Frame and vent assembly for mask assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10744289-B2
Application number	US-201514959619-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 4, 2015
Priority date	Nov 14, 2006
Publication date	Aug 18, 2020
Grant date	Aug 18, 2020

Abstract

A nasal or full-face mask frame includes a main body and a vent assembly provided to the main body. The vent assembly includes a plurality of holes arranged in at least one column. The holes are positioned on a relatively flat and/or non-recessed portion of the main body.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A mask frame for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, the frame comprising: a one-piece main body of molded polycarbonate material; and a vent portion adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the vent portion being provided to the main body, the vent portion including a plurality of holes of substantially circular cross section arranged in the polycarbonate material, wherein all of the holes extend through the molded material and are positioned on a continuous, substantially planar portion of the main body, the substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being positioned and aligned between an apex of the main body and an aperture to receive an elbow, the aperture being positioned below the apex, the continuous, substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being laterally centered with respect to the apex, wherein at least a part of the substantially planar portion is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame and the holes of the vent portion are grouped on the substantially planar portion, so that gas exiting the holes will avoid interference with the frame, thereby helping to reduce noise; and wherein the substantially planar portion is positioned on the main body at a location generally corresponding to a nasal bridge of a patient when the mask frame is positioned on a face of the patient.

2. The mask frame according to claim 1 , further comprising an upper support member adapted to support a forehead support.

3. The mask frame according to claim 2 , wherein the substantially planar portion is aligned between sides of the upper support member.

4. The mask frame according to claim 2 , wherein the substantially planar portion is between spaced-apart side walls of the main body that are continuous with sides of the upper support member.

5. The mask frame according to claim 4 , wherein the sides of the upper support member are integral with the main body of the mask frame.

6. The mask frame according to claim 4 , wherein the substantially planar portion is at least partially defined by the spaced-apart side walls of the main body.

7. The mask frame according to claim 4 , wherein the spaced-apart side walls extend beyond the main body of the mask frame.

8. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion has a generally oval shape.

9. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion defines a substantially smooth surface.

10. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein a lowermost part of the substantially planar portion is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame.

11. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion is inclined with respect to vertical so that the holes are adapted to direct exhausted air upwardly and outwardly from the frame.

12. The mask frame according to claim 11 , wherein the substantially planar portion is inclined about 20°-30° with respect to vertical.

13. The mask frame according to claim 12 , wherein the substantially planar portion is inclined about 25° with respect to vertical.

14. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion has a length of about 40-50 mm and a width of about 15-20 mm.

15. The mask frame according to claim 14 , wherein the substantially planar portion has a length of about 44.72 mm and a width of about 18 mm.

16. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the main body has a vertical longitudinal axis and the holes are arranged in at least one vertical column aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis.

17. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein each hole has a generally part conic shape including opposed walls that converge from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter as viewed in the direction of exhausted gas.

18. The mask frame according to claim 17 , wherein each hole has a smaller diameter of about 0.65-0.75 mm, a length of about 2-3 mm, and a converge angle of about 13.5°-14.5°.

19. The mask frame according to claim 18 , wherein each hole has a smaller diameter of about 0.7 mm, a length of about 2.4 mm, and a converge angle of about 14°.

20. The mask frame according to claim 1 , further comprising lower headgear clip receptacles adapted to be engaged with clips provided to straps of a headgear assembly.

21. The mask frame according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of slots adapted to engage a cushion clip that retains a cushion on the frame.

22. A mask assembly for treatment of obtrusive sleep apnea comprising: the mask frame according to claim 1 ; and a cushion attached to the mask frame, the cushion being made of a silicone material.

23. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the molded material comprises polycarbonate, and each of the holes extends through the polycarbonate.

24. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein a substantially curved surface separates the aperture and the substantially planar portion.

25. The mask frame according to claim 24 , wherein the substantially planar portion and the aperture are oriented in diverging directions.

26. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the mask frame is a full-face mask frame.

27. The mask frame of claim 1 , wherein at least part of the substantially planar portion smoothly transitions to surrounding portions of the main body.

28. The mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the substantially planar portion is flat.

29. The mask frame according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of holes includes at least six holes.

30. A mask frame for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, the mask frame comprising: a one piece main body comprising molded polycarbonate material, said main body having a bore adapted to engage an elbow assembly, said main body defining a vertically oriented longitudinal axis extending across a center of the bore, said main body having a continuous vent surface intersecting the longitudinal axis as seen in front view and being positioned superior to the bore, the vent surface being substantially planar as seen in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and a pattern of holes adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the pattern of holes being arranged in at least one substantially vertical column positioned on said continuous, substantially planar vent surface, said column extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, all of said holes extending through the molded polycarbonate material and being positioned on the continuous, substantially planar vent surface, wherein at least a part of the substantially planar vent surface is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame and the vent surface is positioned and oriented on the main body, so as to reduce noise-inducing interference between gas exiting the holes and adjacent portions of the main body.

31. The mask frame according to claim 30 , further comprising an upper support member adapted to support a forehead support.

32. The mask frame according to claim 30 , wherein the vent surface is inclined with respect to vertical so that the holes are adapted to direct e

Assignees

• ResMed Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Lynch Susan Robyn
• Stallard Philip Thomas
• Howard Scott Alexander
• Gudiksen Joshua Adam
• Lee Murray William
• Eves Matthew
• Cariola Melanie Lucia

Classifications

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0633 Primary

  with forehead support · CPC title

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0057

  Pumps therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0875

  Connecting tubes · CPC title