VENTILATOR MASK AND SYSTEM

• US 20100108070A1
• Filed: 01/06/2010
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: KWOK, Philip Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 8,375,944 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.250
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• 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 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature

Abstract

A continuous positive air pressure (“CPAP”) or ventilator system includes a mask and an air flow generator. The air flow generator is mounted or provided to the mask'"'"'s wearer. In one embodiment, air flow generator is mounted on the mask.

Claims

1. A ventilator system comprising:

a mask having

a shell;

a cushion provided to the shell to sealingly connect the mask to a wearer'"'"'s face and thereby form a chamber between said shell and said wearer'"'"'s face;

an inlet port in said shell to receive a flow of breathable gas;

an air flow generator; and

an air delivery tube not exceeding 1.5 meters in length, said air delivery tube being functionally connected to said inlet port and said air flow generator to create a pressure of about 2-40 cm H₂O in said chamber by delivery of breathable gas from said air flow generator to said inlet port.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said air delivery tube does not exceed 1 meter in length.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the air delivery tube is low in profile and is kink resistant.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the mask is structured to cover the wearer'"'"'s nasal and oral region.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mask is constructed to avoid obstruction of the wearer'"'"'s vision.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said mask is absent a dust filter.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said air flow generator is absent a dust filter.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the mask is designed to have said inlet port located in proximity to a wearer'"'"'s oral region.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said cushion comprises a silicone elastomer.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said air flow generator comprises a housing with an impeller and a motor for driving the impeller.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said ventilator system further comprises a power cord and a power source, said power cord connecting said power source to said motor.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein said power source is a battery pack.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said air flow generator comprises one or more straps or clips for mounting the air flow generator to the wearer'"'"'s body.

17. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 6, wherein the flow generator comprises a centrifugal, axial or radial fan.

18. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 17, further comprising:

a damping system to reduce vibration and transmitted noise mounted between the flow generator and the wearer'"'"'s head.

19. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 18, wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.

20. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 19, wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.

14. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:

a mask to be placed over and sealingly connected to a wearer'"'"'s face,

wherein the mask includes an inlet port to receive a pressurised breathable gas and the inlet port is connected to tubing,

the tubing is connected to a motor assembly which provides the pressurised breathable gas, and

the motor assembly is mounted on or in a headgear system.

15. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 14, wherein the headgear system comprises at least one strap.

16. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 15, wherein the motor assembly comprises a flow generator.

21. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:

a mask adapted to engage a wearer'"'"'s face and positionable by a headgear system, wherein the mask is in air communication with and connected to a tube and said tube is in air communication with a flow generator, the flow generator provides a flow of pressurised breathable gas to the wearer, and the flow generator is attached to a part of the wearer'"'"'s body by an attachment means.

22. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 21, wherein the attachment means comprises a strap.

23. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, further comprising:

a battery, wherein the battery powers the flow generator.

24. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 23, wherein the battery is attached to the wearer using the attachment means.

25. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 24, wherein the headgear system includes the strap.

26. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, wherein the strap is adapted to engage the waist of the wearer.

27. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, wherein the strap is adapted to engage the arm of the wearer.

28. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, wherein the strap is adapted to engage the shoulder of the wearer.

29. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, wherein the strap is adapted to engage the chest of the wearer.