Mask and components thereof

• US 8,490,623 B2
• Filed: 11/06/2003
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Berthon-Jones, Michael, Bateman, Peter Edward, Darkin, Donald, Hitchcock, Robin Garth, Jenkinson, Philip James, Lynch, Susan Robyn, Malouf, Gordon Joseph, McAuliffe, Patrick John, Raje, Milind Chandrakant, Robinson, Gary Christopher, Sokolov, Richard, Stallard, Philip Thomas, Gunaratnam, Michael Kassipillai
• Primary Examiner(s): Ostrup, Clinton T
• Application Number:
  US10/533,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20060118117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,547 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.15, 128/204.22, 128/205.26, 128/202.12, 128/202.24, 128/202.27, 128/204.18, 128/204.21, 128/204.29
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0051 with alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/022 Control means therefor
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/20 Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0266 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/10 with powered movement mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3344 Measuring or controlling pressure at the body treatment site

Abstract

A comfortable low-leak mask assembly for use with Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) is provided to improve patient compliance and/or treatment. The mask system may include headgear having straps that are substantially inextensible and/or micro-adjustable; and/or a mask and/or cushion that includes various structures to allow enhanced/tailored sealing and/or fit at selected locations on the patient'"'"'s face.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for application of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation to a patient, comprising:

a frame including a main body including at least one aperture configured to receive a supply of breathable gas under pressure, said frame including at least one selected portion provided to the main body, said selected frame portion being adjustable relative to the main body; and

a cushion provided to the frame, the cushion being structured to provide an interface with the patient,

wherein said at least one selected frame portion is engaged with the cushion so that the cushion is adjustable in accordance with a position of said at least one frame portion relative to the main body, and

said cushion, upon application of positive pressure, applying a force to the patient, said force being adjustable in accordance with

     1) the position of said at least one selected frame portion relative to the main body for a given value of said positive pressure; and

/or

     2) variations in the positive pressure.

2. The mask assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one headgear connector portion provided to said at least one selected frame portion, said at least one selected frame portion adapted to be movable in accordance with change in headgear strap tension to thereby adjust the force applied to the sides of the patient'"'"'s nose and/or face in use.

3. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an adjustment mechanism including at least one and preferably a plurality of spaced knobs operable to change the relative positioning between the main body and the at least one selected frame portion.

4. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected frame portion includes a flexible member supporting the cushion.

5. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body and the at least one selected frame portion are provided as two separate parts that are coupled to one another.

6. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body and the at least one selected frame portion are moveable by a camming mechanism.

7. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the cushion includes at least one inflatable element therein, adapted to adjust an effective stiffness and/or an effective fit with the patient.

8. The mask assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one inflatable element is provided to selectively adjust a size of a nasal bridge region of the cushion.

9. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one selected frame portion includes each lateral side of the frame which is made of a flexible material.

10. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the cushion includes at least one element providing for multiple stiffening rates of the cushion upon changes in the force.

11. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one selected frame portion is adjustable to deform the cushion to adjust the fit and/or seal of the cushion on the patient'"'"'s face.

12. A mask assembly for application of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation to a patient, comprising:

a frame including a main body having at least one aperture configured to receive a supply of breathable gas under pressure, said frame including a selected frame portion provided to the main body, said selected frame portion being adjustable relative to the main body; and

a cushion provided to the frame, the cushion being structured to provide an interface with the patient,

wherein the selected frame portion is engaged with the cushion so that the cushion is adjustable in accordance with a position of the selected frame portion relative to the main body, and

wherein the selected frame portion includes each lateral side of the frame, and the selected frame portion is bendable to cause each lateral side of the frame to push against sides of the cushion.

13. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the selected frame portion includes a flexible member supporting the cushion.

14. The mask assembly of claim 13, wherein the main body is relatively stiffer than the flexible member.

15. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the main body and the selected frame portion are provided as two separate parts that are coupled to one another.

16. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the selected frame portion includes each lateral side of the frame which is made of a flexible material.

17. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the selected frame portion is bendable about a longitudinal axis of the frame.

18. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the selected frame portion includes side wing portions which are movable relative to the main body to adjust the sides of the cushion.

19. The mask assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the side wing portions are adjustable into a plurality of positions.

20. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the cushion is adapted to provide a seal with the patient'"'"'s nose.

21. The mask assembly of claim 12, wherein the selected frame portion is adjustable to deform the cushion to adjust the fit and/or seal of the cushion on the patient'"'"'s face.