NASAL ASSEMBLY

• US 20080105264A1
• Filed: 12/31/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Guney, Memduh, Sokolov, Richard, Darkin, Donald, Lynch, Susan, Lithgow, Perry, Kwok, Philip, GUNARATNAM, Michael, Veliss, Lee, Hitchcock, Robin
• Granted Patent: US 8,312,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0833 T- or Y-type connectors, e.g. Y-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0661 with customised shape

Abstract

A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient'"'"'s face.

Claims

1-52. -52. (canceled)

53. A nasal pillows mask assembly to provide a supply of air at positive pressure to the entrance of an airway of a patient for treatment of sleep disordered breathing comprising:

i) a patient interface provided by a cushion assembly, the cushion assembly comprising;

a base portion;

a pair of nasal pillows extending from the base portion,

each nasal pillow being structured to direct a sealing force to the underside of the nose of the patient and comprising a first concave portion having one end extending from the base portion, and a second sealing portion extending from the other end of the first concave portion, the second sealing portion having a narrower first end that enters the nasal passage of the patient'"'"'s nose in use and a wider second end adjacent the first concave portion, the second sealing portion defining between the narrower first end and the wider second end a tapered surface upon at least part of which sealing occurs with a patient'"'"'s nose on the underside of the nostrils in an area about the rim of the nostril openings in use, and

a contour portion structured to direct a stability force to the maxilla of the patient in use;

ii) a patient interface retainer assembly configured to maintain in use the patient interface provided by the cushion assembly in position with respect to an underside of a patient'"'"'s nose in a region about the nostrils and to provide in use the stability force to the maxilla of the patient, the retainer assembly comprising;

a left side portion and a right side portion extending in use from positions on either side of the cushion assembly along the left and right cheeks of the patient towards the left and right temples, the left and right side portions including respective left and right semi-rigid stiffeners structured to add rigidity to the nasal pillows retainer assembly in certain planes and directions, and left and right side straps joined to the respective left and right stiffeners

a coronal strap portion constructed from a soft, flexible fabric material and extending in use over the crown of the patient'"'"'s head between the left and right side straps;

a rear strap portion constructed from a soft, flexible fabric material and extending in use over the rear of the patient'"'"'s head between the left and right side straps, and

a tension adjusting arrangement for adjusting the tension in the patient interface retainer assembly,

wherein the tension adjusting arrangement is operative to adjust the stability force delivered by the contour portion against the maxilla of the patient.

54. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the tension adjusting arrangement is further operative to adjust the sealing force against the underside of the nose of the patient.

55. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 54, wherein the tension adjusting arrangement is operative to adjust tension in the coronal and rear strap portions.

56. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the tension adjusting arrangement includes a coronal strap adjuster.

57. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 55, wherein the tension adjusting arrangement includes a rear strap adjuster and a coronal strap adjuster which are independently adjustable for selectively adjusting the sealing force against the nose of the patient and the stability force against the maxilla of the patient.

58. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 54, wherein the tension adjusting arrangement includes left and right side strap adjusters.

59. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the contour portion is configured to conform with the upper lip of the patient.

60. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 59, wherein the contour portion is formed as part of the base portion.

61. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the contour portion is elastically deformable.

62. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the nasal pillows and the base portion are moulded in one piece.

63. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 62, wherein the nasal pillows and the base portion are moulded from silicone.

64. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the base portion is structured to align the nasal pillows at an alar angle.

65. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 64, wherein the alar angle is in the range of 135 to 155 degrees.

66. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 65, wherein the alar angle is 145 degrees.

67. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, which includes a frame to which the base portion is attached, and an air conduit connected to an opening in the frame.

68. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 67, wherein the left and right stiffeners extend from either side of the frame.

69. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 68, wherein the left and right stiffeners are formed integrally with the frame.

70. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the left and right stiffeners are provided with left and right cheek contacting layers of soft flexible material.

71. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 70, wherein the left and right cheek contacting layers form part of the left and right side straps which are joined to the left and right stiffeners by stitching.

72. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 68, wherein the left and right stiffeners are detachably joined to the left and right side straps.

73. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 68, wherein the left and right stiffeners are rotatably connected to the frame via left and right connectors.

74. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the left and right stiffeners are each in the form of unitary yokes have a front relatively short arm portion extending towards the cushion assembly, a rear relatively long arm portion extending in use towards the temples, and an intermediate elbow portion.

75. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the second sealing portion has a height of about 9 mm.

76. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 53, wherein the nasal pillows have an elliptical geometry.

77. The nasal pillows mask assembly of claim 76, wherein the nasal pillows have an ellipse ratio of about 0.7.

78. A nasal pillows mask assembly to provide a supply of air at positive pressure to the entrance of an airway of a patient for treatment of sleep disordered breathing comprising:

i) a patient interface provided by a cushion assembly, the cushion assembly comprising;

a base portion;

a pair of nasal pillows extending from the base portion,

each nasal pillow being structured to direct a sealing force to the underside of the nose of the patient and comprising a first concave portion having one end extending from the base portion, and a second sealing portion extending from the other end of the first concave portion, the second sealing portion having a narrower first end that enters the nasal passage of the patient'"'"'s nose in use and a wider second end adjacent the first concave portion, the second sealing portion defining between the narrower first end and the wider second end a tapered surface upon at least part of which sealing occurs with a patient'"'"'s nose on the underside of the nostrils in an area about the rim of the nostril openings in use, and

a contour portion structured to direct a stability force to the maxilla of the patient in use;

ii) a patient interface retainer assembly configured to maintain in use the patient interface provided by the cushion assembly in position with respect to an underside of a patient'"'"'s nose in a region about the nostrils and to provide in use the stability force to the maxilla of the patient the retainer assembly comprising;

a left side portion and a right side portion extending in use from positions on either side of the cushion assembly along the left and right cheeks of the patient towards the left and right temples, the left and right side portions including respective left and right stiffeners structured to add rigidity to the nasal pillows retainer assembly, and left and right side straps joined to the respective left and right stiffeners

a coronal strap portion constructed from a soft, flexible fabric material and extending in use over the crown of the patient'"'"'s head between the left and right side straps;

a rear strap portion constructed from a soft, flexible fabric material and extending in use over the rear of the patient'"'"'s head between the left and right side straps, and

a tension adjusting arrangement to adjust the tension in the coronal and rear strap portions of the patient interface retainer assembly,

wherein the tension adjusting arrangement is operative to adjust the stability force delivered by the contour portion against the maxilla of the patient and to adjust the sealing force against the underside of the nose of the patient.

79. A nasal pillows mask assembly to provide a supply of air at positive pressure to the entrance of an airway of a patient for treatment of sleep disordered breathing comprising:

i) a cushion assembly comprising;

a base portion;

a pair of nasal pillows extending from the base portion,

each nasal pillow being structured to direct a sealing force to the underside of the nose of the patient and comprising a first gusset portion having one end extending from the base portion, and a second sealing portion extending from the other end of the first gusset portion, the second sealing portion having a narrower first end that enters the nasal passage of the patient'"'"'s nose in use and a wider second end adjacent the first gusset portion, the second portion defining between the narrower first end and the wider second end a tapered surface upon at least part of which sealing occurs with a patient'"'"'s nose on the underside of the nostrils in an area about the rim of the nostril openings in use, and

a contour portion structured to direct an adjustable stability force to the maxilla of the patient in use;

ii) a retainer assembly structured to maintain in use the cushion assembly in a sealed position with respect to an underside of a patient'"'"'s nose in a region about the nares and to provide in use the adjustable stability force to the maxilla of the patient, the retainer assembly comprising;

left and right retainers including;

respective left and right relatively flexible Y-shaped straps constructed from a soft flexible fabric material, each of the left and right Y-shaped straps including;

respective left and right rear strap portions extending from above the patient'"'"'s ears around the back of the patient'"'"'s head and being adjustably coupled together;

respective left and right upper strap portions extending in use over the top of the patient'"'"'s head and being adjustably coupled together; and

respective left and right side strap portions extending in use towards the cushion assembly;

left and right stiffening yokes joined to the respective left and right side strap portions and extending from either side of the cushion assembly along the left and right cheeks of the patient,

wherein adjustment of the tension in the top and rear strap portions is operative to adjust the stability force against the maxilla of the patient and the sealing force against the underside of the nostrils of the patient.