Forehead support for facial mask

• US 6,691,708 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2002
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Grant, William Edwin John, Matchett, Robert Stephen, Kwok, Philip Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): Lo, Weilun
• Assistant Examiner(s): Erezo, Darwin P.
• Application Number:
  US10/230,169
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 128/207.11, 128/207.15, 128/207.18, 128/207.17, 128/206.24, 128/201.24
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

An adjustable forehead support for a nasal mask. The present invention discloses an adjustable forehead support for a nasal or full-face mask wherein the forehead support may be adjusted for the different shapes and sizes of a facial profile. The forehead support utilizes a dual-arm system which adjusts the position of the forehead support vis-à-vis the mask and/or air flow tube. The angle of the mask to the face may be adjusted with the present invention.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask comprising:

a shell defining a cavity having an opening adapted to fit a respiratory opening of an individual;

said shell including at least one slotted connector adapted to receive a strap to secure said mask to the individual;

a gas delivery tube connected to said shell, said gas delivery tube being adapted to supply breathable gas to said individual;

a forehead support assembly secured to an extension of said shell;

said forehead support assembly including at least one pair of arms;

said at least one pair of arms being configured to pivot relative to each other, and said at least one pair of arms being selectively lockable at at least two angular positions relative to each other.

2. The respiratory mask of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one forehead cushion associated with said at least one pair of arms,

wherein said at least one forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of said individual.

3. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein said forehead support assembly comprises at least a pair of slotted connectors adapted to receive a strap to secure said respiratory mask to the individual.

4. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein the opening in said shell fits a nasal area of the individual.

5. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein the opening in said shell fits a nasal and a mouth area of the individual.

6. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein the opening in said shell fits a face of the individual.

7. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein said at least one pair of arms wrap around an extremity said gas delivery tube.

8. The respiratory mask of claim 1,

wherein each of said at least one pair of arms is configured to pivot about an axis substantially parallel to an extension of said respiratory mask.

9. A forehead support assembly secured to an extension of a respiratory mask, said forehead support assembly including:

at least one pair of arms;

said at least one pair of arms being configured to pivot relative to each other; and

said at least one pair of arms being selectively lockable at at least two angular positions relative to each other.

10. The forehead support assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

at least one forehead cushion associated with each of said pair of arms,

wherein said at least one forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of an individual.

11. The forehead support assembly of claim 9, further comprises:

at least a pair of slotted connectors adapted to receive a strap to secure said respiratory mask to an individual.

12. The respiratory mask of claim 9,

wherein said at least one pair of arms wrap around an extremity of a gas delivery tube.

13. A forehead support for a respiratory mask, the forehead support comprising:

at least one pair of arms;

said at least one pair of arms being configured to pivot relative to each other, said at least one pair of arms being selectively lockable at at least two angular positions relative to each other; and

at least one forehead cushion associated with each of said pair of arms,

wherein said at least one forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of an individual.

14. The forehead support for a respiratory mask as in claim 13,

wherein said forehead support is secured to an extension of the respiratory mask.

15. The forehead support for a respiratory mask as in claim 13, further comprising:

at least a pair of slotted connectors adapted to receive a strap to secure said respiratory mask to the individual.

16. A respiratory mask comprising:

a shell defining a cavity having an opening adapted to fit a respiratory opening of an individual;

said shell including at least one slotted connector adapted to receive a strap to secure said mask to the individual;

a gas delivery tube connected to said shell, said gas delivery tube being adapted to supply breathable gas to said individual;

a forehead support comprising;

at least one pair of arms;

said at least one pair of arms being configured to pivot relative to each other, said at least one pair of arms being selectively lockable at at least two angular positions relative to each other; and

at least one forehead cushion associated with said pair of arms,

wherein said at least one forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of an individual.

17. The forehead support for a respiratory mask as in claim 16,

wherein said forehead support is secured to an extension of the respiratory mask.

18. The forehead support for a respiratory mask as in claim 16, further comprising:

at least a pair of slotted connectors adapted to receive a strap to secure said respiratory mask to the individual.

19. An adjustable forehead support for a respiratory mask comprising:

at least one pair of arms; and

a forehead cushion associated with each of said pair of arms,

wherein each said forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of a wearer, said at least one pair of arms is configured to pivot relative to each other around a pivot axis, and said at least one pair of arms are selectively lockable at one or more angular positions relative to each other such that a distance between said pivot axis and an imaginary straight line joining each of said forehead cushions is adjusted to fit the wearer'"'"'s face.

20. The adjustable forehead support for a respiratory mask of claim 19,

wherein said distance between said pivot axis and an imaginary straight line joining each of said forehead cushions increases with decreasing of an angle between said at least one pair of arms.

21. A respiratory mask comprising:

a shell defining a cavity having an opening adapted to fit a respiratory opening of an individual;

said shell including at least one slotted connector adapted to receive a strap to secure said mask to the individual;

a gas delivery tube connected to said shell, said gas delivery tube being adapted to supply breathable gas to said individual;

an adjustable forehead support comprising;

at least one pair of arms; and

a forehead cushion associated with each of said pair of arms,

wherein each said forehead cushion comprises a surface adapted to contact a forehead of a wearer, said at least one pair of arms is configured to pivot relative to each other around a pivot axis, and said at least one pair of arms are selectively lockable at one or more angular positions relative to each other such that a distance between said pivot axis and an imaginary straight line joining each of said forehead cushions is adjusted to fit the wearer'"'"'s face.

