GEL CUSHION PAD FOR MASK

• US 20100018535A1
• Filed: 07/16/2009
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Chi-San, LLC
• Inventors: Chimenti, Jeffrey P., Santella, Anthony J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,999,738 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.240
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment

Abstract

The present invention is a gel cushion that is placed on a user'"'"'s nose bridge before putting on a ventilator mask. The gel cushion is composed of a tacky gel material, such as a viscoelastic polymer gel. The gel cushion is wider than the edges of the ventilator mask and remains in place even if the mask is repositioned. The gel cushion adapts to the user'"'"'s face in the area on and around the nose bridge to cushion and seal the ventilator mask in that area.

Claims

1. A cushion pad for a ventilator mask, comprising:

a pad separate from the ventilator mask and having a central lobe and two side lobes, wherein the central lobe extends upward from a user'"'"'s nose, wherein the side lobes extend laterally from the user'"'"'s nose, wherein the pad is composed of a gel material.

2. A cushion mask as recited in claim 1, wherein the central lobe is thicker than the side lobes.

3. A cushion mask as recited in claim 1, wherein the pad has a uniform thickness throughout, including the central and side lobes.

4. A cushion mask as recited in claim 1, wherein the pad has a lower edge opposite the central lobe and wherein the lower edge is tapered.

5. A method of using a ventilator mask, comprising the steps of:

providing a cushion pad having a central lobe and two side lobes, the cushion pad composed of a gel material;

placing the cushion pad on the nose bridge of a user and positioning the central lobe to extend upward from the user'"'"'s nose and the side lobe to extend laterally from the user'"'"'s nose; and

then

placing a ventilator mask onto the cushion pad so that the cushion pad is positioned between the user'"'"'s nose bridge and the ventilator mask.

6. A method of using a ventilator mask as recited in claim 5, further comprising a step of providing an additional cushion pad between the user'"'"'s skin and the ventilator mask.

7. A cushion kit for a ventilator mask, comprising:

a pad separate from the ventilator mask and having a central lobe and two side lobes, wherein the central lobe extends upward from a user'"'"'s nose, wherein the side lobes extend laterally from the user'"'"'s nose, wherein the pad is composed of a gel material;

an addition pad composed of the gel material;

a sealable container containing both pads.