Mask apparatus

• US 7,152,602 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2003
• Issued: 12/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Smiths Group plc (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Bateman, Timothy, Simon, Alan Neame, Lee, Andrew James, Bishop, Giles Andrew, Field, Stephen James, Pagan, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US10/501,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20050121030A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.24, 128/206.25, 128/206.26, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/206.21, 128/206.29, 128/207.11
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth

Abstract

A face mask comprises a sealing collar (1) extending around the mouth with a shelf (4) extending under the nose supporting a gel insert (7) that makes sealing contact between the nostrils and a passage (6) through the shelf. A curved, rigid window (30) is a push fit in a central opening (2) of the collar (1) and has a gas inlet (33) attached with it so that the window can be removed or connected with the sealing collar as necessary. The collar (1) supported on the head by a harness (20) having two triangular portions (21) on opposite sides encircling respective ears.

Claims

1. Mask apparatus including a generally ring-shape sealing assembly adapted to be retained with the head and to seal around at least the mouth of a user, a gas inlet for supplying gas to the apparatus, and a harness for retaining the sealing assembly with the head, characterized in that the sealing assembly has a central opening located in the region of the mouth and extending across the width of the mouth, and a closure in the form of a transparent window secured in the opening to extend across the width of the mouth, that the gas inlet is mounted with the window, and that the window is removable to leave the sealing assembly retained on the head by the harness such as to provide access to the region of the mouth via the opening.

2. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the window is curved and rigid.

3. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the window is a push fit in the central opening.

4. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing assembly includes a shelf adapted to extend beneath the nose of the user.

5. Mask apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the shelf supports a compliant substance adapted to seal around the nostrils.

6. Mask apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the shelf has a passage therethrough adapted to supply gas to the user'"'"'s nose.

7. Mask apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the shelf has a passage therethrough adapted to supply gas to the user'"'"'s nose.

8. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the harness comprises two triangular portions encircling respective ears of the user, that both portions have a rear limb extending substantially vertically at the rear of the user'"'"'s head, and that the rear limbs are securable with one another at the rear of the user'"'"'s head.

9. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing assembly includes an adhesive extending around its edge adapted to contact the user'"'"'s skin.

10. Mask apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas inlet is located to one side of the window.

11. Mask apparatus including a generally ring-shape sealing assembly adapted to be retained with the head and to seal around at least the mouth of a user, and a gas inlet for supplying gas to the apparatus, characterized in that the sealing assembly includes a central opening located in the region of the mouth, a removable closure for securing with the central opening, the gas inlet being mounted with the closure, a shelf adapted to extend beneath the nose of the user, and a passage through the shelf adapted to supply gas to the user'"'"'s nose.

12. Mask apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the shelf supports a compliant substance adapted to seal around the nostrils of the user.

13. Mask apparatus including a generally ring-shape sealing assembly adapted to be retained with the head and to seal around at least the mouth of a user, and a gas inlet for supplying gas to the apparatus, characterized in that the sealing assembly has a central opening located in the region of the mouth and extending across the width of the mouth, a removable closure in the form of a transparent window secured in the opening to extend across the width of the mouth, and a shelf adapted to extend beneath the nose of the user, and that the gas inlet is mounted with the window.

14. Mask apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the shelf supports a compliant substance adapted to seal around the nostrils.

15. Mask apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the shelf has a passage therethrough adapted to supply gas to the user'"'"'s nose.