Headgear assembly for breathing interface

• US 10,039,894 B2
• Filed: 11/27/2014
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Walls, Bruce Michael, Faithfull, Rex Gordon, Huang, Wen Dong, Gardiola, Arvin San Jose, Young, Jeremy Owen
• Primary Examiner(s): Sippel, Rachel T
• Application Number:
  US15/037,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20160287830A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 351155, 351156, 351158
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors

Abstract

An interface and headgear assembly includes a headgear assembly. The headgear assembly has a first strap configured to connect to the interface. A crown strap can be adjusted along a length of the first strap. In some configurations, the crown strap has a first portion and a second portion that are adjustably connected. The crown strap can be removably connected to the first strap using bridge regions of the first portion and the second portion.

Claims

1. An interface and headgear assembly comprising:

an interface comprising a frame and a seal supported by the frame;

a headgear assembly removably connected to the interface, the headgear comprising a first strap configured to connect at a first end to the interface and at a second end to the interface, a crown strap connected to the first strap, the crown strap comprising a first bridge region and a second bridge region,

wherein the first bridge region comprises a first end and a second end, the first bridge region defining a first passage that receives the first strap, wherein the first passage comprises a first end and a second end and a central region between the first end and the second end,

wherein the second bridge region comprises a first end and a second end, the second bridge region defining a second passage that receives the first strap, wherein the second passage comprises a first end and a second end and a central region between the first end and the second end,

wherein each of the first passage of the first bridge region and the second passage of the second bridge region includes a bend between the first end and the second end of each of the first passage of the first bridge region and the second passage of the second bridge region that is configured to be positioned above an ear of a patient,

wherein the central region of the first passage is vertically higher than the first end and the second end of the first passage and the central region of the second passage is vertically higher than the first end and the second end of the second passage,

wherein each of the first bridge region and the second bridge region is adjustable in position relative to the first strap along a first and second adjustment region,

wherein a total height of the first strap within the first and second adjustment regions extends between an uppermost edge and a lowermost edge, wherein each of the first bridge region and the second bridge region surround the upper most edge and the lowermost edge such that the entirety of the first strap within the first and second adjustment regions passes through the first and second passages respectively.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first bridge region and the second bridge region comprises multiple supporting components configured to secure the first bridge region and the second bridge region, respectively, to the first strap.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the supporting components comprise a first loop and a second loop configured to receive the first strap of the interface and headgear assembly.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein each of the first and second loops is an interrupted loop.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second loops comprises an upper portion and a lower portion defining a slot therebetween.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein a width of a passageway defined by each of the first and second loops is smaller at the upper portion than at the lower portion.

7. The assembly of claim 3, further comprising at least one medial member positioned between the first loop and the second loop and extending vertically upward from a lower lip of the first bridge region.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one medial member supports the first strap at a relatively higher position than a position of the first strap at the first and second loops.

9. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one medial member comprises a lower medial member and an upper medial member and the first strap can be engaged with either of the lower or upper medial members to adjust an effective length of the first strap.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the crown strap comprises a first strap region and a second strap region, the first strap region and the second strap region being removably coupled together.

11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the first strap region and the second strap region are coupled by an adjustment mechanism.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a plurality of apertures and one or more posts that are selectively engageable with the plurality of apertures.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises two or more slots and a plurality of ridges that are selectively engageable with the one or more slots.

14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises one or more slots and one or more wedges or flaps that are selectively engageable with the one or more slots.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first strap is constructed from a stretchable material.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the crown strap is constructed from a substantially non-stretchable material.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein at least a strap region of the crown strap is constructed from a flexible material.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the material of the strap region has sufficient rigidity such that it is capable of substantially maintaining its shape.

19. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a sleeve on the first strap.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein a surface of the sleeve that contacts a user in use comprises grip-enhancing features.

21. An interface and headgear assembly comprising:

an interface comprising a frame and a seal supported by the frame; and

a headgear assembly removably connected to the interface, the headgear comprising a first strap configured to connect at a first end to the interface and at a second end to the interface, a crown strap connected to the first strap, the crown strap comprising a first bridge region and a second bridge region,

wherein the first bridge region comprises a first end, a second end, and a central region between the first end and the second end, the first bridge region defining a first passage that receives the first strap, wherein the first passage comprises a first end and a second end and a central region between the first end and the second end,

wherein the second bridge region comprises a first end, a second end, and a central region between the first end and the second end, the second bridge region defining a second passage that receives the first strap, wherein the second passage comprises a first end and a second end and a central region between the first end and the second end,

wherein each of the first bridge region and the second bridge region is adjustable in position relative to the first strap, and

wherein the central region of the first passage is vertically higher than the first end and the second end of the first passage and the central region of the second passage is vertically higher than the first end and the second end of the second passage.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the first strap comprises a single strap.

23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the crown strap comprises a single strap and is configured to extend over the top of a patient'"'"'s head.

24. The assembly of claim 21, wherein a first end of the crown strap is attached to the central region of the first bridge region and a second end of the crown strap is attached to the central region of the second bridge region.

25. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the first bridge region and the second bridge region is adapted to be in contact with the skin of a patient.