Respiratory mask
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
- a plurality of accordian folds formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a button or snap associated with the accordian folds; and
a band defining one or more openings for receiving the button or snap and extending generally along a length of the mask, wherein said accordian folds have an open position and a folded position and are held in their folded positions when the button or snap is received within one of the openings in the band, wherein the accordian folds allow shortening of a length of the mask, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordian folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask.
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Abstract
A respiratory mask is reduced in size to better fit patients with smaller faces by either (a) folding one or more accordian folds formed in an upper portion of the mask, or (b) tearing away a part of the upper portion of the mask. The respiratory mask for adult patients can thus be adjusted to fit smaller adults and larger children. The respiratory mask for children can thus be adjusted to fit smaller children. A ball joint swivel connector is provided to connect the gas inlet of the masks to the hose connection for respiratory or nebulizer treating gases or aerosols.
164 Citations
35 Claims
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1. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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a plurality of accordian folds formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a button or snap associated with the accordian folds; and
a band defining one or more openings for receiving the button or snap and extending generally along a length of the mask, wherein said accordian folds have an open position and a folded position and are held in their folded positions when the button or snap is received within one of the openings in the band, wherein the accordian folds allow shortening of a length of the mask, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordian folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one accordian fold formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a button or snap associated with the accordian fold; and
a band defining one or more openings for receiving the button or snap and extending generally along a length of the mask, wherein said accordian fold has an open position and a folded position and is held in its folded position when the button or snap is received within one of the openings in the band, wherein the accordian fold is formed by one or more tubes connected by a flexible material, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordian folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask.
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8. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one accordian fold formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a button or snap associated with the accordian fold; and
a band defining one or more openings for receiving the button or snap and extending generally along a length of the mask, wherein said accordian fold has an open position and a folded position and is held in its folded position when the button or snap is received within one of the openings in the band, and wherein the accordion fold tapers to a pivot point, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordion folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask.
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9. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one accordian fold formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a button or snap associated with the accordian fold;
a band defining one or more openings for receiving the button or snap and extending generally along a length of the mask; and
a deformable strap bridging the upper portion of the mask, wherein said accordian fold has an open position and a folded position and is held in its folded position when the button or snap in received within one of the openings in the band, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordian folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one strip formed in an upper portion of the mask;
wherein said mask can be made smaller to better conform to facial dimensions of a patient by tearing the strip and separating the upper portion of the mask from a lower portion of the mask along a path defined by the strip,and wherein the strip has a proximal end and a distal end and a tear tab is formed at the proximal end. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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16. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one strip formed in an upper portion of the mask;
wherein said mask can be made smaller to better conform to facial dimensions of a patient by tearing the strip and separating the upper portion of the mask from a lower portion of the mask along a path defined by the strip,and wherein the strip is formed of a material that is more rigid than adjacent material forming the mask.
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17. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one strip formed in an upper portion of the mask;
wherein said mask can be made smaller to better conform to facial dimensions of a patient by tearing the strip and separating the upper portion of the mask from a lower portion of the mask along a path defined by the strip,and wherein the mask defines perforations adjacent to the strip such that the strip is rippable away from the remainder of the mask along the perforations. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of adjusting a respiratory mask to fit a patient with a smaller face, comprising:
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folding at least one accordian fold formed in an upper portion of the mask from an open position to a closed position; and
securing the accordian fold in its closed position by mating a button or snap associated with the accordian fold with an opening formed in a band, wherein the band has a proximal end and a distal end and the opening in the band is formed in its distal end, and wherein a deformable strap is attached to the mask and the proximal end of the band is attached to the strap. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A method of adjusting a respiratory mask to fit a patient with a smaller face, comprising:
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detaching an upper portion of the mask, wherein the upper portion is detached by pulling a tear strip associated with an upper portion of the mask.
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24. A method of adjusting a respiratory mask to fit a patient with a smaller face, comprising:
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detaching an upper portion of the mask, wherein the upper portion is detached by separating the upper portion from a lower portion of the mask along perforations provided in the mask between the upper and lower portions of the mask.
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25. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising:
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at least one accordian fold formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a first fastening member attached to a surface of the mask; and
a band extending generally along a length of the mask and having a second fastening member attached thereto, said second fastening member engageable with said first fastening member, wherein said accordian fold has an open position and a folded position and is held in its folded position when the first fastening member engages the second fastening member, wherein the accordian fold is formed by one or more tubes connected by a flexible material, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian fold into a folded position that causes the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian fold is in its open position, and wherein folding the accordian fold results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A size-adjustable respiratory mask, comprising;
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a plurality of accordian folds formed in an upper portion of the mask;
a first fastening member attached to a surface of the mask; and
a band extending generally along a length of the mask and having a second fastening member attached thereto, said second fastening member engageable with said first fastening member, wherein the accordian folds have an open position and a folded position and is held in its folded position when the first fastening member engages the second fastening member, wherein the accordian folds are formed by a plurality of ribs connected by a flexible material, wherein the mask can be made smaller to better conform to the facial dimensions of a patient by folding the accordian folds into folded positions that cause the mask to have a smaller length than when the accordian folds are in their open positions, and wherein folding the accordian folds results in substantially linear contraction of the upper portion of the mask.
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Specification