Patient intreface assembly supported under the mandible

• US 20050205096A1
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Published: 09/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Philips RS North America LLC (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: RIC INVESTMENTS LLC (Respironics Incorporated)
• Inventors: Matula, Jerome Jr., Eaton, Jason P., Ho, Peter Chi Fai, Diacopoulos, Elias G., Radney, Steven B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,178,525 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.110
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0003 Accessories therefor, e.g. sensors, vibrators, negative pressure
• 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 16/065 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 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0694 Chin straps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0883 Circuit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0027 pressure meter
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 18/084 Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets

Abstract

A patient interface system having a patient interface and chin support system for supporting the patient interface on the patient and for supplying a flow of gas from a patient circuit to the patient interface. In one embodiment, the chin support is formed from flexible hollow chambered support and extends from either side of the patient interface curving downwardly in front of the patient'"'"'s cheeks, around the outside of the patient'"'"'s mouth, to a position beneath the patient'"'"'s mandible. In another embodiment, the chin support is coupled to a conduit that is coupled to the patient interface. The chin support includes at least a portion that is disposed under the patient'"'"'s mandible.

Claims

7. A patient interface assembly comprising:

a patient interface;

a chin support coupled with the patient interface; and

a coupling member coupling the patient interface and the chin support.

1. A patient interface assembly comprising:

a patient interface; and

a chin support coupled with the patient interface and extending from the patient interface to a position under a patient'"'"'s mandible.

2. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising a headgear assembly operatively coupled to the chin support and adapted to overlie a portion of a patient'"'"'s head responsive to the patient interface assembly being donned by such a patient.

3. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, further comprising a patient circuit coupling port disposed on the chin support and adapted to rotatably couple a patient circuit to the chin support.

4. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient interface is a nares element or a nasal mask.

5. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the patient interface is selectively detachable from the chin support.

6. The patient interface assembly of claim 1, wherein the chin support includes a support member and a conduit coupled to the support member, and wherein the patient interface is coupled to the conduit.

8. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, further comprising a headgear assembly operatively coupled to the chin support and adapted to overlie a portion of a patient'"'"'s head responsive to the patient interface assembly being donned by such a patient.

9. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, further comprising a patient circuit coupling port disposed on the chin support and adapted to rotatably couple a patient circuit to the chin support.

10. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the patient interface is a nares element or a nasal mask.

11. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the patient interface is selectively detachable from the chin support.

12. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the coupling is a ratchet-like-coupling that allows the patient interface assembly to be moved between a plurality of discrete positions relative to the chin support.

10-1. The patient interface assembly of claim 7, wherein the chin support includes a support member and a conduit coupled to the support member, and wherein the patient interface is coupled to the conduit.

13. A patient interface assembly comprising:

a patient interface;

a chin support assembly operatively coupled to the patient interface, wherein a portion of the chin support is adapted to be disposed under a patient'"'"'s mandible; and

a conduit operatively coupled to the patient interface and the chin support.

14. The patient interface of claim 13, wherein the chin support assembly comprises:

a chin support arm operatively coupled to the patient interface; and

a chin support bracket mounted on the chin support arm.

15. The patient interface of claim 14, wherein the chin support assembly further comprises an adjustment assembly for adjusting the relative position of the chin support bracket and the patient interface.

16. The patient interface of claim 14, further comprising a chin pad mounted on the chin support bracket.