Mask with gusset

• US 9,522,246 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2015
• Issued: 12/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Drew, Joanne Elizabeth, Frater, Robert Henry, Gunaratnam, Michael Kassipillai
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine
• Assistant Examiner(s): STANIS, TIMOTHY A
• Application Number:
  US14/616,283
• Publication Number:
  US 20150151065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/3331 Pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2206/14 Static flow deviators in tubes disturbing laminar flow in tubes, e.g. archimedes screws

Abstract

A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask for use in respiratory therapy, the respiratory mask comprising:

a shell; and

a cushion provided to the shell and adapted to receive at least a patient'"'"'s nose, the shell and the cushion cooperating to define a cavity adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas,

the cushion including;

a face contacting portion adapted to engage a patient'"'"'s face,

a non-face contacting portion provided to the shell, wherein the non-face contacting portion of the cushion includes an edge configured and arranged to attach to a periphery of the shell to define the cavity, and

a gusset portion between the face contacting portion and the non-face contacting portion,

wherein the gusset portion includes a hanging portion that, when seen in cross-section, hangs over an adjacent exterior surface of the cushion, and

wherein the cushion includes a molded, one-piece construction.

2. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion provides a decoupling joint between the face contacting portion and the shell.

3. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion includes only a single gusset.

4. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the face contacting portion includes a flexible membrane.

5. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the cushion is positioned exterior of the cavity.

6. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the shell includes an air delivery connection adapted to connect a pressurized air supply.

7. The respiratory mask according claim 1, wherein the gusset portion includes a constant projected outer area under extension and compression.

8. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion includes an outer wall configured to fold over and outside of an inner wall of the gusset portion when the face contacting and non-face contacting portions are compressed towards one another.

9. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the face contacting portion, the non-face contacting portion, and the gusset portion form a substantially continuous surface.

10. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the non-face contacting portion of the cushion is completely open.

11. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion.

12. The respiratory mask according to claim 11, wherein the distance extends along an axis, and the gusset portion includes inner and outer walls that extend substantially parallel to the axis.

13. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion includes a generally rounded cross-section when not exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas.

14. The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion, an interior of the gusset portion being exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas and configured to have a projected area on the patient'"'"'s face (A_g) which is greater than an area (A_c) of contact that the cushion is configured to make with the patient'"'"'s face such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the area (A_g) provides a component of a contact force (F_c) of the cushion on the patient'"'"'s face, and a ratio of (A_g/A_c) is at least 1.30.

15. The respiratory mask as in claim 14, wherein the ratio of (A_g/A_c) is in a range of 1.50 to 5.00.

16. The respiratory mask as in claim 15, wherein the ratio of (A_g/A_c) is in a range of 2.00 to 4.00.

17. The respiratory mask as in claim 16, wherein the ratio of (A_g/A_c) is in a range of 2.25 to 3.50.

18. The respiratory mask as in claim 14, wherein the shell further includes a baffle disposed in an interior of the shell between a mask gas intake and a mask exhaust vent to deflect gas from the intake from directly flowing to the exhaust vent.

19. The respiratory mask as in claim 1, wherein the gusset portion can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion by at least 15 millimeters.

20. The respiratory mask as in claim 19, wherein the gusset portion can expand and contract to alter the distance between the shell and the cushion by at least 20 millimeters.

21. The respiratory mask as in claim 1, wherein the gusset portion includes a plurality of sequentially interconnected steps moving from larger to smaller in area between first and second sides of the gusset portion, respectively.