Nose mask

• US 7,210,481 B1
• Filed: 05/26/2000
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SleepNet Corporation
• Original Assignee: SleepNet Corporation
• Inventors: Moulton, Thomas M., Lovell, John R., Chiesa, Paul R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson; Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US09/979,972
• Time in Patent Office: 2,531 Days
• Field of Search: 12820122-20124, 128/204.18, 128/205.25, 12820527-20718
• US Class Current: 128/205.25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A nasal mask (301) includes a shell (308) forming a chamber (390) having an inlet (332) and at least one outlet and a seal (302). The seal (302) is disposed proximate the outlet for contacting and sealing with external skin proximate at least one naris at a base of a nose of a user donning the mask. Substantially all of the sealing occurs between the seal (302) and the external skin.

Claims

1. A nasal mask comprising:

a shell forming a chamber having an inlet and an outlet with a perimeter;

a malleable element disposed around the entirety of said perimeter and only around said perimeter, said malleable element formable and capable of holding said shell in a selected configuration to produce a desired fit for a user; and

a seal disposed proximate the outlet, said seal dimensioned and shaped to contact and seal with external skin around both nares at a base of a nose of said user donning the mask, wherein substantially all of the sealing occurs between the seal and the external skin.

2. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein said malleable element comprises a wire made of a relatively soft metal.

3. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein said malleable element is disposed within the shell.

4. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein the seal comprises a bladder.

5. The nasal mask of claim 4 wherein the bladder is filled with silicone gel.

6. The nasal mask of claim 5 wherein the gel is molded in a predetermined configuration.

7. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein the seal is bonded to the shell.

8. The nasal mask of claim 1 further comprising a conduit attached to the inlet.

9. The nasal mask of claim 8 wherein the conduit comprises an angled portion.

10. The nasal mask of claim 8 wherein the conduit comprises a rotary connection.

11. The nasal mask of claim 8 wherein the conduit comprises a ball and socket connection.

12. The nasal mask of claim 1 further comprising a headgear apparatus attached to the mask for retaining the mask on a user.