Integrated mask and prongs for nasal CPAP

• US 20080295846A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vyaire Medical 211, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: CareFusion 207, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Han, Steve, Miller, Harold, Duquette, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 8,833,372 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0666 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 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

An integrated nasal mask is adapted for delivering gas to a patient and comprises a mask body and a pair of elongate nostril-engaging stems. The mask body is generally triangularly shaped and includes a nasal opening sized and configured to substantially envelope a patient'"'"'s nose. The nasal opening opens to a nasal cavity. The nostril-engaging stems extend outwardly from the nasal cavity. Each one of the stems defines a fluid passageway for delivering gas to the patient'"'"'s nose and for allowing discharge of exhalation gasses during the exhalation phase of the breathing cycle.

Claims

1. An integrated nasal mask adapted for delivering gas to a patient, the nasal mask comprising:

a mask body defining a nasal cavity; and

at least one elongate hollow nostril-engaging stem extending outwardly from the nasal cavity and defining a fluid passageway for delivering gas to the patient'"'"'s nose.

2. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein:

the mask body includes a nasal opening sized and configured to substantially envelope a patient'"'"'s nose.

3. The nasal mask of claim 2 wherein:

the mask body includes a mask shoulder extending along a periphery of the nasal opening;

the mask shoulder being configured to anatomically conform to the patient'"'"'s face.

4. The nasal mask of claim 3 wherein:

the mask body includes a mask basewall and mask sidewalls extending outwardly from the mask basewall;

the mask sidewalls having a reducing wall thickness along a direction from the mask basewall to the mask shoulder such that the mask shoulder is conformable to the patient'"'"'s face.

5. The nasal mask of claim 4 wherein:

the mask shoulder includes a sealing flange extending therearound;

the sealing flange including a pair of flapper portions disposed on opposing sides of the mask body and being configured to sealingly engage opposing sides of the patient'"'"'s nose.

6. The nasal mask of claim 4 further including a pair of the nostril-engaging stems wherein each one of the stems has a proximal end extending from the nasal cavity and a free distal end having a flare portion sized and configured to sealingly engage the patient'"'"'s nostril.

7. The nasal mask of claim 6 wherein each one of the stems further includes a bulb portion located adjacent the flare portion and being sized and configured to facilitate lateral deflection of the flare portion.

8. The nasal mask of claim 4 wherein:

the stem defines a stem axis;

the mask shoulder generally defining a sealing plane;

the stem axis being oriented in non-perpendicular relation to the sealing plane.

9. The nasal mask of claim 6 wherein the distal end of the stem terminates adjacent the sealing plane.

10. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein:

the mask body and stem are configured to collectively provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the patient at a supply pressure of no greater than approximately 120 cm H₂O and a flow rate of up to approximately 12 liters per minute.

12. The nasal mask of claim 10 wherein the universal interface comprises:

an interface body having a spaced pair of breathing passageways extending therethrough and being fluidly connected to the patient ports with a corresponding pair of supply passageways;

wherein;

each one of the breathing passageways is comprised of a patient passageway adapted to supply gas to the patient and intersecting an exhalation passageway adapted to expel gas from the patient;

each one of the supply passageways being axially aligned with a corresponding one of the patient passageways and being configured to introduce pressurized gas thereinto.

13. The nasal mask of claim 10 wherein:

the universal interface and nasal mask are adapted to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to the patient;

the universal interface being configured to operate at a supply pressure of no greater than approximately 120 cm H₂O and provide a flow rate of up to approximately 12 liters per minute.

14. The nasal mask of claim 12 wherein:

the mask body includes a nasal opening sized and configured to substantially envelope a patient'"'"'s nose.

15. The nasal mask of claim 14 wherein:

the mask body includes a mask shoulder extending along a periphery of the nasal opening;

the mask shoulder being configured to anatomically conform to the patient'"'"'s face.

16. The nasal mask of claim 14 wherein:

the mask body includes a mask basewall and mask sidewalls extending outwardly from the mask basewall;

the mask sidewalls having a reducing wall thickness along a direction from the mask basewall to the mask shoulder such that the mask shoulder is conformable to the patient'"'"'s face.

17. The nasal mask of claim 15 wherein:

the mask shoulder includes a sealing flange extending therearound;

a pair of flapper portions being disposed on opposing sides of the mask body and being configured to sealingly engage opposing sides of the patient'"'"'s nose.

20. The nasal mask of claim 15 wherein:

each of the stems defines a stem axis;

the mask shoulder generally defining a sealing plane;

the stem axes being oriented in non-perpendicular relation to the sealing plane.

11. An integrated nasal mask adapted to be engage able to a universal interface having a pair of patient ports, the nasal mask comprising:

a mask body defining a nasal cavity; and

a pair of hollow elongate nostril-engaging stems extending outwardly from the nasal cavity, each one of the stems being sealingly engageable to the patient ports and defining a fluid passageway for delivering gas to the patient'"'"'s nose.

18. The nasal mask of claim 11 wherein each one of the stems has proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being engaged to the nasal cavity, the distal end terminating in a flare portion sized and configured to sealingly engage one of the patient'"'"'s nostrils.

19. The nasal mask of claim 18 wherein each one of the stems further includes a bulb portion located adjacent the flare portion and being sized and configured to facilitate lateral deflection of the flare portion.