Full-face mask and mask cushion therefor

• US 8,813,748 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2011
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Philip Rodney, Styles, Robert Edward, Smart, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): YOUNG, RACHEL T
• Application Number:
  US13/293,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20120090618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.21, 12820623-20624, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/097 Devices for facilitating collection of breath or for directing breath into or through measuring devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6819 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/682 Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A full-face cushion comprises a frame and a membrane. The membrane has an aperture into which the wearer'"'"'s nose is received. The membrane is spaced away from the frame. Respective notches receive the bridge of the wearer'"'"'s nose. The wearer'"'"'s nose and lips are received through the aperture into the chamber within the mask body. The seal forming portion thus contacts both the surface of the wearer'"'"'s nose and a portion of the wearer'"'"'s face in the region between the bottom lip and the chin, and around the sides and over the bridge of the nose.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for delivery of a supply of gas to an entrance to the airways of a patient, said patient having a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a chin region, said mask assembly comprising:

a headstrap system to secure the mask assembly relative to the patient'"'"'s head; and

a cushion adapted to confront the face of the patient, said cushion comprising first and second membranes of integrally formed elastomeric material, each of said first and second membranes having an aperture adapted to receive the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth,

said second membrane defines a seal-forming portion on an outer surface thereof, said seal-forming portion being constructed and arranged to be positioned adjacent the nasal bridge region of the patient, along sides of the patient'"'"'s nose, and below lips or on the chin of the patient to effect a seal,

the seal forming portion is structured such that it is not required to turn in on itself to conform with the patient'"'"'s face,

said first membrane provides a supporting structure for the second membrane,

said second membrane covering said first membrane,

wherein the second membrane is substantially unsupported by the first membrane where the cushion is adapted to seal with the nasal bridge region in use.

2. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein, in a portion of the cushion adapted to contact the chin region, each of the first and second membranes extend a chin region distance toward their respective aperture, the chin region distances of the first and second membranes being generally equal.

3. The mask assembly of claim 2, wherein, in a portion of the cushion adapted to contact the cheek region, the second membrane extends a cheek region distance towards the aperture of the second membrane, the cheek region distance being greater than the chin region distance of the second membrane.

4. The mask assembly of claim 3, wherein, in the nasal bridge region, the second membrane extends a nasal bridge region distance that is greater than the chin region distance of the second membrane.

5. The mask assembly of claim 4, wherein in the nasal bridge region, the second membrane extends towards the aperture of the second membrane to a degree relative to the first membrane that is greater than that of the second membrane relative to the first membrane in the cheek region.

6. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein, in the nasal bridge region, the shape between the first and second membranes is different from one another such that the nasal bridge is able to be inserted into a space where there is substantially no first membrane, with the second membrane stretching across a gap in the first membrane.

7. The mask assembly of claim 1, further comprising a notch in both the first and second membranes to receive the bridge of the wearer'"'"'s nose.

8. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the first membrane has a thickness of about 1.5 mm and the second membrane has a thickness of about 0.35 mm.

9. The mask assembly of claim 1, wherein the first membrane extends a first distance towards the aperture of the first membrane in the nasal bridge region, and a second distance towards the aperture of the first membrane in the chin region, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance.