Sleep Review Magazine - Sleep Report - December 5, 2007

In June 2006, Teleflex Medical launched the Hybrid Universal Interface, a dual airway mask designed for use in CPAP systems. The company describes the Hybrid as "a fusion of comfort and innovation." …But what do obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients think? After just 7 months, the Hybrid is selling like hotcakes.

"The Hybrid is doing phenomenal," said Christianna Vance, sleep therapy product manager for Telefex. "We’ve done almost $5 million dollars in sales, sold 15,000 units, and more than 1,000 sleep labs are on our sample program."

Vance attributes the Hybrid’s popularity to the product’s comfort features. "It provides dual airway therapy like a full face mask, but the Hybrid uses nasal pillows and doesn’t need to go over the bridge of the nose," Vance said. "It’s great for people with claustrophobic issues or people who want to wear glasses." Moreover, Vance said, the hybrid remedies other comfort problems associated with full-face masks, such as skin breakdown on the nose and forehead, and leaks where air blows into the eyes.

Vance shared some patient testimonials with us, too. Here is what one man had to say about the Hybrid. "Seriously, this new device takes the full face concept and twists it to a combination mouth mask/nasal pillow device with wonderful results. I can’t adequately explain how uncomfortable it was with the old full-face masks. The way they press against the bridge of your nose and push on your eyes…But this new mask avoids your nose entirely except for the cushions that sit in each nostril. Even at high pressure, it is very comfortable."