Breathing assistance apparatus

• US 7,017,576 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Nightingale, Chris Earl, Smith, Nicholas Charles Alan, Prime, Neil, Leckie, Martin, Olsen, Gregory James, McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Gradon, Lewis George, Haycock, Mark Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US10/646,434
• Publication Number:
  US 20040035428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.24, 128/206.27, 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.17, 128/205.25
• US Class Current: 128/205.25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0638 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 16/0683 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 16/1045 Devices for humidifying or heating the inspired gas by using recovered moisture or heat from the expired gas
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1065 in the expiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/109 the humidifying liquid or the beneficial agent
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0222 Materials for reducing friction
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise

Abstract

A improved interface is disclosed for delivering CPAP therapy to patients. The interface has a sliding engagement to the headgear. The sliding engagement allows substantial relative lateral movement eg: when face is distorted from sleeping on side, while still providing adequate compressive force to avoid side leakage. The sliding engagement also allows easy release from the headgear.

Claims

1. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising or including:

a patient interface, adapted to be in fluid communication with said supply of gases and said user, said patient interface being in at least a correct orientation and position on said user,

headgear adapted to attach to or around the head of said user, and

a flexible sliding strap attached to said headgear and capable of sliding over said patient interface.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said patient interface is a nasal mask.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said nasal mask comprises or includes a body portion having an inlet receiving said supply of gases, and sealing means attached to or integrated with said body portion said sealing means adapted to seal against the facial contours of said user.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 where said sliding strap is a low resistance strap slidingly connected with said patient interface and adapted to allow said headgear substantial movement with respect to said nasal mask, while still providing compressive force on said sealing means to ensure said supply of gases is delivered to said user without significant leakage.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said patient interface further comprises or includes at least one restraining means on said body portion, said restraining means adapted to in use restrain said strap, but allow said strap to slide longitudinally over said patient interface, said restraining means adapted to in use easily disengage with said sliding strap.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said strap is elongate having a first end and a second end, a first at least partial loop located at said first end and a second at least partial loop located at said second end, whereby in use said headgear is substantially permanently attached to said first loop and substantially attached but readily releasable from said second loop.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said patient interface is a nasal cannula.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said patient interface is a full face mask.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said patient interface is a mouthpiece.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said patient interface is an entrotracheal tube.

11. A device as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein said heargear includes a low resistance sliding loop slidingly connected on, through, adjacent or with said patient interface.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sliding loop comprises a looped nylon filament.

13. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sliding strap is moulded from polyacetal.

14. A nasal mask for delivering gases to a user comprising or including:

a body portion having an inlet, in use said inlet receiving a supply of gases,

headgear adapted to attach to or around the head of said user

abutting means engaged with said body portion for abutting against the facial contours of said user,

a flexible sliding strap capable of sliding over said nasal mask and attaching to said headgear, and

engaging means for providing a sliding engagement with said sliding strap, and a compressive force on said abutting means.

15. A nasal mask as claimed in claim 14 wherein said engaging means comprises or includes restraining means to in use restrain said strap but allow said strap to slide longitudinally over said patient interface, said restraining means adapted to in use easily disengage with said sliding strap.