Respiratory mask facial seal
First Claim
1. A flexible, resilient respiratory mask facial seal for sealing engagement with the face of a human user to form a sealed interface encompassing a predetermined portion of such user'"'"'s face, said facial seal being operatively connectable to a source of breathing gas, said facial seal comprising a peripheral wall portion having an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end, said inner end being attachable to a body of a respiratory mask and said outer end including a seal portion having a contoured sealing surface for sealing engagement with a user'"'"'s face, at least said seal portion being formed from a gel substance having a resiliency substantially corresponding to that of human fat tissue, said gel substance including the property of recoiling back to substantially its original shape when not stressed.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved flexible respiratory mask facial seal, as well a respiratory mask incorporating such seal. The facial seal comprises an annular member including a peripheral sidewall bounded by an inner end and an outer end generally opposite the inner end. The inner end is adapted for attachment to the shell or body portion of a respiratory mask and the outer end defines a contoured sealing surface adapted for confronting sealing engagement with a user'"'"'s face. The annular member is formed of a gel substance possessing resilience characteristics corresponding to those of human fat tissue. Preferably, the annular member is encapsulated in a thin, pliable, membranous covering to enhance the durability and washability of the facial seal. Because the facial seal simulates the resiliency of human fat tissue, the user experiences the sensation of a natural substance against his skin when the mask is donned.
487 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A flexible, resilient respiratory mask facial seal for sealing engagement with the face of a human user to form a sealed interface encompassing a predetermined portion of such user'"'"'s face, said facial seal being operatively connectable to a source of breathing gas, said facial seal comprising a peripheral wall portion having an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end, said inner end being attachable to a body of a respiratory mask and said outer end including a seal portion having a contoured sealing surface for sealing engagement with a user'"'"'s face, at least said seal portion being formed from a gel substance having a resiliency substantially corresponding to that of human fat tissue, said gel substance including the property of recoiling back to substantially its original shape when not stressed.
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13. A respiratory mask operatively connectable to a source of breathing gas and comprising:
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a respiratory mask body; and a flexible, resilient respiratory mask facial seal for engagement with the face of a human user to form a sealed interface encompassing a predetermined portion of such user'"'"'s face, said facial seal comprising a peripheral wall portion having an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end, said inner end being attachable to said respiratory mask body and said outer end including a seal portion having a contoured sealing surface for sealing engagement with a user'"'"'s face, at least said seal portion being formed from a gel substance having a resiliency substantially corresponding to that of human fat tissue, said gel substance including the property of recoiling back to substantially its original shape when not stressed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification