Mask system

• US 9,032,955 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2005
• 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:
  US11/921,185
• Publication Number:
  US 20090277452A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,269 Days
• Field of Search: 12820621- 28, 128/200.24, 128/201.22, 128/201.23, 128/201.29, 128/204.18, 128/203.29, 128/205.25, 403/150, 403/164
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• 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 comprising:

a plurality of headgear straps including a pair of upper side straps and a pair of lower side straps;

a sealing assembly; and

a stabilizing structure including an upper stabilizing element extending between the sealing assembly and each upper side strap and a lower stabilizing element extending between the sealing assembly and each lower side strap, the upper and lower stabilizing elements provided to the sealing assembly at distinct and spaced apart locations from one another,

each upper stabilizing element being substantially rigid and having a preformed, contoured three-dimensional shape that curves rearwardly from the sealing assembly along at least two distinct planes and adapted to substantially match the shape of a portion of a patient'"'"'s face,

wherein at least the upper stabilizing element is arranged to provide a force vector to the sealing assembly that is angled upwardly with respect to a horizontal plane of the sealing assembly.

2. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the three-dimensional shape is structured in use to extend from the patient'"'"'s temples, along the cheek bone and towards an upper side of the sealing assembly.

3. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure is substantially S-shaped.

4. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure is made from transparent material.

5. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure is made from polycarbonate.

6. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the stabilizing structure is spaced away from the patient'"'"'s face in use.

7. The mask system according to claim 1, further comprising a padded material provided between the stabilizing structure and the patient'"'"'s face in use.

8. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure includes at least one portion provided to each upper side of the sealing assembly.

9. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein the stabilizing structure is bendable along at least one bending plane so as to conform to the shape of a portion of the patient'"'"'s face.

10. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein each upper stabilizing element is shaped so as to allow a respective upper side strap of the pair of upper side straps and/or upper stabilizing element to circumvent the patient'"'"'s respective eye.

11. The mask system according to claim 1, wherein each upper stabilizing element is S-shaped.

12. A mask system comprising:

headgear including a pair of upper side straps and a pair of lower side straps;

a sealing assembly adapted to form a seal with a patient'"'"'s nose and mouth;

an upper stabilizing element extending from each side of the sealing assembly and adapted to connect to a respective upper side strap of the pair of upper side straps;

a lower stabilizing element extending from each side of the sealing assembly and adapted to connect to a respective lower side strap of the pair of lower side straps,

the upper and lower stabilizing elements provided at distinct and spaced apart locations from one another, and the upper and tower stabilizing elements structured to maintain a position or spacing of respective upper and lower side straps relative to each other,

each lower stabilizing element including a flexible outrigger element structured to allow flexing with respect to the sealing assembly under the influence of headgear tension,

the flexible outrigger element being connected to the sealing assembly by a swivel arrangement arranged to allow the flexible outrigger element to rotate about only a single axis;

wherein the upper and lower stabilizing elements are arranged to provide a resultant force vector that allows for effective sealing of the sealing assembly at both the patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

13. The mask system according to claim 12, wherein at least each upper stabilizing element is arranged to provide a force vector to the sealing assembly that is angled upwardly with respect to a horizontal plane of the sealing assembly.

14. The mask system according to claim 12, wherein the outrigger element includes an interlocking section provided to a frame with a snap-fit, and a tail section including a crossbar that allows an end portion of a respective lower side strap to be wrapped therearound.

15. The mask system according to claim 14, wherein the tail section is flexible to allow flexing under the influence of headgear tension.

16. The mask system according to claim 12, further comprising a vent assembly including a plurality of holes arranged in a plurality of columns.

17. The mask system according to claim 12, wherein the sealing assembly includes a nose and mouth seal formed of silicone and each outrigger element is formed of nylon, polypropylene, or polycarbonate.

18. The mask system according to claim 12, wherein each upper stabilizing element is shaped so as to allow a respective upper side strap of the pair of upper side straps and/or upper stabilizing element to circumvent the patient'"'"'s eyes.

