Patient interface assembly supported under the mandible

• US 7,178,525 B2
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Matula, Jerome Jr., Ho, Peter Chi Fai, Diacopoulos, Elias G., Radney, Steven B., Eaton, Jason P
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US11/048,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20050205096A1
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 128/201.22, 128/201.29, 128/201.24, 128/203.22, 128/204.11, 128/205.25, 128/206.11, 128/206.27, 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.17, 128/207.18, 128/DIG.26, 128/202.27, 128/206.12, 128/206.13, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/206.28, 217/1, 217/15, 217/2, 217/3, 220/913
• US Class Current: 128/206.27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• 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 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0655 in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide
• 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 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

A patient interface system having a patient interface and chin support system for supporting the patient interface on the patient and for supplying a flow of gas from a patient circuit to the patient interface. In one embodiment, the chin support is formed from flexible hollow chambered support and extends from either side of the patient interface curving downwardly in front of the patient'"'"'s cheeks, around the outside of the patient'"'"'s mouth, to a position beneath the patient'"'"'s mandible. In another embodiment, the chin support is coupled to a conduit that is coupled to the patient interface. The chin support includes at least a portion that is disposed under the patient'"'"'s mandible.

Claims

1. A patient interface assembly comprising:

a patient interface;

a chin support coupled with the patient interface and extending from the patient interface to a position under a patient'"'"'s mandible; and

a patient circuit coupling member provided on the chin support to couple a patient circuit to the chin support.

2. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising a headgear assembly operatively coupled to the chin support and adapted to overlie a portion of a patient'"'"'s head responsive to the patient interface assembly being donned by such a patient.

3. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient circuit coupling member includes a patient circuit coupling port disposed on the chin support and adapted to rotatably couple a patient circuit to the chin support.

4. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient interface is a nares element or a nasal mask.

5. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient interface is selectively detachable from the chin support.

6. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the chin support includes a support member and a conduit coupled to the support member, and wherein the patient interface is coupled to the conduit.

7. A patient interface assembly comprising:

a patient interface;

a chin support coupled with the patient interface; and

a coupling member coupling the patient interface and the chin support such that the patient interface is rotateable relative to a portion of the chin support located at midline of a patient.

8. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, further comprising a headgear assembly operatively coupled to the chin support and adapted to overlie a portion of a patient'"'"'s head responsive to the patient interface assembly being donned by such a patient.

9. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, further comprising a patient circuit coupling port disposed on the chin support and adapted to rotatably couple a patient circuit to the chin support.

10. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the patient interface is a nares element or a nasal mask.

11. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the patient interface is selectively detachable from the chin support.

12. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the chin support includes a support member and a conduit coupled to the support member, and wherein the patient interface is coupled to the conduit.

13. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the coupling member comprises a ratchet-like-coupling that allows the patient interface assembly to be moved between a plurality of discrete positions relative to the chin support.

14. A patient interface assembly comprising:

(a) a patient interface;

(b) a chin support assembly adapted to be disposed under a patient'"'"'s mandible, wherein the chin support assembly includes;

(1) a rigid first member that extends under the mandible from a first side of a patient'"'"'s face to a second side thereof,

(2) a first headgear connection portion provided at a first portion of the first member on a first side of a patient'"'"'s face responsive to the patient interface assembly being worn by a patient, and

(3) a second headgear connection portion provided at a second portion of the first member on a second side of a patient'"'"'s face responsive to the patient interface assembly being worn by a patient; and

(c) a conduit operatively coupled to the patient interface and the chin support assembly.

15. The patient interface assembly of claim 14, wherein the patient interface is a nares element or a nasal mask.

16. The patient interface assembly of claim 14, wherein the patient interface, the conduit, or both are selectively detachable from the chin support assembly.