Mask system

• US 8,136,525 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 03/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lubke, Steven John, Smart, Gregory Scott, Scheiner, Rupert Christian, Oldenburg, Alison, Vandyke, James William Charles, Skipper, Christopher Scott, Reid, Michael John, Nelson, Timothy Shawn, Kwok, Philip Rodney, Selvarajan, Karthikeyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stuart, Colin W
• Application Number:
  US11/447,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20060283461A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.18, 128/206.24, 128/206.27, 128/206.23, 128/206.18, 128/206.28, 128/206.21, 128/206.25, 128/201.19, 128/205.25
• US Class Current: 128/206.28
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• 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 16/0666 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 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/06 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0606 Face
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 9/02 Valves non-return valves mounted in breathing masks or helmets A62B18/10
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient'"'"'s nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient'"'"'s head in use.

Claims

1. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a mouth cushion formed of silicone and structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use;

a pair of nasal prongs releasably attached to a side wall of the mouth cushion and structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient'"'"'s nose in use;

an elbow to deliver breathable gas to the patient at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure; and

a headgear assembly to maintain the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face,

wherein each prong includes a base portion provided to the mouth cushion, a head portion to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a stalk to interconnect the base portion and the head portion,

wherein each prong includes a first trampoline-like base provided between the head portion and the stalk and a second trampoline-like base provided between the stalk and the base portion,

wherein the first and second trampoline-like bases allow rotation of the stalk relative to both the head portion and the base portion in use and allow reduction in height of the head portion relative to the base portion by allowing the stalk to move axially into the base portion and the head portion in use.

2. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a mouth cushion formed of silicone and structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use;

a pair of nasal prongs releasably attached to a side wall of the mouth cushion and structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient'"'"'s nose in use; and

a headgear assembly to maintain the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face,

wherein each prong includes a base portion provided to the mouth cushion, a head portion to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a stalk to interconnect the base portion and the head portion,

wherein each prong includes a first trampoline-like base provided between the head portion and the stalk and a second trampoline-like base provided between the stalk and the base portion,

wherein the first trampoline-like base allows an upper end of the stalk to flex at least partly into the head portion in use and the second trampoline-like base allows a lower end of the stalk to flex at least partly into the base portion in use so as to allow self-adjustment of a height of the head portion relative to the base portion in use.

3. The mask system according to claim 2, wherein a length of the first and/or second trampoline-like bases is variable upon rotational movement and/or axial compression.

4. The mask system according to claim 2, wherein the stalk has an elliptical cross section with a diameter that is reduced upon compression.

5. The mask system according to claim 2, wherein the stalk has an uncompressed length in the range of about 9-20 mm.

6. The mask system according to claim 5, wherein the length is about 12 mm.

7. The mask system according to claim 2, wherein the stalk has a length of up to 70 mm.

22. The mask system according to claim 2, wherein each nasal prong includes a dual wall head portion adapted to form a seal with the patient'"'"'s nare.

23. The mask system according to claim 22, wherein the dual wall head portion includes an inner wall and an outer wall that surrounds the inner wall.

24. The mask system according to claim 23, wherein the outer wall is thinner than the inner wall.

8. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a substantially rigid frame including one or more vent openings;

a mouth cushion provided to the frame, the mouth cushion structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use, the mouth cushion including a side wall, a undercushion extending away from the side wall, and a membrane provided to substantially surround the undercushion and provide a sealing structure;

a pair of nasal prongs formed separately from and selectively attachable to and detachable from the mouth cushion, said nasal prongs being adapted to sealingly communicate with respective nasal passages of a patient in use and including a bridging strap to interconnect the pair of nasal prongs, each said nasal prong including a base having an annular recess that is secured within a respective opening provided to the side wall of the mouth cushion, a head to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a column to interconnect the base and the head;

a swivel elbow provided to the frame to deliver breathable gas to the patient; and

a headgear assembly to maintain the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face, the headgear assembly including upper straps adapted to extend over the patient'"'"'s ears and lower straps adapted to extend below the patient'"'"'s ears, and the upper and lower straps include connectors that interface with upper and lower headgear connector portions provided on each side of the frame, the straps being length adjustable via a hook and loop fastening arrangement,

wherein the nasal prongs and the bridging strap are formed of silicone,

wherein each prong includes a first trampoline-like base provided between the head and the column and a second trampoline-like base provided between the column and the base,

wherein the first trampoline-like base allows an upper end of the column to flex at least partly into the head in use and the second trampoline-like base allows a lower end of the column to flex at least partly into the base in use so as to allow self-adjustment of a height of the head relative to the base in use.

9. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a substantially rigid frame;

a mouth cushion provided to the frame, the mouth cushion structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use;

a pair of nasal prongs formed separately from and selectively attachable to and detachable from a side wall of the mouth cushion, said nasal prongs being adapted to sealingly communicate with respective nasal passages of a patient in use and including a bridging strap to interconnect the pair of nasal prongs,

a swivel elbow provided to the frame to deliver breathable gas to the patient; and

a headgear assembly to maintain the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the nasal prongs and the bridging strap are formed of silicone,

wherein each prong includes a base portion provided to the mouth cushion, a head portion to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a stalk to interconnect the base portion and the head portion,

wherein each prong includes a first trampoline-like base provided between the head portion and the stalk and a second trampoline-like base provided between the stalk and the base portion,

wherein the first and second trampoline-like bases allow both rotation of the stalk and axial compression of the stalk into both the head portion and the base portion in use to adjust the height and angle of each prong to conform the patient'"'"'s nose and attain seal.

10. A mask system according to claim 9, wherein the mouth cushion includes a side wall, a undercushion extending away from the side wall, and a membrane provided to substantially surround the undercushion and provide a sealing structure, the membrane and undercushion including spacing therebetween.

11. A mask system according to claim 10, wherein each nasal prong includes a base having an annular recess that is secured within a respective opening provided to the side wall of the mouth cushion, a head to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a column to interconnect the base and the head.

12. A mask system according to claim 11, wherein the headgear assembly includes upper straps adapted to extend over the patient'"'"'s ears and lower straps adapted to extend below the patient'"'"'s ears.

13. A mask system according to claim 12, wherein and the upper and lower straps include connectors that interface with upper and lower headgear connector portions provided on each side of the frame, the straps being length adjustable via a hook and loop fastening arrangement.

14. A mask system according to claim 13, wherein the headgear assembly includes a strap that passes over the top of the patient'"'"'s head.

15. A mask system according to claim 14, wherein the mouth cushion includes a chin support integrally formed therewith, the chin support extending from a lower side wall of the mouth cushion.

16. A mask system according to claim 15, wherein the frame includes one or more vent openings.

17. A mask system according to claim 16, wherein each opening has a part conic shape including opposed walls that converge from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter.

18. A mask system according to claim 17, wherein the swivel elbow includes an elbow having a port and an anti-asphyxia valve provided to the elbow, the anti-asphyxia valve including a flap portion adapted to selectively close the port depending on the presence of pressurized gas.

19. A mask system according to claim 18, wherein the anti-asphyxia valve includes an arrowhead-shaped protrusion that secures the anti-asphyxia valve in position.

20. A mask system according to claim 19, wherein the side wall of the cushion includes spaced-apart prong support structures that provide respective openings to support respective prongs, the prong support structures providing an angled pedestal that projects the prongs at an angle to the patient'"'"'s nasal passages.

21. A mask system according to claim 20, wherein the mouth cushion includes an end portion that is adapted to be inserted and retained within a channel provided on the frame.

25. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:

a mouth cushion structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient'"'"'s mouth in use; and

a pair of nasal prongs formed separately from and selectively attachable to and detachable from the mouth cushion,

each prong including a base portion provided to the mouth cushion, a head portion to seal with the patient'"'"'s nose, and a stalk to interconnect the base portion and the head portion,

wherein each prong includes a first trampoline-like base provided between the head portion and the stalk,

wherein the first trampoline-like base allows an upper end of the stalk to axially compress at least partly into the head portion in use, and the first trampoline-like base allows universal articulation of the head portion relative to the stalk even if the stalk is substantially fully compressed into the head portion, and

wherein each prong includes a second trampoline-like base provided between the base portion and the stalk,

wherein the second trampoline-like base allows a lower end of the stalk to axially compress at least partly into the base portion in use, and the second trampoline-like base allows universal articulation of the base portion relative to the stalk even if the stalk is substantially fully compressed into the base portion.

26. A mask system including a nasal prong for sealing with a nasal passage of a patient, the nasal prong comprising:

a head portion structured to sealingly communicate with the patient'"'"'s nasal passage;

a stalk including an upper end provided to the head portion and a lower end, the stalk defining a longitudinal axis, and the lower end including or being connectable to a base portion;

wherein, via the first and second trampoline-like bases, the stalk is axially and adjustably movable into the head portion and the base portion upon application of axial force to change a height spanning from the head portion to the base portion in dependence on patient anatomy and/or dynamic movement of the mask system in use.

27. The mask system according to claim 26, further comprising a mouth cushion providing the base portion.

28. The mask system according to claim 26, wherein the base portion is provided to the lower end of the stalk.

29. The mask system according to claim 26, wherein the nasal prong provides universal articulation of the head portion and/or base portion relative to the stalk even if the stalk is substantially fully compressed into the head portion and/or base portion.