SleepWeaver Elan

[Tom @ Intus]

Morning all!

Here's a new thread dedicated to the brand new SleepWeaver Elan Nasal CPAP Mask. As most are familiar with the SleepWeaver Advance, here's a quick summary of how it differs:

• Shorter, wider shapes uses the cheeks for stability
• 90 degree elbow for side/overhead tube exiting
• Two cushion sizes, regular and large
• Feather Weight Tube included as standard
• Swivel uses screw & washer attachment (no tape)

SleepWeaver Elan YouTube video (click "I Agree" below to view in thread)





The SleepWeaver Elan is primarily aimed at active sleepers, ie those who change position often.

You can read more about the SleepWeaver Elan here. If you were interested in ordering one then send me a PM, and I can send you a 10% discount code valid until the end of June.

This thread is primarily to discuss the pros and cons of the Elan, and to ask any questions you have about it. Given how much discussion the Advance generated we're hoping the Elan will have a similar level of interest!

Just a quick note - the Elan is not replacing the SleepWeaver Advance, so fear not Advance fans! The Elan is more aimed towards active sleepers and also gives those who like the idea of a cloth mask but were unable to get the Advance to work for them a second option.

Fire away!

[Tigers Fan]

Thwe Elan looks like very good news - but not excellent news! It isn't the full face mask we were hoping for.

OK - whinge over.

These questions are from a SleepWeaver inexperienced person.

The first thing that I'd like to know about is the strength of the cushion material and its ability to resist tearing at the ends of the cuts made in it for attaching the headgear - that is eight places of maximum stress and minimum resistance. Is it the same arrangement in the Advanced masks and did the ends of the cuts resist tearing?

Second question refers back to a scheme James ran whereby serious contenders could try the Advanced mask on a sale or return basis. Will Intus offer a similar deal on the Elan? I ask because I'm a mouth breather and I'm a mouth breather because ccurrently I have a hard plastic case over the bridge of my nose, whereas many folk say that they thought they were mouth breathers until they tried the Advanced or nasal pillows. I'd like to find out if I can use the Elan before committing to whatever it costs.

The changes made in the Elan from the Advanced make this mask a possibility for me.

[Tom @ Intus]

Thwe Elan looks like very good news - but not excellent news! It isn't the full face mask we were hoping for.

OK - whinge over.

It isn't, but that is coming, we promise!

These questions are from a SleepWeaver inexperienced person.

The first thing that I'd like to know about is the strength of the cushion material and its ability to resist tearing at the ends of the cuts made in it for attaching the headgear - that is eight places of maximum stress and minimum resistance. Is it the same arrangement in the Advanced masks and did the ends of the cuts resist tearing?

We've not had many (if any) incidences of this occuring with the Advance so it should be fine with the Elan also. Because the seal is created by the air, there's usually far less pressure required from the headgear anyway, so the stress on the mask is not the same as with a typical hard mask. It is pretty much the same as the Advance in that respect; similar angles, same hole sizes and materials, so we don't anticipate any issues there.

Second question refers back to a scheme James ran whereby serious contenders could try the Advanced mask on a sale or return basis. Will Intus offer a similar deal on the Elan? I ask because I'm a mouth breather and I'm a mouth breather because ccurrently I have a hard plastic case over the bridge of my nose, whereas many folk say that they thought they were mouth breathers until they tried the Advanced or nasal pillows. I'd like to find out if I can use the Elan before committing to whatever it costs.

We're looking to offer a similar scheme, we're just finalising that at the moment.

Regarding nasal breathing - most people do actually breathe through their nose in their sleep, regardless of how they sleep during the day. Daytime breathing is mainly conscious, whereas sleep is not, and the natural way for the body to breathe is through the nose. So you wouldn't be the first to discover they nasal breathe unexpectedly, and as you mention many only find out through CPAP!

The changes made in the Elan from the Advanced make this mask a possibility for me.

[Tigers Fan]

That's put me in a quandry! Two, in fact!

Do I try the Elan or wait for the full face version?

Do I order an Elan now and get 10% discount or wait for the sale or return offer and maybe miss the discount?

While we wait for you to catch up with yourselves, please put my name down for an Elan at 10% discount and on the sale or return offer you are setting up.

If the Elan is not for me - I hope it is - I will have to wait for the full face version.

[Tigers Fan]

Lorraine isn't going to be happy when she gets back from deepest Peru! These masks come in as choice of colours, neither of which is pink. We're OK though, fellas!

