How we do it

Making a Custom-Made Nasal CPAP Mask

The TrueFIT^™ Custom Mask is a custom made nasal CPAP mask. That is, each mask is made for an individual client, with the mask made to fit the contours of each client’s face perfectly.

It sounds easy, but actually making a mask that fits and seals perfectly and that can be worn comfortably for thousands of hours is quite a challenge. Maybe that’s why we are the only people who do what we do….

TrueFIT™ Custom Mask

So, we don’t want to give away our secrets! But we want you to understand what the process involves.

The process

The first step is meeting the client and taking time to understand the experience that they have had with CPAP; what masks they have used and what went wrong. Everyone has a different story. But usually it is a tale of trial and error, frustration, more trial, more error and more frustration.

Often there is a lot of misunderstanding about the condition and about how the therapy should work. Many clients do not understand the options they have and feel controlled by sleep apnea and CPAP, rather than seeing themselves as managing the therapy.

Many of our clients have tried all the different mask types and none provide tolerable therapy. Some clients have even abandoned CPAP altogether.

We then demonstrate the TrueFIT^™ Custom Mask and talk about how it’s different. We talk about how we take the mould of the face. We get comfortable and then get started.

Taking the mould of the face

The client lies down on a bed. The client’s job is simply to relax; the more relaxed the client is during this process, the better the fit of the finished mask.

Once the client is relaxed, we apply a dental moulding material to the face in an area from the top lip up to the hairline, about the width of the mouth. The material only takes about four minutes to set before it is removed.

The moulding materials are normally used in the mouth and are very safe to use on the skin. During the moulding, the nose is blocked by the moulding material so the client will need to breathe through their mouth for the few minutes that the mould is in place.

Once the mould is removed, the client is ready to go.

Making the mask

Manufacturing the mask is a complicated, multi-stage process which takes around three weeks.

At the end of this, the finished mask is tested and some performance data is collected. Because the size and shape of the client’s facial features determines the shape of the mask, each TrueFIT™ Custom Mask is slightly different. We ensure that each mask will deliver the CPAP therapy needed safely and effectively to the client before it leaves the factory.

Once testing is complete, the mask is ready for shipping. We use either couriers or registered post to ship all our masks directly to the client.

When the mask arrives at the client’s home

The TrueFIT^™ Custom Mask is like a new pair of shoes. You try the shoes on in the shoe shop and walk up a down for a few minutes. Once you’re happy that they fit, you buy them and take them home. But the first time that you wear them all day, they can take a little while to get used to.

Your new TrueFIT^™ Custom Mask is unlike any other mask you have tried. Like your new shoes, it will feel a little different and you need to expect a period of adjustment.

The good news is that it will fit you perfectly. Your nose will slip into the right spot, the small nostril protrusions will fit comfortably against this inside of the ends of your nostrils and the mask will fit snugly over the brow and up onto the forehead.

All you need to do to get started is adjust the head straps correctly.

The mask is shipped with the head strap attached at the top of the mask. Put the mask on and run the top straps up over your head. Then bring each of the lower straps beneath your ears and connect each one to the corresponding hook on the front of the mask. Some adjustment will be necessary to get the head strap just right.

Remember, you do not need the straps to be tight to achieve a seal. The TrueFIT^™ Custom Mask seals at the base of the nose, so a little upward pressure is all that is needed.

We’ll call you a few days after you get your mask to make sure that you are settling in with it. Of course, you can always contact our support team if you need assistance.

Afterwards

Once the mask is at home and in use, you will be able to enjoy good sleep with a minimum of fuss and frustration.

Make sure that you clean the mask every day using soap and cold water. You should get into this routine right from the start to ensure you get the maximum life from your mask.