Air mask with seal

• US 6,631,718 B1
• Filed: 06/08/1999
• Issued: 10/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SleepNet Corporation
• Original Assignee: SleepNet Corporation
• Inventors: Lovell, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US09/328,027
• Time in Patent Office: 1,589 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.21, 128/206.23, 128/206.24, 128/206.25, 128/206.14, 128/206.26, 128/201.18, 128/848, 128/206.12, 128/206.13, 128/206.18, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.13, 243/0
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A nasal mask includes a flexible shell and a seal. The flexible shell has an inlet and includes a malleable element disposed about a periphery of the shell for maintaining the shell in a user selectable configuration. The seal is disposed along a perimeter of the shell so as to form a chamber within the shell when the mask is donned by a user.

Claims

1. A seal for use with nasal mask, the seal comprising a bladder having a first surface comprised of a first film and a second surface comprised of a second film, the first film being thicker than the second film and the bladder being filled with a soft material having a durometer value of less than about ten on a Shore OOO scale.

2. The seal of claim 1 wherein at least one surface of the bladder is substantially planar.

3. The seal of claim 1 wherein the material comprises a molded silicone gel.

4. The seal of claim 1 wherein the first film comprises a urethane film.

5. The seal of claim 1 wherein the first film comprises a polyurethane film.

6. The seal of claim 1 wherein the first film is about 75 μ

m thick.

7. The seal of claim 1 wherein the second film comprises a urethane film.

8. The seal of claim 1 wherein the second film comprises a polyurethane film.

9. The seal of claim 1 wherein the second film is about 50 μ

m thick.

10. The seal of claim 1 wherein at least one surface of the bladder is generally contoured.

11. The seal of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises a variable thickness.

12. The seal of claim 1 wherein a portion of the seal is between about 0.35 inches and about 0.46 inches thick.

13. A nasal mask comprising:

a shell; and

a seal along a perimeter of the shell, wherein the seal comprises a bladder having a first surface comprised of a first film and a second surface comprised of a second film, the first film being thicker than the second film and the bladder being filled with a soft material having a durometer value of less than about ten on a Shore OOO scale.

14. The nasal mask of claim 13 further comprising a headgear apparatus attached to the mask for retaining the mask on a user.

15. The nasal mask of claim 14 further comprising a beam element for retaining the headgear apparatus in a shape.

16. The nasal mask of claim 13 wherein the seal is bonded to the shell.

17. A system for treating a respiratory ailment in a recumbent or sleeping user comprising:

a mask comprising;

a shell; and

a seal along a perimeter of the shell, wherein the seal comprises a bladder having a first surface comprised of a first film and a second surface comprised of a second film, the first film being thicker than the second film and the bladder being filled with a soft material having a durometer value of less than about ten on a Shore OOO scale;

a controlled, breathable gas source; and

a conduit connecting the mask with the gas source.