Breathing assistance apparatus

• US 9,339,624 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2015
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• 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:
  US14/812,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20150328424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.18, 128/26.21, 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 patient interface system to treat a respiratory disorder of a patient by channeling airflow to the patient from a positive airway pressure device, the patient interface system comprising:

(a) a mask system having;

a mask body defining a rigid structure that supports a relatively softer cushion, the rigid structure comprising an inlet, the inlet extending through a laterally central portion of a forwardly facing surface of the mask body;

the cushion being configured to contact a face of the patient in such a manner as to provide airflow to a mouth of the patient as well as to one or more nasal passages, the mask body and the cushion together defining a plenum;

a support member supporting the mask body, the support member having a central portion and a pair of side arms, at least part of the central portion of the support member extending below the inlet of the mask body, the side arms having a first rigidity and each of the side arms having a length, the side arms extending laterally outward away from the mask body and having a bend along the length of each of the side arms such that at least a portion of each of the side arms is inclined vertically upward toward distal ends that are positioned away from the mask body;

an elbow removably connected to the inlet of the mask body, the elbow being swivelable relative to the mask body; and

an exhaust vent that comprises a plurality of vent holes to allow a continuous flow of air out the plenum defined by the mask body and the cushion; and

(b) a headgear assembly comprising;

a pair of straps that are attached to at least the distal ends of the side arms, the pair of straps having a second rigidity that is different from the first rigidity of the side arms.

2. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the side arms of the support of the mask system comprise attachment points and the straps of the headgear assembly comprise upper straps that are connected to the attachment points of the side arms using hook and loop fasteners.

3. The patient interface of claim 2, wherein the attachment points are positioned vertically higher than an uppermost portion of the mask body.

4. The patient interface of claim 2, wherein the attachment points are positioned laterally outward relative to the mask body.

5. The patient interface of claim 2, wherein the attachment points comprise slots and the upper straps pass through the slots.

6. The patient interface of claim 5, wherein the headgear assembly also comprises a pair of lower straps, each of the pair of lower straps being configured to extend below an ear of the patient in use.

7. The patient interface of claim 6, wherein the support member of the mask system further comprises lower attachment points that connect the lower straps of the headgear assembly to the mask system.

8. The patient interface of claim 7, wherein the lower attachment points are vertically lower than a nasal region of the mask system.

9. The patient interface of claim 8, wherein the lower attachment points comprise hooks to which the lower straps are connected and the lower straps are secured in position using the hook and loop fasteners.

10. The patient interface of claim 9, wherein a pair of upper straps and the pair of lower straps are connected by a rear portion of the headgear assembly.

11. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the central portion of the support member completely wraps around at least a portion of the mask body.

12. The patient interface of claim 11, wherein the central portion of the support member completely wraps around at least the portion of the mask body that includes the inlet.

13. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein a pad is provided to each of the side arms of the support member of the mask system such that the pad is positioned between the side arm and the face of the patient.

14. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the central portion of the support member wraps around at least a portion of the mask body.

15. The patient interface of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the support member has a weakened region.

16. The patient interface of claim 15, wherein the weakened region allows for additional bending of the side arms relative to the mask body to fit contours of the face of the patient.

17. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the central portion of the support member comprises a strap-like component that encircles at least a laterally facing portion of the rigid structure of the mask body and at least a portion of the rigid structure of the mask body extends through an opening defined by the central portion of the support member.

18. The patient interface of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of the support member has a weakened region.

19. The patient interface of claim 18, wherein the weakened region allows for additional bending of the side arms relative to the mask body to fit contours of the face of the patient.

20. The patient interface of claim 1, wherein the elbow is received within the inlet of the mask body, the inlet of the mask body comprising an internal groove and the elbow comprising a protrusion that engages the internal groove of the inlet of the mask body.