkier and I have no woken during the night feeling overly warm;the mask seems to creep up my face and is covering the lower part of my eyes and I feel smothered and hot. Each night I have removed the Elan and replaced it with my Advance. I am not giving up yet as the Advance took some getting used to and at times I cannot get the Advance to seal well and this is easy with the Elan.


Tom are there any plans for a small nose cone as this may be part of the answer for me?

[symmit]

KarenH - if you have a humidifier turn it down a notch or two, and the warmth will go away. The slower flow rate of this mask seems to make the air really more humid and warm.

Mine rides up a bit too.

Barely awake - I'm now getting 18lpm at pressure 10hPa and am more comfortable with it than the lower rate so will try this for a few nights.

Full review soon I think, when I have more time!

[KarenH]

KarenH - if you have a humidifier turn it down a notch or two, and the warmth will go away. The slower flow rate of this mask seems to make the air really more humid and warm.

Mine rides up a bit too.

Barely awake - I'm now getting 18lpm at pressure 10hPa and am more comfortable with it than the lower rate so will try this for a few nights.

Full review soon I think, when I have more time!

Thanks for the suggestion, I read your technical information yesterday but to be honest it meant nothing to me. I will give your idea a try though as I can see this may be a solution.

[KarenH]

Thank you for the tip to turn the humidifier down this has helped with the heat and I have kept the mask on for longer.

I don't think that I am a very restless sleeper and am finding the angle and weight of the plastic connector heavy.

Can anyone tell me if I can buy the connection piece that is on the Advance. I do not want to swap them over as if I am struggling with the Elan I swap over to the Advance and do not want to be changing connecions in the night?

[Barely Awake]

I don't think that I am a very restless sleeper and am finding the angle and weight of the plastic connector heavy.

Can anyone tell me if I can buy the connection piece that is on the Advance. I do not want to swap them over as if I am struggling with the Elan I swap over to the Advance and do not want to be changing connecions in the night?

They are not interchangeable, the diameters are different and of course tape is used on the smaller diameter Advance outlet. I found the Elan connector a bit heavy too but it wasn’t a problem as I use a support. Have you tried using a hose lift?

[komadori]

Getting the "Elan" to work

A couple of weeks usage, and I'm slowly getting the Elan to work for me.

Firstly I have discarded the "lightweight" extension tube, and am just using the standard 6 foot. Secondly I am finding the Elan needs a bit of extra pressure in the "balloon" of the mask, both to make a good seal, and to counteract the weight of the connector. With the "advance" model I found pressure setting of 8 to 12 was fine, but with the Elan my minimum pressure is currently set at 9.5, and is working much better: the mask is stable in position, with negligible leakage. My 90% and 95% pressure readings are still around 10 to 11, similar to those I got using the Advance model. As a bonus my EPI (mouth leakage) seems to be lower with increased minimum pressure. This really doesn't seem sensible, but that's the way it appears to happen for me.

The firm, bubble of the inflated (larger size) mask does look huge (from the users viewpoint) whilst the bedroom lights are on, but CPAP is for sleep, generally in the dark, so this is not a negative point in practice!

I don't know if this could help KarenH, it depends on the pressure levels that you need, which I didn't notice within your posts, but if you can take a little more pressure it may assist to go to 9 or 9.5 minimum

[KarenH]

Giving up on the Elan

Thank you for the advice but for now I am giving up on the Elan. I have quite low pressure 7, I did try your advice to increase this but did not feel it helped. I disliked the nose cone which appears to be much stronger than the Advance but felt as though it was cutting into my nose slightly. The heavy connector was also a problem for me as well as feeling too enclosed and warm.

I like the lightness of the Advance but do not always get a good seal and I find it noisy. This said I have found myself swapping back to the Advance in the night as I kept waking up using the Elan.
I am hoping that there may be more changes to the model and then I will try it again as I do think it will have more longevity than the Advance and it seems a better shape.

Thank you to everyone who offered advice.

[KarenH]

First full night, opted for regular size cushion, very littl;e adjustmet needed for a first night, 6.5 hours in one go as usual with Sleepweaver Advance, AHI 0.8 as usual if not slightly lower, no 'large leaks' at all, average leak 15.3 (which is less than half the usual?).

Solved the side strap issue with a couple of strap covers, the little tang that hangs down was a handy adjuster but not sure it will stay readily available to the hand after a few washes.

Only obvious problem - how does one hang the mask up to dry after washing? Used a tray (ice cream box) and am drying it on that.

Overall verdict =

I placed the top of a coat hanger through the connector and hung it up.

[graceyd]

Thoughts on the Sleepweaver textile mask please.

I’m really interested in the textile Sleepweaver masks and was wondering if anyone has tried them? What I really want to know is what are the pros and cons of the mask. Ultimately should I get one!?...
Some of the videos I’ve watched show that you have to learn how to tweak it to get it to seal, was this easy to do and did it seal? I’ve noticed lots of people say it’s comfortable but what makes it comfortable? And what’s the material like – does it feel different to a standard silicon/plastic mask. Finally if I didn’t like it is it true that I can return it for free? Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks for your Help....GraceyD