Breathing mask device and application device and frontal support device thereof

• US 20040255949A1
• Filed: 04/22/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MAP Medizin-Technologie GMBH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vogele, Harald, Madaus, Stefan, Lang, Bernd, Heidmann, Dieter, Biener, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 7,320,323 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0655 in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes

Abstract

The invention concerns a breathing mask arrangement for feeding a respiratory gas to a patient. The invention further concerns a forehead support device for same. The breathing mask arrangement according to the invention includes an arch body, a sealing lip means for bearing against the surface of the face of a mask user, a respiratory gas conduit means for feeding respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user of the mask. The breathing mask arrangement according to the invention is distinguished by an application structure for application of the sealing lip means jointly with the arch body, wherein the application structure has a carrier portion on which a respiratory gas conduit member in the form of a docking port is releasably mounted. The forehead support device according to the invention includes a contact element provided in the application position of the breathing mask for bearing against the forehead region of a user of the mask, and a holding device for holding the contact element in tiltably movable manner. By virtue thereof, even when using a contact element of comparatively large area, that provides for good adaptability to the most widely varying facial architectures.

Claims

1. A breathing mask arrangement comprising an arch body, a sealing lip means for bearing against the surface of the face of a mask user, a respiratory gas conduit means for feeding respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user of the mask, and an application structure for application of the sealing lip means jointly with the arch body, wherein the application structure has a carrier portion on which a respiratory gas conduit member is releasably coupled.

2. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the respiratory gas conduit member is in the form of a tube connection.

3. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the application structure includes a frame portion.

4. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the frame portion is formed integrally with the carrier portion.

5. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the carrier portion has an insert opening and the respiratory gas conduit member can be releasably inserted into said insert opening.

6. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that there is provided a latching device for fixing the respiratory gas conduit member to the carrier portion.

7. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the latching device is in the form of a bayonet or rotary latching device.

8. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the carrier portion is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the frame portion.

9. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the arch body is coupled sealingly to the respiratory gas conduit member.

10. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the arch body is made from an elastomer material.

11. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the arch body is formed integrally with the sealing lip means.

12. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the arch body is provided with openings for the discharge of respiratory gas loaded with CO₂.

13. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the application structure includes a forehead support device for supporting the arrangement in the forehead region.

14. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that there is provided a pivot device and the forehead support device is pivotably movably coupled to the frame portion.

15. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the pivot device includes an arcuate track guide means and the forehead support device has a guide portion.

16. A breathing mask arrangement comprising an arch body, a sealing lip means for bearing against the surface of the face of a mask user, a respiratory gas conduit means for feeding respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user of the mask, and an application structure for application of the sealing lip means jointly with the arch body, wherein the arch body and the sealing lip means are produced integrally from an elastomer material and can be inserted as a releasably fixable unit into the application structure.

17. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 16 characterised in that it can be put together in a modular mode from a frame portion, a forehead support device releasably couplable to the frame portion and an integral member comprising the sealing lip means and the arch body.

18. A forehead support device for a breathing mask comprising a contact element which is provided in the application position for contacting the forehead region of a user of the mask, characterised by a holding device for holding the contact element in tiltably movable manner.

19. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the holder is in the form of a pivotal holder.

20. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the holder includes a pivot device.

21. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the pivot device is formed by an elastomer structure.

22. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the pivot device is in the form of a ball joint device.

23. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the contact element is formed from an elastomer material.

24. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the contact element is of a pad-like configuration.

25. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the contact element forms a concavely inwardly curved contact surface, wherein the curvature is so matched as to provide a defined distribution in respect of surface pressure.

26. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that there are provided two contact elements.

27. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the two contact elements are connected together.

28. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the contact elements are formed integrally with each other.

29. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the pivot device is formed integrally with the contact element.

30. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that the pivot device is of such a configuration and arrangement that it is on or near the line of action of force, which extends through a centre point in respect of surface pressure of the corresponding contact element.

31. A forehead support device according to at claim 18 characterised in that the contact surface is so profiled as to prevent suction on the surface of the forehead of the patient.

32. A forehead support device according to at claim 18 characterised in that the contact element is provided with holes or passages.

33. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that at least the surface portion of the contact element, which comes into contact with the surface of the skin of the user of the mask, has a velvety matt surface.

34. A forehead support device according to claim 18 characterised in that there are provided a plurality of coupling options in regard to coupling of the forehead support device so that different forehead spacings can be adjusted by selective coupling.

35. An application device for a breathing mask arrangement with a forehead support device, wherein the forehead support device has a right arm element and a left arm element and the arm elements are provided with a contact portion for bearing against a left and a right forehead zone respectively of a mask user and wherein each of the arm elements is pivotably movable about a pivot axis.

36. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that there is provided an adjusting drive device for deflection of the arm elements into a predetermined pivotal position.

37. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that the pivot axes of each of the arm elements are so oriented that in a front view they extend transversely and in particular substantially perpendicularly with respect to a transverse line joining the eyebrows.

38. An application device for a breathing mask arrangement according to claim 35 characterised in that the pivot axes are spaced from each other at the level of the transverse line.

39. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that the pivot axes are inclined relative to each other through an angle α

.

40. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that in a front view the pivot axes intersect in a region between the transverse line and the chin region of a mask user.

41. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that the pivot axes are defined by hinge devices.

42. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that the hinge devices are formed by film hinge structures.

43. An application device according to claim 35 characterised in that the adjusting drive device has an adjusting wheel which is in engagement with coupling members by way of a spiral or screwthread structure.

44. An application device for a breathing mask arrangement comprising a forehead support device, wherein the forehead support device has a right arm element and a left arm element and the two arm elements are arranged pivotably movably by way of a pivot axis, wherein the pivot axis extends substantially parallel to a transverse line which in the application position joins the eyebrows of a mask user, and there is provided an adjusting drive device for establishing the pivotal position of the members of the application device, which are movable about the pivot axis.