Respiratory mask

• US 6,467,483 B1
• Filed: 07/28/1999
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Respironics Incorporated
• Inventors: Kopacko, Ralph E., Barnett, Shari S., Paul, Zachary D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEISS JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US09/362,402
• Time in Patent Office: 1,182 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.27, 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.12, 128/912
• US Class Current: 128/207.12
• 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 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/912 Connections and closures for tubes delivering fluids to or from the body

Abstract

A respiratory mask having a flexible, mask seal portion for engagement with the face of a user, a gel forehead cushion and a rotatable elbow coupling having integral exhaust ports. The mask seal portion has a thin section which permits the mask to more easily adapt to the contour of the face of the user. The gel forehead cushion provides increased compliancy and resiliency to better adapt to multiple user physical profiles. The elbow coupling includes tapered through holes in a polycarbonate arc piece to provide a quiet passage of gas through the holes.

Claims

1. A patient interface assembly, comprising:

(a) a shell having a first side and a second side, at least a portion of the second side generally defining a first plane;

(b) a seal adapted to be secured to the first side of the shell, the shell and seal defining a cavity;

(c) a continuously unobstructed conduit coupled to the second side of the shell and adapted to communicate gas with the cavity, the conduit including;

(1) a first portion attached to the second side of the shell and extending along a first axis generally perpendicular to the first plane,

(2) an elbow portion having a first end coupled to the first portion and a second end,

(3) a second portion coupled to the second end of the elbow portion and extending along a second axis generally perpendicular to the first axis, and

(4) a continuously unobstructed first opening defined in the first portion such that gas is directed from the first portion of the conduit via the first opening in a second plane generally parallel to the first plane; and

(d) an arc section fixedly attached to the first portion of the conduit so as to overlie the first opening without moving with respect to the conduit, and wherein the arc section includes a through hole defined in the arc section and aligned with the first opening such that gas exhausts from the first portion of the conduit via the first opening and the through hole in the second plane.

2. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the through hole is tapered in diameter.

3. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising a slot having side walls on the first end, and wherein the are section is disposed in the slot between the side walls.

4. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the first end of the conduit further comprises a swivel attachment adapted for rotatable attachment to the shell.