Breathing mask arrangement and a forehead support device for same

• US 8,402,972 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2009
• Issued: 03/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ResMed R&D Germany GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lang, Bernd Christoph, Biener, Achim, Heidmann, Dieter, Madaus, Stefan Rolf, Vgele, Harald Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US12/461,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20100089401A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 128/206.11, 128/206.12, 128/206.13, 128/206.16, 128/206.18, 128/206.21, 128/206.23, 12820624-20628, 128/207.11, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• 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 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0688 by means of an adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0825 with ball-sockets
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/0216 Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking

Abstract

A forehead cushion for a forehead support of a breathing mask arrangement includes a cushion element including a contact surface adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s forehead and provide a distribution of contact force and a coupling element provided to the cushion element. The coupling element is adapted to couple the cushion element to the forehead support. The cushion element is movable with respect to the coupling element to achieve different contact positions on the patient'"'"'s forehead.

Claims

1. A breathing mask arrangement comprising:

an arch body,

a sealing lip adapted to bear against a face of a mask user,

a respiratory gas conduit to feed respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is adapted to communicate with a nose and/or mouth opening of the mask user, and

an application structure that supports the sealing lip jointly with the arch body, wherein the application structure has a carrier portion on which a respiratory gas conduit member is coupled,

wherein the application structure has a front side and a rear side, and the application structure defines an opening through which at least a portion of the arch body is exposed towards the front side of the application structure.

2. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the respiratory gas conduit member is in the form of a tube connection.

3. A breathing mask arrangement comprising:

an arch body,

a sealing lip adapted to bear against a face of a mask user,

a respiratory gas conduit to feed respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is adapted to communicate with a nose and/or mouth opening of the mask user, and

an application structure that supports the sealing lip jointly with the arch body, wherein the arch body and the sealing lip are produced integrally from an elastomer material and can be inserted as a releasably fixable unit into the application structure,

wherein the arch body includes a plurality of outlet openings for gas washout.

4. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the arrangement has a modular structure including at least one of a frame portion, a forehead supporting device releasably couplable to the frame portion and an integral member comprising the sealing lip means and the arch body.

5. A breathing mask arrangement, comprising:

an arch body;

a sealing lip adapted to rest on a face of a mask user;

a respiratory gas conduit member to supply respiratory gas to a mask interior which is defined by the arch body and which is adapted to communicate with a nose and/or mouth opening of the mask user;

a forehead support device including a contact element adapted to contact the forehead region of the mask user and a holding device that releasably holds the contact element in tiltably movable manner relative to the forehead support device, wherein the holding device includes a pivot device; and

an application structure that supports the sealing lip together with the arch body and the forehead support device.

6. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device is formed by an elastomer structure.

7. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device is in the form of a ball joint device.

8. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element is formed of an elastomeric material.

9. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element is of a pad like configuration.

10. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element forms a contact surface that is concavely inwardly curved, and wherein the curvature is adjusted so as to provide a defined distribution in respect of surface pressure.

11. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein two contact elements are provided.

12. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the two contact elements are connected with each other.

13. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the two contact elements are formed integrally with one another.

14. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device is formed integrally with the contact element.

15. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the pivot device is configured and arranged such that it is located on or close to a line of force extending through a center point in respect to surface pressure of the contact element.

16. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element forms a contact surface that is configured so as to prevent suction on the surface of the patient'"'"'s forehead.

17. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element comprises holes or passages.

18. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein at least a surface portion of the contact element adapted to contact with the skin of the mask user has a velvety matt surface.

19. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of coupling options to couple the forehead support device so that different forehead spacings can be adjusted by a selective coupling, in particular a plug-in connection.

20. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the contact element is provided with a push-in foot to releasably couple the contact element.

21. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 20, wherein the push-in foot is eccentrically provided on the contact element.

22. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the respiratory gas conduit member is in the form of a tube connection.

23. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the application structure includes a frame portion.

24. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the forehead support device is coupled with the frame portion by a pivot device in a pivotably movable manner.

25. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 24, wherein the pivot device comprises an arcuate track guide and the forehead support device includes a guide portion.

26. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 23, wherein the frame portion is formed integrally with a carrier portion on which the respiratory gas conduit member is releasably coupled.

27. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the carrier portion includes an insert opening and the respiratory gas conduit member is releasably insertable into the insert opening.

28. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 26, further comprising a latching device to fix the respiratory gas conduit member to the carrier portion.

29. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 28, wherein the latching device is in the form of a bayonet or rotational latching device.

30. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 26, wherein the carrier portion is oriented substantially transversely with respect to the frame portion.

31. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the arch body is sealingly coupled to the respiratory gas conduit member.

32. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the arch body is made from an elastomer material.

33. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the arch body is formed integrally with the sealing lip.

34. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the arch body is provided with openings to discharge CO₂-laden respiratory gas.

35. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the arch body and the sealing lip are insertable into the application structure as a releasably fixable unit.

36. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 35, wherein the mask arrangement is structured to be assembled in a modular manner from a frame portion, a forehead support device releasably couplable to the frame portion, and an integral member comprising the sealing lip and arch body.

37. A breathing mask arrangement, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to receive a nose region of a mask user;

a respiratory gas conduit member provided to the frame, the respiratory gas conduit member including a rotatably fitted hose connecting sleeve adapted to couple to a respiratory gas hose;

a forehead support movably coupled to the frame by an adjusting device, the adjusting device configured to allow pivotal movement of the forehead support with respect to the frame about a pivot axis, the adjusting device including a fixing mechanism by which the forehead support and the frame can be fixed in a selected relative position;

forehead cushion elements each including a contact surface adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s forehead and a coupling element adapted to couple the cushion element to the forehead support, wherein the coupling element includes a push-in foot adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support.

38. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 37, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion elements, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement is structured to pass.

39. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 38, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

40. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 39, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a tooth arrangement structured to positively lock the forehead support relative to the frame.

41. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 40, wherein the adjusting device includes a manually engageable actuator that is manually movable between locked and unlocked positions.

42. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having an open construction that provides an annular mask retaining portion; and

a nasal mask having a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the nasal mask is removably attachable within the annular mask retaining portion of the frame such that the breathing chamber is provided on one side of the annular mask retaining portion and the sealing portion is provided on the opposite side of the annular mask retaining portion, and the annular mask retaining portion includes fixing plates adapted to engage within respective pocket portions provided in the nasal mask.

44. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 42, wherein the body portion and the sealing portion are integrally formed in one piece.

45. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 42, wherein the annular mask retaining portion encloses or wraps around the body portion.

46. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 42, wherein the annular mask retaining portion is structured to support the sealing portion jointly with the body portion.

43. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame having an open construction that provides an annular mask retaining portion; and

a nasal mask having a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the nasal mask is removably attachable within the annular mask retaining portion of the frame, the annular mask retaining portion including a ring-shaped configuration that defines an inwardly facing annular retaining surface adapted to engage an outwardly facing side wall of the body portion, and the body portion includes a retaining structure adapted to engage over a side of the annular mask retaining portion.

47. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 43, wherein the body portion and the sealing portion are integrally formed in one piece.

48. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 43, wherein the annular mask retaining portion encloses or wraps around the body portion.

49. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 43, wherein the annular mask retaining portion is structured to support the sealing portion jointly with the body portion.

50. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a forehead pad removably secured to the forehead support, the forehead pad including;

a base body having a contact surface and an opposing outer surface, wherein the base body is constructed to flex to maintain the contact surface in a position which is substantially parallel to a user'"'"'s forehead in use;

a shank portion formed on and projecting from the outer surface of the base body; and

a head portion formed at a projecting end of the shank portion.

51. The respiratory mask according to claim 50, wherein the head portion has a generally rounded profile.

52. The respiratory mask according to claim 50, wherein the forehead pad is molded integrally as one piece.

53. A respiratory mask comprising two forehead pads according to claim 50 connected by a flexible bridge portion.

54. The respiratory mask according to claim 53, wherein the two forehead pads comprise a forehead pad assembly which is constructed of elastomer.

55. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a flexible forehead pad assembly removably secured to the forehead support, the flexible forehead pad assembly including;

two forehead pads connected by a flexible bridge portion,

each forehead pad including;

a base body defining a first surface and a contact surface opposed to the first surface and adapted to contact a user'"'"'s forehead;

a shank portion projecting from the first surface; and

a head portion mounted on the shank portion and adapted to pass through an aperture in the forehead support in use.

56. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the base body includes a curvature.

57. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the base body is concave.

58. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the forehead pad assembly is molded integrally as one piece.

59. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the forehead pad assembly is constructed of elastomer.

140. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements adapted to support the flexible forehead pad assembly, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement is structured to pass.

141. A respiratory mask according to claim 140, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

142. The respiratory mask according to claim 55, wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user.

60. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame;

a mask having a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face, the body portion and the sealing portion being integrally formed in one piece;

a respiratory gas conduit member provided to the frame, the respiratory gas conduit member including a rotatably fitted hose connecting sleeve adapted to couple to a respiratory gas hose; and

a forehead support pivotally mounted to the frame for pivotal movement with respect to the frame about a pivot axis, the forehead support including a forehead cushion element having a contact surface adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s forehead, the forehead cushion element including a push-in foot adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support to couple the cushion element to the forehead support.

61. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the frame includes a carrier portion on which the respiratory gas conduit member is coupled.

62. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 61, wherein the carrier portion includes an insert opening into which the respiratory gas conduit member is inserted.

63. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the body portion and the sealing portion are integrally formed from an elastomer material.

64. The breathing mask arrangement according to claim 60, further comprising a fixing mechanism by which the forehead support and the frame can be fixed in a selected relative position.

65. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 64, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a tooth arrangement structured to positively lock the forehead support relative to the frame.

66. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 64, wherein the fixing mechanism includes a manually engageable actuator that is manually movable between locked and unlocked positions.

67. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion element, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement is structured to pass.

68. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 60, wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user.

69. A breathing mask arrangement for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:

a frame including a mask retaining portion; and

a mask having a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face,

wherein the mask is attachable to the mask retaining portion of the frame such that the body portion forms an exterior surface exposed at a front side of the mask and the sealing portion defines a rear side of the mask, and

the mask retaining portion includes fixing members adapted to engage within respective openings provided in the mask wherein the body portion includes a nose region that engages over a top side of the mask retaining portion.

70. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 69, wherein the mask retaining portion includes two fixing members.

71. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 70, wherein the mask retaining portion includes an inwardly facing surface that engages an outwardly facing surface of the mask.

72. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 71, wherein the body portion and the sealing portion are made in one piece from an elastomer material.

73. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 72, wherein the mask retaining portion encloses or wraps around the body portion.

74. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 73, wherein the frame includes holding loops structured to be coupled to a web band arrangement of a headband.

75. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 74, wherein the body portion includes a plurality of outlet openings for gas washout.

76. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 75, wherein the mask is removably attachable to the mask retaining portion of the frame.

77. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a forehead cushion removably secured to the forehead support,

the forehead cushion including a base body having a contact surface adapted to contact a user'"'"'s forehead and a coupling portion structured to couple the base body to the forehead support and allow pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support,

the coupling portion including a support foot adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support.

78. A respiratory mask according to claim 77, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement is structured to pass.

79. A respiratory mask according to claim 78, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

80. A respiratory mask according to claim 79, wherein the forehead cushion is formed of an elastomeric material.

81. A respiratory mask according to claim 80, wherein the base body includes a pad like configuration.

82. A respiratory mask according to claim 81, wherein the contact surface of the base body is concavely inwardly curved.

83. A respiratory mask according to claim 82, wherein the forehead cushion includes two forehead cushions.

84. A respiratory mask according to claim 83, wherein the two forehead cushions are connected with each other by a flexible bridge portion.

85. A respiratory mask according to claim 84, wherein the two forehead cushions are formed integrally with one another.

86. A respiratory mask according to claim 85, wherein each forehead cushion includes at least one hole or passage through the contact surface.

87. A respiratory mask according to claim 86, wherein at least a surface portion of the forehead cushion adapted to contact with the skin of the mask user has a velvety matt surface.

143. A respiratory mask according to claim 77, wherein the support foot includes a push-in foot.

144. A respiratory mask according to claim 143, wherein the push-in foot is formed of an elastomeric material.

145. A respiratory mask according to claim 82, wherein the support foot includes a push-in foot.

146. A respiratory mask according to claim 145, wherein the push-in foot is formed of an elastomeric material.

147. A respiratory mask according to claim 86, wherein the support foot includes a push-in foot.

148. A respiratory mask according to claim 147, wherein the push-in foot is formed of an elastomeric material.

88. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a forehead cushion removably secured to the forehead support,

the forehead cushion including two contact elements connected to one another by a flexible bridge portion, each contact element including a base body having a contact surface adapted to contact a user'"'"'s forehead and a coupling portion structured to couple the base body to the forehead support and allow pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support,

the coupling portion including a push-in foot adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support,

the forehead support including arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement of a headband is structured to pass,

the respiratory mask further comprising holding clips or loops structured to be coupled to a lower headband arrangement of the headband.

89. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the forehead cushion is formed of an elastomeric material.

90. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the base body includes a pad like configuration.

91. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the contact surface of the base body is concavely inwardly curved.

92. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the forehead cushion includes holes or passages through the contact surface to prevent suction on the surface of the patient'"'"'s forehead.

93. A respiratory mask according to claim 89, wherein the base body includes a pad like configuration.

94. A respiratory mask according to claim 93, wherein the contact surface of the base body is concavely inwardly curved.

95. A respiratory mask according to claim 94, wherein the forehead cushion includes holes or passages through the contact surface to prevent suction on the surface of the patient'"'"'s forehead.

96. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the coupling portion of the forehead cushion that allows pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support is formed by an elastomer structure.

97. A respiratory mask according to claim 96, wherein the coupling portion of the forehead cushion that allows pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support is formed by an elastomer structure.

98. The respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the forehead cushion is formed integrally.

99. The respiratory mask according to claim 97, wherein the forehead cushion is formed integrally.

100. The respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein at least a surface portion of the contact surface adapted to contact with the skin of the mask user has a velvety matt surface.

101. The respiratory mask according to claim 99, wherein at least a surface portion of the contact surface adapted to contact with the skin of the mask user has a velvety matt surface.

102. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

103. A respiratory mask according to claim 101, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

104. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein the opening, through which the portion of the upper headband arrangement of the headband is structured to pass, of each arm element is arranged in such a way that the opening is covered over towards the user of the mask by the forehead cushion.

105. A respiratory mask according to claim 103, wherein the opening, through which the portion of the upper headband arrangement of the headband is structured to pass, of each arm element is arranged in such a way that the opening is covered over towards the user of the mask by the forehead cushion.

106. A respiratory mask according to claim 88, wherein in use the contact surface of each the contact elements provides a substantially uniform surface pressure, with the surface pressure gradually decreasing outwardly in an edge region of each of the contact elements.

107. A respiratory mask according to claim 105, wherein in use the contact surface of each the contact elements provides a substantially uniform surface pressure, with the surface pressure gradually decreasing outwardly in an edge region of each of the contact elements.

108. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 88, wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user.

109. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 105, wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user.

110. A breathing mask arrangement according to claim 107, wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user.

111. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a seal provided to the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a forehead cushion removably secured to the forehead support,

the forehead cushion including;

two contact elements connected to one another by a flexible bridge portion, each contact element including a base body having a contact surface adapted to contact a user'"'"'s forehead and a coupling portion structured to couple the base body to the forehead support and allow pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support,

the coupling portion including a push-in foot adapted to be received within a respective opening provided in the forehead support,

the forehead support including arm elements adapted to support the forehead cushion, each arm element including an end portion that provides an opening through which a portion of an upper headband arrangement of a headband is structured to pass,

the respiratory mask further comprising holding clips or loops structured to be coupled to a lower headband arrangement of the headband,

wherein the forehead cushion is formed of an elastomeric material,

wherein the base body includes a pad like configuration,

wherein the contact surface of the base body is concavely inwardly curved,

wherein the forehead cushion includes holes or passages through the contact surface,

wherein the coupling portion of the forehead cushion that allows pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support is formed by an elastomer structure,

wherein the forehead cushion is formed integrally,

wherein at least a surface portion of the contact surface adapted to contact with the skin of the mask user has a matt surface,

wherein the forehead support is T-shaped,

wherein the mask is adapted to be in communication with the nose and/or mouth opening of the user,

wherein the opening, through which the portion of the upper headband arrangement of the headband is structured to pass, of each arm element is arranged in such a way that the opening is covered over towards the user of the mask by the forehead cushion.

112. A respiratory mask, comprising:

an arch body,

a sealing lip adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a frame that supports the sealing lip jointly with the arch body;

a respiratory gas conduit member provided to the frame and adapted to feed respiratory gas to a mask internal space which is defined by the arch body and which is adapted to communicate with a nose and mouth opening of the user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a forehead pad removably secured to the forehead support,

the forehead pad including;

a base body having a contact surface and an opposing outer surface, wherein the base body is constructed to flex to maintain the contact surface in a position which is substantially parallel to a user'"'"'s forehead in use;

a shank portion formed on and projecting from the outer surface of the base body; and

a head portion formed at a projecting end of the shank portion.

