Inhalation mask

• US 7,255,106 B2
• Filed: 05/29/2002
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pari GmbH Spezialisten Fur Effektive Inhalation (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Pari GmbH Spezialisten Fur Effektive Inhalation (PARI MEDICAL HOLDING GmbH)
• Inventors: Gallem, Thomas, Mornhinweg, Markus, Midelia, Patra, Lintl, Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US10/159,963
• Publication Number:
  US 20030037788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,903 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.14, 128/200.18, 128/200.23, 128/202.27, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.29, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.28, 128/207.12, 128/207.14, 128/207.16, 128/203.24, 128/207.18, 128/205.25, 128/205.24, 128/206.12, 128/206.15, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 128/207.12
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits

Abstract

The invention describes an inhalation or breathing mask for therapeutic nebulisers, in which around a connecting socket 4 for the therapeutic nebuliser is arranged an exhalation valve consisting of exhalation openings and a flexible valve element. The exhalation openings 7 are formed by exhalation channels 8 and can be closed individually by closure devices, for example stoppers, in order to set a predefined exhalation resistance.

Claims

1. Inhalation mask, in particular for use with a therapeutic nebuliser, the mask comprising

a main mask body (1) including a first region (2) configured for application of the mask to a human user'"'"'s face, and a second region (3) which comprises:

a connecting device (4) connected to the therapeutic nebuliser and

a valve device comprising several exhalation openings (7) in the second region (3) of the mask body (1) which encircle the connecting device (4), and a valve element (10) which encircles the connecting device (4), wherein the valve element is used for closing exhalation openings (7) when the user wearing the mask breathes in and for opening the exhalation openings (7) when the user wearing the mask breathes out.

2. Inhalation mask according to claim 1, wherein the connecting device for a therapeutic nebuliser is a connecting socket.

3. Inhalation mask according to claim 2, wherein the connecting socket has a basic cylindrical shape.

4. Inhalation mask according to claim 1, wherein the exhalation openings (7) are formed by exhalation channels (8) which extend along the connecting device (4).

5. Inhalation mask according to claim 1, wherein the valve element (10) is annular.

6. Inhalation mask according to claim 5, wherein the annular valve element (10) at its inner edge or outer edge comprises a section (12) of enlarged cross-section which can be introduced into a groove (9) formed on the main mask body for supporting the annular valve element (10).

7. Inhalation mask according to claim 5, characterized in that the annular valve element (10) at its inner edge or outer edge comprises a latch projection (14) which can be latched in a latch groove (15) formed in the main mask body for supporting the annular valve element (10).

8. Inhalation mask according to claim 1, further comprising a closure device (17, 20, 21) for controlling the effective cross-sectional area of the exhalation opening (7).

9. Inhalation mask according to claim 8, characterized in that the closure device includes one or more stoppers (17) whose shape and size are adapted to the exhalation openings (7) or the exhalation channels (8) in such a way that they can be inserted in the exhalation openings (7) or the exhalation channels (8) and fixed.

10. Inhalation mask according to claim 9, characterized in that the stopper or stoppers (17) are connected to a holding device (18) by which the stoppers (17) can be fastened to the inhalation mask (1).

11. Inhalation mask according to claim 10, characterized in that the stoppers (17) are connected to the holding device (18) by connecting elements (19).

12. Inhalation mask according to claim 11, characterized in that the stoppers (17), the holding device (18) and the connecting elements (19) are made from a material in one piece.

13. Inhalation mask according to claim 8, wherein the closure device includes a first flat annular disc (20) and a second flat annular disc (21) located one on top of the other, each comprising one or more openings, the discs (20, 21) configured to sit in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other.

14. Inhalation mask according to claim 13, wherein the first flat annular disc (20) comprises holding lugs (23) which are arranged in an opening of the second flat annular disc (21) and which are latched in at the connecting device (4).

15. Inhalation mask according to claim 14, wherein the connecting device (4) comprises a latch projection (24) for engagement of the holding lugs (23) of the first flat annular disc (20).

16. Inhalation mask according to claim 13, wherein the first flat annular disc (20) comprises a holding cylinder which is arranged in an opening of the second fiat annular disc (21) and which is inserted and supported in the connecting device (4).

17. Inhalation mask according to claim 13, wherein first and second flat annular discs (20, 21) include markings.

18. Inhalation mask, in particular for use with a therapeutic nebuliser, the mask comprising

a main mask body including a first region (2) configured for application of the mask to a human user'"'"'s face, and a second region (3), the second region comprising:

(a) a connecting device (4) connected to the therapeutic nebuliser; and

(b) a valve device comprising at least four exhalation openings (7) positioned in the second region (3) of the mask body positioned encircling the connecting device (4), and an annular valve element (10) in overlapping arrangement with the plurality of exhalation openings (7), the annular valve element (10) to positioned to encircle the connecting device (4).

19. Inhalation mask according to claim 18, further comprising a closure device (17. 20, 21) for controlling the effective cross sectional area of the plurality of exhalation openings (7), wherein the closure device includes a first flat annular disc (20) and a second flat annular disc (21) located one on top of the other, each comprising one or more openings, the discs (20, 21) configured to sit in at least a first position and a second position relative to each other.

20. Inhalation mask according to claim 19, wherein the first flat annular disc (20) comprises holding lugs (23) which are arranged in an opening of the second flat annular disc (21) and which are latched in at the connecting device (4).

21. Inhalation mask according to claim 20, wherein the connecting device (4) comprises a latch projection (24) for engagement of the holding lugs (23) of the first flat annular disc (20).

22. Inhalation mask according to claim 19, wherein the first flat annular disc (20) comprises a holding cylinder which is arranged in an opening of the second flat annular disc (21) and which is inserted and supported in the connecting device (4).

23. Inhalation mask according to claim 19, wherein first and second flat annular discs (20, 21) include markings.

24. Inhalation mask, in particular for use with a therapeutic nebuliser, the mask comprising

a main mask body including a first region (2) configured for application of the mask to a human user'"'"'s face, and a second region (3), the second region comprising:

(a) a connecting device (4) connected to the therapeutic nebuliser; and

(b) a valve device comprising a plurality of exhalation openings (7) positioned in the second region (3) of the mask body to encircle the connecting device (4), and an annular valve element (10) in overlapping arrangement with the plurality of exhalation openings (7), the annular valve element (10) to positioned to encircle the connecting device (4).