Pressure face mask and nasal mask

• US 20030168063A1
• Filed: 12/05/2002
• Published: 09/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Next Life Medical Corporation
• Original Assignee: Next Life Medical Corporation
• Inventors: Gambone, Anthony Joseph, Gee, Glen, Brisco, Donald Lee
• Application Number:
  US10/313,526
• Publication Number:
  US 20030168063A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/203.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support

Abstract

Disclosed is a positive pressure full-face mask comprising a foam cuff, preferably made from a non-reticulated ester polyurethane. The disclosed face mask provides a superior seal to the user'"'"'s face compared with face masks with air-filled cushion or silicone gasket cuffs, while providing a more comfortable user experience. Also disclosed is a nasal mask with a foam cushion that is more comfortable to the user.

Claims

1. A positive pressure full-face mask comprising a dome secured to a foam cuff, wherein the foam cuff contacts a user'"'"'s face.

2. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the foam cuff is a non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

3. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 2, wherein the non-reticulated polyurethane foam is an ether-type non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

4. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the foam cuff is countered to conform to a human face.

5. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the dome is polyvinyl chloride.

6. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the dome is a styrene-butadiene copolymer.

7. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the dome is flexible.

8. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein the dome further comprises a flange to which the foam cuff is secured.

9. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 8, wherein the flange is contoured to conform to a human face.

10. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 8, wherein the cuff is secured to the flange with an adhesive.

11. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 9, wherein the adhesive is a UV-curing adhesive.

12. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, further comprising a thumb and finger ledge.

13. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein a cannula or wire passes between the foam cuff and the user'"'"'s face.

14. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 1, wherein a cannula or wire passes through a slit or hole in the foam cuff.

15. A positive pressure full-face mask comprising a dome secured to a cuff, wherein the mask will hold about 60 cm H₂O or greater gas pressure when held against a user'"'"'s face with normal hand pressure.

16. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the cuff is foam.

17. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 16, wherein the foam cuff is a non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

18. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 17, wherein the non-reticulated polyurethane foam is an ether-type non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

19. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the cuff is countered to conform to a human face.

20. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the dome is polyvinyl chloride.

21. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the dome is a styrene-butadiene copolymer.

22. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the dome is flexible.

23. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein the dome further comprises a flange to which the foam cuff is secured.

24. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 23, wherein the flange is contoured to conform to a human face.

25. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 23, wherein the cuff is secured to the flange with an adhesive.

26. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 25, wherein the adhesive is a UV-curing adhesive.

27. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, further comprising a thumb and finger ledge.

28. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein a cannula or wire passes between the foam cuff and the user'"'"'s face.

29. The positive pressure full-face mask of claim 15, wherein a cannula or wire passes through a slit or hole in the foam cuff.

30. A method of providing a breathable gas to a user comprising

positioning a positive pressure full-face mask comprising a dome secured to a foam cuff over the nose and mouth of the user, wherein the foam cuff contacts the user'"'"'s face,

applying sufficient pressure to the mask to form a seal between the full-face mask and the user'"'"'s face, and

providing a breathable gas through an inlet port on the full-face mask.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the foam cuff is a non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the non-reticulated polyurethane foam is an ether-type non-reticulated polyurethane foam.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the foam cuff is countered to conform to a human face.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein the dome is polyvinyl chloride.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein the dome is a styrene-butadiene copolymer.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein the dome is flexible.

37. The method of claim 30, wherein the dome further comprises a flange to which the foam cuff is secured.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the flange is contoured to conform to a human face.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the cuff is secured to the flange with an adhesive.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the adhesive is a UV-curing adhesive.

41. The method of claim 30, further comprising a thumb and finger ledge.

42. The method of claim 30, wherein a cannula or wire passes between the foam cuff and the user'"'"'s face.

43. The method of claim 30, wherein a cannula or wire passes through a slit or hole in the foam cuff.

44. A nasal mask comprising a foam cushion.

45. The nasal mask of claim 44, wherein the foam is a viscoelastic foam.

46. The nasal mask of claim 44, wherein the foam is a polyurethane foam.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the foam is a viscoelastic foam.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the foam is a polyurethane foam.

47. A method of providing CPAP therapy to a user comprising

positioning a nasal mask comprising a foam cushion over the nose of the user,

applying sufficient pressure to the mask to form a seal between the nasal mask and the user'"'"'s face, and

providing a breathable gas through an inlet port on the nasal mask.