Homecare Marketing Manager
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, Inc.
Irvine, CA
A NEW CPAP INTERFACE CHOICE BEING ADDED TO THE FAMILY
Patients have individual preferences when choosing an interface to deliver CPAP treatment. Various factors can influence this, such as sensitivity to enclosed spaces or a preference for breathing through their mouth. Fisher & Paykel Healthcare offers a broad family of interface choices, categorized by the way CPAP treatment is delivered to the patient: nasal masks, full face masks, (the industry’s only) oral masks and now nasal pillows masks.
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare developed the Opus™ largely in response to market demand. The market has been looking for an interface that is lightweight, quiet, simple-to-use and allows the flexibility to choose tubing positions. All of these design concepts were taken into account when developing the Opus™ Nasal Pillows Mask.
UNIQUE DESIGNS OF THE NASAL PILLOWS MASK’S
The Opus™ Nasal Pillows Mask is a small, quiet, lightweight and superbly comfortable nasal pillows mask. It includes an anatomical pillow-style Silicone Seal and facially contoured, reinforced headgear. A ball-and-socket-styled joint combines with an innovative anchoring system to give unprecedented stability and freedom of movement.
The headgear and tube anchoring system lead to flexibility, comfort and allow for more patient-friendly experience. The headgear is contoured and conforms naturally to the user’s face providing comfort and support. Its slim line design allows for side sleepers to use the mask without discomfort.
The Opus™ also incorporates a 360° swivel that allows users to choose one of four tubing positions: either side of the face, over the top, or left free to track. Side sleepers may prefer a tubing position over the top of the head, while back sleepers may prefer a tube position to the side. The Opus™ gives them the freedom to choose the tubing position that is most comfortable for the way they sleep.
The design of the pillows is also important. Our pillows are anatomically shaped for easy fitting and seal, and include a design that conforms naturally to the upper lip for maximum comfort. Once again, when developing interfaces, our goal is to design products that are easy to use, provide a good seal and are comfortable for patients. The features of the Opus™ all serve those goals.
VIGOR8™: A SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND PATIENT EDUCATION
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare believes that patient education is also the key to ensuring compliance. Not just education about obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and treatment, but also proper fitting, use and maintenance of products. For this reason we have developed Vigor8™ (www.vigor8.com), a Web-based resource with helpful information such as instructional videos on cleaning, maintenance of our products and fitting of our interfaces.