MASK SYSTEM

• US 20140338672A1
• Filed: 07/31/2014
• Published: 11/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: D'SOUZA, Errol Savio Alex, EVES, Matthew, LOCKWOOD, David James, VALCIC, Zoran, WEHBEH, Jamie Graeme
• Granted Patent: US 9,119,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0841 for sampling
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0858 Pressure sampling ports
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0085 product washed out
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment

Abstract

A mask system has a shroud module with headgear connectors adapted to removably attach to respective headgear straps of headgear; and a cushion module, including a frame defining a breathing chamber; and a cushion to form a seal with the patient'"'"'s face in a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lower lip/chin region of the patient'"'"'s face. The cushion is constructed of a first, relatively soft, elastomeric material and the frame is constructed of a second material that is more rigid than the cushion, and a nasal bridge portion of the cushion includes one or more folds to provide in use a higher level of adaptability or flexibility to the nasal bridge region of the cushion module relative to another region of the cushion module. The shroud module and the cushion module are configured to be removably coupleable to one another.

Claims

1. A mask system, comprising:

(i) a shroud module;

wherein the shroud module includes headgear connectors adapted to removably attach to respective headgear straps of headgear; and

(ii) a cushion module, comprising;

a frame defining a breathing chamber; and

a cushion to form a seal with the patient'"'"'s face in a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lower lip/chin region of the patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the cushion is constructed of a first, relatively soft, elastomeric material and the frame is constructed of a second material that is more rigid than the cushion, and a nasal bridge portion of the cushion includes one or more folds to provide in use a higher level of adaptability or flexibility to the nasal bridge region of the cushion module relative to another region of the cushion module;

and further wherein the shroud module and the cushion module are configured to be removably coupleable to one another.

2. The mask system of claim 1 wherein the cushion comprises one or more folds in a lower lip/chin region of the cushion.

3. The mask system of claim 2, wherein the one or more folds in the nasal bridge region has a relatively high degree of flexibility and the one or more folds in the lower lip/chin region have a relatively low degree of flexibility.

4. The mask system of claim 1, wherein each of said one or more folds comprises adjacent first side walls interconnected by a second side wall.

5. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the cushion is a full-face cushion.

6. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the shroud module includes upper and lower headgear connectors on each side of the shroud module.

7. The mask system of claim 6, wherein each upper headgear connector includes a slot adapted to receive a respective headgear strap in use.

8. The mask system of claim 6, wherein each lower headgear connector is adapted to be removably interlocked with a headgear clip associated with a respective headgear strap.

9. The mask system of claim 8, further comprising headgear including respective headgear clips, wherein each said headgear clip is adapted to snap-fit with the respective lower headgear connector.

10. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the shroud module includes an open construction that provides an annular or part annular cushion retaining portion structured to retain the cushion module.

11. The mask system of claim 1, further comprising an elbow module adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers breathable gas to the patient.

12. The mask system according to claim 11, wherein the elbow module is provided to the shroud module.

13. The mask system of claim 11, wherein the elbow module comprises polycarbonate.

14. The mask system of claim 11, wherein the elbow module and the shroud module are connected with a mechanical interlock while allowing 360 degree rotation of the elbow module.

15. The mask system of claim 11, wherein the elbow module includes an anti-asphyxia valve.

16. A mask system of claim 15, wherein the anti-asphyxia valve includes a flap portion adapted to selectively close a port provided in the elbow module.

17. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the cushion module includes at least first and second cushion modules adapted to be provided to the shroud module, said at least first and second cushion modules being different from one another in at least one aspect.

18. The mask system of claim 1 comprising a small cushion module, a medium cushion module and a large cushion module, wherein each of said small cushion module, said medium cushion module and said large cushion module is removably coupleable to the same shroud module.

19. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the shroud module comprises polycarbonate.

20. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises silicone.

21. The mask system of claim 1, wherein the frame and the cushion are co-molded.