PATIENT INTERFACE AND ASPECTS THEREOF

• US 20110146685A1
• Filed: 11/12/2010
• Published: 06/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Prentice, Craig Robert, Salmon, Andrew Paul Maxwell, Huang, Wen Dong, Gardiola, Arvin San Jose, McLaren, Mark, Siew, Silas Sao Jin, Allan, Olivia Marie, McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Gradon, Lewis George
• Granted Patent: US 10,792,451 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 16/0605 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 16/0666 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 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0238 the material being a coating or protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A patient interface has a single loop headstrap and a mask for covering at least the nostrils of the user. The single loop headstrap extends from the mask at either end. A short length of supple conduit is coupled to the mask by a swivel or ball joint to allow rotation of the conduit relative to the mask through different angles and orientations.

Claims

1. A patient interface comprising:

a single loop headstrap,

a mask configured to cover at least the nostrils of the user,

the single loop headstrap extending from the mask at either end,

a swivel or ball joint at the mask to couple a supply conduit to the mask in use to allow rotation of the supply conduit through different angles and orientations relative to the mask.

2. A patient interface as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mask includes an inflatable seal with an air supply aperture and a pair of protruding nostril locators protruding from the seal, each nasal locator including an outlet aperture.

3. A patient interface as claimed in claim 2 wherein the seal inflates under internal pressure from a pressurised gases supply and when pressed against the face of a user, creating a seal with the nose or face of the user in addition to any seal provided by the nasal locators.

4. A patient interface as claimed in claim 2 wherein the interface includes a frame having a gases inlet for connection with a gases supply conduit, and a gases outlet including a protruding lip, and the gases supply aperture of the seal is engaged or engagable over the protruding lip of the frame.

5. A patient interface as claimed in claim 2 wherein the seal, in use, forms a substantially continuous seal against the user'"'"'s nose and face that surrounds the nostril locators.

6. A patient interface as claimed in claim 2 wherein, except for a region immediately adjacent and including the nostril locators and immediately adjacent and including the air supply aperture, the seal is supple, and the region immediately adjacent and including, the inlet opening and has any suitable stiffness.

7. A patient interface as claimed in claim 1 including at least a pair of extended support members at the perimeter of the mask, the support members located either side of the mask such that they may, but do not necessarily, contact portions of the face of the user in use.

8. A patient interface as claimed in claim 4 wherein the strap extends from one side portion of the frame to the other side portion of the frame, the strap being sufficient to pass around the back of the head of the user.

9. A patient interface as claimed in claim 1 including a short length of supple conduit connected to the swivel or ball joint.

10. A patient interface as claimed in claim 2 including a laterally extended support that can press on a lower facial portion of the user outside the periphery of the seal.

11. A patient interface as claimed in claim 10 wherein the laterally extended support can press on the lower cheek portion of the user.

12. A patient interface as claimed in claim 10 wherein the laterally extended support may only occasionally contact the face of the user in use.

13. A patient interface including:

a mask including seal means for sealing with the face of a user and frame means for supporting the seal, and

means for securing the mask to the head of a user.

14. A patient interface as claimed in claim 13 including:

a conduit for delivering gases to the mask, and

means for supporting the weight of the conduit from substantially affecting the mask in use.

15. A patient interface comprising:

a mask for covering at least the nostrils of the user, and including a seal body and a frame connected with the seal and a laterally extended support that can press on a lower facial portion of the user outside the periphery of the seal.

16. A patient interface as claimed in claim 15 wherein the mask includes an inflatable seal with an air supply aperture and a pair of protruding nostril locators protruding from the seal, each nasal locator including an outlet aperture.

17. A patient interface as claimed in claim 16 wherein the seal inflates under internal pressure from a pressurised gases supply and when pressed against the face of a user, creating a seal with the nose or face of the user in addition to any seal provided by the nasal locators.

18. A patient interface as claimed in claim 16 wherein, in use, the side wall of the envelope rolls to accommodate movement of the mask frame relative to the nose, wherein rolls means that the portion of the envelope adjacent to the frame reduces at one side and extends at the other, and the corresponding portions adjacent the face extend at one side and reduce at the other.

19. A patient interface as claimed in claim 15 wherein the frame includes at least a pair of extended support members at the perimeter, the support members located either side of the frame such that they may, but do not necessarily, contact portions of the face of the use in use.

20. A patient interface as claimed in claim 15 including a single loop strap extending from one side portion of the frame to the other side portion of the frame, the strap being sufficient to pass around the back of the head of the user.

21. A patient interface as claimed in claim 15 wherein the laterally extended support can press on the lower cheek portion of the user.

22. A patient interface as claimed in claim 15 wherein the laterally extended support may only occasionally contact the face of the user in use.