DISPOSABLE MASK SYSTEM

• US 20080087287A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Snow, John, Worboys, David, Ging, Anthony, Dantanarayana, Muditha, Smart, Gregory, Stallard, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 7,878,199 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0227 Materials having sensing or indicating function, e.g. indicating a pressure increase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/44 making noise when used incorrectly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/581 by audible feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback

Abstract

A mask system includes a frame, cushion, cushion clip, swivel elbow, headgear and/or headgear clips that are configured for use in a clinical or hospital environment. One or more components of the mask system are configured to promote single patient use, e.g., by providing an age indicator and/or preventing disassembly and/or cleaning, etc.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for a patient comprising:

a frame having a lateral flange portion with at least a first hole therethrough;

a cushion having a lateral flange portion with at least a second hole therethrough; and

a cushion clip having a lateral flange with at least one rod that passes through the first and second holes, the rod having a distal end that is secured to the frame when the rod passes through the first and second holes, to thereby sandwich the cushion flange between the flanges of the frame and the cushion clip.

2. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distal end of the rod includes an enlarged head portion which forms a one-way snap with the frame.

3. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame flange includes at least one bead intended to form a seal with the flange of the cushion upon assembly of the frame, cushion and cushion clip.

4. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes an upstanding wall member which provides a support for at least a portion of side walls of the cushion.

5. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes lateral outriggers each including at least one leg provided to the frame and a receptacle configured to receive a respective headgear strap portion.

6. A mask assembly according to claim 5, wherein each said leg is made of a resilient, flexible material which allows the outriggers to move towards and away from the patient for self-tensioning of each headgear strap portion upon donning of the mask assembly by the patient.

7. A mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a usage indicator provided to at least one of the frame, cushion and cushion clip.

8. A mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein the usage indicator comprises a flexible leg provided to the frame, said flexible leg being subject to stress whitening through repeated bending.

9. A mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the leg is made of one of polypropylene and polyethylene.

10. A mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the stress whitening is in the form of a warning message visible upon approaching end of life.

11. A mask assembly according to claim 7, wherein the usage indicator is activated after no more than 14 days of usage.

12. A mask assembly according to claim 11, wherein the usage indicator is activated after no more than 7 days of usage.

13. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises flexible, thin wall portions having a thickness of between about 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm.

14. A mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a port provided in the frame, and a port cap provided in one piece with the cushion.

15. A mask assembly according to claim 14, wherein the frame includes a notch to receive a bridge of the port cap.

16. A mask assembly according to claim 14, wherein the port cap includes enlarged lateral wing portions.

17. A mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an elbow assembly provided to a front face of the frame.

18. A mask assembly according to claim 17, wherein the elbow assembly includes at least one tab member provided to an undercut of the frame.

19. A mask assembly according to claim 18, wherein the tab member and the undercut form a one-way snap connection between the elbow assembly and the frame.

20. A mask assembly according to claim 17, wherein the elbow assembly includes an anti-asphyxia valve member.

21. A mask assembly according to claim 20, wherein the elbow assembly includes a dome-shape portion with an internal cylindrical tube.

22. A mask assembly according to claim 21, wherein the anti-asphyxia valve member includes a generally cylindrical aperture defining an inner shoulder that frictionally engages the cylindrical tube, and an outer ring portion which engages an upstanding wall member of the dome portion.

23. A mask assembly according to claim 22, wherein the dome portion includes at least one vent.

24. A mask assembly according to claim 23, wherein the at least one vent includes a duck bill valve provided thereto.

25. A mask assembly according to claim 22, wherein the outer ring portion of the anti-asphyxia valve member includes a shoulder which engages with an edge portion of the upstanding wall member.

26. A mask assembly according to claim 20, wherein the anti-asphyxia valve member comprises an elastomeric material.

27. A mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising headgear to support the mask assembly on the patient in use.

28. A mask assembly according to claim 27, wherein the frame includes receptacles to receive respective headgear clips secured to straps of the headgear.

29. A mask assembly according to claim 28, wherein the receptacles include opposed first and second arms provided as part of the frame.

30. A mask assembly according to claim 29, wherein each headgear clip includes first and second arms which engage with the first and second opposed arms of the receptacle when the headgear clip is inserted into the receptacle.

31. A mask assembly according to claim 27, further comprising at least one headgear connection portion including a first slot into which an end of the headgear strap is threaded, and a second slot in communication with a gap by which the headgear can be inserted into the second slot.

32. A mask assembly according to claim 27, wherein the headgear includes a substantially planar material which includes at least one slit, wherein the slit may be expanded upon use to define an open area bordered on all sides by at least a portion of the material.

33. A mask assembly according to claim 32, wherein the slit includes a plurality of slits which expand in use to form a net around the occiput of the patient'"'"'s head.

34. A mask assembly according to claim 32, wherein each of the open areas includes a polygon such as a diamond shape and/or a triangle shape.

35. A mask assembly according to claim 32, wherein the material is susceptible to accumulation of grime or oils, thereby providing a usage indicator which cannot be cleaned.

36. A mask assembly according to claim 27, wherein the headgear includes at least three points of attachment to the frame.

37. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask assembly is a disposable mask assembly.

38. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask assembly is a full-face mask assembly.

39. A mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask assembly is a nasal mask assembly.