CUSHION FOR MASK SYSTEM

• US 20110056497A1
• Filed: 10/02/2007
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Nelson, Timothy Shawn, Lubke, Steven John, Howard, Scott Alexander, Smart, Gregory Scott, Scheiner, Rupert Christian, Skipper, Christopher Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,402,971 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 2205/6045 having complementary physical shapes for indexing or registration purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth

Abstract

A mouth cushion for a mask system includes a side wall, an undercushion extending away from the side wall, and a membrane provided to substantially surround the undercushion and adapted to form a continuous seal around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use. The side wall includes spaced-apart prong support structures that provide annular recesses adapted to support respective nasal prongs, and at least a portion of the undercushion includes a question-mark or sickle-shape configuration when in cross-section.

Claims

1-10. -10. (canceled)

11. A mouth cushion for a mask system, the mouth cushion comprising:

a side wall;

an undercushion extending away from the side wall; and

a membrane provided to substantially surround the undercushion and adapted to form a continuous seal around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use, wherein the side wall includes spaced-apart prong support structures that provide annular recesses adapted to support respective nasal prongs, and at least a portion of the undercushion includes a question-mark or sickle-shape configuration when in cross-section.

12. The mouth cushion according to claim 11, wherein the undercushion includes a question-mark or sickle-shape configuration in a lower lip section.

13. The mouth cushion according to claim 11, wherein the undercushion includes a question-mark or sickle-shape configuration in cheek sections.

14. The mouth cushion according to claim 11, wherein the membrane in each cheek section defines an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of about 30-50°

.

15. The mouth cushion according to claim 14, wherein the membrane in each cheek section defines an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of about 40°

.

16. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a frame;

a mouth cushion according to claim 11 provided to the frame; and

a pair of nasal prongs provided to respective prong support structures of the mouth cushion.

17. The mask system according to claim 16, wherein each prong includes a tab that engages a respective alignment indicator provided to the mouth cushion.

18. The mask system according to claim 16, wherein the mouth cushion includes a tapered end portion with a sealing lip, the tapered end portion adapted to be inserted and retained within a channel provided to the frame.

19. The mask system according to claim 18, wherein the sealing lip provides a seal around the perimeter of the cushion.

20. The mask system according to claim 18, wherein the frame includes a recess that communicates with the channel and a hole that connects the recess to a frame exterior.

21. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the hole and recess provide an exit route for air contained within the channel.

22. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the recess is tapered.

23-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A mouth cushion for a mask system, the mouth cushion comprising:

a side wall;

an undercushion extending away from the side wall; and

a membrane provided to substantially surround the undercushion and adapted to form a continuous seal around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use,

wherein the side wall includes spaced-apart prong support structures that provide annular recesses adapted to support respective nasal prongs, and

at least a portion of the undercushion includes structure to encourage bending in use.

27. A cushion for a respiratory mask used in treatment of sleep disordered breathing including a sidewall portion defining a spring structure arranged to progressively resiliently bend in use.

28. The cushion of claim 27 wherein the sidewall portion has a sickle shape.

29. The cushion of claim 27 wherein the sidewall portion is designed to progressively bend rather than buckle in use.