113. The respiratory mask according to claim 112, wherein the forehead pad is molded integrally as one piece and is formed of an elastomeric material.

114. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the respiratory gas conduit member in the form of a tube connection.

115. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the contact surface is concavely inwardly curved and has a velvety matt surface.

116. The respiratory mask according to claim 114, wherein the contact surface is concavely inwardly curved and has a velvety matt surface.

117. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the arch body is formed integrally with the sealing lip.

118. The respiratory mask according to claim 116, wherein the arch body is formed integrally with the sealing lip.

119. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the arch body and the sealing lip are insertable into the frame as a releasably fixable unit.

120. The respiratory mask according to claim 118, wherein the arch body and the sealing lip are insertable into the frame as a releasably fixable unit.

121. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the frame includes an inwardly facing surface that engages an outwardly facing surface of the arch body.

122. The respiratory mask according to claim 120, wherein the frame includes an inwardly facing surface that engages an outwardly facing surface of the arch body.

123. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the mask is structured to be assembled in a modular manner from the sealing lip and the arch body which are integrally formed and the frame.

124. The respiratory mask according to claim 122, wherein the mask is structured to be assembled in a modular manner from the sealing lip and the arch body which are integrally formed and the frame.

125. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the sealing lip and the arch body are made in one piece and the arch body is not made from an elastomer material.

126. The respiratory mask according to claim 124, wherein the sealing lip and the arch body are made in one piece and the arch body is not made from an elastomer material.

127. The respiratory mask according to claim 113, wherein the forehead support is coupled movably to the frame by way of an adjusting device, the adjusting device including a fixing mechanism by which the forehead support and the frame can be fixed in a selected relative position.

128. The respiratory mask according to claim 126, wherein the forehead support is coupled movably to the frame by way of an adjusting device, the adjusting device including a fixing mechanism by which the forehead support and the frame can be fixed in a selected relative position.

129. A respiratory mask, comprising:

a frame;

a mask releasably engaged with the frame and having a body portion defining a mask internal space and a sealing portion structured to engage a patient'"'"'s face;

a respiratory gas conduit member coupled to the frame and adapted to feed respiratory gas to the mask internal space defined by the body portion;

a forehead support supporting a forehead cushioning element that is structured to engage a patient'"'"'s forehead, at least part of the forehead support being movably coupled to the frame to allow movement of the forehead support relative to the frame to thereby adjust the position of the forehead cushioning element relative to the patient;

an adjustment arrangement to allow selective adjustment of the forehead support relative to the frame in a plurality of predetermined or fixed positions,

wherein the frame has a front side and a rear side, and the frame defines an opening through which at least a portion of the body portion is exposed towards the front side of the frame,

wherein the forehead cushioning element includes a base body having a contact surface adapted to contact a user'"'"'s forehead and a coupling portion structured to couple the base body to the forehead support and allow pivotal and/or tilting movement of the base body relative to the forehead support, and

wherein the body portion of the mask includes an opening portion, and the respiratory gas conduit member includes an end portion that projects into the opening portion of the body portion.

130. The respiratory mask according to claim 129, wherein the mask is adapted to communicate with a nose and mouth of the mask use.

131. The respiratory mask according to claim 130, wherein the end portion includes a bead structured to engage along the opening portion of the body portion.

132. The respiratory mask according to claim 131, wherein the frame engages at least a portion of the body portion of the mask.

133. The respiratory mask according to claim 132, wherein the frame includes an inwardly facing surface that engages an outwardly facing surface of the body portion.

134. The respiratory mask according to claim 133, wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

135. The respiratory mask according to claim 134, wherein the forehead support has an upper cross portion and a lower leg portion, the upper cross portion of the forehead support extending along a first axis and supporting the forehead cushioning element, and the lower leg portion of the forehead support provided to the frame and extending along a second axis that is transverse to the first axis.

136. The respiratory mask according to claim 135, wherein the forehead support includes a pair of coupling structures structured to be removably connectable to an upper band arrangement of a headband assembly for maintaining the mask in a desired position on a patient'"'"'s face.

137. The respiratory mask according to claim 136, wherein the frame includes a pair of coupling structures structured to be removably connectable to a lower band arrangement of a headband assembly for maintaining the mask in a desired position on a patient'"'"'s face.

138. The respiratory mask according to claim 137, wherein the body portion and the sealing portion comprise an integrally formed unit.

139. The respiratory mask according to claim 138, wherein the respiratory gas conduit member includes a mechanical interlock with the frame.