Harness assembly for a nasal mask

• US 20020117177A1
• Filed: 04/30/2002
• Published: 08/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Philip Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 7,036,508 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

A harness assembly (40) for a nasal mask (42) for communicating breathable gas to a patient'"'"'s airways, for example in the administering CPAP or like breathable gas delivery treatments. The harness assembly (40) includes a cap portion (44) adapted to engage, in use, the occipital region of the skull (43). The cap portion (44) includes a connection means (48) at each end. The harness assembly (40) also includes a pair of upper (52) and lower (54) straps, each of the straps (52, 54) extending between one of the cap connection means (48) and the nasal mask (42).

The harness assembly (40) grips the head (43) in a region substantially fixed relative to the face and, as such, tension of the straps (52, 54) is not substantially affected by bead movement.

Claims

1. A harness assembly for a nasal mask for communicating breathable gas to a patient'"'"'s airways, the harness assembly includes a cap portion adapted to engage, in use, the occipital region of the skull, said cap portion including a connection means at each end, and a pair of upper and lower straps, each of the straps extending between one of the cap connection means and the nasal mask.

2. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap connection means are adapted to allow the cap portion to pivot substantially independently of the mask and straps.

3. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means are disposed, in use, adjacent the ears of the wearer.

4. An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection means are disposed just above the ears.

5. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap connection means are adapted to allow each of the straps to move substantially independently of the other straps.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the straps is length adjustable.

7. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap portion, in use, covers the occiput of the wearer.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap portion engages and/or grips the curved region of the occiput.

9. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap portion includes an opening through which, in use, the occiput at least partially protrudes.

10. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means also allows the straps to slide normally relative to the direction of the strap.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means are in the form of substantially D-shaped members.

12. An assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the cap portion is connected to the straight portion of the D-shaped members and the upper and lower straps are each respectively connected to the upper and lower curves of the D-shaped members.

13. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means is in the form of a triangular member.

14. An assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cap ends and the upper and lower straps each respectively engage a side of the triangle.

15. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means is in the form of a yoke shaped member having a inner bar and a pair of outer bars each angled slightly with respect to the inner bar.

16. An assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cap portion is connected to the inner bar and the upper and lower straps are each connected to one of the outer bars.

17. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means are in the form of substantially “

C”

shaped members.

18. An assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the lower straps connect to the head of the C, the upper straps to the middle and the cap portion to the base.

19. An assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the cap portion and the upper straps are manufactured as a single component.

20. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection means is produced from plastics, elastomers, composites, laminates or other like materials.

21. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap portion and straps are produced from fabric or like materials or laminates thereof.

22. An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap portion is moulded to snugly fit the head, by thermoforming, fabric darting, or joining two or more pieces along a non-straight seam.

23. An assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the cap portion is moulded to replicate the shape of the occiput.

24. A nasal mask and harness apparatus, the apparatus includes a mask with a nasal cushion and mask body connected to the harness assembly according to claim 1.

25. A method of administering CPAP treatment to a patient, said method including supplying breathable gas to the patient'"'"'s airways using the nasal mask and harness apparatus as claimed in claim 24.

26. A method of administering assisted respiration or mechanical ventilation to a patient, said method including supplying breathable gas to the patient'"'"'s airways using the nasal mask and harness apparatus as claimed in claim 24.