EVIDENCE OF AIRFIT P10 VENT OBSTRUCTION CAUSING HYPERCAPNIA

[sheepless]

I've become a bit lax. used to clean everything every 3 days, now more like 10 days to 2 weeks. the p10 mask frame I use the vast majority of the time is almost 3 years old. I have noticed some occasional intermittent shakiness immediately on removing the mask, usually after a nap, and I've had condensation on my upper lip (mustache). IDK if these are indicative of the problem but the surest way to fix it or rule it out is to use a water jet flosser to pressure wash the vent screens.

[Snoring Bear]

Although Resmed recommends "daily cleaning" of the vent piece/pillows, I think twice a week is sufficient.  - - You should be very safe with that!  I'd recommend a soft brush like a soft-bristled toothbrush for cleaning the vent holes... You can spray your fine sprayer from kitchen sink faucet through the holes to rinse out.  

If you ever experience water in your mask, you should be more diligent with the cleanings...  Good luck!

[flipflopmedic]

I just cleaned my vents and flushed them out with an air compressor as well....they look a little better. We recently moved to the country and there is clearly more dust in the air!!! Hopefully tonight will be a better night!!

[mdmarmd]

Sheepless: "...the surest way to fix it or rule it out is to use a water jet flosser..."

Maybe it's overkill, but in my opinion, the flosser is the most efficient and reliable way to clean your vents.  Having looked under 250X magnification at all manner of ways to clean the vents, I am completely confident that this method will remove any residual dust as completely as possible: 100psi is really quite effective!  I am not sure brushing will do as well unless this can be confirmed with pictures. When I tried it, I still could not remove the particles that seemed pinched between layered fibers.

My vents look as clean as new with this washing and if you really like the P10, I think it is well worth the peace of mind to know it remains pristine.  I think the flosser will pay for itself just in extending the replacement cycle for the P10 frames. I don't think you would need to use the flosser more than once per week or possibly once per month because it cleans so well.  Most reports suggest there is a delay of some months--three to six---before the onset of obstruction, suggesting that it usually takes a new vent some time to accumulate enough dust to become a problem.

Alternatively, if your insurance replaces it frequently enough, then routine brushing + replacement may be good enough.  I can replace the frame every 6 month, but still have to pay a copay, and I'd rather just save the money and use it for the occassional new headgear replacement.

Some members seem fine with less rigorous cleaning methods, and, of course, many have never had any of these problems. But if you live in a more dusty environment, I'd also double up on the CPAP filter or maybe consider the hypoallergenic filters that, "are made of non-woven aqcrylic and polypropylene fibers with a polypropylene carrier, the combination of which is supposed to block even the very finest particles."

I haven't personally used these filters, but I might order some in the future.

[sheepless]

now that I think about it, if the water jet wasn't your idea mdmarmd (and it probably was), I'm pretty sure I read it in this thread first, as I believe I recall you put it to the test. I should have given the proper attribution. I'll blame lingering brain fog... :-)

[flipflopmedic]

Wow!!! What a difference clean vents made!!! Great night of sleep with zero issues. I will be more diligent with the cleaning and utilize my air compressor more often!!!!

[Sheepish]

I realize that this is a very old thread, but the Airfit P10 has been such a widely adopted nasal pillow mask, and my go-to choice used most of the time, that I've long been concerned with its potential to induce hypercapnea.

I don't know if other users have come to a similar empirical conclusion that merely cleaning the mesh with a faucet stream or a WaterPik-type device is inadequate, especially over the long-term, but this prompted me to search for other, more effective solutions. I've contemplated getting an air compressor, principally for automotive maintenance purposes, but nixed the idea as not being cost or space-effective.

I next tried cans of compressed "air," the type used for air dusting computers and their components, but I started to contemplate what chemicals and/or propellant methods might be used on something you literally breathe through for hours on end. Furthermore, the cost of canned air dusters starts to add up over time, even just for computer and electronics maintenance.

The solution I've finally come to, after all this time and testing, is to get one of those electric powered handheld 500W 40,000 RPM blow dusters. I got mine at AliExpress for under 30 bucks. I'd suggest a more powerful corded one, rather than a weaker battery-operated one. That, before and after a toothbrush cleaning with Dawn or comparable dishwater liquid, has proven the most effective method for keeping the P10 unobstructed.  

[WakeUpTime]

This is an interesting thread for P10 users, especially those that keep their P10 masks more than 6 months.

My P10 is about 9 months old and gets daily washings. i had a couple of really bad sleep nights recently, and the only thing in common was that I washed my tube hose and mask about one hour before bed - drying over the fan from an air cleaner. Although the mask and short tubes are mostly dry in that short time, the long tube likely still has moisture in it that gets sent on through to the P10's exhaust vents.

If it's true that, over time, the P10 exhaust ports can get restricted exhaust air flows (from dust and dirt) that isn't corrected through simple light washing; and if it's also true that leftover water moisture might get stuck in the somewhat compromised exhaust mesh, that might explain it.

I'll get out the water flosser to do a deep cleaning and make sure everything is well dried for tonight to see if that corrects the problem. Meanwhile, it's trying to survive a couple of over-caffeinated brain-wrecked zombie days due to significantly reduced PAP use with significantly reduced PAP effectiveness.

[mdmarmd]

The solution I've finally come to, after all this time and testing, is to get one of those electric powered handheld 500W 40,000 RPM blow dusters.

Haven't returned to this thread for years:

While you might be right, I am dubious that the air blower will be more effective than the waterpik approach.  I had tried any number of methods in the past including a narrowly directed stream of air from a 100 psi air compressor.  I found the waterpik to be the most practical and effective.  According to the waterpik companies their maximum pressure is 100 psi (I even saw one with 125 psi), and I think this would be much more forceful than a stream of air because the force from the mass and velocity of the stream of water would be much more effective in dislodging solid particles. 

In my view the real proof is having the ability to visually examine the interstices of the mesh to verify the state of cleanliness.

Just my 2 cents.

[Sheepish]

That's why I advocate a combined method of a good manual scrub with a toothbrush and Dawn, and a powerful air blower blasting before and after. I don't have a microscope handy, but a visual examination with a magnifying glass combined with a nasally salient improved airflow confirm efficacy. My Waterpic alone didn't measure up.