Ergonomic and adjustable respiratory mask assembly with headgear assembly

• US 20030196655A1
• Filed: 03/19/2003
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nasr, Saad, Ging, Anthony M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,907,882 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/201.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• 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 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/22 Carbon dioxide-absorbing devices ; Other means for removing carbon dioxidecartridges with absorbing substances for respiratory apparatus A62B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/14 Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1959 Magnetic, adhesive, or snap type fastener connects tie to shirt
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/32 having magnetic fastener

Abstract

A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body. Each side frame member includes an integrally formed first connector portion. A headgear assembly is removably attachable to the frame. The headgear assembly has a second connector portion adapted to be removably coupled with the first connector portion provided on the frame. The second connector portion is manually movable to a releasing position to detach the headgear assembly from the frame. The headgear assembly is rotationally adjustable with respect to the frame.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having a main body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main body, each side frame member including an integrally formed first connector portion; and

a headgear assembly removably attachable to the frame, the headgear assembly having a second connector portion adapted to be removably coupled with the first connector portion provided on the frame, the second connector portion being manually movable to a releasing position to detach the headgear assembly from the frame,

wherein the headgear assembly is rotationally adjustable with respect to the frame.

2. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first connector portion includes at least one locking clip receiver assembly having a slot and the second connector portion includes a locking tab, the locking tab configured to be inserted into the slot and interlocked with a locking flange provided in the slot to removably attach the headgear assembly to the frame.

3. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the headgear assembly includes a pair of front straps each having a front strap end, a top strap end, and a rear strap end, and wherein each front strap end is configured to extend parallel to the check region of the patient below the patient'"'"'s eye, the top strap end is configured to extend away from the front strap end along the patient'"'"'s temple, and the rear strap end is configured to extend around the bottom of the patient'"'"'s ear.

4. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 3, wherein the front strap ends are constructed of two layers of material, one of the layers of material having a more rigid construction than the other of the layers of material.

5. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a yoke attached to each front strap end, the yoke having a shape matching a shape of at least a portion of the front strap end, the yoke being made of a material adding some degree of rigidity to the front strap end.

6. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 5, wherein the yoke includes a first engagement surface that engages with a second engagement surface provided on a locking clip adapted to be removably coupled with the frame.

7. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 6, wherein the locking clip is rotationally adjustable with respect to the yoke.

8. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein the locking clip is rotationally adjustable with respect to the yoke within an angle in the range of 50-100°

.

9. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein the locking clip includes a retaining flange that provides the second engagement surface and the yoke includes a mounting flange that provides the first engagement surface, the retaining flange being inserted into the mounting flange such that the first and second engagement surfaces engage with one another to axially retain the locking clip to the yoke.

10. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 9, wherein the locking clip includes a plurality of raised teeth that are structured to engage a plurality of teeth provided on a tab portion of the yoke so as to rotationally lock the locking clip with respect to the yoke, the tab portion being movable to a released position to disengage the plurality of raised teeth of the locking clip from the plurality of teeth of the tab portion to enable the rotational adjustment to the locking clip with respect to the yoke.

11. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein the locking clip includes a locking tab that provides the second connector portion and the frame includes a slot providing the first connector portion, the locking clip being inserted into the slot provided in the frame with the locking tab interlocking with a locking flange provided in the slot to removably attach the locking clip to the frame.

12. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 11, wherein the locking clip includes a pair of spring arms that each include a locking tab at a free end thereof and the frame includes a pair of slots adapted to receive a respective one of the pair of spring arms, the locking tab of each spring arm interlocking with locking flanges provided in respective slots to removably attach the locking clip to the frame.

13. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 12, wherein the locking clip includes a central support tab that is inserted into a central support slot provided on the frame when the locking clip and frame are engaged so as to prevent relative movement between the locking clip and the frame.

14. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a cushion removably attachable to the main body of the frame, the cushion including a side wall having a first interlocking surface that engages a second interlocking surface provided by the frame when the cushion and frame are engaged with one another, wherein the first and second interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another to removably attach the cushion to the frame.

15. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an aperture provided through the main body of the frame for the introduction of breathable gas into a nasal breathing cavity, and an elbow assembly that is swivelably coupled to a front surface of the frame.

16. A headgear assembly for a respiratory mask assembly that delivers breathable gas to a patient, the headgear assembly comprising:

a pair of front straps each having a front strap end, a top strap end, and a rear strap end, and wherein each front strap end is configured to extend parallel to the check region of the patient below the patient'"'"'s eye, the top strap end is configured to extend away from the front strap end along the patient'"'"'s temple, and the rear strap end is configured to extend around the bottom of the patient'"'"'s ear,

a second connector portion adapted to be removably coupled with a first connector portion provided on a frame,

wherein the pair of front straps are configured to maintain the frame on the patient'"'"'s face without obstructing the patient'"'"'s view.

17. A headgear assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first connector portion includes at least one locking clip receiver assembly having a slot and the second connector portion includes a locking tab, the locking tab configured to be inserted into the slot and interlocked with a locking flange provided in the slot to removably attach the headgear assembly to the frame.

18. A headgear assembly according to claim 16, further comprising a yoke attached to each front strap end, the yoke having a shape matching a shape of at least a portion of the front strap end, the yoke being made of a material adding some degree of rigidity to the front strap end.

19. A headgear assembly according to claim 18, wherein the yoke includes a first engagement surface that engages with a second engagement surface provided on a locking clip adapted to be removably coupled with the frame.

20. A headgear assembly according to claim 19, wherein the locking clip is rotationally adjustable with respect to the yoke.