Method

Tension test on the mask

Mask : Resmed - Ultra Mirage
Hose : Resmed - Standard hose for Ultra Mirage mask
Balance : Pesola, Medio-Line, model 41000, capacity: 1000g, divisions: 10g
SolutionEZ^TM : model SPPM-c
Model : M. François Poirier, CPAP user for 9 years
Furniture, bed, bedside table : standard home furniture
Camera: Canon Powershot A70
Picture modification software: Microsoft Picture-It, Photoshop?

Weighing the mask and the hose:
1. Balance is zeroed in vertical position
2. Mask and harness assembly is weighed
3. Hose is weighed (to keep the hose in a compact form, a sewing yarn of negligeable weight is used)
Tension measurements : For all tension measurements readings, the hose was disconnected from the mask. The balance (zeroed in horizontal position) was attached at one end to the mask and at the other end to the hose using sewing yarn of negligeable weight. All measurements were taken with the model lying on top of the sheets for visibility purposes.
1. Without SolutionEZ^TM: The hose is perpendicular to the bed. The model rolls alternatively on his right-hand side, back side and left-hand side. At no point the hose is touched or moved with the hands.
  1. Note 1: As the model was lying on top of the sheets, the test was not measuring all the tension that would be present in a normal sleep situation.
  2. Note 2: As the hose was touching the ground at a point located between CPAP and model, only the weight of the section of the hose comprised between the ground and the mask is showing in the tests results. Has the CPAP been located farther from the bed, the tension would have been greater.
2. With SolutionEZ^TM: The SolutionEZ^TM is positionned according to manufacturer's instructions. The hose is inserted in the SolutionEZ^TM hook, leaving only the minimum hose length necessary for the model to roll from right to left (and back). The model rolls alternatively on his right-hand side, back and left-hand side. At no point, the hose is touched or moved with the hands.