Can I Treat Sleep Apnea Without CPAP Masks? Yes, With Bleep Sleep Eclipse

Let’s start with a sleep apnea riddle…

Question: When is a sleep apnea mask not a sleep apnea mask?

Answer: When it’s Bleep Sleep Eclipse, a CPAP solution allowing all the benefits of CPAP therapy without some of the problems caused by traditional CPAP masks.

When I first saw Bleep Sleep looking at ways to use CPAP without a mask or headgear, I was intrigued. I knew I had to give it a try! Every other CPAP mask I had tried fell into one of three categories:

• Nasal Pillows CPAP Mask
• Nasal CPAP mask
• Full-Face CPAP Mask

All these types of CPAP mask were secured with headgear. Eclipse ports don’t fall into any of those categories and provide a CPAP solution without headgear or a mask! They attach directly to the nose with medical grade tape, and the fact that Aeroflow Sleep is among the first DME companies to introduce the ground-breaking product to patients like me is remarkable.

Bleep Sleep was started by Stuart Heatherington, a sleep tech and sleep apnea patient who saw an opportunity to develop an entirely new interface for CPAP therapy that didn’t include a traditional mask. As a CPAP user himself, Stuart was familiar with some of the key problems we face when using a nasal pillow, nasal, or full-face mask.

Thus, DreamPorts were invented. The first-of-its-kind, this design eliminated headgear from the CPAP mask while maintaining your continuous positive airway pressure. It did this by using adhesive tape—think Bandaids—to create the perfect mask seal around your nostrils. They do not physically enter the nasal cavity, so there was little discomfort, and the possibility of air leaks was reduced; if not removed.

But the DreamPorts, that adhesive tape, were difficult to attach to the plastic connectors fixed to the nose. People with arthritis or weakness in their hands found it impossible to pinch and twist. Therefore, they didn’t get a good enough seal. This is the main reason why Stuart designed the Eclipse; to simplify that connection with his “Magseal,” which uses magnets that easily connect without any dexterity or hand strength needed. Thus, the Bleep Sleep Eclipse came into being. 

Fixing common CPAP problems, like the air leaks, was the goal Bleep Sleep achieved in both the DreamPorts and Eclipse models. In my experience, here are 3 things of the past thanks to Bleep Sleep and, in this case, the new Eclipse:

1. CPAP Mask Leaks Eradicated

Some of the most compelling data supporting the use of the Bleep Sleep Eclipse solution shows they solve leaks. I don’t mean they reduce leaks. I mean they won’t leak at all! I tried this out for myself.

As a seasoned CPAP user of more than a decade, I thought my mask fit with my ResMed AirTouch F20 was pretty good. I looked at the data gathered wearing my usual full-face CPAP mask, using OSCAR software, and—even though I didn’t have large leaks—the data did show some minor leaks throughout the night.

The next night, I tried out Eclipse and did the same process. When I say there were no leaks, I mean there were none at all. For sleep apnea patients who are waking up repeatedly throughout the night because of a leaking mask, Eclipse is a possible solution. Additionally, Aeroflow Sleep can recommend 5 others. 

2. No More CPAP Skin Irritation

CPAP headgear can wreak havoc on a well thought out skincare routine. Using heavy creams on the face right before bed doesn’t work well with most CPAP masks, because they need to form a snug seal to deliver effective sleep apnea therapy. Plus, headgear sometimes causes skin irritation and lines on cheeks where it makes contact.

Bleep Sleep saw this problem and decided to rethink the need for an ordinary CPAP mask and headgear. Since the medical grade tape only attaches to a small section of your nose, it leaves the rest of your face unencumbered by headgear or mask cushions; either silicone or latex. Provided you prep your nose properly and get the ports attached well, the rest of your face is free for whatever skincare regimen you choose.

