Forehead support for facial mask

• US 6,860,269 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2002
• Issued: 03/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lithgow, Perry D., Gunaratnam, Michael K., Kwok, Philip R., Harrison, Jonathan P., Styles, Robert E., Liston, Jonathan L., Matchett, Robert S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US10/264,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20030034034A1
• Time in Patent Office: 879 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.24, 128/203.29, 128/204.11, 128/205.27, 12820612-20718
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• 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 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• 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 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45529 Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage

Abstract

A forehead support is adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask. The forehead support includes a joining member for securing to the mask and a cushion frame pivotally mounted to the joining member. The cushion frame is adapted to located one or more forehead cushions. The cushion frame is also selectively lockable at two or more predetermined angular positions relative to the joining member.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask assembly including a respiratory mask and a forehead support adapted to be secured to the mask, said forehead support including a joining member for securing to the mask and a cushion frame adjustably mounted to the joining member, wherein:

the cushion frame is adapted to locate at least one forehead cushion made of foam,

the cushion frame is adapted to move relative to the joining member,

the cushion frame is selectively lockable at two or more predetermined positions relative to the joining member,

the cushion frame includes a tongue adapted to be received in one of at least two grooves provided on the joining member so as to lock the cushion frame and joining member at one of the two or more predetermined positions,

the cushion frame includes a slotted head strap connector portion at each lateral end of the cushion frame,

the mask includes a mask shell and a mask cushion, and

the joining member, the cushion frame and the mask shell are produced from polypropylene or polycarbonate.

2. The respiratory mask assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushion frame is a T-shaped frame and includes at least two opposed pivot pins running substantially parallel to a cross portion of the T-shaped frame.

3. The respiratory mask assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushion frame pivots relative to the joining member.

4. The respiratory mask assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the joining member is integrally formed with the mask.

5. A forehead support adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask, said forehead support including:

a joining member for securing to the mask; and

a cushion frame adjustably mounted to the joining member, wherein;

the cushion frame is adapted to locate at least one forehead cushion,

the cushion frame is adapted, in use, to move relative to the joining member along a predetermined path generally towards and away from the patient'"'"'s forehead,

the cushion frame includes a first finger-operated adjustment control member extending laterally outwards from a first lateral side of the cushion frame and a second finger-operated adjustment control member extending laterally outwards from a second lateral side of the cushion frame, and

the first and second finger-operated adjustment control members are movable from a first position in which the cushion frame is unlocked and therefore adjustable along the predetermined path, to one of at least three predetermined locked positions relative to the joining member, the first and second finger-operated adjustment control members being spring-biased so as to selectively maintain the cushion frame in each of the at least three predetermined locked positions.

6. The support as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cushion frame includes a tongue adapted to be received in one of at least three grooves provided on the joining member so as to lock the cushion frame and joining member in one of the at least three predetermined locked positions.

7. The support as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cushion frame includes a slotted head strap connector portion at each end of the cushion frame.

8. A respiratory mask assembly comprising a respiratory mask provided with the forehead support set forth in claim 5, wherein the mask includes a shell provided with a nasal cushion, the joining member being integrally formed with the shell.

9. The mask assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the joining member is formed integrally with the mask.

10. A forehead support adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask, said forehead support comprising:

a joining member configured to be secured to the mask;

a generally T-shaped cushion frame adjustably mounted to the joining member to move relative to the joining member and generally towards and away from the patient'"'"'s forehead along a generally curved path in use; and

at least one foam cushion mounted on the cushion frame, wherein

a cross portion of the generally T-shaped cushion frame is substantially transverse to the path along which the cushion frame moves,

each lateral end of the cross of the T-shaped cushion frame includes a slotted connector portion adapted to receive a head strap, and

the cushion frame is selectively lockable in at least two positions relative to the joining member, in use, while maintaining a generally operative orientation of the cushion frame relative to the patient.

11. The support as claimed in claim 10, further comprising at least one shaft coincident with an axis about which the cushion frame moves.

12. The support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one shaft is integrally formed on the cushion frame.

13. The support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one shaft includes two shafts provided on opposite sides of the cushion frame.

14. A respiratory mask assembly comprising a respiratory mask provided with the forehead support set forth in claim 10, wherein the mask is a nasal mask including a nasal cushion.

15. A respiratory mask assembly comprising:

a respiratory mask;

a forehead support secured to the mask via a joining member, said forehead support including a cushion frame mounted to the joining member so as to be movable relative to the mask when the cushion frame is secured to the mask; and

at least one cushion mounted on the cushion frame, wherein;

the cushion frame is lockable in at least four predetermined locked positions relative to the patient'"'"'s forehead,

the mask includes a passage through which pressurized breathable gas is supplied via a swivel elbow,

the joining member is integral with the mask,

the cushion frame and the joining member include at least one pin and slot assembly by which, at least in part, the cushion frame may move,

the cushion frame is generally T-shaped, and a cross portion of the T-shaped frame is substantially parallel to the pin,

the cushion frame includes at least one tongue adapted to be received in one of at least four grooves provided on the joining member so as to lock the cushion frame and joining member in one of the at least four predetermined positions,

said tongue is provided on a spring-biased member which is adapted to permit said tongue to be moved out of engagement with a respective one of the grooves by manual manipulation of the member,

each end of the cushion frame includes a slotted head strap connector, and

the mask includes a mask shell and a mask cushion.

16. A forehead support adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask for a wearer, said forehead support including:

a joining member for securing to the mask;

an adjustable frame adjustably mounted to the joining member;

a tongue and groove arrangement including a tongue and at least three grooves so that the adjustable frame is selectively lockable at three or more predetermined positions relative to the joining member, and

a finger operated push button to manually adjust positioning of the tongue relative to the at least three grooves, wherein;

the push button and the tongue are supported by a common resilient member,

the adjustable frame includes a foam pad member oriented towards the wearer in use,

the adjustable frame includes at least one slotted head strap receiving portion, and

the joining member and the adjustable frame are produced from polypropylene or polycarbonate.

17. The forehead support as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adjustable frame pivots or rotates relative to the joining member.

18. A respiratory mask assembly for a wearer, comprising:

a respiratory mask; and

a forehead support secured to the mask via a joining member, said forehead support including an adjustable frame mounted to the joining member so as to be movable relative to the mask when the frame is secured to the mask, wherein

the frame is lockable in at least four predetermined locked positions relative to the wearer'"'"'s forehead via a tongue and groove arrangement including at least one tongue adapted to be received in one of at least four grooves so as to lock the frame and joining member in one of the at least four predetermined positions,

the mask includes a passage through which pressurized breathable gas is supplied via a swivel elbow,

the joining member is integrally formed with the mask,

said tongue is provided on a spring-biased member which is adapted to permit said tongue to be moved out of engagement with a respective one of the grooves by manual manipulation of the member,

the member is associated with a push button,

the frame includes at least one slotted head strap receiving portion, and

the mask includes a mask shell and a mask cushion.

19. A forehead support adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask of a wearer, said forehead support including a joining member for securing to the mask and an adjustable frame adjustably mounted to the joining member, wherein:

the adjustable frame is adapted to locate a foam padded member to confront the wearer'"'"'s forehead in use;

the adjustable frame is adapted to move relative to the joining member along a curved path when the adjustable frame is secured to the mask; and

the adjustable frame includes a depressable push button structured and configured to selectively lock the adjustable frame along said curved path in at least three predetermined angular positions relative to the joining member.

20. The support as claimed in claim 19, wherein the adjustable frame and joining member include a tongue and groove arrangement including at least one tongue adapted to be received in one of at least four grooves so as to lock the adjustable frame and joining member in one of the at least three predetermined angular positions.

21. The support as claimed in claim 20, wherein said at least one tongue is provided on a semi-rigid member which is adapted to permit said tongue to be moved out of engagement with a respective one of the grooves by manual manipulation of the semi-rigid member.

22. The support as claimed in claim 21, wherein said member is associated with a push button adapted to protrude from the adjustable frame to facilitate manual manipulation of the member.

23. The support as claimed in claim 19, wherein the adjustable frame pivots or rotates relative to the joining member during movement along the curved path.

24. The support as claimed in claim 23, wherein the adjustable frame cannot pivot or rotate beyond a predetermined maximum angular position in at least one direction.

25. The support as claimed in claim 24, wherein the adjustable frame cannot pivot or rotate beyond predetermined angular positions in each direction.

26. The support as claimed in claim in claim 19, wherein the adjustable frame and the joining member are produced from polypropylene or polycarbonate.

27. A respiratory mask assembly comprising:

a respiratory mask; and

a forehead support secured to the mask via a joining member, said forehead support including an adjustable frame mounted to the joining member so as to be movable relative to the mask when the adjustable frame is secured to the mask, wherein;

the adjustable frame is lockable in at least two predetermined positions,

the mask includes a front swivel elbow through which breathable gas is supplied,

the joining member is formed integrally with the mask,

the cushion frame and the joining member include a tongue-and-groove arrangement including a pair of adjacent tongues adapted to be received in one of at least two pairs of adjacent grooves so as to lock the adjustable frame and joining member at one of the at least two predetermined positions,

each said tongue is provided on a flexible member which is adapted to permit each said tongue to be moved out of engagement with a respective one of the grooves by manual manipulation of the member,

the tongues are associated with a common button adapted to facilitate manual manipulation of the member,

the button is positioned on the member, and

the nasal mask includes a mask shell and a nasal mask cushion.