Foam-based interfacing structure method and apparatus

• US 8,869,798 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2009
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Howard, Scott Alexander, Wells, Alicia Kristianne, Veliss, Lee James, Cariola, Melanie Lucia, Carroll, Fiona Catherine
• Primary Examiner(s): Hand, Melanie
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heffner, Ned T
• Application Number:
  US12/737,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20110146684A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,881 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.24, 128/206.28, 128/205.25, 128/207.11, 128/207.13, 128/207.18, 128/206.21, 128/201.22
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• 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 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2207/10 Device therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/02 Equipment for testing the apparatus

Abstract

A cushioning component for use with a mask is constructed of foam material. A patient contacting surface, that is adapted to contact a patient, in use, has a rounded cross sectional profile and a base surface opposed to the patient contacting surface.

Claims

1. A cushioning component for use with a mask including a frame or clip portion, wherein at least a portion of a cross section of the cushioning component comprises:

an inner side defined by a side facing the centre of the mask;

an outer side defined by a side facing away from the centre of the mask; and

a base side facing the frame or clip portion,

wherein the cross section of the cushioning component has a generally triangular shape,

wherein the inner side and the outer side converge at an apex of the triangle, the apex being formed at least in part from foam and being configured to contact a patient'"'"'s skin to form a seal therewith, and

wherein the length of the outer side is greater than the length of the inner side.

2. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the inner side, the outer side and the base form an entire outer boundary of the cross section.

3. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the cross section is located at a nasal bridge region of the cushioning component.

4. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the cross section is located at a lip region or a chin region of the cushioning component.

5. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the inner side and the outer side meet at a portion of the cross section that is a radius.

6. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the apex is offset from a center line of the base side towards the centre of the mask.

7. The cushioning component according to claim 6, wherein a distance of the offset is two different values at two different locations of the cushioning component.

8. The cushioning component according to claim 7, wherein the two different locations are an area configured to contact a nose of a user and an area configured to contact a lower lip of the user.

9. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the outside surface further comprises at least an upper and a lower portion, the upper portion being at a reduced angle in comparison to the lower portion.

10. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cushioning component is configured to rotate towards the centre of the mask when pressure is applied to the cushioning component by the patient'"'"'s face.

11. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the inner and outer sides of the cushioning component taper together at an acute angle.

12. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the cushioning component tapers from a wider cross-section to a narrower cross-section closer to the apex area.

13. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the apex has a rounded cross sectional profile.

14. The cushioning component according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning component is configured to form a compression-type seal with the patient'"'"'s skin.

15. A method of manufacturing a cushioning component for use with a mask including a frame or clip portion, the method comprising:

forming an inner side defined by a side facing a centre of the mask;

forming an outer side defined by a side facing away from the centre of the mask; and

forming a base side configured to face the frame or clip portion when the cushioning component is worn by a patient,

wherein the length of the outer side is greater than the length of the inner side, and

wherein the inner side, the outer side and the base side are portions of a cross section of the cushioning component

wherein the cross section of the cushioning component has a generally triangular shape, and

wherein the inner side and the outer side converge at an apex of the triangle, the apex being formed at least in part from foam and being configured to contact a patient'"'"'s skin to form a seal therewith.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the cushioning component is formed from unskinned foam.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the cushioning component is formed by cutting foam.