NASAL MASK INTERFACE ASSEMBLY

• US 20140174446A1
• Filed: 06/29/2012
• Published: 06/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Prentice, Craig Robert, Ip, Bernard Tsz Lun, Richardson, Thomas Mark, Boyes, Richard John, McDermott, Gareth Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,653,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/205.25
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0085 product washed out
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2202/0225 Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/42 Reducing noise

Abstract

An interface assembly comprises a nasal mask that includes a seal having a rolling portion. The rolling portion of the seal rolls over a portion of a clip that secures the seal to a frame. The frame has a ball and socket connection to a connector. The connector comprises an elbow having integrally formed exhaust holes and a swivel.

Claims

1. A seal member for an interface assembly, the seal member comprising a face contacting surface, the face contacting surface comprising an edge that at least partially defines an opening, the face contacting surface also comprising a first cheek surface and a second cheek surface, the first cheek surface comprising a first thickened portion and the second cheek surface comprising a second thickened portion.

2. The seal member of claim 1, wherein the first and second thickened portions are formed on an interior surface of the seal member.

3. The seal member of claim 1, wherein a distal portion of the seal member is overmoulded onto a clip member.

4. The seal member of claim 3, wherein the clip comprises a feature that receives a complementary feature of an interface frame.

5. The seal member of claim 3, wherein the clip member tapers in a distal direction.

28. An interface assembly comprising a frame and a seal removably connected to the frame, the seal being configured in accordance with claim 1.

35. The seal member of claim 1, wherein the first and second thickened portions are positioned along upper portions of the respective first and second cheek surfaces.

36. The seal member of claim 1, wherein the first and second thickened portions each comprise locally thickened regions of the respective first and second cheek surfaces.

37. The seal member of claim 1, the seal member comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being pivotable relative to the lower portion, the upper portion comprising a region of reduced stiffness that is positioned between a first boundary and a second boundary, the first boundary being defined by a stiffness greater than that in the region of reduced stiffness, the second boundary being defined by a stiffness greater than that in the region of reduced stiffness, wherein when the first boundary is moved toward the second boundary, the region of reduced stiffness buckles in a single direction to define a roll of material that changes in size as the first boundary continues to move toward the second boundary.

38. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the region of reduced stiffness facilitates movement of the upper portion of the seal member relative to the lower portion of the seal member.

39. The seal member of claim 38, wherein the upper portion comprises a nasal bridge portion of the mask and movement of the first boundary toward the second boundary facilitates movement of the nasal bridge portion of the mask relative to the lower portion of the mask.

40. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the second boundary is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion.

41. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the first boundary is defined along a reinforcing component.

42. The seal member of claim 41, wherein the reinforcing component comprises a plastic band.

43. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the region of reduced stiffness is defined with a reduced thickness relative to the first boundary.

44. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the second boundary is defined by a corner having a small radius.

45. The seal member of claim 37, wherein the roll extends over at least a portion of the seal portion.

46. An interface assembly comprising a frame, a seal member removably connected to the frame and configured in accordance with claim 37, and a mask seal clip that secures the seal member to the frame and has an increased rigidity relative to the seal member, the second boundary being positioned along an end of the mask seal clip.

47. The interface assembly of claim 46, wherein the roll overlies at least a portion of the mask seal clip when the first boundary is moved fully toward the second boundary.

6-27. -27. (canceled)

29-34. -34. (canceled)