Breathing mask for feeding a breathing gas to a mask user and discharge device for discharging breathing gas

• US 7,100,610 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2001
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Map Medizintechnologie Gmbh
• Inventors: Lang, Bernd, Biener, Achim
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anhtuan T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Erezo, Darwin P.
• Application Number:
  US10/221,574
• Publication Number:
  US 20030221691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,785 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.21, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/207.11, 128/207.14, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/332 Force measuring means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback

Abstract

The invention relates to a breathing mask for feeding a breathing gas to a mask user and a discharging device for discharging breathing gas from an inner mask area defined by a breathing mask. The inventive breathing mask comprises a sealing lip device for sealing a mask bearing area, a mask base body for creating a space within the mask and a connecting device for connecting at least one breathing gas line, the mask base body and/or the connecting device being provided with at least one decoupling structure made of elastomer material. It is possible to obtain in an advantageous manner a relative movement between a peripheral base area on the side of the base body of the mask associated with the sealing lip device and the breathing gas line within a sufficient area of movement.

Claims

1. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having a mask retaining portion;

a nasal mask having a body portion structured to be removably attachable to the mask retaining portion of the frame and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face generally along nasal bridge, cheek, and lip regions of the patient'"'"'s face;

a T-shaped forehead support having an upper cross portion and a lower leg portion, the upper cross portion of the forehead support extending along a first axis and supporting elastomeric forehead padding that is structured to engage a patient'"'"'s forehead, the lower leg portion of the forehead support moveably coupled to the frame via a film hinge to allow movement of the forehead support relative to the frame about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis to thereby adjust the position of the forehead padding relative to the patient along an arcuate path;

a conduit member in fluid communication with the nasal mask to deliver breathable gas into a nasal breathing space of the nasal mask;

a hose connector coupled to the conduit member, the hose connector structured to be connected to a gas delivery tube; and

an adjustment arrangement including at least four recesses and a projection, the recesses being adapted to receive the projection to positively lock the forehead support relative to the frame to allow selective adjustment of the forehead support relative to the frame,

wherein the forehead support supports the forehead padding at an elevated position with respect to the film hinge when the forehead support is positively locked relative to the frame.

2. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the upper cross portion of the forehead support includes a pair of coupling structures structured to be removeably connectable to an upper band arrangement of a headband assembly and the frame includes a pair of coupling structures structured to be removeably connectable to a lower band arrangement of the headband assembly for maintaining the mask arrangement in a desired position on a patient'"'"'s face.

3. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the body portion of the nasal mask includes a first interlocking surface that engages a second interlocking surface provided in the mask retaining portion of the frame when the nasal mask and the mask retaining portion are engaged with one another, the first and second interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another.

4. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the recesses are provided on the forehead support and the projection is provided on the frame.

5. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having a mask retaining portion;

a nasal mask having a body portion structured to be removably attachable to the mask retaining portion of the frame and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face generally along nasal bridge, cheek, and lip regions of the patient'"'"'s face;

a forehead support supporting elastomeric forehead padding that is structured to engage a patient'"'"'s forehead, the forehead support being moveably coupled to the frame via a film hinge to allow movement of the forehead support relative to the frame along an arcuate path to thereby adjust the position of the forehead padding relative to the patient;

a conduit member in fluid communication with the nasal mask to deliver breathable gas into a nasal breathing space of the nasal mask;

a hose connector coupled to the conduit member, the hose connector structured to be connected to a gas delivery tube; and

an adjustment arrangement including at least four recesses and a projection, the recesses being moveable with movement of the forehead support along the arcuate path and being adapted to receive the projection to positively lock the forehead support relative to the frame to allow selective adjustment of the forehead support relative to the frame,

wherein the forehead support supports the forehead padding at an elevated position with respect to the film hinge when the forehead support is positively locked relative to the frame.

6. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein an upper portion of the forehead support includes at least one coupling structure structured to be removeably connectable to an upper band arrangement of a headband assembly and the frame includes a pair of coupling structures structured to be removeably connectable to a lower band arrangement of the headband assembly for maintaining the mask arrangement in a desired position on a patient'"'"'s face.

7. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the body portion of the nasal mask includes a first interlocking surface that engages a second interlocking surface provided in the mask retaining portion of the frame when the nasal mask and the mask retaining portion are engaged with one another, the first and second interlocking surfaces interlocking with one another.

8. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the recesses are provided on the forehead support and the projection is provided on the frame.