NASAL MASK SYSTEM

• US 20120138061A1
• Filed: 05/28/2010
• Published: 06/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gibson, Joel Edward, Dravitzki, Brent James, Brambilla, Enrico, Nga, Lemmy, Quarmby, Nigel, Davidson, Aaron Samuel, Barbara, Anthony Paul, Formica, Justin John, Ozolins, Marie Angelene, Burnham, Robert Thomas, Goldspink, Lachlan Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,149,593 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 16/0611 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A mask system includes a frame (20) adapted to attach headgear, a sealing arrangement (40) releasably connectable to the frame, and an elbow (70) provided to the sealing arrangement and adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers breathable gas to the patient. The sealing arrangement defines a breathing chamber and is adapted to form a seal with the patient'"'"'s face. The sealing arrangement includes structure (50) to establish a positive connection with the frame and with the elbow.

Claims

1. A nasal mask defining a breathing chamber for the delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to the airways of a patient, the nasal mask including a sidewall, and a cushion located adjacent the sidewall at a rear side of the nasal mask, a rearward sealing surface of the cushion has a contour in a top lip region that is formed with a concave curvature to have a shape that is complementary to a top lip region of a person, the contour of the rearward surface of the cushion is constructed and arranged to extend in use along respective left and right sides of the nose from a nasal bridge region of a person located adjacent the joint between the nasal bone and the cartilage to respective left and right nasal corner regions of a person adjacent the left and right naso-labial creases, the contour of the rearward sealing surface of the cushion is further adapted to extend along the top lip of a person from the left side of the nose to the right side of the nose,

the cushion includes a relatively thick backup band formed from a resilient flexible material and extending from the sidewall to form respective cantilevers in a top lip region, a corner region and a side of nose region of the cushion, said cantilevers each having a length and a thickness and said cantilevers defining respective lip region, corner region and side of nose region stiffnesses, wherein the corner region cantilever is stiffer than the top lip region cantilever in a direction normal to the plane of the face,

the cushion further includes a relatively thin facial flap, the facial flap is inwardly curving and extends around the perimeter of the cushion to define the rearward sealing surface of the cushion, an inner edge of the facial flap defines an orifice through which a portion of a nose of the patient passes in use.

2. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein the backup band in the region of the side of the nose has a curved surface that is arranged to provide in use a force in a first direction into the plane of the face, and to provide a force in a second lateral direction onto the side of the nose along a region that extends from the nasal bone to the cartilage.

3. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein a length of the side of nose cantilever is greater than a length of the corner of nose cantilever.

4. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the corner of nose cantilever is thicker than a corresponding thickness of the top lip region cantilever.

5. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever is a double cantilever.

6. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever is a triple cantilever;

¹

7. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever is constructed and arranged to bend about two points.

8. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever defines first and second bending points or regions.

9. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever defines first, second and third bending points or regions.

10. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one i cantilever is constructed and arranged to direct a first force in a first direction and a second force in a second direction.

11. A nasal mask according to claim 10, wherein the at least one cantilever provides the first force in a direction normal to a region of the face adjacent the side of the nose, and the second force in a direction normal to the side of the nose.

12. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein corresponding respective left and right portions of the backup band are constructed and arranged to splay outwardly in use to accommodate a wider nose.

13. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever is formed in one piece with a sidewall of the mask.

14. A nasal mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one cantilever is a curved cantilever.

15-54. -54. (canceled)

55. A nasal mask defining a breathing chamber for the delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to the airways of a patient, the nasal mask including a sidewall, and a cushion located adjacent the sidewall at a rear side of the nasal mask, a rearward sealing surface of the cushion has a contour in a top Hp region that is formed with a concave curvature to have a shape that is complementary to a top lip region of a person, the contour of the rearward surface of the cushion is constructed and arranged to extend in use along respective left and right sides of the nose from a nasal bridge region of a person to respective left and right nasal corner regions of a person, the contour of the rearward sealing surface of the cushion is further adapted to extend along the top lip of a person from the left side of the nose to the right side of the nose,

the cushion includes a relatively thick backup band formed from a resilient flexible material and extending from the sidewall to form respective cantilevers in a top lip region, a corner region and a side of nose region of the cushion, wherein the top lip region cantilever has a C-shaped cross-section,

the cushion further includes a relatively thin facial flap, the facial flap is inwardly curving and extends around the perimeter of the cushion to define the rearward sealing surface of the cushion, an inner edge of the facial flap defines an orifice through which a portion of a nose of the patient passes in use.

56-110. -110. (canceled)

111. A nasal mask defining a breathing chamber for the delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to the airways of a patient, the nasal mask including a sidewall, and a cushion located adjacent the sidewall at a rear side of the nasal mask, a rearward sealing surface of the cushion has a contour in a top lip region that is formed with a concave curvature to have a shape that is complementary to a top lip region of a person, the contour of the rearward surface of the cushion is constructed and arranged to extend in use along respective left and right sides of the nose from a nasal bridge region of a person to respective left and right nasal corner regions of a person, the contour of the rearward sealing surface of the cushion is further adapted to extend along the top lip of a person from the left side of the nose to the right side of the nose,

the cushion includes a relatively thin facial flap, the facial flap is inwardly curving and extends around the perimeter of the cushion to define the rearward sealing surface of the cushion, an inner edge of the facial flap defines an orifice through which a portion of a nose of the patient passes in use,

the cushion further includes a relatively thick backup band formed from a resilient flexible material and extending from the sidewall to form respective cantilevers in a top lip region, a corner region and a side of nose region of the cushion, wherein a length of the side of nose region cantilever is longer than a length of the corner region cantilever, and the side of nose region cantilever is constructed and arranged to provide a force in a direction approximately normal to the side of the nose.

112. (canceled)

113. A nasal cushion for a mask system, comprising:

a side wall defining a breathing chamber;

an undercushion extending from the side wall; and

a membrane that at least partially covers the undercushion,

the membrane is adapted to seal along the nasal bridge, sides of nose, corners of nose, and upper lip of the patient'"'"'s face in use;

the undercushion is only provided along the side of nose, corner of nose, and upper lip regions of the cushion,

the undercushion includes a flap or extending portion in each side of nose region that is wider than the other regions thereof and adapted to engage and provide a force into the sides of the patient'"'"'s nose in use.

114-118. -118. (canceled)

119. A forehead support for a respiratory mask, comprising:

a forehead support arm structured to extend from a frame; and

a forehead support pad provided to the arm, the forehead support pad including upper headgear connectors adapted to engage upper headgear straps and a flexible region, the upper headgear connectors constructed of a first material and the flexible region constructed of a second material that is more flexible than the first material to allow adjustment of the distance of the forehead support pad from the patient'"'"'s forehead in use.

120. (canceled)

121. A vent for a respiratory mask, comprising:

a stem;

at least one branch extending from the stem; and

a vent array provided to the end of each branch, each vent array including a body and at least one vent hole through the body,

wherein the branches are spaced about the stem and/or the branches are angled with respect to stem to position the vent arrays such that they achieve diffuse exiting air flow streams.

122-148. -148. (canceled)

149. A method for making a mask, comprising:

molding a vent structure;

inserting the vent structure into a mold for a mask component; and

molding the mask component over the vent structure, wherein molding the mask component aligns the vent structures to create air flow paths that reduce interference of exiting air streams in use.

150. (canceled)