Interview with Teleflex Medical about the Hybrid Mask
 Teleflex
Medical recently launched a new CPAP interface during the Sleep 2006 Show in
Salt Lake City, Utah . It was at the Sleep Show that I was able to catch up with
Whitney Reynolds, Respiratory Marketing Manager, for Teleflex Medical and learn
more about the new Hybrid interface.
Tracy Nasca: I understand you've just
launched a new CPAP mask, the Hybrid. Tell me more about it.
Whitney Reynolds: The Hybrid interface is a
unique fusion of technologies, designed to be a universal interface for both
patients and providers. The Hybrid is a dual-airway interface that consists of
an oral cushion that covers the mouth and two nasal pillows that fit into the
patients nostrils. This proprietary design simultaneously addresses two common
concerns with CPAP therapy: patient comfort and oral leaks.
Tracy Nasca: How does the Hybrid improve
patient comfort?
Whitney Reynolds: The Hybrid limits the
points of contact on the patient's face. As you can see with the design, the
mask does not contact the bridge of the nose or rest on the forehead. As a
result, the patient can wear glasses, air-leaks in the patient's eyes are
eliminated and the skin breakdown on the bridge of the nose is no longer a
concern. In addition, the feeling of claustrophobia that some patients may feel
with traditional masks is reduced.
Tracy Nasca: Does the Hybrid eliminate mouth
leaks?
Whitney Reynolds: Because the Hybrid is a
dual-airway mask, delivering therapy through both the nasal and oral cavities,
it is the optimal choice for patients who are obligatory mouth breathers or
occasional mouth leakers. The Hybrid features a built-in chin flap that gently
supports the chin ensuring that the mouth does not fall agape during therapy,
eliminating the need for a chin strap.
Tracy Nasca: You mentioned before that the
Hybrid is a universal interface. Does that mean that the Hybrid is meant for all
patients?
Whitney Reynolds: In market surveys we found
that both clinicians and patients identified oral leaks as one of the most
difficult side effects encountered during CPAP therapy. Because the Hybrid is
the only dual-airway design that addresses oral leaks, while at the same time
increasing patient comfort, we feel that this will be the mask of choice for a
wide range of CPAP patients. In addition, the design of the Hybrid allows the
patient to fully customize the interface to fit their individual needs.
Tracy Nasca: What do you mean by "customize
the fit"?
Whitney Reynolds: The Hybrid Complete System
comes packaged with three nasal pillows and three oral cushions, all of which
are interchangeable. In addition the Hybrid pillows are adjustable for both
height and positioning in the nostril. The high-quality headgear has five points
of adjustability and buckles for quick connect and disconnect. Our design goal
was to fit every patient right out of the box and eliminate the need to order
costly replacements because the first interface you ordered was the wrong size.
Tracy Nasca: What makes the Hybrid different
from other masks on the market today?
Whitney Reynolds: The Hybrid is the only
interface on the market today that simultaneously addresses the two most common
CPAP complaints: patient comfort and oral leaks. There are full face masks on
the market that are intended for mouth breathers, but because they have multiple
points of contact on the face, across the bridge of the nose and on the
forehead, they are uncomfortable for the patient. There are nasal pillow devices
available that eliminate these pressure points, but they have to be used with an
uncomfortable chin strap that leaves unsightly marks on the patients face.
Tracy Nasca: Did you do any clinical
evaluations of the Hybrid prior to launch? If so, what was the feedback?
Whitney Reynolds: The development of the
Hybrid involved several voices of the customer interviews involving patients,
sleep lab therapists and physicians. We found out what the customer wanted and
designed a product to fit their needs. Dr. Natalio J. Chediak of the Boca Raton
Sleep Center conducted several sleep studies with the Hybrid and had this to
say:
"Oral leaks are one of the most difficult side effects one
encounters during the therapeutic sleep study (as reported by many
technologists) but an ongoing problem on follow up visits in the clinic for
the life span of the patient... Our technologist and patients found fitting
the Hybrid to be a simple task and with the different nasal inserts and oral
cushion sizes makes this mask versatile in its application and use at home.
Additionally, the Hybrid brings a totally new mask fit with unobstructed view
so patients can read before bedtime and eliminate any of the forehead, bridge
of the nose abrasions that one see with traditional Full Face Masks. In
summary the Hybrid is like a "BREATH OF FRESH AIR" to the meaning of FFM
options."
Tracy Nasca: Can the Hybrid be used with
bi-level units and auto titrating devices?
Whitney Reynolds: Yes.
Tracy Nasca: Can the Hybrid be used with
humidification?
Whitney Reynolds: Yes.
Tracy Nasca: Can the Hybrid be used with
other manufacturers CPAP devices?
Whitney Reynolds: Yes. The Hybrid truly is a
universal interface allowing for it to be used with all CPAP devices.
Tracy Nasca: How does the leak rate for the
Hybrid compare to other masks?
Whitney Reynolds: Because the Hybrid
eliminates the multiple pressure points common to full face masks, the leak
rates will be reduced. The double membrane seal on the oral cushion also puts
the air to work, ensuring a good seal and minimal leakage. Also, the built in
chin flap and dual-airway design will address oral leaks.
Tracy Nasca: When a customer orders a Hybrid
interface, what do they receive?
Whitney Reynolds: Each Hybrid Complete
System comes packaged in a nylon carrying case and contains all of the
components required to properly size a patient: mask shell, swivel coupling,
headgear, three sizes of oral cushions and three sizes of nasal pillows. The
complete system also contains an Instructional CD and a User's Guide.
Tracy Nasca: How does a patient or provider
determine what size interface to use?
Whitney Reynolds: The sizing and fitting of
the Hybrid is a simple process. Each Hybrid Complete System is packaged with an
instructional CD that gives tips and sizing and fitting the itnerface. The
system contains all sizes of oral cushions and pillows, making it easy to try
the individual sizes to find the best possible fit.
Tracy Nasca: Are the Hybrid parts sold
separately?
Whitney Reynolds: Yes, the cushions, pillows
and headgear are all sold separately. Please see the ordering information below:
HYB500 - Hybrid Complete System (all sizes included)
HYB511 - Oral Cushion (Small)
HYB513 - Oral Cushion (Med)
HYB513 - Oral Cushion (Large)
HYB521 - Nasal Pillows (Small)
HYB523 - Nasal Pillows (Med)
HYB525 - Nasal Pillows (Large)
HYB530 - Headgear
Tracy Nasca: Is the Hybrid available to
order?
Whitney Reynolds: Yes, it can be purchased
from a variety of different channels including
www.talkaboutsleep.biz. For additional ordering information, please visit
www.hybridmask.com or
www.teleflexmedical.com.
Tracy Nasca: Who is Teleflex Medical?
Whitney Reynolds: Although Teleflex Medical
is new to the sleep therapy market we are no stranger to helping patient's
breathe easier. Hudson RCI, a division of Teleflex Medical, has been supplying
superior respiratory and anesthesia products to the healthcare community for
over sixty years. Today Teleflex Medical is a global supplier of medical
devices, surgical instruments, and disposable medical products. The Hybrid joins
Teleflex Medicals existing family of Nasal-Aire™ II sleep therapy interfaces.
The Nasal Aire II features an innovative design that looks, wears, and feels
like an oversized oxygen cannula. The product is available in standard and
petite sizes, making it suitable for a wide range of patients.
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