Nasal assembly

• US 20070062539A1
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guney, Memduh, Sokolov, Richard, Darkin, Donald, Lynch, Susan, Gunaratnam, Michael, Lithgow, Perry, Kwok, Philip, Veliss, Lee, Hitchcock, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 7,461,656 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.180
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape

Abstract

A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient'"'"'s face.

Claims

1-52. -52. (canceled)

53. A mask assembly for delivering pressurized breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a sealing member adapted to provide a seal with the patient;

a flexible tube having a lower end in pressure communication with the sealing member and an upper end structured for communication with a source of pressurized gas;

a headgear assembly structured to support the sealing member relative to the patient'"'"'s face in use;

a forehead support member operatively associated with or formed as part of the headgear assembly and adapted to rest against the patient'"'"'s forehead in use;

a transitional tubing piece provided to the upper end of the flexible tube, the transitional tubing piece having a relatively smaller end connected to the upper end of the flexible tube and a relatively larger end to connect with an air delivery conduit associated with the source of pressurized gas; and

a connector element including a Velcro™

loop to secure the transitional tubing piece in place relative to the forehead support member.

54. The mask assembly according to claim 53, wherein the upper end of the flexible tube is positioned in use adjacent the crown of the patient'"'"'s head, and the flexible tube extends from the crown and downwardly along but spaced from the patient'"'"'s forehead in use.

55. The mask assembly according to claim 53, further comprising:

a frame member of relatively rigid plastic material to support the sealing member, wherein the sealing member includes a pair of nozzles formed on a common base portion all made of an elastic material; and

an exhalation vent including a plurality of vent holes that extend through the frame member.

56. The mask assembly according to claim 53, wherein the frame member includes an inlet in communication with the lower end of the flexible conduit.

57. The mask assembly according to claim 55, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least four holes.

58. The mask assembly according to claim 55, wherein the holes also extend through the sealing member.

59. The mask assembly according to claim 53, wherein the sealing member is a nasal cushion, and the mask assembly further comprises an exhalation vent with at least four holes.

60. The mask assembly according to claim 53, further comprising an angle adjuster structured to allow relative pivoting movement between the sealing member and the forehead support member.

61. The mask assembly according to claim 60, wherein the angle adjuster includes a locking mechanism to allow locking of the forehead support member relative to the sealing assembly in at least three predetermined, discrete positions.

62. The mask assembly according to claim 53, wherein a portion of the headgear assembly includes a two layer construction in which a first layer is a fabric or synthetic material and a second layer is a yoke made of a relatively rigid plastic material.

63. The mask assembly according to claim 62, wherein the headgear assembly includes an occipital strap.