3-D Printer Custom Modified Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Masks to Improve Efficacy and Patient Compliance in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management

Purpose:

The purpose of this protocol is to perform a prospective pilot clinical study to customize patient CPAP masks to reduce air leak in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Using 3-D printer-based technology modeling of patient facial features, patient FDA-approved CPAP masks will be modified by strategically applying silicone pads on the CPAP mask to mold to the specific facial features to optimize the CPAP mask-patient interface, improve CPAP mask fit and comfort, reduce air leak, limit air pressure loss and improve compliance with CPAP treatment strategy (as measured over a 30 day trial period).

Protocol:

Potential subjects for this study will be identified at the outpatient Sleep Disorders Clinic at BIDMC. Patients will have documented OSA, prescribed CPAP as standard-of-care, and demonstrate consistent problems with CPAP mask-patient interface with documented high air loss, and poor adherence/ compliance. All potential subjects will have used and will continue to use an FDA-approved CPAP mask selected by the patient.

Potential subjects (along with their FDA-approved CPAP mask) will then be referred to the BIDMC Specialties Clinic and screened, including review of the medical history of OSA, review of documented reports of excessive air leak and suboptimal adherence to CPAP, brief physical exam (esp. focusing on the head-and-neck exam) including assessment of the CPAP mask-patient interface, review of the purpose and goals of the pilot clinical study, a dynamic video of the study subject face will be performed, video downloaded to a computer which will then be used to generate a 3-dimensional plastic model of the study subject face using state-of-the-art 3D printer technology (see details below). The patient's FDA-approved CPAP mask will then be applied to his plastic model of the study subject face, and the CPAP mask modified with the application of silicon pads along the mask pillow cushion to optimize the CPAP mask-face model interface, primarily by adjustments to improve CPAP mask contact with the face model and limit the air leak during CPAP ventilation.