Mask cushion and method of using same

• US 20030019495A1
• Filed: 05/16/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vyaire Medical 203 Incorporated (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Tiara Medical Systems, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Cichon, Norbert E., Palkon, David J., Sleeper, Geoffrey P., Fitzsimmons, James L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,007,696 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 16/0616 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 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A nasal CPAP treatment apparatus is disclosed with a flow generator coupled to a nasal mask. The mask has a nasal cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity. The cushion has a triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material with a mask engaging portion connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion which has a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region. The cushion may have a portion of the side wall in the nasal bridge region being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region. A plurality of membranes, preferably three, of resilient material extend substantially around the triangularly-shaped frame. Some of the membranes are thicker in the lip region than in the nasal bridge region to improve fit of the cushion in use.

Claims

1. A nasal mask cushion to sealingly connect a mask to a wearer'"'"'s face, the cushion comprising:

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of the second membrane.

3. The cushion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of the outer membrane.

4. The cushion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the second membrane is thicker than a portion of the outer membrane.

5. The cushion of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of said second membrane and a portion of said second membrane is thicker than a portion of said outer membrane.

6. The cushion of claim 5, wherein the portion of the membranes having different thickness are in the lip region.

7. The cushion of claim 1, wherein there are three membranes.

8. The cushion of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the first and second membranes have substantially the same thickness.

9. The cushion of claim 8, wherein the portions of the first and second membranes having substantially the same thicknesses are in the nasal bridge region.

10. The cushion of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the first and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

11. The cushion of claim 10, wherein the portions of the first and outer membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge regions.

12. The cushion of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the second and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

13. The cushion of claim 12, wherein the portions of the second and outer membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge region.

14. The cushion of claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the first and second and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

15. The cushion of claim 14, wherein the portions of the membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge region and the portions of the membranes having different thicknesses are in the lip region.

16. The cushion of claim 1, wherein a portion of the side wall in the lip region is thicker than a portion of the side wall in the nasal bridge region.

17. The cushion of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the outer membrane is substantially constant.

18. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the side wall in the lip region is shorter than the side wall in the nasal bridge region.

19. The cushion of claim 1, wherein said first and second membranes are joined to one end of a common web having another end thereof joined to said side wall.

20. The cushion of claim 1, wherein said membranes are joined to said side wall.

21. A nasal mask cushion to sealingly connect a mask to a wearer'"'"'s face, the cushion comprising:

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the nasal bridge region being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

22. The cushion of claim 21, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

23. The cushion of claim 21, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

24. The cushion of claim 21, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

25. The cushion of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of the second membrane.

26. The cushion of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of the outer membrane.

27. The cushion of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the second membrane is thicker than a portion of the outer membrane.

28. The cushion of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of the first membrane is thicker than a portion of said second membrane and a portion of said second membrane is thicker than a portion of said outer membrane.

29. The cushion of claim 25, wherein the portion of the membranes having different thickness are in the lip region.

30. The cushion of claim 21, wherein there are three membranes.

31. The cushion of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of the first and second membranes have substantially the same thickness.

32. The cushion of claim 31, wherein the portions of the first and second membranes having substantially the same thicknesses are in the nasal bridge region.

33. The cushion of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the first and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

34. The cushion of claim 33, wherein the portions of the first and outer membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge regions.

35. The cushion of claim 27, wherein at least a portion of the second and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

36. The cushion of claim 35, wherein the portions of the second and outer membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge region.

37. The cushion of claim 28, wherein at least a portion of the first and second and outer membranes have substantially the same thickness.

38. The cushion of claim 37, wherein the portions of the membranes having substantially the same thickness are in the nasal bridge region and the portions of the membranes having different thicknesses are in the lip region.

39. The cushion of claim 21, wherein a portion of the side wall in the lip region is thicker than a portion of the side wall in the nasal bridge region.

