Hybrid Masks: The Combination that unlocks Compliance
There’s no denying that one of the major problems when it comes to treating obstructive sleep apnea is compliance. But there’s a chance that the therapy may be ineffective, if the person is a mouth breather or mouth leaker.
Before the advent of the Hybrid Universal Interface, there were two remedies to this solution, says Sanjay Chandran, CEO of InnoMed Technologies Inc. in Coconut Creek, Fla. One approach was using a chin strap, which left marks on a person’s face; the other was a full face mask, which covers the entire face leaving a patient to feel claustrophobic.
Up until recently, Chandran says, doctors, clinicians, and providers looked the other way.
“Even though they were well aware that many of these patients were mouth breathing or mouth leaking patients, they were ignoring it because they had no good solution,” he says. “The chin strap and the full-face masks just don’t work so they continued to deal with low compliance rates.”
The hybrid features an oral mask that covers the mouth with two nasal pillows that sit on the oral cushion sealing the entrance to the nostrils. Nothing comes over the eyes, which means less irritation for the patient.
This article originally appeared in the April 2008 issue of HME Business.