Delivery of respiratory therapy using collapsible inlet conduits
First Claim
1. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
- a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location;
a first collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a first side of a head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the first inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the first collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a first conduit open condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a first conduit collapsed condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the first collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the first collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the first conduit open condition without being pressurized; and
a second collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the second inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the second collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a second conduit open condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a second conduit collapsed condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the second collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the second collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the second conduit open condition without being pressurized.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient'"'"'s head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.
452 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
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a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location; a first collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a first side of a head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the first inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the first collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a first conduit open condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a first conduit collapsed condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the first collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the first collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the first conduit open condition without being pressurized; and a second collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the second inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the second collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a second conduit open condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a second conduit collapsed condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the second collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the second collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the second conduit open condition without being pressurized. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
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a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location, wherein the patient interface is shaped to seal entirely below a nasal bridge of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient; a first collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a first side of a head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the first inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the first collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a first conduit open condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a first conduit collapsed condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the first collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the first collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the first conduit open condition without being pressurized; a second collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the second inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the second collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a second conduit open condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a second conduit collapsed condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the second collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the second collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the second conduit open condition without being pressurized; and a manifold that is shaped to mount atop the head of the patient to receive pressurized air from a flow generator and connect with the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit to provide pressurized air to the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the manifold is structured to not collapse when bodyweight is applied thereto to ensure that pressurized air received by the manifold from the flow generator is provided to at least one of the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
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a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location; a first collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a first side of a head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the first inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the first collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a first conduit open condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a first conduit collapsed condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the first collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the first collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the first conduit open condition without being pressurized, wherein the first collapsible inlet conduit comprises means for collapsing when weight is applied thereto; a second collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the second inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the second collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a second conduit open condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a second conduit collapsed condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the second collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the second collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the second conduit open condition without being pressurized, wherein the second collapsible inlet conduit comprises means for collapsing when weight is applied thereto; and means for receiving pressurized air from a flow generator and providing pressurized air to the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38)
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39. A mask system to deliver respiratory therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
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a patient interface that defines a breathing chamber and is shaped to seal against a face of the patient and deliver pressurized air from the breathing chamber into airways of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, the patient interface defining a first inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a first location and a second inlet port for introduction of pressurized air into the breathing chamber at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location, wherein the patient interface is shaped to seal entirely below a nasal bridge of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient; a first collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a first side of a head of the patient between a first ear of the patient and a first eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the first inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the first collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a first conduit open condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a first conduit collapsed condition in which the first collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the first collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the first collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the first conduit open condition without being pressurized, wherein the first collapsible inlet conduit maintains an approximately constant hydraulic diameter along a longitudinal length of the first collapsible inlet conduit when in the first conduit open condition, wherein a width of the first collapsible inlet conduit at a first location of the first collapsible inlet conduit is greater than a width of the first collapsible inlet conduit at a second location of the first collapsible inlet conduit, wherein a height of the first collapsible inlet conduit at the first location of the first collapsible inlet conduit is less than a height of the first collapsible inlet conduit at the second location of the first collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the first collapsible inlet conduit tapers in width from the first location of the first collapsible inlet conduit to the second location of the first collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the first collapsible inlet conduit tapers in height from the second location of the first collapsible inlet conduit to the first location of the first collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the first collapsible inlet conduit has a D-shaped cross-sectional shape at the first location of the first collapsible inlet conduit and at the second location of the first collapsible inlet conduit; and a second collapsible inlet conduit to extend across a second side of the head of the patient between a second ear of the patient and a second eye of the patient when the mask system is worn by the patient, and to connect with the second inlet port to deliver pressurized air to the breathing chamber, the second collapsible inlet conduit structured to move between a second conduit open condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit allows passage of pressurized air and a second conduit collapsed condition in which the second collapsible inlet conduit substantially prevents passage of pressurized air upon the head of the patient resting on the second collapsible inlet conduit against bedding, the second collapsible inlet conduit being biased toward the second conduit open condition without being pressurized, wherein the second collapsible inlet conduit maintains an approximately constant hydraulic diameter along a longitudinal length of the second collapsible inlet conduit when in the second conduit open condition, wherein a width of the second collapsible inlet conduit at a first location of the second collapsible inlet conduit is greater than a width of the second collapsible inlet conduit at a second location of the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein a height of the second collapsible inlet conduit at the first location of the second collapsible inlet conduit is less than a height of the second collapsible inlet conduit at the second location of the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the second collapsible inlet conduit tapers in width from the first location of the second collapsible inlet conduit to the second location of the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the second collapsible inlet conduit tapers in height from the second location of the second collapsible inlet conduit to the first location of the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the second collapsible inlet conduit has a D-shaped cross-sectional shape at the first location of the second collapsible inlet conduit and at the second location of the second collapsible inlet conduit; and a manifold that is shaped to mount atop the head of the patient to receive pressurized air from a flow generator and connect with the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit to provide pressurized air to the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the manifold is structured to not collapse when bodyweight is applied thereto to ensure that pressurized air received by the manifold from the flow generator is provided to at least one of the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit, wherein the patient interface is structured to not collapse when bodyweight is applied thereto to ensure that pressurized air is received by the breathing chamber through at least one of the first collapsible inlet conduit and the second collapsible inlet conduit, and is provided from the breathing chamber into the airways of the patient, wherein the mask system lacks a headgear strap other than the first collapsible inlet conduit, the second collapsible inlet conduit, and the back strap to maintain the patient interface in a desired position on the head of the patient.
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Specification