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Mask system comprising a combined air delivery and stabilizing structure

  • US 10,556,080 B2
  • Filed: 01/02/2019
  • Issued: 02/11/2020
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:

  • a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location; and

    a conduit headgear system that provides a combined air delivery and stabilizing structure for the patient interface, the conduit headgear system including;

    a first inlet conduit to introduce pressurized air into the breathing chamber of the patient interface through the first inlet port of the patient interface, the first inlet conduit extending across a first side of a head of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the first inlet conduit including a first elongate section that is adapted to extend across the first side of the head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient, the first inlet conduit including a first extension that is located above the first ear of the patient and that extends away from the first elongate section of the first inlet conduit towards a back of the head of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, wherein the first inlet conduit is biased open, is structured to collapse under weight of the head of the patient against bedding, and does not include anti-crush ribs provided to an inside surface of the first inlet conduit to prevent opposing inner walls of the first inlet conduit from engaging one another;

    a second inlet conduit to introduce pressurized air into the breathing chamber of the patient interface through the second inlet port of the patient interface, the second inlet conduit extending across a second side of the head of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the second inlet conduit including a second elongate section that is adapted to extend across the second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient, the second inlet conduit including a second extension that is located above the second ear of the patient and that extends away from the second elongate section of the second inlet conduit towards the back of the head of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, wherein the second inlet conduit is biased open, is structured to collapse under weight of the head of the patient against bedding, and does not include anti-crush ribs provided to an inside surface of the second inlet conduit to prevent opposing inner walls of the second inlet conduit from engaging one another;

    a manifold to which the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit connect, the manifold adapted to receive pressurized air from an air delivery system and provide pressurized air to the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit, the manifold shaped to mount atop the head of the patient, the manifold including;

    (i) a base portion adapted to contact the head of the patient at a center of the base portion, and connect with the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit, wherein the base portion is structured so that a surface of the base portion that is adapted to contact a top of the head of the patient matches a curvature of the top of the head of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and(ii) an inlet tube portion adapted to receive pressurized air from the air delivery system and connect with the base portion to deliver pressurized air to the base portion, wherein the inlet tube portion is structured to be non-collapsible under weight of the head of the patient against bedding,wherein the manifold is structured to provide a transition from the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit each being structured to collapse under weight of the head of the patient against bedding to the inlet tube portion being structured to be non-collapsible under weight of the head of the patient against bedding; and

    a back strap to extend across an occiput of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the back strap connectable with the first extension of the first inlet conduit above the first ear of the patient and connectable with the second extension of the second inlet conduit above the second ear of the patient.

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