Sip and Puff Switch Solutions

Single and Multi-User Offerings

A gentle sip or puff on a tube may be easier and more suitable for some than a more traditional adaptive switch. Like a traditional switch, our sip puff switches can be used to access all manner of switch activated devices - speech generating devices, computers, tablets, mobile phones, environmental control systems, and other devices designed for switch scanning.

If you can use a drinking straw you can use our Sip/Puff Switch.

There are several things to consider for a sip and puff switch solution. First is the user interface. We provide two standard options for positioning the mouthpiece, a headset and a flexible shaft with universal clamp. However, you may wish to attach the mouth tube to some other apparatus already positioned next to the user. In that case we have extra tubing available for a custom interface. Our multi-user headset features a disposable mouthpiece and filter assembly that is easily replaced. This sanitary solution is perfect for evaluation centers and situations where multiple people will be using the same Sip/Puff Switch. Our flexible shaft interface also features twist-on and disposable, filtered mouthpieces.

Use the second generation Sip/Puff Breeze™ to access iPad, iPhone and the iPod touch with Apple's Switch Control feature.

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 Breeze™

The second generation Breeze builds on the original's comprehensive sip and puff switch, and computer interface solution by adding the capability to generate Apple iOS Switch Control events. It is a first class Sip/Puff sensor with an integrated USB computer interface. Use Breeze's integrated DIP switch to tell it what events your application needs, plug it in, attach a pneumatic tube, and your application is ready for access.

Sip/Puff Breeze now supports iOS Switch Control. With an Apple USB Camera Adapter, Breeze can now provide complete access to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch.

Attach the head mounted or gooseneck user interface to the Breeze sensor using a simple twist-on pneumatic connector. Using available tubing, you can even fashion your own custom interface. The sensitive electronic pressure sensor in Breeze will sense a sip or puff and convert these events into mouse button clicks, joystick button presses, or keyboard characters, and pass these to the connected USB host device.

Mouse Button Emulation
Joystick Button Emulation
Keyboard Emulation
Apple iOS Switch Control Events
Low Latency
Low Power
Works with Standard Windows, Mac and Linux USB Human Interface Device (HID) drivers
USB Powered
High Speed USB Device
Standard Sip and puff pressure is approximately 3-inches water column below and above ambient pressure
High sensitivity setting is approximately 2-inches water column with increased hysteresis
Joystick Plus mode with real time gauge pressure 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)

Follow this link for more Breeze information and an explanation of Joystick Plus mode.

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 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

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, 3.5–mm cables
Four (4) Sip/Puff Mouth Tubes with integral stainless steel forming wire (one attached to Sip/Puff Headset)
Documentation
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

Buy Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tubes (Qty 10)

Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck

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
Two (2), 5–foot, 3.5–mm cables
Four (4) filtered Gooseneck Mouthpieces
Documentation
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Switch with Gooseneck

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

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 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
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze with Headset

Buy Sip/Puff Replacement Mouth Tubes (Qty 10)

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck

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
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze with Gooseneck

Buy Gooseneck Replacement Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch in storage case.

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
Two (2) Disposable Mouthpiece assemblies, each sealed with gloves and instruction sheet
Portable hard plastic case for safe transport and storage
Documentation
1-year limited warranty

Buy Multi-User Sip/Puff Switch with Headset

Buy Replacement Disposable Mouthpieces (Qty 10)

Sip/Puff Switch

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
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Switch

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)
1-year limited warranty

Buy Sip/Puff Breeze

Buy Breeze Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

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)

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)

Replacement Inline Filter

This filter is required for the Breeze and highly recommended for the Sip/Puff Switch. The Origin Instruments Sip/Puff Headset is designed such that gravity will generally minimize saliva moving past the headset. If saliva gets past the headset then an in-line filter is required. 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 used.

Buy Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 10)

Buy Replacement Inline Filters (Qty 20)

Universal Mount

The flexible shaft is delivered with an adjustable super clamp. The clamp supports hard-mounting to table tops, shelves, or cylindrical rods of up to 2.1-inches (53 mm diameter) and weighing 33-pounds (15-kgs). The flexible shaft incorporates a standard 1/4-20 thread for use with the delivered super clamp, tripods or other special mounting hardware.

The clamp handle has a rachet feature to facilitating tightening the clamp it close quarters.

The clamp's v-groove facilitates attaching it to a cylindrical object. Use the wedge insert to maximize support when attaching to flat objects. For cylindrical objects remove the wedge and store it under the T-nut, as shown in the image above.