Valsalva mask

• US 9,907,922 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2017
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Stephenson, Matthew Roger, Bornholdt, Melissa Catherine
• Primary Examiner(s): Anderson, Lynne
• Application Number:
  US15/630,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20170333657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/208 Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/15 Detection of leaks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

An interface for positive pressure therapy includes a mask assembly and a headgear assembly. The mask assembly comprises a mask seal that is adapted to underlie the nose. The mask seal extends up the lateral sides of the nose. The mask seal has a primary seal below the nose and a secondary seal alongside the nose.

Claims

1. A mask assembly for use with a respiratory interface configured to provide respiratory gas to a user, the mask assembly comprising:

a mask base comprising a mask base wall, the mask base wall having a distal portion defining a respiratory gases inlet, the mask base wall extending from the distal portion to a peripheral edge of the mask base wall, the mask base wall having an inner base wall surface;

a seal member having a distal peripheral edge, a sidewall portion, and a face contacting wall portion, the distal peripheral edge being connected to the peripheral edge of the mask base wall, the sidewall portion extending from the distal peripheral edge of the seal member and configured to extend proximally toward a user in use, to the face contacting wall portion of the seal member, wherein the sidewall portion and the face contacting wall portion comprise a sidewall inner surface and a face contacting wall inner surface, respectively, and wherein the face contacting wall inner surface, the sidewall inner surface, and the inner base wall surface define an inwardly facing surface of the mask assembly; and

a first tab having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the first tab extending from the face contacting wall inner surface to the distal end of the first tab which is coupled with the inwardly facing surface of the mask assembly at a location that is disposed distally from the proximal end such that the first tab forms a first loop with the inwardly facing surface of the mask assembly, wherein the first tab includes first and second side edges extending from the proximal end to the distal end.

2. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask base wall is made of a first material, the seal member being made of a second material that is more flexible than the first material.

3. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the first tab is spaced from a free edge of the face contacting wall portion, the free edge of the face contacting wall portion being disposed radially inwardly from the sidewall portion.

4. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first tab is integrally formed with the seal member and tapers toward the distal end of the first tab.

5. The mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first tab is configured to press at least part of an outer surface of the face contacting wall portion laterally against a first lateral side of a user'"'"'s nose in use.

6. The mask assembly according to claim 5, additionally comprising a second tab having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second tab being spaced from a free edge of the face contacting wall portion, the second tab extending to the inwardly facing surface of the mask assembly at a location that is disposed distally from the face contacting wall portion, the second tab configured to press at least part of an outer surface of the face contacting wall portion laterally against a second side of a user'"'"'s nose in use, opposite the first lateral side of the user'"'"'s nose.

7. The mask assembly according to claim 1, additionally comprising a second tab having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second tab extending from the face contacting wall inner surface to a location disposed distally from the proximal end of the second tab such that the second tab forms a second loop with the inwardly facing surface of the mask assembly.

8. A mask assembly for use with a respiratory interface configured to provide respiratory gas to a user, the mask assembly comprising:

a mask base comprising a distal inlet and a proximal peripheral edge;

a seal member having a sidewall portion and a face contacting wall portion, the sidewall portion being connected to the proximal peripheral edge of the mask base; and

a first tab extending from a first proximal location on an inner surface of the face contacting wall portion to a first distal location of the mask assembly that is disposed distally from the first proximal location, wherein the first tab forms a first loop with an inner surface of the mask assembly, wherein the first tab is integrally formed with the seal member and includes first and second side edges extending from the first proximal location to the first distal location.

9. The mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sidewall portion comprises a sidewall inner surface, the face contacting wall portion comprises a face contacting wall inner surface, and the mask base comprises a mask base inner surface, and wherein the face contacting wall inner surface, the sidewall inner surface, and the mask base inner surface define the inner surface of the mask assembly.

10. The mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the face contacting wall portion comprises a free edge, wherein a proximal end of the first tab is spaced from the free edge of the face contacting wall portion, the free edge of the face contacting wall portion being disposed radially inwardly from the sidewall portion.

11. The mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the sidewall portion comprises a sidewall outer surface facing radially outwardly and the face contacting wall portion comprises a face contacting wall outer surface configured to face toward a user in use.

12. The mask assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first tab tapers toward the first distal location and is configured to press at least a first part of an outer surface of the face contacting wall portion laterally against a first side of a user'"'"'s nose in use.

13. The mask assembly according to claim 12, additionally comprising a second tab configured to press at least second part of the outer surface of the face contacting wall portion laterally against a second side of a user'"'"'s nose in use, opposite the first lateral side.

14. The mask assembly according to claim 8, additionally comprising a second tab having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the second tab extending from a second proximal location on the seal member to a second distal location disposed distally from the second proximal location so as to form a second loop with the inner surface of the mask assembly.

15. The mask assembly according to claim 14, wherein the proximal end of the second tab extends from the inner surface of the mask assembly.