CPAP mask and system

• US 8,844,524 B2
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Issued: 09/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kwok, Philip Rodney
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US13/749,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20130133661A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 12820122-20128, 128/201.19, 128/206.19, 128/206.17, 128/205.25, 128/205.24, 128/205.27, 128/205.29, 128/206.12, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 128/207.12, 12820418-20426
• US Class Current: 128/204.18
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0057 Pumps therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0069 the speed thereof being controlled by respiratory parameters, e.g. by inhalation
• 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 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0875 Connecting tubes
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/1055 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/107 in the inspiratory path
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0021 with a proportional output signal, e.g. from a thermistor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2016/0036 in the breathing tube and used in both inspiratory and expiratory phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/8206 battery-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/088 on the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/432 partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/435 partial O2 pressure (P-O2)
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2230/50 Temperature

Abstract

A continuous positive air pressure (“CPAP”) or ventilator system includes a mask and an air flow generator. The air flow generator is mounted or provided to the mask'"'"'s wearer. In one embodiment, air flow generator is mounted on the mask.

Claims

1. A ventilator system configured to provide pressurized air to a patient, the ventilator system comprising:

a mask having

a shell;

a cushion provided to the shell to sealingly connect the mask to a wearer'"'"'s face and thereby form a chamber between said shell and said wearer'"'"'s face;

an inlet port in said shell to receive a flow of breathable gas;

a flow generator;

headgear with an airflow generator receiving portion configured to receive the flow generator; and

an air delivery tube sized to maintain a low profile adjacent the patient'"'"'s head while fluidly connecting the flow generator to the inlet port, the flow generator being configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H₂O in the chamber.

2. A ventilator system according to claim 1, wherein the headgear system comprises at least one strap configured to retain the flow generator.

3. A ventilator system according to claim 2, wherein the flow generator comprises a centrifugal, axial or radial fan.

4. A ventilator system according to claim 3, further comprising:

a damping system configured to reduce vibration and noise transmitted between the flow generator and the patient'"'"'s head.

5. A ventilator system according to claim 4, wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.

6. A ventilator system according to claim 5, wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.

7. The ventilator system of claim 1, wherein said air delivery tube does not exceed 1 meter in length.

8. The ventilator system of claim 7, wherein said air delivery tube does not exceed 0.5 meters in length.

9. The ventilator system of claim 8, wherein the air delivery tube is kink resistant.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the mask and air delivery tube are constructed to avoid obstruction of the wearer'"'"'s vision.

11. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:

a patient interface having an inlet port, the patient interface being configured to be placed over and sealingly connected to a wearer'"'"'s face and the inlet port being configured to receive a pressurised breathable gas;

headgear configured to secure the patient interface to the wearer'"'"'s head;

a motor assembly mounted on or in the headgear; and

tubing extending from the motor assembly to the inlet port, the tubing being no more than 0.5 meters long,

wherein the motor assembly is configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H₂O in the chamber.

12. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a damping system to reduce vibration and transmitted noise mounted between the flow generator and the wearer'"'"'s head.

13. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 12, wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.

14. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 13, wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.

15. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11, wherein the patient interface is structured to cover the wearer'"'"'s nasal and oral region.

16. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 15, wherein the patient interface is designed to have said inlet port located in proximity to the wearer'"'"'s oral region.

17. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 16, wherein said cushion comprises a silicone elastomer.

25. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11, wherein the patient interface is a mask.

18. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:

a face engaging device having a shell and a cushion provided to the shell to sealingly connect the face engaging device to a wearer'"'"'s face and form a chamber between said shell and said wearer'"'"'s face;

a flow generator fluidly connected to the face engaging device and configured to be mounted on the wearer at a first location; and

a power supply connected to the flow generator and configured to be mounted on the wearer at a second location different from the first location,

wherein the connection between the flow generator and the face engaging device and the connection between the flow generator and the power supply are configured to be maintained at a low profile against the wearer'"'"'s body, and

wherein the flow generator is configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H₂O in the chamber.

19. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 18, wherein the first location is on the wearer'"'"'s head and the second location is below the wearer'"'"'s head.

20. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 19, wherein the connection between the flow generator and the face engaging device comprises kink-resistant tubing, and the connection between the flow generator and the power source comprises a power cord.

21. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 20, wherein said power source is a battery pack.

22. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 21, further comprising:

a damping system to reduce vibration and transmitted noise mounted between the flow generator and the wearer'"'"'s head.

23. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22, wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.

24. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 23, wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.

26. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 18, wherein the face engaging device is a mask.