the enigma is that I am getting much better AHI using the F30 mask, even though I struggle with leaks using it. I'd like to get the same AHI results using the Simplus, since it is much more comfortable and doesn't wake me up.
here is my data using the Resmed F30, holding all settings on my machine constant between using Simplus and F30: (F30 in the 3 AHI range, Simplus in the 6 AHI range)
I will follow up with an image of the leak rate on F30
About the only thing I can think of is that the actual pressure in the mask which the machine has to estimate is potentially lower in the Simplus mask. You are mixing brands in your setup with a Phillips Respironics machine, the ResMed F30 mask, and a Fisher & Paykal Simplus mask. The machine will be trying to estimate machine to mask pressure loss based on their typical full face mask. The F30 and Simplus pressure losses may be a bit different. Your graphs suggest that the Simplus mask needs more pressure. That is making me think the actual pressure in the mask is lower than the F30 even though the machine is assuming it is the same. The easiest way to check is to run the Simplus at a higher pressure and see what happens. I have seen that before when switching between masks. On mask seems to need more indicated pressure than another to get the same results.
That makes sense. I thought maybe the respironics could deal with a diversity of masks and diffusers. Though clearly the F30 mask envelopes a much smaller volume, and the Simplus diffuser seems to pump out a lot more volume. Now, if only the Simplus doesn't blow off my face at a higher pressure - just when I got the fit just right ! Thank you for your insights.
I went back to the Simplus last night, bumped the pressure up 17 - 18cm. Made a fabric liner, taped my mouth. Had a comfortable night sleeping, but my AHI from last night was 4.18 Whereas with the F30 I can get down to 2.3 with 15 - 16 cm. So I'm going to try the F30 tonight, but use a fabric liner to see if I can manage all the small leak flapping under control.
lowest AHI on record for me- 2.10 (pressure set at 17 -18) paid a price - very swollen eye bags this morning. Maybe I need to try to find a better liner for the F30 ? Not sure they even have them. Still a lot of leaks. Tightening straps down to manage leaks is not comfortable. Tight straps plus mouth taped is pretty claustrophobic. I tore the tape off halfway through the night.
I see they sell liners for the Amara View and Dreamwear Full Face. I wonder if they may also work for the F30? If you are prepared to mouth tape, the Swift FX nasal pillow mask is rated up to 20 cm pressure. I tried it and it worked quite well except for the purge vent flow. I ended up with a Swift FX headgear and P10 Nasal Pillow frame. I have used the P10 up to 15 cm and it worked OK at that pressure.
I tried the Swift and did not like the jet stream vent.
Found another possible liner solution at https://www.padacheek.com
The P10 venting in my opinion is perfect. In almost any position you cannot feel or hear the venting. About the only way is to put your hand right up next to the vent, and even then it is very light. Have a look at this photo and you can see the vent. It is kind of a plastic mesh that is fairly large and there is a section of it on each side of the nasal piece on each side of the hose. This photo only shows one side. It is quite possible to buy a Swift FX replacement headgear, and the P10 mask frame and nasal piece, and put it together as I described in the my solution link above. You do have to modify the P10 frame as I described to do it though.
Fantastic - has a vent similar in design to the F30 so it doesn't "jet". I'll take a closer look at the P10
The problem with just buying the P10 complete mask is that the headgear for the P10 is real mickey mouse. If you want to make one of these hybrid masks you can do it with these two parts. For the nasal insert I found the same size for me (large) fit in both the Swift and P10 mask.
P10 Mask Frame and hose - $74
Swift FX Headgear - $31
Or if you still have the Swift FX headgear you just need the P10 Mask Frame and hose part.
what size is the permanently fixed hose thats attached to the P10 ? The Swift attached hose was much smaller than my heated hose - thought that contributed to the jet stream !
Without digging my Swift out of the storage box, I recall the hose was the same diameter as the P10 hose, but the P10 hose is longer and more flexible. The Swift hose has a swivel, but the P10 hose does not. However the longer and more flexible hose more than makes up for it. I prefer the hose on the P10.