Nasal positive airway pressure mask and method

• US 5,657,752 A
• Filed: 03/28/1996
• Issued: 08/19/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AIRWAYS ASSOCIATES
• Original Assignee: AIRWAYS ASSOCIATES
• Inventors: Disanza, Wayne W., Landis, Robert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Millin, Vincent
• Assistant Examiner(s): SRIVASTAVA, VIRENDRA KUMAR
• Application Number:
  US08/621,709
• Time in Patent Office: 509 Days
• Field of Search: 28/201.18, 28/204.18, 28/205.24, 28/206.16, 28/206.18, 28/207.12, 28/207.16, 28/205.11, 28/207.13, 28/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/207.13
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A nasal positive airway pressure mask is provided having a variable orifice venting aperture member. The variable orifice venting aperture member preferably is mounted to the mask frame, but may be mounted at other locations. The variable orifice vent aperture member expands under increased pressure, e.g., during exhalation, and contracts to its original diameter at lower pressures, e.g., during inhalation, to provide variable venting capacity during positive airway pressure treatment.

Claims

1. A device for treatment of sleep apnea comprising:

a source of pressurized air;

a nasal mask in communication with the source of pressurized air, the nasal mask being configured and dimensioned to cover the nose of a patient in substantial sealing engagement with the patient'"'"'s face, and to deliver pressurized air from the source to the nose of a patient;

at least one variable orifice member defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the mask includes a mask frame and a face engaging portion.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the mask is connected to the source of pressurized air by a primary air tube.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the variable orifice member is mounted to the primary air tube.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the variable orifice member is mounted to the mask frame.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the face engaging portion is made of a compliant synthetic material.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of pressurized air is a source of substantially constant pressure air.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the source of pressurized air provides at least two different pressure conditions of air.

9. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for mounting the mask to the head of a patient.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the variable orifice member comprises a stretchable material having an aperture therethrough.

11. A nasal mask for treatment of sleep apnea comprising:

a nasal mask configured and dimensioned to cover the nose of a patient in substantial sealing engagement with the patient'"'"'s face to deliver pressurized air to the nose of a patient;

at least one variable orifice member mounted to the mask defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure.

12. The nasal mask of claim 11 wherein the mask includes a mask frame and a face engaging portion.

13. The nasal mask of claim 12 wherein the variable orifice member is mounted to the mask frame.

14. The nasal mask of claim 12 wherein the face engaging portion is made of a compliant synthetic material.

15. The nasal mask of claim 11 further comprising means for mounting the mask to the head of a patient.

16. The nasal mask of claim 11 wherein the variable orifice member comprises a stretchable material having an aperture therethrough.

17. The nasal mask of claim 16 wherein the stretchable material is an elastic membrane.

18. A method of treating for sleep apnea comprising:

connecting a source of pressurized air to a nasal mask configured and dimensioned to cover the nose of a patient, the mask further including at least one variable orifice member defining a variable orifice which assumes a first position having a first diameter at a first gas pressure and a second, expanded position having a second diameter greater than said first diameter at a second, increased gas pressure;

mounting the nasal mask to the face of a patient over the patient'"'"'s nose in substantial sealing engagement with the patient'"'"'s face;

activating the source of pressurized air to supply positive air pressure to the nasal mask, the variable orifice member assuming the first diameter during inhalation by the patient and the second, enlarged diameter during exhalation by the patient.