22. The respiratory mask of claim 21,

wherein said distance between said pivot axis and an imaginary straight line joining each of said forehead cushions increases with decreasing of an angle between said at least one pair of arms.

23. A forehead support for a respiratory mask, said forehead support including a pair of arms,

wherein each of the arms is adapted to locate a forehead cushion;

the arms are adapted to pivot relative to each other; and

the arms are selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other.

24. The forehead support of claim 23,

wherein the arms are also adapted to each pivot relative to the respiratory mask.

25. The forehead support of claim 23,

wherein each of the arms include a connector for a head strap.

26. A respiratory mask assembly comprising a respiratory mask and a forehead support, said forehead support including a pair of arms, wherein each of the arms is adapted to locate a forehead cushion;

the arms are adapted to pivot relative to each other; and

the arms are selectively lockable at two or more predetermined angular positions relative to each other.

27. The respiratory mask assembly of claim 26,

wherein the arms are also adapted to each pivot relative to the respiratory mask.

28. The respiratory mask assembly of claim 26,

wherein each of the arms includes a connector for a head strap.

29. The respiratory mask assembly of claim 26,

wherein the respiratory mask includes a connector for a head strap.

30. A respiratory mask assembly comprising:

a shell defining a cavity having an opening adapted to fit a respiratory opening of an individual, said shell including an upwardly extending support post by which, in use, breathable gas may be supplied to an interior of the shell, the shell including at least a pair of slotted connectors each adapted to receive a strap to secure said mask to the individual;

a forehead support provided to said support post, said forehead support including a bridge assembly including a plurality of first lock portions and a pair of laterally spaced forehead pads adapted to contact the individual'"'"'s forehead; and

an adjustment assembly including at least one flexible portion selectively coupled to and decoupled from the bridge assembly, said adjustment assembly including a plurality of second lock portions engageable with the plurality of first lock portions of the forehead support, such that the bridge assembly is selectively lockable relative to the support post in at least four positions to provide variable transverse spacing of the bridge assembly from the individual'"'"'s forehead.

31. The respiratory mask of claim 30,

wherein said bridge assembly comprises at least a pair of slotted connectors adapted to receive a strap to secure said respiratory mask to the individual.

32. The respiratory mask of claim 31,

wherein the opening in said shell fits a nasal area of the individual.

33. The respiratory mask of claim 30,

wherein the flexible portion of the adjustment assembly includes a pair of arms that are spaced apart with a gap therebetween, whereby the arms are compressible toward one another into the gap to decouple the first and second lock portions, to thereby allow adjustment of the bridge assembly.

34. A respiratory mask assembly for a patient comprising:

a mask shell coupled to a facial cushion support structure including a cheek region, a lip region and a nasal bridge region, the mask shell including a support post extending upwardly above the nasal bridge region of the facial cushion support structure; and

a forehead support secured to the support post, said forehead support including an adjustment mechanism secured to the support post and a cushion frame, wherein the cushion frame is adapted to locate at least one forehead cushion and wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a flexible member that is lockable with respect to the forehead support so as to allow the cushion frame to be positioned in at least four positions relative to the support post, thereby enabling variable positioning between the patient'"'"'s forehead and the forehead support.

35. The assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the cushion frame includes a pair of connectors each structured to releasably receive a head strap.

36. The assembly as claimed in claim 35, wherein the mask shall include a pair of connectors each structured to receive a head strap.

37. The assembly as claimed in claim 34, wherein the at least one forehead cushion spans enough of a user'"'"'s forehead to promote stability.

38. The support as claimed in claim 37, wherein said at least one forehead cushion includes at least two horizontally spaced forehead cushions.

39. A respiratory mask assembly for a patient comprising:

a mask shell coupled to a facial cushion support structure including a cheek region, a lip region and a nasal bridge region, the mask shell including a support post extending upwardly above the nasal bridge region of the facial cushion support structure;

a forehead support provided to the support post, said forehead support including an adjustment mechanism secured to the support post and a cushion frame, wherein the cushion frame includes a bridge, and wherein the adjustment mechanism includes at least one portion that is movable relative to the support post such that, in use, the cushion frame is movable toward and away from the patient'"'"'s forehead, and

a pair of forehead cushions provided on the bridge, the forehead cushions being spaced from one another along a length of the bridge with a space being provided between a center portion of the bridge and the patient'"'"'s forehead, wherein

the adjustment mechanism is constructed and arranged to selectively lock the bridge relative to the mask in at least three predetermined positions,

each of the forehead cushions includes an inner wall abutting a surface of the bridge and an outer wall adapted to be in contact with the patient'"'"'s forehead,

each of the forehead cushions is made of a deformable material that retains its shape,

the bridge includes a retainer element provided on each lateral end of each of the forehead cushions, and each of the forehead cushions includes a surface engaged with a respective one of said retainers, and

the bridge is substantially wider than the support post.