Headgear

• US 20070169777A1
• Filed: 02/02/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amarasinghe, Amal
• Granted Patent: US 7,802,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/201.220
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/022 specifically adapted for the mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/026 where the straps are releasably secured, e.g. by hook and loop-type fastening devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb

Abstract

A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing is constructed from a composite including polyurethane foam. It includes a back portion with upper and lower straps connected to the back portion. The straps have relatively narrow strap ends the lower straps are displaced downward with respect to the back portion. A quick release mechanism near the front of the face attaches the headgear to the mask. Additional components can be attached to the straps to alter their elasticity and stiffness.

Claims

1. A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, comprising:

a back portion;

a pair of elongated upper straps connected to the back portion on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion, the upper straps having attachment portions positioned at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask; and

a pair of elongated lower straps connected to the back portion below the upper straps on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion;

the lower straps having attachment portions positioned at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask;

wherein a portion of each strap adjacent the back portion and extending approximately half a length of the strap has a first width and the attachment portion of each strap has a second width substantially narrower than the first width.

2. The headgear of claim 1, wherein each lower strap angles downward from the back portion at a position near the back portion to displace a length of each lower strap outboard from the angled portion downward with respect to the back portion.

3. The headgear of claim 2, wherein at least one of the straps is constructed of an extensible material and a generally inextensible material is attached to that strap to make the strap generally inextensible in a direction of its length.

4. The headgear of claim 3, wherein the headgear is formed of a composite having a first layer, to be positioned against the head of the patient, constructed from a polyester/nylon fabric, a second, middle layer constructed from an hypoallergenic breathable polyurethane foam and a third layer constructed from loop material adapted to engage and attach to a hook material.

5. The headgear of claim 1, wherein, at least one of the straps is constructed of an anisotropic material such that the strap is generally inextensible in a direction along its length and extensible in a direction along its width.

6. The headgear of claim 1, wherein the second width is narrower than the first width by approximately 1 cm.

7. The headgear of claim 1, wherein the second width is narrower than the first width by at least 1 cm.

8. A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, comprising:

a back portion;

a pair of elongated upper straps connected to the back portion on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion, the upper straps having attachment portions positioned at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask; and

a pair of elongated lower straps connected to the back portion below the upper straps on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion;

the lower straps having attachment portions positioned at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask;

wherein each lower strap angles downward from the back portion at a position near the back portion to displace a length of each lower strap outboard from the angled portion downward with respect to the back portion.

9. The headgear of claim 8, wherein a portion of each lower strap outboard from the angled portion is lower than a lowest portion of a central region of the back portion.

10. The headgear of claim 9, wherein at least one of the straps is constructed of an extensible material and a generally inextensible material is attached to that strap to make the strap generally inextensible in a direction of its length.

11. The headgear of claim 10, wherein the headgear is formed of a composite having a first layer, to be positioned against the head of the patient, constructed from a polyester/nylon fabric, a second, middle layer constructed from an hypoallergenic breathable polyurethane foam and a third layer constructed from loop material adapted to engage and attach to a hook material.

12. The headgear of claim 9, wherein, at least one of the straps is constructed of an anisotropic material such that the strap is generally inextensible in a direction along its length and extensible in a direction along its width.

13. The headgear of claim 8, wherein the length of each lower strap outboard from the angled portion is displaced downward with respect to the back portion by approximately 1 cm.

14. The headgear of claim 8, wherein the length of each lower strap outboard from the angled portion is displaced downward with respect to the back portion by at least 1 cm.

15. A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, comprising:

a pair of connected straps adapted for attaching to the mask;

wherein the headgear is formed of a composite having a first layer, to be positioned against the head of the patient, constructed from a polyester/nylon fabric, a second, middle layer constructed from an hypoallergenic breathable polyurethane foam and a third layer constructed from loop material adapted to engage and attach to a hook material.

16. The headgear of claim 15, wherein the composite is constructed of BREATH-A-PRENE®

.

17. The headgear of claim 15, comprising:

a back portion;

a pair of elongated upper straps connected to the back portion on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion, the upper straps having attachment portions connected at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask; and

a pair of elongated lower straps connected to the back portion below the upper straps on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion;

the lower straps having attachment portions connected at free ends thereof for attaching to the mask.

18. The headgear of claim 17, wherein the composite is constructed of BREATH-A-PRENE®

.

19. A headgear for securing and positioning a mask suitable for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing, comprising:

a back portion; and

a pair of elongated first straps connected to the back portion on opposing sides of the back portion and extending away from the back portion;

each first strap having a loop portion positioned along an external surface of its length and a hook portion at a free end thereof for releasably attaching to the loop portion to attach the strap to the mask;

wherein a width of the strap along the loop portion to which the hook portion releasably attaches is sufficiently wider than the hook portion that when the hook portion is attached to the loop portion, the strap shields a user'"'"'s face from contact with the hook portion.

20. The headgear of claim 19, wherein the width of the strap along the loop portion to which the hook portion releasably attaches is wider than the hook portion by approximately 1 cm.