Sip and Puff Switch Solutions

The Sip/Puff solutions are ideal for people who have limited or no motor capability to operate switch activated devices, including computers, augmentative communication devices, adapted toys, environmental control systems and devices accessed or controlled by scanning. Sip/Puff technology is also popular for wheel chair navigation.

For people effected with severe motor disabilities, manipulating a standard switch can be difficult, tiring and in some cases impossible. With Origin Instruments Sip/Puff offerings users can easily activate and have control over devices through a simple "sip" and/or "puff" into a mouth tube.

There are several ways to configure a sip and puff switch solution. The first consideration is the user interface. We provide two styles of headsets, single-user and multi-user, and a gooseneck user interface. The multi-user headset features a totally detachable mouthpiece assembly that is easily replaced for situations where multiple people will be using the same Sip/Puff Switch. For situations where a headset is not desired, a flexible gooseneck style interface is available. The gooseneck user interface features twist-on filtered mouthpieces.

The second consideration is connectivity. The device that turns the sips and puffs into electrical signals (often referred to as a "switch interface") for a computer or AAC device is available in two forms. If a simple switch closure over a standard 3.5-mm connector is desired then the passive Sip/Puff Switch is the proper choice. If a USB output is desired then Sip/Puff Breeze is the proper choice.

Sip/Puff Switch™

All user interface solutions can be attached to the separate, dual pressure switch using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. The two pressure switches have normally open contacts that close when the user sips or puffs on an attached mouthpiece. These low voltage and low current signaling switches are designed for connection to an electronic device – they are not designed to switch power loads.

• Sip and puff pressure thresholds are approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
• Switches carry 40-milliamps at AC/DC–30 volts or less with a resistive load, for millions of cycles
• Dual pressure switch has two 3.5-mm (1/8-inch headphone) connectors. One connector provides both sip and puff events with a stereo cable
• Simple slide switch can be used to change the sense of Sip and Puff signals on the stereo connector
• Passive pressure switches do not require batteries or external power
• Enclosure has integrated "sip" and "puff" test switches

Sip/Puff Breeze™

All user interface solutions can be attached to the separate, Breeze sensor using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. The electronic pressure sensor in Breeze will sense a sip or puff and convert these events to mouse button clicks or joystick button presses, and pass these to the connected USB host device (typically a PC or Mac computer).

• Sip and puff pressure thresholds are approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
• Mouse Button Emulation
• Joystick Button Emulation
• Extremely Low Latency
• Works with Standard Windows, Mac and Linux USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers
• USB Powered
• Real time gauge pressure can be reported as joystick X and Y values (± 4 kPa)
• 2- by 0.8- by 0.5-inches (51- by 20- by 13-mm)
• Weighs ½-ounce (14-grams)

Sip/Puff Product Offerings

The Sip/Puff solutions are sold separately and in the following bundles:

• Sip/Puff Switch with Headset
• Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck
• Sip/Puff Breeze with Headset
• Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck
• Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset
• AirVoter™ – A multi-user version optimized for voting machine access

Individual components and replacements include:

• Sip/Puff Switch
• Sip/Puff Breeze
• Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tube for Single User Headset
• Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpiece
• Breeze Replacement Inline Filter
• Universal Mount

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Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

The Sip/Puff Switch translates sips and puffs into independent switch closures. The Sip/Puff Switch has two (2) 3.5mm ports for connecting two standard mono cables or a single stereo cable and has integrated test buttons to assist in application testing.

Sip/Puff Headset is a comfortable, adjustable head frame. The padded headset slips over the ears and behind the head. A replaceable mouth tube is held in position with an integral stainless steel forming wire. The tube and wire can be bent and cut to adapt to individual needs.

