Cushion-to-frame component for an interfacing structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10137269-B2
Application number	US-201213396270-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 14, 2012
Priority date	Feb 14, 2011
Publication date	Nov 27, 2018
Grant date	Nov 27, 2018

Abstract

An interfacing structure for a mask system includes a cushion component adapted to contact the patient's face in use and a cushion-to-frame component provided to the cushion component. The cushion-to-frame component is structured to secure the cushion component to a mask frame of the mask system. The cushion-to-frame component includes a cushion side adapted to interface with the cushion component and a frame side adapted to interface with the mask frame. The cushion side includes a platform to engage and support the cushion component. The platform provides an engagement surface to engage the cushion component and inner and outer flanges provided to opposing ends of the platform to guide, support and/or retain the cushion component on the platform.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An interfacing structure for a mask system, comprising:
a cushion component adapted to contact the patient's face in use; and
a cushion-to-frame component provided to the cushion component, the cushion-to-frame component structured to secure the cushion component to a mask frame of the mask system,
the cushion-to-frame component including a cushion side adapted to interface with the cushion component and a frame side adapted to interface with the mask frame,
wherein the cushion side includes a platform including an inner flange and an outer flange provided to opposing ends of the platform and an engagement surface between the inner flange and the outer flange to engage the cushion component, and
wherein the engagement surface is non-linear along its width and includes incline portions, decline portions, and flat portions along its width.

2. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion component includes foam.

3. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , further comprising an adhesive to attach the cushion component to the cushion side.

4. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the frame side includes a pair of side clip portions and a bottom clip portion adapted to engage respective slots provided on the mask frame.

5. An interfacing structure according to claim 4 , wherein the pair of side clip portions include a different structure or configuration than the bottom clip portion.

6. An interfacing structure according to claim 4 , wherein each of the pair of side clip portions and the bottom clip portion extend from an inner wall of the cushion-to-frame component, the inner wall including one or more ribs adjacent each of the pair of side clip portions and the bottom clip portion structured and arranged to control flexibility of each of the pair of side clip portions and the bottom clip portion.

7. An interfacing structure according to claim 6 , wherein at least one rib is provided adjacent the bottom clip portion.

8. An interfacing structure according to claim 6 , further comprising side ribs and a central rib between the side ribs provided adjacent each side clip portion.

9. An interfacing structure according to claim 8 , wherein the central rib is contoured along its length and protrudes further outwardly from the inner wall than the side ribs.

10. An interfacing structure according to claim 4 , wherein the cushion-to-frame component includes a base portion adjacent each side clip portion, the base portion including one or more recesses or cut-outs.

11. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion-to-frame component includes a sealing lip extending along an inner wall of the cushion-to-frame component, the sealing lip adapted to engage the mask frame and provide a seal.

12. An interfacing structure according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing lip is provided between an upper surface and a lower surface of the inner wall, and the lower surface is offset outwards from the upper surface to increase a length of the sealing lip.

13. An interfacing structure according to claim 12 , wherein a length of the sealing lip from the upper surface is about 2.2 mm and a length of the sealing lip from the lower surface is about 2.0 mm.

14. An interfacing structure according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing lip includes a thickness of about 0.35 mm.

15. An interfacing structure according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing lip includes an internal radius of about 0.1 mm.

16. An interfacing structure according to claim 11 , wherein the sealing lip includes an angle of about 40-60° with respect to the inner wall.

17. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion-to-frame component is molded of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

18. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , further comprising arcuate-shaped protrusions or wings provided to respective sides of the cushion side of the cushion-to-frame component adjacent side of nose regions of the cushion component adapted to contact side of nose regions of the patient's face.

19. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion component includes scalloped or inwardly curved surfaces in side of nose regions.

20. A mask system, comprising:
a mask frame; and
an interfacing structure according to claim 1 provided to the mask frame.

21. A mask system according to claim 20 , further comprising a forehead support provided to the mask frame, the forehead support structured to carry at least one forehead support pad that is at least partially constructed of foam.

22. A mask system according to claim 21 , wherein the forehead support pad includes a conformable cushioning component structured to contact the patient's forehead and an attachment component provided to the cushioning component and structured to secure the forehead support pad to the forehead support.

23. A mask system according to claim 22 , wherein the attachment component is constructed of a material having greater hardness or structural integrity than the conformable cushioning component.

24. A mask system according to claim 22 , wherein the cushioning component is attached to attachment component by an adhesive.

25. A mask system according to claim 22 , wherein the cushioning component includes a pair of pads that are joined to one another by a bridge portion.

26. A mask system according to claim 22 , wherein the attachment component includes a pair of pad support portions that are joined to one another by a bridge portion.

27. A mask system according to claim 22 , wherein the attachment component includes an attachment head structured to attach the forehead support pad to the forehead support with a snap fit.

28. The mask system of claim 20 , wherein the mask system is a full-face interface or a nasal interface.

29. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the engagement surface that is non-linear is further configured to shape the cushion component and retain the cushion component on the platform.

30. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein non-linear engagement surface positively locates the cushion component, provides a larger surface area for retention, and defines one or more notches to define stop or retaining surfaces.

31. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion component is attached to the platform by an adhesive, and the engagement surface that is non-linear is further configured to provide channels to receive the adhesive.

32. An interfacing structure according to claim 1 , wherein the cushion component and the cushion-to-frame component are permanently connected.

33. An interfacing structure for a mask system for providing positive pressure respiratory therapy to a patient to treat a respiratory disorder, the interfacing structure comprising:
a cushion component, the cushion component being constructed of foam and adapted to contact the patient's face in use, the cushion component having a nose bridge region configured to engage the patient's nose proximal to the patient's nose bridge in use, the cushion component having a pair of side of nose regions, and each of the side of nose regions configured to extend inferiorly from the nose bridge region and in opposite later

Assignees

• Cariola Melanie Lucia
• Hung Andrew
• Wells Alicia Kristianne
• Kirby Thomas
• Guney Memduh
• Edwards Craig David
• Veliss Lee James
• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Cariola Melanie Lucia
• Hung Andrew
• Wells Alicia Kristianne
• Kirby Thomas
• Guney Memduh
• Edwards Craig David
• Veliss Lee James

Classifications

• A61M16/0611

  with a gusset portion · CPC title

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A61M16/0616

  with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure · CPC title

• A61M16/0655

  in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide · CPC title

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title