Breathing assistance apparatus

• US 9,138,555 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2009
• Issued: 09/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: McAuley, Alastair Edwin, Gleeson, Oliver, Erstich, Evan Stuart, Freeman, Simon Eric, Davies, Neil Glen, Schoenberg, Stephen John, Law, Kamman, Prentice, Craig Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US12/633,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20100083961A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,114 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.27, 128/207.11, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/024 including calculation means, e.g. using a processor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/161 with means for measuring the humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0039 in the inspiratory circuit
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3368 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3653 by Joule effect, i.e. electric resistance
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/50 with microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0625 Mouth

Abstract

Headgear for use with a respiratory mask is described. The headgear comprises a continuous and substantially curved elongate member extending in use below a user'"'"'s nose and at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of the elongate member. A mask attachment on the elongate member is disposed to sit below or on one of said user'"'"'s nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask. The attachment is capable of receiving the mask.

Claims

1. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask comprising a base and a body, said body having two flexible nasal pillows that in use are adapted to rest in a substantially sealed manner against a user'"'"'s nares, said nasal pillows being substantially elliptical and having gases outlets that are offset from a center of said elliptical pillows said body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

a continuous and substantially curved elongate member having at least two ends and adapted to extend in use below a user'"'"'s nose,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of said elongate member, and

a mask attachment on said elongate member adapted to be disposed below said user'"'"'s nose, said attachment capable of receiving said mask.

2. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least two straps are substantially flexible, soft straps each adapted to extend down a user'"'"'s cheekbones in use and is adapted to terminate at each of said strap'"'"'s ends in a user'"'"'s upper lip area and said a substantial portion of said elongate member is attached to each of said straps.

3. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a length of said at least two straps that is adapted to extend in use along a user'"'"'s cheekbones is attached to said elongate member, said elongate member providing rigidity to said length of said at least two straps.

4. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said elongate member has two ends each of which is attached to one of said at least two straps, said elongate member having at least one pad extending along an inner side of the elongate member in at least areas where the elongate member is adapted to be incident on a user'"'"'s cheekbones.

5. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said at least one pad is substantially the same width as said elongate member.

6. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said continuous elongate member is substantially rigid compared to said straps.

7. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said breathing assistance apparatus includes humidification means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with a source of gases and transportation means and adapted to in use humidify said gases.

8. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said continuous elongate member includes two side arms and a central section.

9. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as a single item.

10. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as two separate items.

11. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said continuous elongate member includes two side arms, and wherein said at least one pad is two pads one each extending substantially along a length of each said side arm.

12. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said side arms have at least one weakened or narrow area to allow for manipulation of said side arms.

13. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base frictionally fits to said central section, and said body to said base, such that said central section adapted to suspend said base below said user'"'"'s nares, and when said body is attached to said base, said nasal pillows being adapted to rest against said user'"'"'s nares.

14. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base is integrally formed with said central section.

15. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said continuous elongate member includes at least two side arms, and wherein said side arms attach one to each side of said base.

16. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said curved elongate member is moulded in a three dimensional manner and adapted to to fit contours of a user'"'"'s cheeks.

17. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mask attachment is adapted to be disposed to sit below or on one of a user'"'"'s nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask.

18. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body said body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

said body having two nasal pillows and an external lip, said nasal pillows in use adapted to rest in a substantially sealed manner against a user'"'"'s nares,

said base having a channel, where said external lip on said body fits in use into said channel,

said external lip having one of a projection or recess that in use fits into one of a corresponding recess or projection on said mask base to ensure correct assembly of said mask.

19. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 18 wherein said external lip is an area of reduced circumference.

20. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 18 wherein said external lip is held in place in use by a bump fit.

21. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 18 wherein said channel has an internal wall extending within the base.

22. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 18 wherein said body and said nasal pillows are integrally formed.

23. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use are adapted to rest in a substantially sealed manner against a user'"'"'s naressaid body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

two arms extending from either side of said base of said mask and adapted to be disposed along a user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms where one of said two headgear straps is attachable to one of said two arms and another of said two headgear straps is attachable to another of said two arms being moulded to a shape that substantially matches cheek contours of a human, and

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms where one of said two headgear straps is attachable to one of said two arms and another of said two headgear straps is attachable to another of said two arms.

24. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 23 wherein said two arms are three dimensionally moulded.

25. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 23 wherein one of said at least two headgear straps extends in use over a user'"'"'s head and has an attachment capable of receiving and locating tubing to said one of said at least two headgear straps.

26. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 23 wherein said body and said nasal pillows are integrally formed, wherein a tubing and an elbow connector are capable of attachment to said mask so as to deliver gases to said mask, and wherein one of said at least two headgear straps is adapted to extend in use over a user'"'"'s head and has an attachment capable of receiving and locating said tubing to said one of said at least two headgear straps.

27. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 26 wherein said base has a socket that receives said elbow connector and allows said elbow connector to rotate.

28. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 26 wherein said elbow connector has a plurality of holes that are adapted to exhaust gases exhaled by said user in use.

29. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 23 wherein said body has an external lip and said base has a channel, where said external lip on said body fits in use into said channel.

30. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body having two nasal pillows that in use are adapted to rest in a substantially sealed manner against a user'"'"'s nares said body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

two arms extending from either side of said mask and adapted to be disposed base along a user'"'"'s cheekbones, said two arms having a varying cross-sectional thickness, and

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to one each of said two arms where one of said two headgear straps is attachable to one of said two arms and another of said two headgear straps is attachable to another of said two .

31. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 30 wherein said two arms are more curved at their ends where they attach to said mask base and have straighter parts that are adapted to extend over regions of the user'"'"'s cheekbones.

32. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 31 wherein said more curved ends are thicker in cross-section.

33. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 31 wherein said two arms are each thin in cross-section along said straighter parts in order to allow for bending or adjusting of said two arms.

34. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user according to claim 30 wherein said two arms each have narrow areas that are adapted to be in a region of a user'"'"'s cheekbone.

35. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

a continuous and substantially curved elongate member having at least two ends and adapted to extend in use below a user'"'"'s nose,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of said elongate member, and

a mask attachment on said elongate member adapted to be disposed below said user'"'"'s nose, said attachment capable of receiving said mask wherein said elongate member has two ends each of which is attached to one of said at least two straps, said elongate member having at least one pad extending along an inner side of the elongate member in at least the areas where the elongate member is incident adapted to be on a user'"'"'s cheekbones, wherein said elongate member includes two side arms, and wherein said at least one pad is two pads one each extending substantially along a length of each said side arm.

36. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said mask comprises a base and body, said body having two flexible nasal pillows that are adapted to in use rest in a substantially sealed manner against the user'"'"'s nares.

37. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said at least two straps are substantially flexible, soft straps each is adapted to extend down said user'"'"'s cheekbones in use and adapted to terminate at each of said strap'"'"'s ends in a user'"'"'s upper lip area and said a substantial portion of said elongate member is attached to each of said straps.

38. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein a length of said at least two straps that is adapted to extend in use along said user'"'"'s cheekbones is attached to said elongate member, said elongate member providing rigidity to said length of said at least two straps.

39. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said at least one pad is substantially the same width as said elongate member.

40. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said continuous elongate member is substantially rigid compared to said straps.

41. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said nasal pillows are substantially elliptical and have gases outlets that are offset from the center of said elliptical pillows.

42. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said breathing assistance apparatus includes humidification means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with a source of gases and transportation means and adapted to in use humidify said gases.

43. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said continuous elongate member includes two side arms and a central section.

44. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as a single item.

45. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as two separate items.

46. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 43 wherein said side arms have at least one weakened or narrow area to allow for manipulation of said side arms.

47. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base frictionally fits to said central section, and said body to said base, such that said central section is adapted to suspend said base below said user'"'"'s nares, and when said body is attached to said base, said nasal pillows being adapted to rest against said user'"'"'s nares.

48. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base is integrally formed with said central section.

49. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said side arms attach one to each to each side of said base.

50. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said curved elongate member is moulded in a three dimensional manner and adapted to fit contours of a user'"'"'s cheeks.

51. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said mask attachment is adapted to sit below or on one of a user'"'"'s nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask.

52. A breathing assistance apparatus for use with delivery of respiratory gases to a user comprising:

a mask having a base and body, said body extending laterally outward and upward beyond said base,

a continuous and substantially curved elongate member having at least two ends and adapted to extend in use below a user'"'"'s nose, said elongate member including two side arms and a central section, said side arms having at least one weakened or narrow area to allow for manipulation of said arms,

at least two headgear straps capable of attachment to the ends of said elongate member, and

a mask attachment on said elongate member adapted to be disposed below said user'"'"'s nose, said attachment capable of receiving said mask.

53. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said at least two straps are substantially flexible, soft straps each adapted to extend down a user'"'"'s cheekbones in use and is adapted to terminate at each of said strap'"'"'s ends in said a user'"'"'s upper lip area and said a substantial portion of said elongate member is attached to each of said straps.

54. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein a length of said at least two straps that is adapted to extend in use along said a user'"'"'s cheekbones is attached to said elongate member, said elongate member providing rigidity to said length of said at least two straps.

55. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said elongate member has two ends each of which is attached to one of said at least two straps, said elongate member having at least one pad extending along an inner side of the elongate member in at least areas where the elongate member is adapted to be incident on a user'"'"'s cheekbones.

56. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said at least one pad is substantially the same width as said elongate member.

57. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said continuous elongate member is substantially rigid compared to said straps.

58. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said mask comprises a base and body, said body having two flexible nasal pillows that in use are adapted to rest in a substantially sealed manner against a user'"'"'s nares.

59. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said breathing assistance apparatus includes humidification means adapted to, in use, be in fluid communication with a source of gases and transportation means and adapted to in use humidify said gases.

60. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as a single item.

61. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said side arms and said central section are formed as two separate items.

62. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 55 wherein said at least one pad is two pads one each extending substantially along a length of each said side arm.

63. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base frictionally fits to said central section, and said body to said base, such that said central section is adapted to suspend said base below said user'"'"'s nares, and when said body is attached to said base, said nasal pillows being adapted to rest against said user'"'"'s nares.

64. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said continuous elongate member includes a central section, and wherein said base is integrally formed with said central section.

65. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 58, wherein said continuous elongate member includes at least two side arms, and wherein said side arms attach one to each side of said base.

66. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 52 wherein said curved elongate member is moulded in a three dimensional manner and adapted to fit contours of a user'"'"'s cheeks.

67. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 58 wherein said nasal pillows are substantially elliptical and have gases outlets that are offset from the center of said elliptical pillows.

68. A breathing assistance apparatus according to claim 58 wherein said mask attachment is adapted to be disposed to sit below or on one of a user'"'"'s nose, mouth, upper lip and an inlet to the mask.