[Tom @ Intus]

That's put me in a quandry! Two, in fact!

Do I try the Elan or wait for the full face version?

Do I order an Elan now and get 10% discount or wait for the sale or return offer and maybe miss the discount?

Don't worry, we look after our forum members - nobody will lose out, promise!

[Tom @ Intus]

Lorraine isn't going to be happy when she gets back from deepest Peru! These masks come in as choice of colours, neither of which is pink. We're OK though, fellas!

Indeed, the Elan is initially only available in blue or beige, but replacement cushions (also a new feature for the Elan) are also available in pink. And yes, camo and leopard print also.

[dravidio]

@Tiger I was convinced I was a mouth breather - for two years - and tried and rejected nasal masks - including a Sleepweaver. Then I tried the sleep weaver again with a chin strap - and couldn't stand the strap so I took it off and fell asleep with the Sleepweaver - without mouth breathing, Since then I have had total success with the Sleepweaver - and according to my machine - my exhale puff index (i.e. when I do breathe out through my mouth) is 1 or zero per hour and my AHI is down to an average of 2. It seemed to be a mental thing ...though I have lost weight and come down to a normal BMI - but I was that when started CPAP without success...

[Barely Awake]

18 + months use I can confirm the mask material hasn't threatened to tear where the strap engages or anywhere else. My first did slightly tat around the interior hovercraft skirt bit, but remained in working order. Gently wash mask daily (headgear weekly) and dry carefully is my tip to attempt to make it last over a year. My last one would have lasted longer had I not wrung it out!

Albeit keen to give the new mask a go under the most favourable deal [10% off and exchange if not satisfied if you use Sleepweaver already seems fair to me (hint-hint!)]; I am perfectly happy with the other model. I don't move a lot in my sleep, and my wife says I don't move much at any other time either.

[MartinG]

The Sleepweaver is a great idea and I welcome the lower price and the promise of less leakage. Can you tell me,though, if the Elan is quieter than the Advance? It was mostly the noise level of the Advance that moved me back to the Profile Lite (which remains my 'best option' after more than 10 years - despite the pain associated with breaking in a new one).

[Tigers Fan]

Don't worry, we look after our forum members - nobody will lose out, promise!

If you drive a deal like James used to drive them, Tom, I'll just bet nobody misses out! Anyway, this is already too good a deal for me to miss and mine is on order.

Btb, how much do large pink spare cushions run out at, Tom?

[Barely Awake]

I use cotton wool in the ears and a hose cover with my Sleepweaver - don't hear a thing!

[Tom @ Intus]

18 + months use I can confirm the mask material hasn't threatened to tear where the strap engages or anywhere else. My first did slightly tat around the interior hovercraft skirt bit, but remained in working order. Gently wash mask daily (headgear weekly) and dry carefully is my tip to attempt to make it last over a year. My last one would have lasted longer had I not wrung it out!

This does indeed seem to be the key - we've had others who have had the Advance since day one and it's still going strong.

Albeit keen to give the new mask a go under the most favourable deal [10% off and exchange if not satisfied if you use Sleepweaver already seems fair to me (hint-hint!)]; I am perfectly happy with the other model. I don't move a lot in my sleep, and my wife says I don't move much at any other time either.

PM sent, it'll be good to have some back-to-back tests between the two. As mentioned, the Elan isn't seen as the successor or an improvement, simply as an alternative style, so real-world comparisons will be good!

[Tom @ Intus]

The Sleepweaver is a great idea and I welcome the lower price and the promise of less leakage. Can you tell me,though, if the Elan is quieter than the Advance? It was mostly the noise level of the Advance that moved me back to the Profile Lite (which remains my 'best option' after more than 10 years - despite the pain associated with breaking in a new one).

Theoretically, yes. The Elan uses fewer holes of a bigger size, which should be quieter, and that was one of the objectives Circadiance set out to achieve. Circadiance describes it as "super-quiet", although as usual with American marketing material it should be taken with a pinch of salt. It'll be good to get some back-to-back comparisons from those who have tried both.

[Tom @ Intus]

If you drive a deal like James used to drive them, Tom, I'll just bet nobody misses out! Anyway, this is already too good a deal for me to miss and mine is on order.

Btb, how much do large pink spare cushions run out at, Tom?

I'll do my best!

We're working out the pricing for the cushions currently, but they should be in the region of £25 - in line with other replacement nasal cushions.

I can now confirm that the SleepWeaver Elan will have a 30-day trial period. If it isn't right for you, then you can send it back and we can refund the product price.