Eclipse takes it one step further, thanks to the “Magseal.” Again, part of the reason this new Bleep Sleep model has been long awaited by the sleep apnea community is that it’s one-of-a-kind, using magnets on both sides of your nose to secure the mask to your face. That means less surface area for the adhesive, more surface area for the magnets, and less skin contact for a better seal.

3. Better Hair Health For CPAP Users

There are a number of things playing into whether hair breakage is part of your CPAP journey; including hair loss due to limited oxygen. Symptomatic explanations aside for poor hair health, friction between headgear straps and your hair can cause a bald spot or hair breakage. The texture and fragility of particular hair types will play a role, and the material of the headgear is also a contributing factor; plastic or fabric.

I dealt with some hair breakage when I first started CPAP therapy, because I would pull my mask off my face, dragging the headgear across my hair. This problem was reduced by loosening my headgear before I took it off. However, the only way to ensure that there is no hair breakage from CPAP headgear is to get rid of the headgear altogether, and Eclipse does that.

That was one of the final, lasting motivations behind Bleep Sleep. Any issues with headgear aren’t issues anymore when you don’t need it!

When I tried out the Eclipse system, I did find there was a learning curve to get the best results, and remember, I’m an OSA veteran. If you are new to CPAP or new to trying products from Bleep Sleep in general, here are a few helpful pointers to get you off to a great start:

1. Get A CPAP Hose Stand

Before I tried Bleep Sleep products, I had never used a CPAP hose stand. This simple device supports the weight of your CPAP hose and positions it perfectly above your head. Having a perfectly positioned hose floating above you can help with the comfort of any CPAP mask, but with Bleep Sleep, it allows you to sleep in any position without tugging on the tape holding the Eclipse magnetic ports in place. This doubly ensures that CPAP mask leaks are really eradicated.

2. Don't Skip On Skin Prep

Preparing the skin around your nose with a witch-hazel ointment or Bleep’s purpose-made wipes is vital. Oils and residue build up on the skin throughout the day naturally and can also compromise the seal between the medical-grade tape and the skin around your nose.

I came across this a few nights into using Eclipse when I got lazy and didn’t properly prep with the special wipes; my seal was broken, causing a leak of air. I learned the hard way, the better I followed the steps to prep my skin, the better the results I got.

3. Set Up Your Bleep Sleep Eclipse Before Bed

My life gets so busy with my family, work, housework, and trips. When I fall into bed at night, I’m not in the mood for completing even small tasks, but Bleep Sleep’s Eclipse takes more prep than putting on a traditional CPAP mask.

Planning ahead allowed me to prep my skin and apply the tape carefully before getting into bed. Getting a great seal with proper application makes all the difference with this product! If you’re trying it out, set yourself up for success by taking the time to prep and get the best results.

Although the learning curve I experienced brought these tips to you, like so many parts of the sleep apnea journey, every solution doesn’t suit every person. Mouth breathers aren’t going to do well with Bleep Sleep products for the same reason they don’t do well with nasal or nasal pillows CPAP masks. It is important that the continuous positive airway pressure delivered by CPAP therapy gets to the upper airway to keep it open. Ideally, that should be through the nose, with a closed mouth.

Patients who should not use Bleep Sleep Eclipse include mouth breathers, heavy snorers, and those with nasal congestion or frequent sinus infections. Furthermore, anyone using a full-face CPAP mask, prescribed by their doctor, may consult with their healthcare provider about switching to Eclipse. A pressure adjustment may be necessary; another reason it’s always a good idea to consult with a medical professional if there’s a question about nasal patency.

References

Loggins, Brittany. “Can Lack of Sleep Cause Hair Loss?” Sleep Enlightened, Saatva, 29 Aug. 2023, www.saatva.com/blog/sleep-and-hair-loss/. 

Noah, William, M.D., Hite, Hete, Bernard, Ph.D., and Lannom Jr., Wilson, MS. "BSL-SNAP-002 Data Analysis Report." 09 Mar. 2023, https://bleepsleep.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BSL-SNAP-002-Data-Analysis-Report-Milestone-3.2-20230309.pdf.