Sip/Puff Switch with Headset includes:

• Sip/Puff Switch with integrated "sip" and "puff" pressure switches (no external power required)
• Sip/Puff Headset with attached 6-foot (1.8-meter) air tube and twist connector for attaching to Sip/Puff Switch
• Two (2) 5–foot cables, one mono and one stereo
• Four (4) Sip/Puff Mouth Tubes with integral stainless steel forming wire (one attached to Sip/Puff Headset)
• Documentation

*Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tubes are available

Buy Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

Buy Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tubes (Qty 10)

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Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck

The Sip/Puff Switch translates sips and puffs into independent switch closures. The Sip/Puff Switch has two (2) 3.5mm ports for connecting two standard mono cables or a single stereo cable and has integrated test buttons to assist in application testing.

Strong, lightweight and versatile, the Sip/Puff Gooseneck features a Universal Mount that securely attaches to table tops, beds and wheelchairs. The flexible steel gooseneck and the ball-and-socket mount enable easy and secure mouthpiece positioning. The filtered mouthpiece is replaceable and a thin, pliable connecting tube interfaces the mouthpiece to the Sip/Puff Switch with a simple twist connector.

Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck includes:

• Sip/Puff Switch with integrated "sip" and "puff" pressure switches (no external power required)
• Sip/Puff Gooseneck with Universal Mount
• 6-foot (1.8-meter) tube with twist connectors
• Cables (1 mono and 1 stereo)
• Four (4) filtered Gooseneck Mouthpieces
• Documentation

*Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpieces are available

Buy Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

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Sip/Puff Breeze with Headset

Sip/Puff Breeze is an advanced USB sip/puff switch in an extremely compact package. It connects directly to standard USB ports on computers, laptops, and AAC devices and provides hardware emulation of mouse buttons or joystick functions.

Sip/Puff Headset is a comfortable, adjustable head frame. The padded headset slips over the ears and behind the head. A replaceable mouth tube is held in position with an integral stainless steel forming wire. The tube and wire can be bent and cut to adapt to individual needs.

Sip/Puff Breeze with Headset includes:

• Sip/Puff Breeze with Inline Filter
• Sip/Puff Headset with attached 6-foot (1.8-meter) air tube and twist connector for attaching to Sip/Puff Breeze
• Four (4) Sip/Puff Mouth Tubes with integral stainless steel forming wire (one attached to Sip/Puff Headset)
• Documentation

*Replacement Sip/Puff Mouth Tubes and Breeze Inline Filters are available

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze with Headset

Buy Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tubes (Qty 10)

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

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Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck

Sip/Puff Breeze is an advanced USB sip/puff switch in an extremely compact package. It connects directly to standard USB ports on computers, laptops, and AAC devices and provides hardware emulation of mouse buttons or joystick functions.

Strong, lightweight and versatile, the Sip/Puff Gooseneck features a Universal Mount that securely attaches to table tops, beds and wheelchairs. The flexible steel gooseneck and the ball-and-socket mount enable easy and secure mouthpiece positioning. The filtered mouthpiece is replaceable and a thin, pliable connecting tube interfaces the mouthpiece to Sip/Puff Breeze with a simple twist connector.

Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck includes:

• Sip/Puff Breeze with Inline Filter
• Sip/Puff Gooseneck with Universal Mount
• 6-foot (1.8-meter) tube with twist connectors
• Four (4) filtered Gooseneck Mouthpieces
• Documentation

* Replacement Breeze Inline Filters and Gooseneck Mouthpieces are available

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

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Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

The Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset provides healthcare institutions, assessment centers, hospitals, etc. with a means to support multiple users while reducing concerns over sanitation. "Sip" and "Puff" test buttons are integrated to assist in application testing.

The Sip/Puff Multi-user Headset is uniquely designed to support disposable mouthpieces. The disposable mouthpiece attaches in seconds using a snap-fit fastener and includes an inline aseptic filter to enable hygienic, worry-free access by a succession of users. The system is packaged in a compact case for easy storage and transport.

