Patient interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10675428-B2
Application number	US-201615288510-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 7, 2016
Priority date	Jul 30, 2007
Publication date	Jun 9, 2020
Grant date	Jun 9, 2020

Abstract

A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient, the patient interface comprising:
a substantially rigid frame;
a nasal seal assembly including a nasal seal to sealingly communicate with the patient's nose in use;
headgear to maintain the nasal seal in a desired position on the patient's face, the headgear including a pair of side straps configured to extend along respective sides of the patient's face in use, each side strap including a sleeve formed therein; and
a pair of rigidizers connected to respective sides of the frame, each rigidizer being inserted in a respective one of said sleeves to provide rigidity to the corresponding side strap,
wherein each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides 1) a connector structured to engage that substantially rigid frame and 2) a protrusion that forms a cheek support, the cheek support adapted to follow a contour of the patient's cheek and guide a portion of the corresponding side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

2. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein each rigidizer is coextensive with a respective side strap at least along a portion of the headgear configured to extend along a side of the patient's head.

3. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the rigidizers are formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

4. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the headgear includes a rear strap that passes around a rear portion of the patient's head.

5. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the nasal seal assembly includes a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of the patient's nose in use.

6. A patient interface according to claim 5 , wherein the nasal seal assembly further comprises a base region, and wherein each nasal prong includes a head portion adapted to seal with a respective patient's nasal passage and a stalk that interconnects the head portion with the base region.

7. A patient interface according to claim 6 , wherein the head portion includes a dual or double-wall arrangement including an inner wall and an outer wall that surrounds the inner wall.

8. A patient interface according to claim 6 , wherein each prong includes an upper trampoline-like suspension system between the head portion and the stalk, and a lower trampoline-like suspension system between the stalk and the base region.

9. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the nasal seal assembly is removably and replaceably attachable to the frame.

10. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a vent for washout of exhaust gases.

11. A patient interface according to claim 10 , wherein the vent includes one or more holes.

12. A patient interface according to claim 10 , wherein the frame has a front portion that includes a tube entry point for receiving a supply of gas.

13. A patient interface according to claim 1 , wherein the frame has a single tube entry port for receiving a supply of gas.

14. A patient interface according to claim 9 , wherein the nasal seal assembly is retained on the frame by at least one connector of the nasal seal assembly.

15. A patient interface according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one connector includes two connectors.

16. A patient interface according to claim 15 , wherein the two connectors are formed on opposing sides of the nasal seal assembly.

17. A system for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient, comprising:
a flow generator to provide a supply of breathable gas;
the patient interface of claim 1 ; and
an air delivery conduit configured to connect to the patient interface to deliver the supply of breathable gas to the patient.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein each rigidizer is coextensive with a respective side strap at least along a portion of the headgear configured to extend along a side of the patient's head.

19. A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient, the patient interface comprising:
a frame including a front portion having a single tube entry port for receiving a supply of gas;
a nasal seal assembly including a nasal seal to sealingly communicate with the patient's nose in use;
headgear to maintain the nasal seal in a desired position on the patient's face, the headgear including a pair of side straps configured to extend along respective sides of the patient's face in use, each side strap including a sleeve formed therein; and
a pair of rigidizers connected to respective sides of the frame, each rigidizer being inserted in a respective one of said sleeves to provide rigidity to the corresponding side strap,
wherein each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides 1) a connector structured to engage that substantially rigid frame and 2) a protrusion that forms a cheek support, the cheek support adapted to follow a contour of the patient's cheek and guide a portion of the corresponding side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

20. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein each rigidizer is coextensive with a respective side strap at least along a portion of the headgear configured to extend along a side of the patient's head.

21. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the rigidizers are formed of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

22. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the headgear includes a rear strap that passes around a rear portion of the patient's head.

23. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the nasal seal assembly includes a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of the patient's nose in use.

24. A patient interface according to claim 23 , wherein the nasal seal assembly further comprises a base region, and wherein each nasal prong includes a head portion adapted to seal with a respective patient's nasal passage and a stalk that interconnects the head portion with the base region.

25. A patient interface according to claim 24 , wherein the head portion includes a dual or double-wall arrangement including an inner wall and an outer wall that surrounds the inner wall.

26. A patient interface according to claim 24 , wherein each prong includes an upper trampoline-like suspension system between the head portion and the stalk, and a lower trampoline-like suspension system between the stalk and the base region.

27. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the nasal seal assembly is removably and replaceably attachable to the frame.

28. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the frame includes a vent for washout of exhaust gases.

29. A patient interface according to claim 28 , wherein the vent includes one or more holes.

30. A patient interface according to claim 19 , wherein the nasal seal assembly is retained on the frame by at least one connector of the nasal seal assembly.

31. A patient interface according to claim 30 , wherein the at least one connector includes two connectors.

32. A patient interface according to claim 31 , wherein the two connectors are formed on opposing sides of the nasal seal assembly.

33. A system for treating a respiratory disorder in a patient, compris

Assignees

• ResMed Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Guney Memduh
• Scheiner Rupert Christian
• Pidcock David Anthony
• Rummery Gerard Michael
• Eves Matthew
• Edwards Craig David
• Cariola Melanie Lucia
• Dantanarayana Muditha Pradeep
• Chen Michael Fu Pin
• Skipper Christopher Scott
• Selvarajan Karthikeyan
• Lubke Steven John
• Gregory Bruce David
• Gibson Joel Edward
• Cameron Andrew David
• Kwok Philip Rodney

Classifications

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title

• A61M16/0622

  having an underlying cushion · CPC title

• A61M16/0683 Primary

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · 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