Mask System

• US 20090277452A1
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Vandyke, James William Charles, Skipper, Chritopher Scott, Nelson, Timothy Shawn, Oldenburg, Alison, Lubke, Steven John, Smart, Gregory Scott, Kwok, Philip Rodney, Scheiner, Rupert Christian, Reid, Michael John, Selvarajan, Karthikeyan
• Granted Patent: US 9,032,955 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.210
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/06 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0606 Face
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient'"'"'s nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient'"'"'s head in use.

Claims

1-39. -39. (canceled)

40. A mask system comprising:

a plurality of headgear straps;

a sealing assembly; and

a stabilizing structure extending between the sealing assembly and at least a selected one of the headgear straps, the stabilizing structure being substantially rigid and having a preformed three-dimensional shape substantially matching the shape of a portion of the patient'"'"'s face.

41. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the three-dimensional shape is structured in use to extend from the patient'"'"'s temples, along the cheek bone and towards an upper side of the patient interface.

42. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the stabilizing structure is substantially S-shaped.

43. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the stabilizing structure is made from transparent material.

44. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the stabilizing structure is made from polycarbonate.

45. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing structure is spaced away from the patient'"'"'s face in use.

46. The mask system according to claim 40, further comprising a padded material provided between the stabilizing structure and the patient'"'"'s face in use.

47. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the stabilizing structure includes at least one portion provided to each upper side of the sealing assembly.

48. The mask system according to claim 40, wherein the stabilizing structure is bendable along at least one bending plane so as to conform to the shape of a portion of the patient'"'"'s face.

49-76. -76. (canceled)

77. A mask system comprising:

a plurality of headgear straps including at least upper straps;

a sealing assembly; and

an upper stabilizing element extending between the sealing assembly and the upper straps, the upper stabilizing element including an elongated element having an intermediate portion attachable to the sealing assembly and end portions attachable to respective upper straps.

78. The mask system according to claim 77, wherein the elongated element includes a curved configuration that conforms to the shape of a portion of the patient'"'"'s face.

79. The mask system according to claim 77, wherein the elongated element includes a U-shaped configuration with the end portions bent with respect to the intermediate portion.

80. The mask system according to claim 77, wherein the elongated element includes a pair of elongated elements.

81-119. -119. (canceled)

120. A mask system comprising:

a plurality of headgear straps;

a sealing assembly; and

a stabilizing element extending between the sealing assembly and at least a selected one of the headgear straps, wherein the selected headgear strap is adjustable with respect to the stabilizing element.

121. The mask system according to claim 120, wherein the selected headgear strap includes Velcro to allow adjustment with respect to the stabilizing element.

122-140. -140. (canceled)