BREATHING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS

• US 20090241961A1
• Filed: 01/14/2009
• Published: 10/01/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: DAVIES, NEIL GLEN, McAULEY, ALASTAIR EDWIN, PRENTICE, CRAIG ROBERT, SCHOENBERG, STEPHEN JOHN, LAW, KAMMAN, ERSTICH, EVAN STUART, GLEESON, OLIVER, FREEMAN, SIMON ERIC
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,741 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• 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 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• 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 16/0683 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 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth

Abstract

Headgear for use with a respiratory mask is described. The headgear includes a continuous and substantially curved elongate member extending in use below a user'"'"'s nose and at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of the elongate member. A mask attachment on the elongate member is disposed to sit below or on one of said user'"'"'s nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask. The attachment is capable of receiving the mask.

Claims

1. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body,

said body having two nasal pillows and an external lip, said nasal pillows in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

said base having a channel, where said external lip on said body fits in use into said channel,

said external lip having one of a projection or recess that in use fits into one of a corresponding recess or projection on said mask base to ensure correct assembly of said mask.

2. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said external lip is an area of reduced circumference.

3. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said external lip is held in place in use by a bump fit.

4. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said channel has an internal wall extending within the base.

5. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said body and said nasal pillows are integrally formed.

20. A breathing assistance apparatus for sue with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said two arms each have narrow areas in the cheekbone regions.

6. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

said mask base having a socket that is central in said base,

tubing that delivers gases to said mask that is attached to said socket.

7. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 6 wherein said mask is held to said user'"'"'s face in use by headgear, said headgear including at least one strap that extends over the user'"'"'s head, said headgear including an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to said at least one strap.

8. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 6 wherein said tubing has a connector that fits into said socket, said connector capable of rotating within said socket.

9. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 6 wherein said tubing terminates in an elbow and said elbow fits into said socket.

10. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows, that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

said mask base having a socket in said base,

tubing that delivers gases to said mask that is attached to said socket, said tubing capable of swivelling within said socket.

11. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

two arms extending from either side of said mask base along said user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms being moulded to a shape that substantially matches the cheek contours of a human,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms.

12. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 11 wherein said two arms are three dimensionally mounded.

13. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 11 wherein one of said at least two headgear straps extends in use over the user'"'"'s head and has an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to said one of said at least two headgear straps.

14. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

two arms extending from either side of said mask base along said user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms being three dimensionally moulded to a shape that substantially matches the cheek contours of a human,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms.

15. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 14 wherein one of said at least two headgear straps extends in use over the user'"'"'s head and has an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to said one of said at least two headgear straps.

16. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

two arms extending from either side of said mask base along said user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms having a varying cross-sectional thickness,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms.

17. A breathing assistance apparatus for sue with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 16 wherein said two arms are more curved at their ends where they attach to said mask base and have straighter parts over the cheekbone regions.

18. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 17 wherein said more curved ends are thicker in cross-section.

19. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 16 wherein said two arms are each thin in cross-section along said straighter parts in order to allow for bending or adjusting of said two arms.

21. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows, that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares,

an elbow connector with a plurality of holes that exhaust gases exhaled by said user in use,

said mask base having a socket in said base, said socket capable of receiving said elbow connector.

22. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 21 wherein said socket is central in said base.

23. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 21 wherein said elbow connector is attached to tubing capable of delivering gases to said mask and said mask is held to said user'"'"'s face in use by headgear, said headgear including an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to the top of said user'"'"'s head.

24. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 21 wherein said elbow connector is capable of rotating within said socket.

25. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 21 wherein said socket is capable of receiving a ball joint and said elbow connector has a bail joint capable of fitting to said socket.

26. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against said user'"'"'s nares, said body and said nasal pillows being integrally formed,

two arms extending from either side of said mask base along said user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms being moulded to a shape that substantially matches the cheek contours of a human,

tubing and elbow connector capable of attachment to said mask so as to deliver gases to said mask,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms, one of said at least two headgear straps extending in use over the user'"'"'s head and having an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to said one of said at least two headgear straps.

27. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 26 wherein said base has a socket that receives said elbow connector and allows said elbow connector to rotate.

28. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 26 wherein elbow connector has a plurality of holes that exhaust gases exhaled by said user in use.

29. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 26 wherein said body has an external lip and said base has a channel, where said external lip on said body fits in use into said channel.