Breathing mask arrangement as well as an application device and a forehead support device for same

• US 8,479,738 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2011
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ResMed R&D Germany GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lang, Bernd Christoph, Biener, Achim, Heidmann, Dieter, Madaus, Stefan Rolf, Vgele, Harald Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): MATTER, KRISTEN CLARETTE
• Application Number:
  US13/067,282
• Publication Number:
  US 20110226254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 128/206.21, 128/206.18, 128/206.12, 128/206.23, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.13
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0655 in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes

Abstract

A forehead support device for a breathing mask includes a forehead support portion adapted to contact a forehead region of a user, a conduit element adapted to couple a respiratory gas conduit to the breathing mask, and a coupling structure provided between the forehead support portion and the conduit element and structured to support the conduit element at a predetermined spacing from the forehead support portion. The forehead support portion is displaceably engaged with the coupling structure such that the forehead portion can be selectively displaced relative to the coupling structure.

Claims

1. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame;

a mask having a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face;

the frame has a front side and a rear side, and the frame defines an opening through which at least a portion of the body portion is exposed towards the front side of the frame;

a respiratory gas conduit member provided to the frame, the respiratory gas conduit member including a rotatably fitted hose connecting sleeve adapted to couple to a respiratory gas hose; and

a forehead support provided to the frame, the forehead support including a forehead cushion element including a contact portion having a contact surface adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s forehead and a connecting structure structured to couple the forehead cushion element to the forehead support and allow pivoting and/or tilting movement of the contact portion relative to the forehead support, the connecting structure including a portion adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support to couple the forehead cushion element to the forehead support.

2. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support is movably mounted to the frame.

3. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising a fixing mechanism by which the forehead support and the frame can be fixed in a selected relative position.

4. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a tooth arrangement structured to positively lock the forehead support relative to the frame.

5. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a manually engageable actuator that is manually movable between locked and unlocked positions.

6. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion element, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement may pass.

7. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the mask is in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the patient.

8. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the frame engages the body portion of the mask.

9. A breathing mask arrangement, comprising:

a holding portion including a frame-like configuration;

a mask provided to the holding portion, the mask including a mask base body and a sealing lip device coupled thereto, the sealing lip device adapted to sealingly contact a mask user and the mask base body defining an interior of the mask adapted to receive respiratory gas;

a forehead support device provided to the holding portion and adapted to extend to the mask user'"'"'s forehead; and

a forehead pad directly and tiltably mounted to the forehead support device, the forehead pad adapted to bear against the mask user'"'"'s forehead.

10. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the forehead support device includes arm elements adapted to support the forehead pad, each arm element including an eye portion through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement is structured to pass.

11. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the sealing lip device is made from an elastomeric material.

12. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the holding portion is structured to embrace the mask base body at least in a side region thereof.

13. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, further comprising coupling structures to couple the holding portion to a lower headband arrangement.

14. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the forehead support device is movably coupled to the holding portion.

15. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 14, further comprising an adjusting device to selectively adjust a position of the forehead support device relative to the holding portion.

16. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the mask base body and the sealing lip device are provided as a one-piece structure.