Patient interface with cushion for red mark prevention

• US 10,046,131 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2013
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Inventors: Hendriks, Cornelis Petrus, Valster, Susanne Maaike, Matysek, Marc, Pastoor, Sander Theodoor, Van De Molengraaf, Roland Alexander, Willard, Nicolaas Petrus, Van De Ven, Richard Johannus Maria, Van Zanten, Joyce, Potze, Willem, Asvadi, Sima, Voncken, Rudolf Maria Jozef, Haartsen, Jacob Roger, Klee, Mareike, Lawrenson, Matthew John, Nolan, Julian Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas, Steven
• Application Number:
  US14/405,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20150209540A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,895 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0283 Electro-active polymers [EAP]
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/005 Parameter used as control input for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/06 Heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/30 Blood pressure A61M2230/04 takes precedence

Abstract

A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient'"'"'s face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

Claims

1. A patient interface for delivering gas to a patient, with

a cushion element that is adapted to contact the patient when the patient interface is worn by the patient, and

a responsive material that is adapted to alternate at least one of:

the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element, in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material when the patient interface is worn by the patient, wherein the cushion element comprises or is mounted to the responsive material, wherein the responsive material is an electroactive polymer material, wherein the electroactive polymer material is segmented into a plurality of segments, and wherein each segment is structured to individually receive a voltage applied thereto by a controller.

2. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the patient interface comprises at least one dielectric elastomer actuator as the electroactive polymer material.

3. The patient interface of claim 2, wherein at least one of the dielectric elastomer actuators is prestrained.

4. The patient interface of claim 1, further comprising a shell, wherein the cushion element is mounted to the shell by the responsive material.

5. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein said cushion element is ring-shaped having an inner circumference, and wherein said responsive material is formed as a ring arranged at the inner circumference of said cushion element.

6. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the physical quantity is one of:

an electrical current, an electrical voltage, or temperature.

7. A patient interface system for delivering gas to a patient, the patient interface system comprising:

a patient interface comprising;

a cushion element that is adapted to contact the patient when the patient interface is worn by the patient, and

an electroactive polymer material that is adapted to alternate at least one of;

the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element, in response to an electrical quantity acting on the electroactive polymer material when the patient interface is worn by the patient, wherein the cushion element comprises or is mounted to the electroactive polymer material;

a device for supplying gas to the patient interface; and

a controller for controlling the electroactive polymer material, wherein the controller is either comprised in the patient interface or in the device for supplying gas,

wherein the electroactive polymer material is segmented into a plurality of segments and wherein said controller is configured to one or both of;

individually apply voltages to said segments and individually read voltages or capacitances from said segments.

8. The patient interface system of claim 7, wherein said controller is configured to individually read voltages or capacitances from said segments and to detect air leaks or excessive pressures between the patient interface and the patient'"'"'s face from said read voltages or capacitances and to individually apply voltages to said segments at which air leaks or excessive pressures have been detected to close said air leaks or reduce said excessive pressures.