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+--- Thread: [Equipment] Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes (/Thread-Equipment-Adding-a-diffuser-to-the-exhale-holes)
Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - zenmaple3 - 01-08-2021
Is there a way to add or make a diffuser/filter for a mask that doesn't already have one? The exhale airflow from the front of the mask is so disruptive: it blows and bounces back on me, and it also blows on my partner. I have tried many masks, and I currently use a resmed airfit n20. (I am thinking of the kind of clip on filters that come with the Fisher & Paykel Brevida Masks)
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - MADAwake - 01-08-2021
This is something I've thinking about for a couple weeks but haven't done anything about yet. Searching the Internet, I found a couple people who've modified their masks with DIY diffusers. The way I was thinking to do it is via 3D printing a plastic piece designed specifically to fit my mask. I later noticed that the Bleep mask has a piece of cloth that wraps around the vents and has a filter to diffuse the air; that looked easier to do than 3d design.
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - Crimson Nape - 01-08-2021
A piece of gauze should provide some diffusion. You may wish to look into a gauze bandage product named, Kling. It is a stretch conforming gauze that will adhere to itself. Adjusting the number of wraps would allow for the best trade off between ventilation and sound.
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - Castaway - 09-26-2021
I just accidentally pulled mine out trying to clean the quiet elbow which was full of lint. It's very noisy without it. I read the gauze idea, and although I have none, I tore the pad out of a large bandaid, cut it into strips, and stuffed them in there. I think it's quieter now than it was with the diffuser. Thank you. New elbow on order.
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - legrunt - 09-26-2021
(09-26-2021, 09:28 PM)Castaway Wrote: I just accidentally pulled mine out trying to clean the quiet elbow which was full of lint. It's very noisy without it. I read the gauze idea, and although I have none, I tore the pad out of a large bandaid, cut it into strips, and stuffed them in there. I think it's quieter now than it was with the diffuser. Thank you. New elbow on order.
I would caution use of that. A bandaid's material is rather dense. Unless you "fluffed" it up after cutting it off the bandaid. And it's very easy to overstuff the area under the white cap. Once that happens, you are underventing and might not have enough exhaled air being vented away.
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - Castaway - 09-26-2021
Thank you. I'll watch out for that.
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - DaveCar - 09-27-2021
I wonder how a person would know if they were under-venting ?
Large respiration rate increase ?
RE: Adding a diffuser to the exhale holes - Castaway - 09-27-2021
I expect it would result in a failure to exhaust enough CO2 and one would be rebreathing it through the hose. If bad enough this could lead to a sensation similar to holding ones breath and the person would wake. Except one might also encounter an inhibition of this CO2 trigger much like they do with apnea, especially during REM, leading to an O2 dip. Maybe I should wear my recording O2 monitor tonight and see what's happening there.
It would be funny if I discovered my modification makes for better therapy than the original.