Nasal mask and headgear

• US 6,119,694 A
• Filed: 07/24/1997
• Issued: 09/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Respironics Georgia, Inc. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Kirk, Karl Dallas III, Fontayne, Diego, Correa, Jose Luis, Collins, James T. III
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US08/899,806
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.18, 128/206.26, 128/207.13, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/207.13
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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 16/0694 Chin straps

Abstract

A nasal mask assembly having a nare seal for enclosing the nares of a patient and a pair of lateral support members for engaging the cheekbones of a patient and supporting the nasal mask assembly. An associated headgear assembly constructed of semi-rigid members are selectively interconnected for defining a headgear. The nasal mask assembly is interconnected with depending arms of the headgear assembly by contact connectors enabling the nasal mask to be adjusted linearly and angularly with respect to the headgear assembly.

Claims

1. A nasal mask assembly for providing gas from a gas source to a patient comprising:

(1) a nasal mask comprising;

(a) a nare seal having a surface for encircling nares of a patient, said nare seal defining a gas opening permitting gas from a gas source to enter nares of a patient, said nare seal being sized so as to minimize a contact area between said nare seal and a nasal area of a patient, and

(b) a nare seal support carrying said nare seal, said nare seal support including;

a central support portion supporting said nare seal,

a first lateral arm having a first end operatively coupled to a first side of said central support portion, a second end, and a first attachment portion at said second end of said first lateral arm,

a second lateral arm having a first end operatively coupled to a second side of said central support portion, a second end, and a second attachment portion at said second end of said second lateral arm,

said first lateral arm including a first lateral arm connector disposed at said attachment portion of said first lateral arm; and

said second lateral arm including a second lateral arm connector disposed at said attachment portion of said first lateral arm; and

(2) a head gear assembly comprising;

(a) a first depending arm carrying a first connector, and

(b) a second depending arm carrying a second connector, wherein said first lateral arm connector releaseably attaches said first lateral arm to said first depending arm and said second lateral arm connector releaseably attaches said second lateral arm to said second depending arm, wherein said first connector and said second connector releaseably attach to said first lateral arm connector and said second lateral arm connector, respectively, at various angles so that said nare support is selectively positionable at varying angles relative to a patient, thereby enabling said nare seal to be positioned at various positions for encircling nares of a patient.

2. A nasal mask assembly for providing gas from a gas source to a patient comprising:

(1) a nare seal having a first surface adapted to engage a lower portion of a patient'"'"'s nose and a second surface, said first and said second surfaces defining a nare seal interior, said nare seal being sized so as to minimize a contact area between said nare, seal and a nasal area of such a patient, said first surface having a first gas opening defined therein permitting gas flow between said nare seal interior and an airway of a patient, said second surface having a second gas opening defined therein permitting gas from a gas source to enter said nare seal interior, and wherein said nare seal interior includes a plurality of spatial regions;

(2) a nare seal support carrying said nare seal, said nare seal support including;

(a) a central support portion supporting said nare seal with said second surface of said nare seal operatively coupled to said central support portion,

(b) a first lateral arm having a first end operatively coupled to a first side of said central support portion and a second end, and

(c) a second lateral arm having a first end operatively coupled to a second side of said central support portion and a second end, and wherein said first lateral arm and said second lateral arm each include an attachment portion at said second end of each lateral arm on a second surface opposite said first surface to engage a headgear assembly for securing said nasal mask assembly to a head of patient; and

(3) a gas distribution assembly interposed between a gas source and said nare seal interior, wherein said gas distribution assembly comprises a plurality of channels, each being adapted to distribute gas from such a gas source to one of said plurality of spatial regions in said nare seal interior so that gas entering said interior in a first direction from such a gas source is diverted in a second direction before entering a patient'"'"'s nares, wherein said gas distribution assembly includes at least one flange disposed in a direction of travel of such gas so as to divert such gas from said first direction in said second direction.