Adjustable mask system and related methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10201678-B2
Application number	US-201013377305-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 24, 2010
Priority date	Jun 24, 2009
Publication date	Feb 12, 2019
Grant date	Feb 12, 2019

Abstract

An adjustable mask system (100) includes a cushion with a seal (130) having the ability to change size and/or shape. The seal is preferably a one-piece, continuous member without interruptions. To effect adjustment of the size and/or shape of the seal, an actuator may be provided, which may take the form of a dial (190).

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask system for delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure to an entrance to a patient's airways, wherein the mask system is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 2-30 cmH 2 O to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
a sealing portion including:
a sealing surface that is continuous along a perimeter of the sealing portion, the sealing surface adapted to form a seal that is continuous around the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in use;
an opening configured to receive the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in use;
an upper region configured to seal at or near the patient's nasal bridge region; and
a lower region configured to seal at or near the patient's chin region or the patient's top lip region, and the sealing portion comprising a deformable material;

a supporting portion connected to the sealing portion to support the sealing portion in a sealing position on the patient in use;
an adjustable portion adapted to adjust the supporting portion to modify a length dimension of the sealing portion from a first position to a second position by deforming the sealing portion, the length dimension measured between the upper region and the lower region; and
an adjustable breathing chamber defined at least in part by the sealing portion and configured to communicate the flow of air to the patient's airways,
wherein the sealing portion is adapted to form the seal around the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in the first position and the second position to maintain the therapy pressure, and
wherein the sealing portion is configured such that the opening increases in width at the upper region as the length dimension of the sealing portion increases.

2. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion comprises one continuous piece of material.

3. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is configured to be moved by the adjustable portion.

4. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is configured to at least partially define the adjustable breathing chamber.

5. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is configured to abut the sealing portion and change the length dimension of the sealing portion when the adjustable portion is adjusted.

6. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is configured to be positioned within the sealing portion.

7. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion comprises a patient-contacting surface that is configured to conform to the patient's face.

8. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion is configured to be detachably assembled with the sealing portion.

9. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable portion comprises a one piece construction with the sealing portion.

10. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion further comprises a middle section, and the adjustable portion is connected integrally with the middle section of the sealing portion.

11. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion comprises an upper sealing section, a lower sealing section, and a middle adjustable section.

12. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the sealing portion further comprises a non-patient-contacting side, and the supporting portion comprises a frame configured to be installed on the non-patient-contacting side of the sealing portion.

13. The mask system of claim 1 , further comprising a mask body coupled to the sealing portion.

14. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable portion is configured such that the flow of air passes through the adjustable portion to provide the flow of air to the adjustable breathing chamber.

15. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the supporting portion includes a pair of upper headgear connectors and a pair of lower headgear connectors to connect headgear straps to the supporting portion.

16. A mask system for delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure to an entrance to a patient's airways, wherein the mask system is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 2-30 cmH 2 O to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
a sealing portion including:
a sealing surface that is continuous along a perimeter of the sealing portion, the sealing surface adapted to form a seal that is continuous around the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth; and
an opening configured to receive the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in use;

a supporting portion connected to the sealing portion to support the sealing portion in a sealing position on the patient in use;
an adjustable portion integrated with and part of the supporting portion such that the adjustable portion is configured to adjust the supporting portion; and
an adjustable breathing chamber defined at least in part by the sealing portion and configured to communicate the flow of air to the patient's airways during use;
wherein the sealing portion is constructed and arranged to be deformed by adjustment of the supporting portion by the adjustable portion to change a length dimension of the sealing portion,
wherein the length dimension is measured between a first region of the sealing portion configured to seal at or near the patient's nasal bridge region and a second region of the sealing portion configured to seal at or near the patient's chin region or the patient's top lip region, and
wherein the sealing portion is configured such that the opening increases in width at the first region as the length dimension of the sealing portion increases.

17. The mask system of claim 16 , wherein the supporting portion includes a pair of upper headgear connectors and a pair of lower headgear connectors to connect headgear straps to the supporting portion.

18. A mask system for delivery of a flow of air at a continuously positive pressure to an entrance to a patient's airways, wherein the mask system is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 2-30 cmH 2 O to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
a sealing portion including:
a sealing surface that is continuous along a perimeter of the sealing portion, the sealing surface adapted to form a seal that is continuous around the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth; and
an opening configured to receive the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in use;

a supporting portion connected to the sealing portion to support the sealing portion in a sealing position on the patient in use;
a mechanism adapted to adjust the supporting portion to modify a height dimension of the sealing portion from a first position to a second position by deforming the sealing portion, the height dimension measured in a direction parallel to the patient's facial height when the mask system is worn by the patient; and
an adjustable breathing chamber defined at least in part by the sealing portion and configured to receive communicate the flow of air to the patient's airways during use and when the sealing portion is in the first position and the second position,
wherein the sealing portion is adapted to form the seal around the patient's nose or the patient's nose and mouth in the first position and the second position to maintain the therapy pressure within the adjustable breathing chamber, and
wherein the sealing portion is configured such that the opening increases in width at a nose region of the sealing por

Assignees

• Guney Memduh
• Pidcock David Anthony
• Gibson Joel Edward
• Rummery Gerard Michael
• Goldspink Lachlan Richard
• Edwards Craig David
• Hung Andrew
• Flower Renee Frances
• Scheiner Rupert Christian
• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Guney Memduh
• Pidcock David Anthony
• Gibson Joel Edward
• Rummery Gerard Michael
• Goldspink Lachlan Richard
• Edwards Craig David
• Hung Andrew
• Flower Renee Frances
• Scheiner Rupert Christian

Classifications

• A61M2016/0661

  with customised shape · 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

• A61M16/0611

  with a gusset portion · CPC title

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title