Patient interface device with universal headgear mounting member

• US 20060272646A1
• Filed: 05/25/2006
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ho, Peter Chi Fai, Busch, Lance
• Granted Patent: US 7,513,255 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.110
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

A patient interface device of the invention includes a shell having a wall with a port extending therethrough, a conduit coupling in fluid communication with the port, and a mounting member rotatably. The mounting member is coupled to the conduit coupling, or both such that the mounting member is rotatable over a 360 degree range while the patient interface device is donned on a user and without locking in a fixed position relative to the shell or conduit while the patient interface device is donned on a user.

Claims

1. A patient interface device comprising:

a shell having a wall with a port extending therethrough;

a conduit coupling in fluid communication with the port; and

a mounting member, including a strap connection portion, wherein the mounting member is rotatably coupled to the shell, the conduit coupling, or both such that the mounting member is rotatable over a 360 degree range while the patient interface device is donned on a user and without locking in a fixed position relative to the shell or conduit while the patient interface device is donned on a user.

2. The patient interface device of claim 1, further comprising a headgear assembly having at least one strap operatively coupled to the strap connection portion.

3. The patient interface device of claim 2, wherein the headgear assembly is a three-point headgear assembly, a four-point headgear assembly, a vertical headgear assembly, a horizontal headgear assembly, or a combination thereof.

4. The patient interface device of claim 1, wherein the conduit coupling has a first end operatively coupled to the shell and a second end adapted to be coupled to a patient circuit.

5. The patient interface device of claim 1, wherein the strap connection portion comprises at least one slot defined in the mounting member and adapted to be coupled to a strap of a headgear assembly.

6. The patient interface device of claim 5, wherein the slot includes at least one ridge extending from an edge of the slot such that the slot is separated into a plurality of discrete recesses, and wherein each of the plurality of recesses is sized and configured to retain a strap of a headgear assembly.

7. The patient interface device of claim 5, wherein the slot includes at least one tooth projection extending from an edge of the slot such that the tooth is urged against a strap of a headgear assembly and the strap is urged against an opposing edge of the slot, thereby acting as a bearing surface.

8. The patient interface device of claim 5, wherein the strap connection portion comprises a plurality of slots defined in a periphery of the mounting member.

9. The patient interface device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is a generally circular disk, and wherein a central portion of the disk is rotatably attached to the shell in a position substantially adjacent the port.

10. The patient interface device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member further comprises at least one flex slot defined therethrough.

11. The patient interface device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is formed from a substantially rigid material, a substantially flexible material, or a combination thereof.

12. A patient interface device comprising:

sealing means for contacting a surface of a user;

conduit coupling means for coupling the sealing means with a patient circuit such that a flow of gas is communicated between the sealing means and the patient circuit; and

mounting means, operatively coupled to the sealing means, the conduit coupling means, or both, for coupling the patient interface device to a headgear such that the mounting member is rotatably coupled to the shell, the conduit coupling, or both such that the mounting means is rotatable over a 360 degree range while the patient interface device is donned on a user and without locking the mounting means in a fixed position relative to the shell or conduit.

13. The patient interface device of claim 12, further comprising a headgear assembly having at least one strap operatively coupled to the strap connection portion.

14. The patient interface device of claim 13, wherein the headgear assembly is a three-point headgear assembly, a four-point headgear assembly, a vertical headgear assembly, a horizontal headgear assembly, or a combination thereof.

15. A method of attaching a patient interface device to a user comprising:

(a) providing a patient interface device comprising;

(1) a shell having a wall with a port extending therethrough,

(2) a seal member coupled to the shell and adapted to contact a surface of a user,

(3) a conduit coupling in fluid communication with the port; and

(4) a mounting member comprising;

(i) a longitudinal axis,

(ii) a first strap connection portion, and

(iii) a second strap connection portion, wherein the first strap connection portion and the second strap connection portion are disposed at generally opposites ends of the mounting member along the longitudinal axis;

(b) positioning the patient interface device on a user such that the seal member contacts a surface of such a user;

(c) rotating the mounting member such that the longitudinal axis is generally perpendicular or is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of such a patient; and

(d) securing the patient interface device on the user using a headgear responsive to a selection of an orientation of the mounting member.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the patient interface device includes multi slots or multiple recess, and wherein attaching the patient interface device to the user includes selecting a slot or a recess for attachment to a headgear strap.