Bladder Cushion, Forehead Cushion, Headgear Straps, Headgear Cap and/or Chinstrap

• US 20100024811A1
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Published: 02/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baxter, Christopher John, Henry, Robert Edward, Kwok, Philip Rodney, Gunning, Philip John, Selvarajan, Karthikeyan
• Granted Patent: US 8,371,293 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/202.160
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 11/00 Belts, strips or combs for massage purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0134 Cushion or similar support
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0207 heated
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0214 cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0228 heated by an electric resistance element
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0257 by a heat accumulator, e.g. a sand or liquid reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0278 by chemical reaction
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0292 with microwaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1604 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/022 Face
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/025 Forehead
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/00 Percussion or vibration massage, e.g. using supersonic vibration; Suction-vibration massage; Massage with moving diaphragms apparatus for passive exercising A61H1/00; generating or transmitting mechanical vibrations in general B06B
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 : Nose

Abstract

A cushion for a patient interface includes two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation. Each of the bladders includes a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s face, and each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another. At least one of the bladders is an active bladder that is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient'"'"'s face in use.

Claims

1. A cushion for a patient interface, the cushion comprising:

two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation,

each of the bladders including a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s face, and each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another,

wherein at least one of the bladders is an active bladder that is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient'"'"'s face in use.

2. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the bladders alternate as the active bladder that is pressurized to at least the sealing pressure to form the continuous seal.

3. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein each of the bladders provides a contact position and a contact pressure against the patient'"'"'s face.

4. The cushion according to claim 3, wherein the bladders are alternately pressurized to alternate at least one of the contact position and the contact pressure provided by the bladders.

5. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein each of the bladders is adapted to form a continuous seal around the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

6. The cushion according to claim 1, wherein each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized by a fluid.

7. The cushion according to claim 6, wherein the fluid is air.

36. A respiratory system comprising:

a blower with a controller;

a mask communicated with the blower, the mask including a cushion according to claim 1,

wherein the controller is configured to operate the bladder in a massage-like manner.

37. The respiratory system according to claim 36, wherein the controller alternates pressure within the bladder at a predetermined frequency.

38. The respiratory system according to claim 37, wherein the controller alternates pressure within the bladder at least every minute.

8. A cushion for a patient interface, the cushion comprising:

a bladder including a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s face, the bladder including one or more partition walls that divide the bladder into two or more cells, and each of the cells is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another, wherein each of the cells is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a portion of a continuous seal with the patient'"'"'s face in use.

9. The cushion according to claim 8, wherein the sealing pressure of each cell values in different regions of the patient'"'"'s face.

10. The cushion according to claim 8, wherein the cells are alternately pressurized to alternate a contact pressure provided by each of the ceils.

11. The cushion according to claim 8, wherein the cells are adapted to form a continuous seal around the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

12. The cushion according to claim 8, wherein each of the cells is adapted to be pressurized by a fluid.

13. The cushion according to claim 12, wherein the fluid is air.

14. A cushion for a patient interface, the cushion comprising:

two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation,

each of the bladders including a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s face, and each of the bladders including one or more partition walls that divide each bladder into two or more cells, and each of the cells of each bladder is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another,

wherein selected cells of selected bladders are pressurized to at least a sealing pressure so that the selected cells cooperate to form a continuous seal with the patient'"'"'s face in use.

15. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the cells of the bladders alternate as the selected cells that are pressurized to at least the sealing pressure to form the continuous seal.

16. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein each of the cells provides a contact position and a contact pressure against the patient'"'"'s face.

17. The cushion according to claim 16, wherein the cells are alternately pressurized to alternate at least one of the contact position and the contact pressure provided by the cells.

18. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the sealing pressure of each cell varies in different regions of the patient'"'"'s face.

19. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the selected cells are alternately pressurized to alternate a contact pressure provided by each of the cells.

20. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the selected cells are adapted to form a continuous seal around the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

21. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the cells of one bladder are aligned with the cells of an adjacent bladder.

22. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein the cells of one bladder are offset from the cells of an adjacent bladder.

23. The cushion according to claim 14, wherein each of the cells is adapted to be pressurized by a fluid.

24. The cushion according to claim 23, wherein the fluid is air.

25. A cushion for a patient interface, the cushion comprising:

a bladder including a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s face,

the bladder adapted to be pressurized so that pressure within the bladder is alternated at a predetermined frequency to alternate contact pressure provided by the bladder,

wherein pressure within the bladder is at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient'"'"'s face in use.

26. The cushion according to claim 25, wherein the bladder is adapted to form a continuous seal around the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

27. The cushion according to claim 25, wherein the bladder is adapted to be pressurized by a fluid.

28. The cushion according to claim 27, wherein the fluid is air.

29. A forehead cushion for a patient interface, the forehead cushion comprising:

a bladder including a forehead-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient'"'"'s forehead, the bladder adapted to be pressurized.

30. The forehead cushion according to claim 29, wherein the bladder includes one or more partition walls that divide the bladder into two or more cells, and each of the cells is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another.

31. The forehead cushion according to claim 30, wherein each of the cells provides a contact position and a contact pressure against the patient'"'"'s forehead.

32. The forehead cushion according to claim 31, wherein the cells are alternately pressurized to alternate at least one of the contact position and the contact pressure provided by the cells.

33. The forehead cushion according to claim 30, wherein the cells are arranged horizontally and/or vertically in use.

34. The forehead cushion according to claim 30, wherein each of the cells is adapted to be pressurized by a fluid.

35. The forehead cushion according to claim 34, wherein the fluid is air.

39-43. -43. (canceled)