Nasal masks

• US 7,096,867 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2002
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Nightingale, Chris Earl, Smith, Nicholas Charles Alan, McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Gradon, Lewis George, Milivojevic, Ivan
• Primary Examiner(s): Bennett, Henry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ali, Shumaya B
• Application Number:
  US10/495,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20050028820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.13, 128/206.27, 128/207.11, 128/207.17, 128/206.12, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.28, 128/207.13, 128/DIG.26
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/00 Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. mouth-to-mouth respiration; Tracheal tubes stimulating the respiratory movement by mechanical, pneumatic or electrical means, iron lungs combined with gas breathing means A61H31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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 16/1095 in the connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking

Abstract

The present invention is related to patient interfaces, such as nasal masks (2), particularly though not solely for use in providing continuous positive airway pressure therapy or positive pressure ventilation to patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea. In a first form the invention is a patient interface that has securement means (601) releasably attaching the interface to headstraps wherein the securement means (601) is slidably engaged with the patient interface. In a second form of the invention the mask headgear is formed of a plurality of straps (701, 702) where at least one of the plurality of straps is slidably engaged with another of the plurality of straps. In a further form the patient interface may be provided with vertically adjustable engaging means (802) that engage the patient interface with the headgear straps.

Claims

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

a patient interface, which in use is in fluid communication with said supply of gases,

securement means attached to or around the head of said user, and

engaging means adapted to slidingly engage said securement means with said patient interface,

restraining means on said patient interface to restrain said engaging means at least in one dimension on said patient interface, but allowing said engaging means to slide within said restraining means in at least one other dimension, said restraining means being substantially vertically adjustable on said patient interface in either a freely moveable position or lockable in at least one vertical position.

2. A device for delivering gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said engaging means is an elongate member.

3. A device for delivery gases to a user according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said patient interface is a nasal mask.

4. A device for delivering gases to a user according to claim 1 wherein said elongate member has a section along it'"'"'s length that is narrower in diameter than the rest of said elongate members length, said narrower section being easily fittable into said at least one restraining means, to allow for the ease of fitting or removal of said member within said at least one restraining means.

5. A continuous positive airways pressure system for delivering gases to a user comprising or including a pressurised source of gases, transport means in fluid communication with said pressurised source adapted to convey said gases, and a nasal mask in fluid communication with said transport means, in use, delivering said gases to said user, said nasal mask comprising or including:

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

sealing means engaged with said body portion, and adapted to seal against the facial contours of said user, and

engaging means adapted to in use provide a sliding engagement with a means of securement to a user, and a compressive force on said sealing means to ensure said supply of gases is delivered to a user without significant leakage,

restraining means on said body portion to restrain said engaging means at least in one dimension on said body portion, but allowing said engaging means to slide within at least one other dimension, said restraining means being substantially vertically adjustable on said body portion in either a freely moveable position or lockable in at least one vertical position.

6. A device for delivering gases to a user according to claim 5 wherein said engaging means is an elongate member.

7. A device for delivering gases to a user according to claim 6 wherein said elongate member has a section along it'"'"'s length that is narrower in diameter than the rest of said elongate members length, said narrower section being easily fittable into said at least one restraining means, to allow for the ease of fitting or removal of said member within said at least one restraining means.

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

a patient interface, which in use is in fluid communication with said supply of gases,

securement means attached to or around the head of said user, and

engaging means adapted to engage said securement means with said patient interface,

wherein said securement means comprises or includes a plurality of straps that are fastened around the head of said user in order to secure said patient interface to said user'"'"'s face, and at least one of said plurality of straps is slidably engaged with another of said plurality of straps.

9. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user according to claim 8 wherein said patient interface is a nasal mask.

10. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user according to claim 9 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.

11. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user according to claim 10 wherein said engaging means slidingly engages said securement means with said nasal mask and is adapted to allow said securement means 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.

12. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user according to claim 8 wherein said engaging means further comprises or includes an elongate member and at least one restraining means on said patient interface, in use said member is restrained in at least one dimension by said restraining means, but allowing said member to slide easily within at least one other dimension, said restraining means adapted to in use easily disengage with said member.

13. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user according to claim 12 wherein said restraining means is vertically adjustable upon said body portion in either a freely movable manner or lockable in at least one vertical position.

14. A device for delivering a supply of gases according to claim 8 wherein said elongate member has a section along it'"'"'s length that is narrower in diameter than the rest of said elongate members length, said narrower section being easily fittable into said at least one restraining means to allow for the ease of fitting or removal of said member within said at least one restraining means.

15. A continuous positive airways pressure system for delivering gases to a user comprising or including a pressurised source of gases, transport means in fluid communication with said pressurised source adapted to convey said gases, and a nasal mask in fluid communication with said transport means in use delivering said gases to said user, said nasal mask comprising or including:

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

sealing means engaged with said body portion, and adapted to seal against the facial contours of said user, and

engaging means adapted to in use provide a sliding engagement with a means of securement to a user, and a compressive force on said sealing means to ensure said supply of gases is delivered to a user without significant leakage,

wherein said means of securement comprises or includes a plurality of straps, that are fastened around the head of said user in order to secure said patient interface to said user'"'"'s face, and at least one of said plurality of straps is slidably engaged with another of said plurality of straps.

16. A continuous positive airways pressure system for delivering gases to a user according to claim 15 wherein said engaging means comprises or includes an elongate member and at least one restraining means on said body portion, in use said member is restrained in at least one dimension by said restraining means, but allowing said member to slide easily within at least one other dimension, and providing a compressive force on said sealing means to avoid any significant leakage, said restraining means adapted to in use easily disengage with said member.

17. A continuous positive airways pressure system for delivering gases to a user according to claim 16 wherein said restraining means is vertically adjustable upon said body portion in either a freely movable manner or lockable in at least one vertical position.

18. A continuous positive airways pressure system for delivering gases to a user according to any one of claims 16 or 17 wherein said elongate member has a section along it'"'"'s length that is narrower in diameter than the rest of said elongate members length, said narrower section being easily fittable into said at least one restraining means, to allow for the ease of fitting or removal of said member within said at least one restraining means.