Forehead and nose bridge pad for CPAP interface

• US 20090107507A1
• Filed: 10/17/2008
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Karen Leigh Moore
• Original Assignee: Karen Leigh Moore
• Inventors: Moore, Karen Leigh
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.240
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

The invention is a method for padding CPAP face and full face masks forehead and nose bridge area to prevent skin irritation, discomfort, indentions, allergies and ulcers. The pad is attached to the forehead part of the CPAP face mask by way of pockets sewn into the body of the pad. The pad protects the forehead area of the wearer as well as the nose bridge by way of a flap of material that fits between the seal of the mask and the wearer'"'"'s nose bridge area distributing the pressure from the mask seal.

Persons with sleep apnea rely on CPAP therapy to prevent the obstruction in order to continue to breathe while sleeping. The CPAP masks appear medical and strange, especially to a new user of the device. By making the CPAP mask more comfortable with soft padding and also preventing marks and sores, it is more likely that the person will continue their therapy and improve their health. The invention is designed to be colorful, soft and comforting to help people with sleep apnea continue to get the necessary therapy.

Claims

1. A pad of the type comprising a supple body of material having pile depth sufficient to provide protection to the skin of a human, the improvement wherein said pad has a shape, style and size to improve a forehead part/mask seal utility,

a. a padding member comprising at least one layer of material,

b. a dimension of approximate size to surround said forehead part in close proximity and extending beyond a predetermined length below the forehead part,

c. a seam of thread joining said padding member at the sides and said attachment at a location along said pad whereby a human wearing said headgear comprising a facial device and straps can do so in comfort without lasting physical impressions.

2. The padding of claim 1 wherein said material comprises fleece, micro fleece, micro suede, and others of similar textures and weights whereby a sufficient thickness can be maintained between the forehead part/mask seal and the skin of wearer.

3. The padding of claim 1 wherein said material may be colorful and of such design whereby wearer can express personal style.

4. The padding of claim 1 wherein said material is sufficiently supple to be folded against itself to form the shape comprising a form to fit over the forehead part of a nasal interface.

5. The padding in claim 1 whereas said material layers are held together in close proximity by sewing a seam along both lateral edges.

6. A padding comprising a body of more than one layer of a supple material comprising at least one material having pile depth sufficient to provide cushion to the skin of a human and a decorative material, the improvement wherein said pad has a shape, style and size to improve a nasal or full face mask forehead support.

7. The padding of claim 6 wherein the layers of said supple decorative material are folded and secured together to form a pocket on each of the distal ends by stitching with thread.

8. The padding of claim 6 comprising at least one or more layers of padding wherein the inner layer of supple material lays flat within the folded portion of said supple decorative material.

9. The padding of claim 6 comprising an outermost layer having decorative as well as functional purposes.

10. A padding comprising a body with attached an extension of material of predetermined length and material to improve a nasal or full face mask seal.

11. The padding of claim 10 having the extension of material attached to the main body of the device by means of a thread seam.

12. The padding of claim 10 having the extension of such material that is of sufficient thickness and density as to distribute the pressure across the wearer'"'"'s nose bridge area.

13. The padding of claim 10 having the extension of such material that is of sufficient thinness to achieve the purpose of padding without compromising the seal against the wearer'"'"'s face.

14. The padding of claim 10 wherein the outermost layer comprising material having decorative as well as functional purpose.