Headgear assembly for a respiratory mask assembly

• US 20120024290A1
• Filed: 10/05/2011
• Published: 02/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Amarasinghe, Amal S., Lithgow, Perry D., Guney, Memduh
• Granted Patent: US 8,443,805 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• 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: Y10T 24/2164 Midline

Abstract

A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and a headgear assembly removably attachable to the frame. The headgear assembly includes a pair of side portions and a rear portion that interconnects the pair of side portions. The pair of side portions includes at least one strap. The rear portion has at least one strap constructed of at least two layers of material. One of the layers of material has a more rigid construction than the other of the layers of material to resist compression of the at least one strap of the rear portion in a first direction which resists movement of the at least one strap of the pair of side straps in the first direction.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame; and

a headgear assembly removably attachable to the frame and including a pair of side portions and a rear portion that interconnects the pair of side portions,

wherein;

the rear portion has at least one strap constructed to resist movement of the side portions in a first direction towards the patient'"'"'s ear in use,

each of the pair of side portions includes an upper strap removably attachable to an upper portion of the frame and a lower strap removably attachable to a lower portion of the frame, the upper strap being adapted to extend above the patient'"'"'s ear and the lower strap being adapted to extend below the patient'"'"'s ear, and

the rear portion includes an upper strap, a lower strap, and an intermediate strap arrangement between the upper and lower straps of the rear portion.

2. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one strap includes a stiffener attached thereto that adds rigidity to the intermediate strap arrangement.

3. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stiffener is generally C-shaped.

4. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stiffener comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped stiffeners.

5. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate strap arrangement includes a pair of upper straps angled with respect to the upper strap of the rear portion, and a pair of lower straps angled with respect to the lower strap of the rear portion.

6. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an opening in the rear portion that is adapted to allow folds of the patient'"'"'s skin to extend therethrough.

7. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 2, wherein the stiffener is positioned in a pocket.

8. A headgear assembly for attachment to a frame of a respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a pair of side portions; and

a rear portion that interconnects the pair of side portions,

wherein;

the rear portion has at least one strap constructed to resist movement of the side portions in a first direction,

each of the pair of side portions includes an upper strap removably attachable to an upper portion of the frame and a lower strap removably attachable to a lower portion of the frame, the upper strap being adapted to extend above the patient'"'"'s ear, and

the rear portion includes an upper strap, a lower strap, and an intermediate strap arrangement between the upper and lower straps of the rear portion.

9. The headgear assembly according to claim 8, wherein the at least one strap includes a stiffener attached thereto that adds rigidity to the intermediate strap arrangement.

10. The headgear assembly according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate strap arrangement includes a pair of upper straps angled with respect to the upper strap of the rear portion, a pair of lower straps angled with respect to the lower strap of the rear portion, and a cross-bar strap that extends between the upper and lower straps of the intermediate strap arrangement.

11. The headgear assembly according to claim 10, wherein the stiffener is generally C-shaped including a body that extends along the cross-bar strap and a pair of arm members that extend along respective lower straps of the intermediate strap arrangement.

12. The headgear assembly according to claim 10, wherein the stiffener comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped stiffeners, each of the pair of stiffeners extending along a respective upper strap and lower strap of the intermediate strap arrangement.

13. The headgear assembly according to claim 10, wherein the cross-bar strap of the intermediate strap arrangement, the pair of lower straps of the intermediate strap arrangement, and the lower strap of the rear portion define an opening therebetween that is adapted to allow folds of the patient'"'"'s skin to extend therethrough.

14. A headgear assembly for stabilizing and positioning a respiratory mask assembly on a patient'"'"'s head, comprising:

a pair of side straps;

at least two rear straps including at least an upper rear strap and a lower rear strap; and

an intermediate strap arrangement positioned between the at least two rear straps, wherein the intermediate strap arrangement includes a pair of upper straps angled relative to the upper rear strap and a pair of lower straps angled relative to the lower rear strap.

15. The headgear assembly according to claim 14, wherein at least one of the at least two rear straps has a curved portion of a predetermined radius, wherein the predetermined radius is measured when the headgear assembly is laid out flat;

and

wherein the curved portion extends between and connects to the upper straps of the intermediate strap arrangement.

16. The headgear assembly according to claim 15, wherein the curved portion is structured to engage a posterior portion of the parietal bone of the patient'"'"'s head in use.

17. The headgear assembly according to claim 14, wherein the intermediate strap arrangement is generally H-shaped.

18. The headgear assembly according to claim 14, wherein the pair of upper and lower straps converge towards and join with a cross bar strap.

19. The headgear assembly according to claim 14, wherein the pair of upper straps of the intermediate strap arrangement and the upper rear strap at least partially define a first opening.

20. The headgear assembly according to claim 19, wherein the lower rear strap and the pair of lower straps of the intermediate strap arrangement at least partially define a second opening.