Mask assembly supporting arrangements

• US 10,166,358 B2
• Filed: 11/16/2015
• Issued: 01/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Swift, Lance Ian, Edwards, Craig David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, (Jackie) Tan-Uyen T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Boecker, Joseph D
• Application Number:
  US14/941,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20160106945A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 12820329, 12820418, 12820525, 12820612, 12820613, 12820621, 12820627, 12820628, 12820711, 12820713, 12820714, 12820717
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• 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 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears

Abstract

A mask assembly includes nasal interface, e.g., in the form of a pair of nozzles, at least one joining portion provided to each side of the nasal interface, and a headgear coupled or otherwise provided to or extending from the joining portion, that is looped around the patient'"'"'s ears. The joining portion is small and compact and may be readily affixed to an existing nasal arrangement, i.e., retrofitted. The joining portion and the headgear can be formed in separate components, or they can be formed as an integral or one-piece arrangement.

Claims

1. A headgear assembly for supporting a patient interface for treating a wearer having a breathing disorder with gas pressurized above atmospheric pressure, the headgear assembly comprising:

first and second joining portions configured to be arranged on and removably attachable to opposite ends of the patient interface, each of the first and second joining portions having a patient interface attachment portion at a first end configured to attach to the patient interface, and a headgear attachment portion at a second end; and

headgear having a first strap assembly and a second strap assembly, each of the first and second strap assemblies having;

a first strap portion including;

a first end that is removably attachable to the headgear attachment portion of the respective joining portion; and

a second end that is attached to an ear interface assembly; and

a second strap portion including;

a first end that is removably attachable to the headgear attachment portion of the respective joining portion; and

a second end that is attached to the ear interface assembly; and

the ear interface assembly being structured and dimensioned to be secured to the wearer'"'"'s ear in use.

2. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ear interface assembly is removably attachable to the second end of the first strap portion and the second end of the second strap portion.

3. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ear interface assembly comprises a carrier portion, the carrier portion extending from a first attachment point adjacent the second end of the first strap portion to a second attachment point adjacent the second end of the second strap portion.

4. The headgear assembly according to claim 3, wherein the ear interface assembly comprises a rear portion, the rear portion extending from the first attachment point adjacent the second end of the first strap portion to the second attachment point adjacent the second end of the second strap portion.

5. The headgear assembly according to claim 4, wherein the carrier portion comprises a curved configuration.

6. The headgear assembly according to claim 5, wherein the rear portion comprises a substantially linear configuration.

7. The headgear assembly according to claim 4, wherein the rear portion comprises adjustable length ear loops.

8. The headgear assembly according to claim 6, wherein the rear portion is adapted to be positioned behind the ear during use.

9. The headgear assembly according to claim 6, wherein the carrier portion is detachable from the first and second strap assemblies.

10. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the first strap portion and the second end of the second strap portion each comprise an ear interface assembly receiving structure.

11. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ear interface assembly is stiffer than the first strap portion and the second strap portion.

12. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ear interface assembly comprises silicon overmolding wire or resin.

13. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion are connected at a joining portion proximate end by a bridging member, the bridging member having a portion which extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal direction of the respective strap portions.

14. The headgear assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first strap portion and the second strap portion are covered by a strap sleeve through which the respective strap portion is threaded, the strap sleeve being made of a soft material relative to the respective strap portion and configured to provide comfort while in contact with the wearer'"'"'s skin during use.