Super-sofr gel seal and mask using same

• US 20070221227A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 09/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ho, Peter Chi Fai
• Granted Patent: US 9,320,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.240
• 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 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support

Abstract

A seal that contacts a portion of a patient to provide a comfortable interface between an external device, such as a respiratory mask, and the patient. The seal includes an elastic casing filled with a soft gel substance having a cone penetration of from about 5 to 200 penetrations.

Claims

1. A respiratory seal adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form an interface therewith, the seal comprising:

an elastic casing having an interior chamber;

a gel substance disposed within the interior chamber, the gel substance having a cone penetration of between about 5 to 200 penetrations.

2. The seal of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing has a minimum elongation of about 400%.

3. The seal of claim 1, wherein the gel substance has a cone penetration of between about 5 to 100 penetrations.

4. The seal of claim 3, wherein the gel substance disposed within the interior chamber has a thickness of about 0.250 to 0.500 inches (6.35 to 12.70 mm) thick.

5. The seal of claim 4, wherein the elastic casing has a hardness of about 15 to 40 Shore A.

6. The seal of claim 5, wherein the elastic casing has a patient contacting wall thickness of about 0.010 to 0.025 inches (0.25 to 0.64 mm).

7. The seal of claim 1, wherein the gel substance has a cone penetration of between about 5 to 25 penetrations.

8. The seal of claim 7, wherein the elastic casing has a hardness in the range of about 15 to 30 Shore A and a thickness of about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm).

9. The seal of claim 1, wherein the gel substance has a cone penetration of between about 30 to 50 penetrations.

10. The seal of claim 9, wherein the elastic casing has a hardness in the range of about 20 to 40 Shore A and a thickness of about 0.008 to 0.015 inches (0.20 to 0.38 mm).

11. The seal of claim 1, wherein the gel substance has a cone penetration of between about 65 to 100 penetrations.

12. The seal of claim 11, wherein the elastic casing has a hardness of about 40 Shore A and a thickness of about 0.015 to 0.025 inches (0.38 to 0.64 mm).

13. The seal of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing includes a base having at least one opening.

14. The seal of claim 13, wherein the at least one opening is sealed by a cap having at least one window.

15. The seal of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing includes a base having an open channel.

16. The seal of claim 15, wherein the open channel is sealed by a cap having a shape corresponding to the shape of the open channel.

17. The seal of claim 15, wherein the open channel is sealed by a casing subassembly comprising an external ring and an internal ring attached to a rigid base.

18. The seal of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing includes a first portion and an integral forehead pad portion having a gel substance disposed within.

19. The seal of claim 18, wherein the gel substance disposed within the interior chamber of the forehead portion has lower cone penetrations than the gel substance disposed in the first portion.

20. The seal of claim 1, wherein the elastic casing has an integral sealing flap.

21. The seal of claim 1, further comprising a stiffening agent added to at least a portion of the gel substance to form a formable portion.

22. A respiratory mask comprising:

a mask body having a first opening and a second opening defined therein; and

a seal operatively connected to the mask body at the first opening and adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form an interface therewith, the seal comprising;

an elastic casing having an interior chamber;

a gel substance disposed within the elastic chamber, the gel substance having a cone penetration of between about 5 to 200 penetrations.

23. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient, comprising:

a gas flow generating device that produces a flow of gas;

a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; and

a respiratory mask operatively coupled to the second end portion of the conduit, the nasal mask assembly comprising;

a mask body having a first opening and a second opening defined therein; and

a seal operatively connected to the mask body at the first opening and adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form an interface therewith, the seal comprising;

an elastic casing having an interior chamber;

a gel substance disposed within the elastic chamber, the gel substance having a cone penetration of between about 5 to 200 penetrations.