40. The cushion of claim 25, wherein the thickness of the outer membrane is substantially constant.

41. The cushion of claim 21, wherein the side wall in the lip region is shorter than the side wall in the nasal bridge region.

42. The cushion of claim 21, wherein said first and second membranes are joined to one end of a common web having another end thereof joined to said side wall.

43. A nasal mask cushion to sealingly connect a mask to a wearer'"'"'s face, the cushion comprising:

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use, at least said first and second membranes being thicker in the lip region than said first and second and outer membranes in the nasal bridge region.

44. The cushion of claim 43, wherein at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the nasal bridge portion being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region.

45. The cushion of claim 43, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region and there are three membranes.

46. The cushion of claim 43, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

47. The cushion of claim 43, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

48. A nasal mask for connection to a wearer'"'"'s face comprising:

a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas; and

a nasal cushion secured to said mask body, the body and cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity, said cushion including;

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

49. The nasal mask of claim 48, wherein at least said first and second membranes are thicker in the lip region than said first and second and outer membranes in the nasal bridge region.

50. The nasal mask of claim 48, wherein at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the nasal bridge portion is other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region.

51. The nasal mask of claim 50, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

52. The nasal mask of claim 50, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

53. The nasal mask of claim 50, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

54. A nasal mask for connection to a wearer'"'"'s face comprising:

a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas; and

a nasal cushion secured to said mask body, the body and cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity, said cushion including;

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a portion of said side wall in the nasal bridge region being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

55. The nasal mask of claim 54, wherein at least said first and second membranes are thicker in the lip region than said first and second and outer membranes in the nasal bridge region.

56. The nasal mask of claim 54, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

57. The nasal mask of claim 54, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

58. The nasal mask of claim 54, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

59. A nasal CPAP treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator for the supply of gas at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure;

a gas delivery conduit coupled to said flow generator; and

a nasal mask in turn coupled to said conduit to said nasal mask including;

a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas; and

a nasal cushion secured to said mask body, the body and cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity, the cushion including;

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least said first and second membranes are thicker in the lip region than said first and second and outer membranes in the nasal bridge region.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the nasal bridge portion is other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region.

62. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

63. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

64. The apparatus of claim 61, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

65. A nasal CPAP treatment apparatus comprising:

a flow generator for the supply of gas at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure;

a gas delivery conduit coupled to said flow generator; and

a nasal mask in turn coupled to said conduit to said nasal mask including;

a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas; and

a nasal cushion secured to said mask body, the body and cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity, the cushion including;

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a portion of said side wall in the nasal bridge region being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

a second membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having a second inwardly extending rim; and

an outer membrane of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said second membrane and having an outer inwardly extending rim, said outer membrane engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

66. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein at least said first and second membranes are thicker in the lip region than said first and second and outer membranes in the nasal bridge region.

67. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

68. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

69. The apparatus of claim 65, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

70. A nasal mask cushion to sealingly connect a mask to a wearer'"'"'s face, the cushion comprising:

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the nasal bridge region being other than straight to provide an improved sealing in the nasal bridge region;

a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel membranes of resilient material each having an inwardly extending rim with one of said membranes engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use.

71. The cushion of claim 70, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is more compressible than at least a portion of said side wall between said frame and the lip region.

72. The cushion of claim 70, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is arcuate.

73. The cushion of claim 70, wherein the portion of said side wall that is other than straight is sinuous.

74. A nasal mask cushion to sealingly connect a mask to a wearer'"'"'s face, the cushion comprising:

a substantially triangularly-shaped frame of resilient material having a mask engaging portion and connected by a side wall to a face engaging portion with a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and a lip region;

a first membrane of resilient material having an inwardly extending rim substantially around said triangularly-shaped frame;

one or more membranes of resilient material spaced from and generally parallel to said first membrane and having inwardly extending rims;

one of said one or more outer membranes engaging a wearer'"'"'s face in use, at least one of said first or one or more membranes being thicker in the lip region than said membranes in the nasal bridge region.