MASK ASSEMBLY, AND FRAME AND SWIVEL CONNECTOR THEREFOR

• US 20100000538A1
• Filed: 11/15/2007
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Maguire, Luke, Edwards, Craig David, Nga, Lemmy, Kooij, Michiel
• Granted Patent: US 8,302,605 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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

Abstract

A mask assembly for use in providing a supply of air at positive pressure to the airways of a patient includes a frame and an elbow. The elbow is rotatable with respect to the frame when assembled. The frame includes an elbow-receiving portion. The elbow and elbow-receiving portion of the frame are adapted to include respective interlocking sealing portions and one of the elbow and elbow-receiving portion includes a flexible element that upon assembly flexes to introduce a preload that effects a seal between the respective interlocking sealing portions.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for use in providing a supply of air at positive pressure to the airways of a patient, the mask assembly comprising:

a frame and an elbow, the elbow being rotatable with respect to the frame when assembled, the frame including an elbow-receiving portion, the elbow and elbow-receiving portion of the frame adapted to include respective interlocking sealing portions and one of the elbow and elbow-receiving portion including a flexible element that upon assembly flexes to introduce a preload that effects a seal between the respective interlocking sealing portions.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible element resides on the elbow-receiving portion of the frame.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elbow-receiving portion of the frame is constructed from polypropylene.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the elbow is constructed from polycarbonate.

5-8. -8. (canceled)

9. A frame for use in a mask assembly used in providing respiratory therapies, the mask assembly being connectable to an air delivery conduit via a swivel connector and in use having an interior and an exterior, the frame comprising:

a swivel connector-receiving portion, the swivel connector-receiving portion including a flexing portion and an interlocking portion, the interlocking portion being adapted to engage with a corresponding interlocking portion on the swivel connector and the flexing portion being adapted to flex upon engagement with the swivel connector and to thereby induce a seal between the respective interlocking portions to substantially reduce a leak flow of air from a mask assembly interior to a mask assembly exterior between the frame and swivel connector in use.

10. The frame of claim 9, wherein the swivel connector-receiving portion is a swivel elbow-receiving portion.

11. The frame of claim 9, wherein the flexing portion is constructed from polypropylene.

12. The frame of claim 9, wherein the swivel connector receiving portion is substantially cylindrical portion having an inside diameter, a proximal end, and a distal end.

13. The frame of claim 12, wherein the swivel connector receiving portion includes an interlocking portion near the distal end.

14. The frame of claim 13, wherein the interlocking portion is located on an interior surface of the swivel connector receiving portion.

15. The frame of claim 12, wherein the swivel connector receiving portion defines a length between the proximal end and the interlocking portion.

16. The frame of claim 9, wherein the swivel connector receiving portion is adapted for engagement with a swivel connector having a substantially cylindrical portion having an external diameter and a length.

17. The frame of claim 9, wherein the inside diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion of the frame is substantially larger than the external diameter of the substantially cylindrical portion of the swivel connector.

18. The frame of claim 9, wherein the length of the cylindrical portion of the swivel connector-receiving portion of the frame is less than the length of the cylindrical portion of the swivel connector.

22. An assembly comprising a frame as claimed in claim 9 and a connector.

19. A connector adapted to sealingly and swivelingly interconnect an air delivery conduit and a frame of a mask assembly for use in non-invasive ventilation, the connector comprising:

a first end for interconnection with the air delivery conduit and a second end for interconnection with the frame, the second end having an interlocking portion adapted to swivelingly engage with a corresponding interlocking portion of the frame and upon flexure of a flexing portion of the frame to sealingly engage thereto.

20. The connector of claim 19, wherein the connector is a swivel elbow.

21. The connector of claim 19, wherein the connector is constructed from polycarbonate.

23. An assembly comprising a frame and a connector as claimed in claim 19.

24-35. -35. (canceled)