Multi-user Sip/Puff Switch with Headset includes:

• Sip/Puff Multi-user Headset
• Sip/Puff Switch with integrated "sip" and "puff" pressure switches (no external power required) and integrated test buttons for assisting users
• 6–foot (1.8-meter) air tube with quick-connects for attaching Sip/Puff Switch and disposable mouthpiece assembly
• Two (2) 5–foot, 3.5–mm cables, one mono and one stereo for single or dual cable operation
• Five (5) Disposable Mouthpiece assemblies, each sealed with gloves and instruction sheet
• Portable hard plastic case with foam cushioning for safe transport and storage
• Documentation

*Replacement Disposable Mouthpieces are available

Buy Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

Buy Replacement Disposable Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

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Sip/Puff Switch

All user interface solutions can be attached to the separate, dual pressure switch using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. The two pressure switches have normally open contacts that close when the user sips or puffs on an attached mouthpiece. These low voltage and low current signaling switches are designed for connection to an electronic device – they are not designed to switch power loads.

• Sip and puff pressure thresholds are approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
• Switches carry 40-milliamps at AC/DC–30 volts or less with a resistive load, for millions of cycles
• Dual pressure switch has two 3.5-mm (1/8-inch headphone) connectors. One connector provides both sip and puff events with a stereo cable
• Simple slide switch can be used to change the sense of Sip and Puff signals on the stereo connector
• Passive pressure switches do not require batteries or external power
• Enclosure has integrated "sip" and "puff" test switches

Buy Sip/Puff Switch

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Sip/Puff Breeze

All user interface solutions can be attached to the separate, Breeze sensor using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. The electronic pressure sensor in Breeze will sense a sip or puff and convert these events to mouse button clicks or joystick button presses, and pass these to the connected USB host device (typically a PC or Mac computer).

• Sip and puff pressure thresholds are approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
• Mouse Button Emulation
• Joystick Button Emulation
• Extremely Low Latency
• Works with Standard Windows, Mac and Linux USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers
• USB Powered
• Real time gauge pressure can be reported as joystick X and Y values (± 4 kPa)
• 2- by 0.8- by 0.5-inches (51- by 20- by 13-mm)
• Weighs ½-ounce (14-grams)

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

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Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tube for Single User Headset

The Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tube has a stainless steel forming wire to position the tube in a convenient location next to the mouth. For best results the plastic tubing should slip up to the plastic mount for the headset's stainless steel tube.

Click Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tube (Qty 10)

Click Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tube (Qty 100)

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Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpiece

The filtered Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpiece has a simple twist on connector.

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpiece (Qty 10)

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpiece (Qty 20)

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Breeze Replacement Inline Filter

This filter is required for the Breeze and the Sip/Puff Switch when used without the Sip/Puff Headset. The Origin Instruments Sip/Puff Headset is designed such that gravity will generally minimize saliva moving past the headset. If saliva routinely gets past the headset then an in-line filter should be inserted next to the Sip/Puff Breeze. There is no need to insert more than one filter. For example, the Gooseneck Mouthpiece has an in-line filter so a second filter should not be inserted.

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 20)

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Universal Mount

The flexible shaft is delivered with an adjustable mechanical mounting arm that is articulated in four degrees of freedom. The mounting arm includes an integrated adjustable clamp that supports hard-mounting to table tops, shelves, or cylindrical rods of up to 1.5-inches (38 mm diameter). The flexible shaft incorporates a standard 1/4-20 thread for use with the delivered universal mount, tripods or other special mounting hardware.

The universal mounting arm is composed of two separate pieces, a ball and joint assembly and a clamp. The ball and joint assembly aligns with the clamp using an orientation pin that fixes it in one of eight 45-degree orientations

The single axis joint can be locked in one of thirteen positions (15-degree increments) over a range of 180-degrees as shown in the illustration.

The ball and socket provides additional capability to fix the universal mount at almost any angle. The clamp v-groove facilitates attaching the clamp to a cylindrical object. Clamps with larger openings are available.

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Additional Resources

Download Sip/Puff Product User Guides