BI/PAP mask for sleep apnea and other related clinical uses

• US 20020144684A1
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samuel Joseph Moone
• Original Assignee: Samuel Joseph Moone
• Inventors: Moone, Samuel Joseph
• Application Number:
  US09/849,917
• Publication Number:
  US 20020144684A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure

Abstract

The introduction of gas/air flow tubes molded/inserted from the top gas/air flow channel to the front area below the nasal area will generate additional air flow to the user'"'"'s nose below the nasal openings. The gas/air flow tubes will allow users of breathing masks to become accustomed to masks that will be providing gas/air for various purposes. In this instance the mask will be providing comforting simulated breathing for a BIPAP user with sleep apnea, eliminating the feeling of insufficient airflow to the nasal area. This will eliminate user discomfort with current masks that cause discontinued cooperation by patients with the sleeping regimen. By inserting a plug in the bottom of the gas/air flow tube top the mask will convert from a BIPAP mask, to a CPaP mask. This mask can be used in a variety of hospital/healthcare settings where gas/air is used by patients.

Claims

1. A flexible, resilient respiratory mask facial seal adapted for confronting engagement with a face of a human user to form an spherical sealed interface encompassing a predetermined portion of a user'"'"'s face, said facial seal being adapted for operative connection to a source of breathing gas/air and comprising:

a peripheral wall portion having an inverted bulb-shaped inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end;

a generally inverted bulb-shaped inturned flap seal portion integral with said peripheral wall portion and located adjacent said outer end, said flap seal portion projecting radially inwardly of said peripheral wall portion and defining a contoured sealing surface adapted for confronting and sealing engagement with said predetermined portion of a user'"'"'s face, said flap seal portion further defining a surface opposite said contoured sealing surface against which a flow of breathing gas/air delivered from a breathing gas/air source urges said contoured sealing surface into said confronting and sealing engagement with said predetermined portion of a user'"'"'s face; and

means formed in said flap seal portion for continuously and matingly conforming to the front and side contours of a nose of a user responsive to a breathing gas/air flow against said surface opposite said contoured sealing surface, said means for matingly conforming comprising a recessed area integral and contiguous with said flap seal portion and corresponding substantially in shape to that of a human nose.