Mask system with snap-fit shroud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11077274-B2
Application number	US-201815964887-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2018
Priority date	Mar 4, 2008
Publication date	Aug 3, 2021
Grant date	Aug 3, 2021

Abstract

A shroud (1020) for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame (1040), a pair of upper headgear connectors (1024) each including an elongated arm (1026) and a slot (1027) at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors (1025) each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask system for delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to a patient for medical treatment, the mask system comprising:
a shroud module;
a cushion module connected to the shroud module and adapted to seal against the patient's face in use;
an elbow module rotatably attached to the shroud module such that the shroud module acts as a carrier and bearing surface for the elbow module and the elbow module is rotatable 360° relative to the shroud module in use, and the elbow module being adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers the supply of gas at positive pressure to the patient; and
headgear removably attachable to the shroud module to maintain the cushion module in a sealing position on the patient's face,
wherein:
the cushion module includes a frame and a cushion, the frame and the cushion at least partly forming a breathing chamber when the cushion contacts the patient's face in use,
the shroud module and the frame are shaped to inhibit relative rotation when the shroud module is attached to the frame,
an outer portion of the frame remains uncovered by the shroud module when the shroud module is attached to the frame,
the frame and cushion together comprise an integrated component, the frame being constructed from a relatively rigid material that interfaces with the shroud module when the shroud module is attached to the frame, the cushion being constructed from a relatively flexible silicone material that contacts the patient's face in use, and the relatively rigid material of the frame being a more rigid material than the relatively flexible silicone material of the cushion,
the shroud module includes a part-annular retaining portion that is structured to retain the frame and the elbow module, and
the part-annular retaining portion includes a pair of first interfacing structures and the frame includes a pair of second interfacing structures, the first interfacing structures being structured to removably connect to corresponding ones of the second interfacing structures with a snap-fit.

2. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
the cushion comprises a sealing portion adapted to seal around the patient's nose and mouth in use, and
the cushion is adapted to engage the patient's face generally along nasal, cheek, and chin regions of the patient's face.

3. The mask system of claim 1 , further comprising a vent arrangement configured to wash out gas from the mask system during use,
wherein:
the elbow module includes an elbow and an anti-asphyxia valve,
the elbow includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being attached to the shroud module, the second end portion having a swivel joint adapted to be connected to the air delivery tube, and
the elbow includes a port that is selectively closed by a flap portion of the anti-asphyxia valve depending on the presence of pressurized gas.

4. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the shroud module is structured to maintain the elbow module in an operative position with respect to the patient's face, and the shroud module and the elbow module being connected with a mechanical interlock.

5. The mask system of claim 1 , further comprising a concertina section provided in a region of the cushion that is configured to contact the patient's nose proximate the nasal bridge in use, the concertina section including one or more folds that provide a higher degree of flexibility or increased movement relative to the frame.

6. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the mask system further comprises a number of differently sized cushion modules each having a cushion and a frame joined together, the frame of each cushion module including a common configuration for interfacing with the shroud module in a modular arrangement that allows the shroud module to be selectively and removably coupled to each of the number of differently sized cushion modules, wherein the differently sized cushion modules include different size cushions, including small, medium, and large.

7. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible silicone material are joined by a co-molded connection, the relatively rigid material being polycarbonate.

8. The mask system of claim 7 , wherein the co-molded connection between the polycarbonate and the relatively flexible silicone material extends around respective perimeters of the frame and the cushion such that the cushion is oriented to extend from the co-molded connection towards the patient's face in use and the frame extends away from the co-molded connection and towards the shroud module.

9. The mask system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vent arrangement configured to wash out gas from the mask system during use; and
a concertina section provided in a region of the cushion that is configured to contact the patient's nose proximate the nasal bridge in use, the concertina section including one or more folds that provide a higher degree of flexibility or increased movement relative to the frame,
wherein:
the cushion comprises a sealing portion adapted to seal around the patient's nose and mouth in use,
the cushion is adapted to engage the patient's face generally along nasal, cheek, and chin regions of the patient's face,
the elbow module includes an elbow and an anti-asphyxia valve,
the elbow includes a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being attached to the shroud module, the second end portion having a swivel joint adapted to be connected to the air delivery tube,
the elbow includes a port that is selectively closed by a flap portion of the anti-asphyxia valve depending on the presence of pressurized gas,
the shroud module is structured to maintain the elbow module in an operative position with respect to the patient's face, and the shroud module and the elbow module being connected with a mechanical interlock,
the shroud module includes a forehead support,
the shroud module includes upper and lower headgear connectors on each side of the shroud module,
each upper headgear connector includes a slot adapted to receive a respective headgear strap in use,
a headgear clip is adapted to be removably interlocked with each lower headgear connector,
the headgear includes a pair of upper straps and a pair of lower straps, with the upper straps being removably attached to respective ones of the upper headgear connectors and the lower straps being connected to a respective headgear clip, and
a free end of each of the upper straps and each of the lower straps includes a hook tab structured to engage a remainder of the respective upper strap and the respective lower strap to secure the upper straps and the lower straps in place in a length adjustable manner.

10. A mask system for delivery of a supply of gas at positive pressure to a patient for medical treatment, the mask system comprising:
a shroud module acting as a carrier having a bearing surface;
a cushion module that is snap-fit to the shroud module and adapted to seal against the patient's face in use; and
an elbow module connected to the shroud module, the elbow module being rotatably attached to the bearing surface of the carrier such that, in use, the elbow module is rotatable 360° relative to the shroud module, and the elbow module is adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers the supply of gas at positive pressure to the patient,
wherein the cushion module includes a frame and a cushion, the frame and the cushion at least partly forming a breathing chamber when the cushion contacts the patient's face in use,
wherein the frame and the cushion together comprise an integrated component, the frame being

Assignees

• ResMed Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Ng Eva
• Lockwood David James
• Wehbeh Jamie Graeme
• Valcic Zoran
• D'Souza Errol Savio Alex
• Eves Matthew
• Sari Mahsita

Classifications

• A61M16/0066

  Blowers or centrifugal pumps · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M2016/0661

  with customised shape · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title

• A61M16/20

  Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices · CPC title