Circadiance Sleepweaver Anew Review

[Sparticus]

When the first sleepweaver nasal masks came out they got a lot of praise and are still rated very highly. They come in allsorts of colours as well, so when I heard of there first full face mask I had to try it.

The headgear is very similar to the Quattro fx except it's clips are very different. With this mask you attached the clips before putting the mask on, this is a good idea as the clips can be very fiddly. The mask part is made up of 2 compartments of material which are inflated when the pressure is injected into the mask by your machine. The compartments, one for the mouth and one for the nose are very different to other masks as there is no gel or silicon seals. The seal is created by the inflation of the compartments by air pressure. The mouth seal worked fine after a few adjustment but the nose seal just would not stop leaking air for me. Because of this my machine ramped up to full pressure (20cm) in a very short time and would not hold at my 11cm which my apap usually climbs too. The nose section is just a slit of cloth that you put your nose through and I believe it would benefit greatly if this was changed.

This mask is a remarkable piece of equipment with some very innovative ideas attached and is so different to all the masks I have tried before. Its less obtrusive and feels very comfortable when wearing and if the problems could have been overcome I would have changed mask.

There is so many advantages to this mask that I hope the problems are addressed and altered if possible. As I like to sleep face down I believe that this would be the front runner for all people that sleep this way as instead of hard plastic pushing against your face you would just have a cushion of air from the inflated compartments. Although this mask failed for me I will looked forward to see if a mark II is made.

[Sleep2Snore]

Thanks for the report.
Shame about the nose part.
Maybe it just didn't work for you.

[Sparticus]

Thanks for the report.
Shame about the nose part.
Maybe it just didn't work for you.

I believe that Grumpy had the same problem and try to use scissors on his but still no joy. Because its just an opening of material and nothing round it to seal its just flaps open, I hope that the company try and sort it.

[Grumpy]

market pressures

I think this mask has been so long in the offing they became under pressure to release it. I don't think its anywhere near ready for market. I also suspect they have tried to make it with a price/profit in mind because some of the materials/design seem very cheap.

[Sleep2Snore]

I believe that Grumpy had the same problem and try to use scissors on his but still no joy. Because its just an opening of material and nothing round it to seal its just flaps open, I hope that the company try and sort it.

hmmmm, without seeing one I don't know what you are talking about.
Shouldn't be to hard for them to improve it?
Shame, you appeared to be impressed apart from this problem?
Could they add proper pillows to it?

[proterra]

Completely agree with the above having tried one for 2 weeks. Also I found that the air intake elbow kept hitting my teeth when turning, Perhaps that is because my pressure is only 10.5. A higher pressure would hold it out more.

But I found it leaked a lot as well. Using sleepyhead my AHI went up to 6.0 from a norm of around 1.0 with my usual mask.
They recommend washing it daily as well , tried it and found it still to be slightly damp when using the next night.

[Grumpy]

ANew: trying to make it work

I think they are going to need 9 different fits of mask to get this to work.
There are 3 key measurements to look at and anyone could have any combo:

Size of nose hole S/M/L
Size of mouth hole S/M/L
Distance between the two (i.e. the distance between the base of your nose and the top of your lips). S/M/L

They also need to improve the quality, in particular:
- the plastic reinforcing strips are too weak
- the headgear clips are a joke
- the mouth surround is too flimsy and curls up

Your nose goes into what is basically a hole in a ripstop nylon balloon; I think it probably needs to be a bit more sophisticated than that to get a reliable seal. Curving the edges around to get the hovercraft skirt effect that many gel masks utilise would probably work.

[Sparticus]

I thought that about the clips, couldn't believe they expect a person to clip the mask with these things (Then I watched the DVD) The clips are fastened before you put the mask on. Make sense because you cant do it when your wearing it.

[silvercarper]

I think they are going to need 9 different fits of mask to get this to work.
There are 3 key measurements to look at and anyone could have any combo:

Size of nose hole S/M/L
Size of mouth hole S/M/L
Distance between the two (i.e. the distance between the base of your nose and the top of your lips). S/M/L

They also need to improve the quality, in particular:
- the plastic reinforcing strips are too weak
- the headgear clips are a joke
- the mouth surround is too flimsy and curls up

Your nose goes into what is basically a hole in a ripstop nylon balloon; I think it probably needs to be a bit more sophisticated than that to get a reliable seal. Curving the edges around to get the hovercraft skirt effect that many gel masks utilise would probably work.

I agree that it needs a lot more sizes.
There was no chance this mask would fit me as I have a small nose and a small mouth but on a big face !!!

[silvercarper]

You can put the clips on when you are wearing the mask.
The secret is to put your thumb between the clip on the mask and your face and then clip the headgear on. But this makes it a 2 handed operation.

[Barely Awake]

As an experienced Sleepweaver Advance (nasal) mask user of several year's experience I perhaps have an advantage that sees my trial of the Anew meet with totally different results from others above (who are all perhaps full face mask users not used to the Sleepweaver cloth concept or adjusting a nasal mask?).
I found the Anew very easy to deploy, adjust and can use the side clips when in use lying down - & all positions tried without any leaks whatsoever.
For those above that still have their Anew masks that haven't tried altering the fabric, there are a few pointers I would offer.
First off, as we all know never try a new mask when you are tired and ready for bed. Always have a trial run when fully rested if just to get the headgear adjustment right without getting overly irritated.
Secondly, remember uppermost you don't need to apply an eye-bulging adjustment with these cloth masks, start off on the very end of the headgear adjustment and work patiently inward. Think baggy T shirt not Lycra stretch body stocking!
Thirdly, in my experience you sometimes need to work with forefingers & thumbs to perfect the seal either side of the nose with a cloth mask - but this is a knack - a quick flip arrangement to get the skirt of the mask filled with air. If the mask is too tight it simply won't fill with air because the skirt is too stretched.
Hope that helps anyone that wants to give it another try.

[Sparticus]

Seems we could have been wrong after all? (Scratches Chin)

I think I will take another look at this as with no experience of cloth masks it would be a shame not to give it the benefit of the doubt. Will let you know if I manage it

[Sleep2Snore]

This is interesting.
Now I wish I had asked for one, but I didn't.
If everyone thinks back to when they started off (like my mate now) they didn't get a lot of advice (if any) how to adjust their mask and all the rest that comes with it, I didn't even get told about the ramp function, honestly!
If only the manufactures would make a You Tube video of how to adjust and set their machines and masks it would be a huge help.
How difficult could it be for them to gat someone that uses it or has got used to the mask or machine to do a professional type video.
They are quick enough to make a video to promote their masks and machines, why can't they make a video to help set things up (with some problems you could expect) and ways round some slight problems people come across?

End of rant

[Barely Awake]

I wouldn't say you or anyone else were wrong Sparticus - think of it like adjusting to contact lenses from spectacles, or a car from a pushbike, adapting to cloth and for that matter nasal or full face masks when you are used to another type takes a bit of getting used to. There is no substitute for experience - when it comes to full face masks albeit I do use them from time to time (like now with a stinking cold) I find it difficult to adapt and by the time I have got back into it the cold is usually gone and I can get back to a nasal cloth mask which to me is like putting on an old pair of favorite slippers.