Nasal mask

• US 7,290,546 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2003
• Issued: 11/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ventec Life Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Invacare Corporation
• Inventors: Rosenkranz, Mark E., Whitesel, Mary B., Sprinkle, Tom
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, TEENA KAY
• Application Number:
  US10/394,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20050011521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,690 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 128/206.11, 128/206.12, 128/206.13, 128/206.15, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.12, 128/207.13, 128/202.27, 243/07, 245/721, 245/730.9
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/43 making noise when used correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/582 by tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/583 by visual feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A nasal mask assembly for preferred use in CPAP treatment. The mask assembly comprises a central body, a face cushion, a forehead support and a gas inlet. The gas inlet is rotatably connected to the central body, and the forehead support is pivotally connected to the central body. A method of using such a mask is also provided.

Claims

1. A nasal mask comprising:

a central body, the central body comprising an inlet aperture for receiving a delivered amount of gas, the central body having a rear rim;

a gas inlet rotatably disposed around the inlet aperture of the central body, the gas inlet comprising a central axis and a tube portion, wherein the tube portion receives the delivered amount of gas and has a tube axis, and wherein a tube angle is formed between the tube axis and the central axis of the gas inlet and

the tube angle is between about 0 degrees and about 130 degrees; and

a face cushion attached to the central body and having a front rim; and

a brace supported within the central body, being shaped to conform to the contour of the central body'"'"'s rear rim, leaving sufficient space between the brace and the rear rim that the front rim of the face cushion fits snugly and substantially air-tightly into the space, the brace thus acting to secure the cushion to the central body.

2. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein the tube angle is between about 0 degrees and about 90 degrees.

3. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein the tube angle is between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees.

4. The nasal mask of claim 3 wherein the forehead support is pivotably connected to the central body.

5. The nasal mask of claim 1 wherein the tube angle is between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees.

6. The nasal mask of claim 1 further comprising a forehead support connected to the central body and a forehead cushion removably mounted to the forehead support.

7. The nasal mask of claim 1 further comprising a rotation fitting having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably disposed around the tube portion, and the second end receives a tube which supplies gas.

8. The nasal mask of claim 1 further comprising a gas inlet rotatably disposed around the inlet aperture of the central body and a rotation fitting having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably disposed around the tube portion, and the second end receives a tube which supplies gas.

9. A nasal mask as set forth in claim 1 wherein the central body comprises a strap arm, the strap arm comprising a holder;

the mask comprising a strap attachment comprising a holder bar and a flexible tab with a holder space disposed in between the holder bar and the flexible tab;

wherein, when the mask is worn by a user, the holder projects into the space between the holder bar and the flexible tab; and

wherein the holder fits over and around the holder bar, the flexible tab preventing the holder from exiting the holder space unless and until the strap attachment is rotated around the holder far enough that the flexible tab snaps off the holder by flexing around the front of the holder.

10. A nasal mask comprising:

a central body, the central body comprising an inlet aperture for receiving a delivered amount of gas and a strap arm, the strap arm comprising a holder;

a strap attachment comprising a holder bar and a flexible tab with a space disposed in between the holder bar and the flexible tab;

wherein, when the mask is worn by a user, the holder projects into the space between the holder bar and the flexible tab, the flexible tab acting on the holder to maintain the holder in the space; and

a face cushion attached to the central body.

11. The nasal mask of claim 10 further comprising a forehead support connected to the central body and a forehead cushion removably mounted to the forehead support.

12. The nasal mask of claim 11 wherein the forehead support is pivotably connected to the central body.

13. A nasal mask as set forth in claim 10 wherein the holder fits over and around the holder bar, the flexible tab preventing the holder from exiting the aperture unless and until the strap attachment is rotated around the holder far enough that the flexible tab snaps off the holder by flexing around the front of the holder.

14. A nasal mask as set forth in claim 13 wherein:

the mask comprises a brace supported within the central body, being shaped to conform to the contour of the central body'"'"'s rear rim, leaving sufficient space between the brace and the rear rim that the front rim of the face cushion fits snugly and substantially air-tightly into the space, the brace thus acting to secure the cushion to the central body.

15. A nasal mask as set forth in claim 10 wherein:

the mask comprises a brace supported within the central body, being shaped to conform to the contour of the central body'"'"'s rear rim, leaving sufficient space between the brace and the rear rim that the front rim of the face cushion fits snugly and substantially air-tightly into the space, the brace thus acting to secure the cushion to the central body.

16. A method of using a nasal mask and a strap, wherein the nasal mask comprises a strap arm having a holder and the strap comprises a first end attached to the mask and a second end attached to a strap attachment, the method comprising:

placing the nasal mask against a user'"'"'s face;

connecting the second end of the strap to the nasal mask by placing a holder bar of the strap attachment over the holder of the nasal mask; and

turning on a supply of pressurized gas connected to the nasal mask;

wherein the holder projects into a space between the holder bar and a flexible tab of the strap attachment, the flexible tab acting on the holder to maintain the holder in the space.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the strap attachment further comprises a flexible tab with a space disposed in between the holder bar and the flexible tab, the method further comprising turning off the supply of pressurized gas when use of the nasal mask is completed, and disconnecting the second end of the strap from the nasal mask by rotating the strap attachment around the holder until the flexible tab snaps off of the holder.