19. The mask system according to claim 12, wherein each upper stabilizing element is S-shaped.

20. A mask system comprising:

a sealing assembly including a frame and a nose and mouth seal removably attached to the frame, the nose and mouth seal adapted to form a seal with a patient'"'"'s nose and mouth;

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

headgear to maintain the sealing assembly in position on the patient'"'"'s face in use, the headgear including upper side straps, lower side straps, and a crown strap that extends from the upper side straps and adapted to cup the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient'"'"'s head in use;

upper and lower stabilizing elements provided to each side of the frame, the upper and lower stabilizing elements provided to the frame at distinct and spaced apart locations from one another, each stabilizing element including a slot opening at its free end adapted to connect to a respective strap of the upper and lower side straps;

each of the upper side straps and lower side straps including a free end having hook and loop material to adjustably secure the upper and lower side straps to the upper and lower stabilizing elements respectively;

the upper stabilizing elements are structured to orient the upper side straps so each will extend below the patient'"'"'s eye and over the patient'"'"'s ear in use and the lower stabilizing elements are structured to orient the lower side straps so each will extend below the patient'"'"'s ear in use;

the upper and tower stabilizing elements being structured to maintain a position or spacing of respective upper and lower side straps relative to each other;

at least each lower stabilizing element including a flexible outrigger element that extends from the frame, each flexible outrigger element structured to allow flexing under the influence of headgear tension so as to contour to a shape of a patient'"'"'s face;

wherein each flexible outrigger element is connected to the frame by a swivel arrangement arranged to allow each flexible outrigger element to rotate about only a single axis; and

wherein the mask system is supported on the patient'"'"'s face without obscuring the patient'"'"'s field of view in use.

21. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the nose and mouth seal includes a single sealing cushion adapted to seal around the patient'"'"'s nose.

22. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the mask system is supported on the patient'"'"'s face without contacting the patient'"'"'s forehead in use.

23. The mask system according to claim 20, further comprising a vent assembly provided to each side of the sealing assembly, each vent assembly including a plurality of holes arranged in a plurality of columns.

24. The mask system according to claim claim 23, wherein each column is angled with respect to a vertical axis of the sealing assembly.

25. The mask system according to claim claim 23, wherein each hole converges from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter.

26. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the elbow includes an anti-asphyxia valve.

27. The mask system according to claim 20, further comprising a chin support that is supported by the frame and structured to engage a patient'"'"'s chin in use.

28. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the nose and mouth seal is formed of silicone and the upper and lower stabilizing elements are formed of nylon or polypropylene.

29. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein the upper side straps, lower side straps, and crown strap of the headgear are constructed of an elastic and composite material.

30. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein each upper stabilizing element is shaped so as to allow a respective upper side strap of the upper side straps and/or upper stabilizing element to circumvent the patient'"'"'s eyes.

31. The mask system according to claim 20, wherein each upper stabilizing element is S-shaped.

32. A mask system comprising:

headgear including at least one headgear strap of soft flexible material;

a seal adapted to form a seal with a patient'"'"'s face;

a frame to support the seal;

at least one substantially rigid or semi-rigid strap connector, said at least one strap connector providing a stable connection system between the at least one headgear strap and the frame, said at least one strap connector having a strap attachment portion including a crossbar around which an end portion of the at least one headgear strap is wrapped and engages, via a hook and loop arrangement, a remainder of the at least one headgear strap to adjustably secure the at least one headgear strap in place; and

a swivel arrangement arranged to allow the at least one strap connector to rotate about only a single axis to accommodate a wide range of facial angles between the at least one strap connector and the patient'"'"'s face, said swivel arrangement anchored at a fixed location in relation to the frame,

said swivel arrangement including an elongated post element having opposing ends supported by opposing arm portions and a female connector including an elongated solid section providing a slot opening along a lateral side thereof to receive the post element therewithin,

wherein the post element and the slot opening are releasably connectable with a snap-fit, with the sad section extending between the opposing arm portions and along a length of the post element,

wherein the at least one strap connector is rotatable about the single axis when connected to the frame, and

wherein the solid section interacts with the post element along substantially the entire length of the post element when a force is applied to the at least one strap connector.

33. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is arranged to pivot towards and away from the patient'"'"'s face.

34. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is attached to a lower portion of the frame.

35. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the seal includes silicone.

36. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is formed of nylon or polypropylene.

37. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is arranged to pivot towards and away from the patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the at least one strap connector is attached to a lower portion of the frame,

wherein the seal includes silicone, and

wherein the at least one strap connector is formed of nylon or polypropylene.

38. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the seal is adapted to form a seal with a patient'"'"'s nose and mouth.

39. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is shaped to allow the at least one headgear strap and/or the at least one strap connector to circumvent the patient'"'"'s eyes.

40. The mask system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one strap connector is S-shaped.