Forehead support for facial mask

• US 20030005935A1
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: KWA Design Group, PL
• Inventors: Grant, William Edwin John, Matchett, Robert Stephen, Kwok, Philip Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 6,691,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0655 in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

An adjustable forehead support for a nasal mask. The present invention discloses an adjustable forehead support for a nasal or full-face mask wherein the forehead support may be adjusted for the different shapes and sizes of a facial profile. The forehead support utilizes a dual-arm system which adjusts the position of the forehead support vis-a-vis the mask and/or air flow tube. The angle of the mask to the face may be adjusted with the present invention.

Claims

1. A forehead support adapted to be secured to an extension of a respiratory mask, said forehead support comprising the following elements:

a bridge, said bridge being adapted to receive at least one forehead pad, said bridge having a first and second securing means and a first and second end;

an arm, said arm securing said bridge to said extension of said mask, said arm having a first and second end, said first end having a first attaching means which is adapted to secure to said first securing means in a first position to said first end of said bridge, said second end of said arm having a second attaching means which is adapted to secure to said second securing means in a first position to said second end of said bridge;

said first securing means having at least two positions which may receive said first attaching means;

said second securing means having at least two positions which may receive said second attaching means.

2. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said first and second attaching means comprises at least two pins at the terminal end of said first and second arms.

3. The forehead support of claim 2 wherein said first and second securing means use a plurality of slots to receive said pins.

4. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said arm is a two-piece structure.

5. The forehead support of claim 2 wherein each of said arms has a space extending transversely a partial length of said arms.

6. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein there are two pads

7. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said first and second securing means is a slot extending across said bridge.

8. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said extension is an airflow tube.

9. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said mask is a full face mask.

10. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said mask is adapted to treat a sleeping disorder.

11. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein the first and second securing means are different means.

12. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein the arms wrap tightly around an airflow tube which extends into said mask.

13. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein said extension is on said mask.

14. The forehead support of claim 1 wherein adjusting said arm adjusts the angle the mask makes vis-a-vis the user'"'"'s face.

16. The forehead support of claim 15 wherein each of said arms has a space extending transversely a partial length of said arms.

17. The forehead support of claim 15 wherein there are two pads

18. The forehead support of claim 15 wherein said mask is a full face mask.

19. The forehead support of claim 15 wherein said mask is adapted to treat a sleeping disorder.

15. A respiratory mask to be worn by a patient, said mask having a forehead support secured to an airflow tube entering said mask, said forehead support comprising the following elements:

a bridge, said bridge being adapted to receive at least two forehead pads at an obtuse angle, said bridge having a plurality of pin receiving slots at a first and second bridge end, said pin receiving slots defining a first and second position at each first and second bridge end;

first and second arms, said arms securing said bridge to said extension of said mask, said arms having a first and second end, said first arm end having a pair of engageable pins adapted to secure to said first and second position to said first end of said bridge, said second end of said second arm having a pair of engageable pins adapted to secure to said first and second position to said second end of said bridge.

20. A forehead support adapted to be secured to an extension of a respiratory mask, said forehead support comprising the following elements

a bridge, said bridge being adapted to receive at least one forehead support, said forehead support extending across two planes of a patient'"'"'s forehead and contacting said two planes at a first and second contact point;

said first contact point of said support being at an obtuse angle with said second contact point;

a fastener;

said fastener securing said bridge to said extension of said mask.

21. The support of claim 20 wherein said bridge has a first and second pad at said first and second contact point.

22. The support of claim 20 wherein said extension is part of said mask.