Nasal assembly

• US 7,461,656 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2006
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guney, Memduh, Lithgow, Perry D., Gunaratnam, Michael K., Hitchcock, Robin G., Veliss, Lee J., Sokolov, Richard, Lynch, Susan R., Kwok, Philip R., Darkin, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/603,107
• Publication Number:
  US 20070062539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/206.11, 128/206.12, 128/206.15, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.18
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape

Abstract

A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient'"'"'s face.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for delivering pressurized breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a sealing member adapted to provide a seal with the patient;

a flexible tube having a lower end in pressure communication with the sealing member and an upper end structured for communication with a source of pressurized gas;

a headgear assembly structured to support the sealing member relative to the patient'"'"'s face in use;

a forehead support member operatively associated with or formed as part of the headgear assembly and adapted to rest against the patient'"'"'s forehead in use;

a transitional tubing piece provided to the upper end of the flexible tube, the transitional tubing piece having a relatively smaller end connected to the upper end of the flexible tube and a relatively larger end to connect with an air delivery conduit associated with the source of pressurized gas;

a connector element including a hook and loop fastener to secure the transitional tubing piece in place relative to the forehead support member; and

an angle adjuster structured to allow relative pivoting movement between the sealing member and the forehead support member.

2. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the upper end of the flexible tube is positioned in use adjacent the crown of the patient'"'"'s head, and the flexible tube extends from the crown and downwardly along but spaced from the patient'"'"'s forehead in use.

3. The mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising:

a frame member of relatively rigid plastic material to support the sealing member, wherein the sealing member includes a pair of nozzles formed on a common base portion all made of an elastic material; and

an exhalation vent including a plurality of vent holes that extend through the frame member.

4. The mask assembly according to claim 3, wherein the frame member includes an inlet in communication with the lower end of the flexible conduit.

5. The mask assembly according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least four holes.

6. The mask assembly according to claim 3, wherein the holes also extend through the sealing member.

7. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a nasal cushion, and the mask assembly further comprises an exhalation vent with at least four holes.

8. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjuster includes a locking mechanism to allow locking of the forehead support member relative to the sealing assembly in at least three predetermined, discrete positions.

9. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the headgear assembly includes a two layer construction in which a first layer is a fabric or synthetic material and a second layer is a yoke made of a relatively rigid plastic material.

10. The mask assembly according to claim 9, wherein the headgear assembly includes an occipital strap.

11. A nasal interface for delivering pressurized breathable gas to a user, comprising:

a rigid or semi-rigid support frame having a central portion and a pair of lateral support arms extending laterally away from the central portion, each lateral support arm including an integrally formed connector slot;

a silicone pillows cushion including a base portion and a pair of nozzles formed in one piece with the base portion, the pillows cushion being removably coupled with the central portion of the support frame with the pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage with nasal passages of a user'"'"'s nose in use, wherein the nozzles, as a unit, are rotatably adjustable between a plurality of frictionally locked positions to align the nozzles with the nasal passages of the user;

an inlet tube having a first end provided with a swivel connector to be connected to a source of pressurized breathable gas via an air delivery tube, and a second end provided to deliver the gas into the support frame for breathing by the user via the pillows cushion; and

headgear including a back strap to pass around the rear portion of the user'"'"'s head, a top strap to pass over the top of the user'"'"'s head, and a pair of depending side straps each of which is suspended from a junction between the back and top straps, said depending side straps being configured to extend forwardly of the ear along the user'"'"'s face, each of said depending side straps having an end received in a respective one of said connector slots of said lateral support arms.

12. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 11, not including a support for the bridge of the user'"'"'s nose or the user'"'"'s forehead.

13. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an exhalation port provided to the central portion and including a plurality of orifices for CO₂washout.

14. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base portion includes opposed side walls that interlock with respective lateral side walls of the support frame.

15. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 11, wherein an opening of each nozzle is in the form of an ellipse having a major axis and a minor axis.

16. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of the pair of nozzles has a first portion integrally formed with the base portion in communication with a respective outlet opening provided in the base portion, and a second portion integrally formed with the first portion to sealingly engage with the nasal passages of the user'"'"'s nose in use.

17. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first portion is necked down relative to the second portion.

18. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second portion is in the form of a hollow, truncated cone.

19. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second portion has one portion to seal on the underside of the nostrils and another portion to enter into the nasal passage of the user in use.

20. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first portion has a reduced cross-section with respect to the second portion to allow the nozzles to move relative to the base portion.

21. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the first portion is configured to act as a spring structure.

22. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 21, wherein, in use, the spring structure is pre-loaded before introducing pressurized gas to provide a sealing force with the user.

23. The nasal interface as claimed in claim 16, wherein the side walls of the first and second portions are concave.

24. The nasal interface according to claim 11, wherein the pillows cushion is rotatable relative to the headgear about an axis positioned below the user'"'"'s nose in use.

25. The nasal interface according to claim 24, wherein the axis extends substantially transverse to and below the nozzles.

26. The nasal interface according to claim 11, wherein the pillows cushion is structured to be rotatable about an axis that extends generally parallel to the user'"'"'s lips.

27. A nasal assembly for delivering pressurized breathable gas to a user, comprising:

a substantially rigid support frame having a central portion and a pair of lateral support arms extending laterally away from the central portion, each lateral support arm including an integrally formed connector slot, wherein the lateral support arms are formed in one piece with the central portion;

a one piece silicone nozzle assembly including a base portion and a pair of nozzles each having an elliptical opening, the nozzle assembly being removably coupled with the central portion of the support frame with the pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage with the nasal passages of a user'"'"'s nose in use, wherein the nozzles as a unit are locally rotatably adjustable in close proximity to the user'"'"'s nose in use, to align the nozzles with respect to the nasal passages of the user;

an inlet tube provided to deliver pressurized breathable gas into the support frame for breathing by the user via the nozzle assembly;

headgear including a pair of side straps each having an end received in a respective one of said connector slots of said lateral support arms; and

an exhalation port provided to the central portion and including a series of orifices for CO₂ washout.

28. The nasal assembly according to claim 27, not including a support for the user'"'"'s nose bridge or forehead.

29. The nasal assembly according to claim 27, wherein the nozzle assembly wraps around the central portion of the frame.

30. The nasal assembly according to claim 29, wherein the base portion of the nozzle assembly is configured to be pulled over the frame like a sock.

31. The nasal assembly according to claim 27, wherein the nozzle assembly is stretched over the central portion of the support frame during assembly.

32. The nasal assembly according to claim 27, wherein the nozzle assembly is rotatable relative to the headgear for an infinite amount of settings to align the nozzles with respect to the nasal passages of the user.

33. The nasal assembly according to claim 32, wherein the settings are locked by friction.

34. The nasal assembly according to claim 27, wherein the nozzle assembly is structured to be rotatable about an axis generally parallel to the user'"'"'s lips.

35. A nasal interface for delivering pressurized breathable gas to a user, comprising:

a support frame;

a silicone nozzle structure including a base portion and a pair of nozzles, the nozzle structure being removably coupled with the support frame with the pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage with nasal passages of a user'"'"'s nose in use; and

a headgear to support the support frame and nozzle structure on the user'"'"'s face, wherein;

the nozzle structure is rotatable relative to the headgear for an infinite amount of frictionally locked settings to align the nozzles with respect to the nasal passages of the user, and wherein the nozzle structure is rotatable about an axis that is positioned below the nozzles,

the axis extends substantially transverse to and below the nozzles,

the support frame includes an exhalation port having a plurality of orifices for CO₂ washout, and

the base portion includes opposed side walls that interlock with respective lateral side walls of the support frame.

36. The nasal interface according to claim 35, wherein the support frame is constructed so as to be positioned generally below the user'"'"'s nose in use.

37. The nasal interface according to claim 35, wherein the support frame and nozzle structure are designed to substantially isolate relatively higher support forces from relatively lower sealing forces.

38. The nasal interface according to claim 35, wherein the nozzle structure is stretched over the support frame during assembly.

39. The nasal interface according to claim 35, wherein the nozzle structure includes a lower surface to contact the upper lip of the user in use.