Patient interface with adjustable cushion

• US 20070044804A1
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Ho, Peter, Eaton, Jason, Matula, Jerome, Andrews, Derrick, Scarberry, Eugene, DiPasquale, James, Stegman, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,245,711 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.210
• 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 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 16/0638 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 16/0816 Joints or connectors

Abstract

A patient interface of the present invention includes a faceplate including a plurality of headgear attachment elements, a seal member operatively coupled to the faceplate; and an adjustment mechanism coupling the seal member to the faceplate. The adjustment mechanism controls the position of the seal member relative to the faceplate such that the seal member is moveable from a first position to a second position and is maintained in the second position during use of the patient interface after being moved to the second position.

Claims

1. A patient interface comprising:

a faceplate including a plurality of headgear attachment elements;

a seal member operatively coupled to the faceplate; and

an adjustment mechanism coupling the seal member to the faceplate such that the seal member is adjustable relative to the faceplate from a first position to a second position maintains the seal member in the second position during use of the patient interface.

2. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:

a threaded member operatively coupled to the seal member; and

a threaded slot associated with the faceplate, wherein the threaded member engages the threaded slot to adjust the seal member relative to the faceplate.

3. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:

a threaded portion operatively coupled to the seal member, and a thread engaging member coupled to the faceplate and cooperatively engaging the threaded portion.

4. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a linkage having a first portion coupled to the seal member and a second portion coupled to the faceplate, and wherein the second portion is moveable with respect to the faceplate to alter a length of the linkage.

5. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a slot defined in the faceplate, and an engaging member coupled to the seal member and that cooperates with the slot to maintain the seal member in a fixed position relative to the faceplate.

6. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a ratchet mechanism coupling the seal member to the faceplate such that the seal member is moveable between a plurality of discrete positions relative to the faceplate.

7. The patient interface of claim 1, further comprising a seal support member operatively coupled to the seal member, and wherein the adjustment mechanism is coupled between the seal support and the faceplate so as to move the seal support relative to the faceplate.

8. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the seal support member is an generally rigid annular ring disposed around the seal member.

9. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises a cushion having a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion, wherein the first end portion includes a flexible sealing surface adapted to surround a user'"'"'s nares, and wherein an opening is defined in the first end portion of the cushion for receiving a portion of such a user.

10. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the faceplate comprises:

a seal support portion;

a forehead portion; and

an arm connecting the seal support portion with the forehead portion.

11. The patient interface of claim 1, further comprising a conduit coupling member coupled to faceplate, the seal member, or both.

12. The patient interface of claim 11, further comprising an exhaust assembly disposed on the faceplate, the conduit coupling member, or both.

13. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises:

a patient contacting portion adapted to contact a surface of patient during use of the patient interface;

a faceplate contacting portion operatively coupled to the faceplate; and

a sidewall extending between the patient contacting portion and the faceplate contacting portion.

14. The patient interface of claim 13, wherein the sidewall portion includes at least one bellows defined therein.

15. A patient interface comprising:

sealing means for providing a sealed contact with a user, wherein the sealing means includes a flexible first end portion including a patient contacting surface and a second end portion;

supporting means for supporting the sealing means on a user;

headgear attaching means for attaching a headgear to the supporting means; and

adjusting means, operatively coupled to the sealing means and the supporting means, for adjusting the sealing means relative to the supporting means manually from a first position to a second position and maintaining the sealing means in the second position responsive to being adjusted.

16. The patient interface of claim 15, wherein the sealing means comprise:

a cushion having a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion, and wherein the first end portion includes a sealing surface for contacting a surface of a user; and

a seal support member coupled to the second end portion of the cushion.