Mask system with snap-fit shroud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11529488-B2
Application number	US-202217847344-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 23, 2022
Priority date	Mar 4, 2008
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

A shroud for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame, a pair of upper headgear connectors each including an elongated arm and a slot at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors 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 comprising:
a cushion module comprising:
a cushion constructed of a flexible material to form a seal with at least the patient's upper airways in use, and wherein the cushion is constructed to engage along a nasal bridge region of the patient's face when in use, the cushion including a concertina section provided in a nasal bridge region of the cushion, the concertina section including one or more folds that provide a degree of flexibility or movement to the cushion, and
a frame connected to the cushion and at least partly forming a breathing chamber, the frame constructed of a more rigid material than the cushion, and the frame including a frame opening configured to in-use allow a flow of breathable air at positive pressure into the breathing chamber, the frame including engagement structures positioned about the frame opening;

a shroud module constructed from a more rigid material than the cushion and including a shroud opening, and the shroud module including snap fingers on or extending from a side of the shroud module that faces the frame when connected thereto, the snap fingers being positioned about the shroud opening, wherein the snap fingers are structured to engage the engagement structures with a snap-fit, the shroud module further including:
a pair of upper headgear connectors configured to contact the patient's cheeks, each of the pair of upper headgear connectors including an elongated arm and a slot at a free end of the elongated arm, and
a pair of lower headgear connectors;

headgear configured to hold the cushion module in a sealing position in order to enable the supply of air at positive pressure to be delivered to at least the patient's upper airways, the headgear including at least a pair of upper straps and a pair of lower straps, the upper straps being configured to contact the patient superior to the patient's ears, each upper strap of the pair of upper straps configured to removably connect to one of the slots; and
an elbow constructed from a more rigid material than the cushion, the elbow comprising:
a first end being rotatably attached relative to the shroud module to allow for 360° of relative rotation between the elbow and the shroud module, and
a second end configured to be connected to an air delivery tube to deliver breathable air to the patient.

2. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first end is rotatably engaged with the shroud module,
the frame and the cushion are molded with one another;
the shroud module does not include a forehead support configured to engage the patient's forehead;
the pair of upper headgear connectors are positioned at a top of the shroud module, each elongated arm is contoured to follow contours of the patient's face and avoid line of sight, in use, each elongated arm is curved and configured to extend in a direction across the cheek of the patient, and each elongated arm is enveloped by a fabric sleeve;
the pair of lower headgear connectors are positioned at a bottom of the shroud module;
each upper strap of the pair of upper straps includes a hook and loop material;
each lower strap of the pair of lower straps includes a hook and loop material;
the headgear further includes a pair of rear straps configured to pass behind the patient's head; and
the mask system further comprising a seal provided at an interface between the elbow and the shroud module.

3. The mask system of claim 2 , wherein the seal is formed separately from the elbow and the shroud module, and wherein the seal is sandwiched between the elbow and the shroud module.

4. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein each upper strap of the pair of upper straps includes a hook and loop material, and each lower strap of the pair of lower straps includes a hook and loop material.

5. The mask system of claim 4 , wherein each lower strap of the pair of lower straps includes a clip configured to interlock with one lower headgear connector of the pair of lower headgear connectors of the shroud module.

6. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the frame and the cushion are molded with one another.

7. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the pair of lower headgear connectors are molded to the shroud module.

8. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the headgear further includes a pair of rear straps configured to pass behind the patient's head.

9. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein each elongated arm is semi-rigid and, in use, resists bending in an up or down direction relative to the patient in an upright position, and wherein each elongated arm is flexible in a direction generally perpendicular to the up or down direction so as to allow each elongated arm to adjust to the patient's face in use.

10. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein each elongated arm is contoured to follow contours of the patient's face and avoid line of sight, in use.

11. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein each elongated arm is upwardly curved relative to the patient in an upright position and configured to extend in a direction across the cheek of the patient.

12. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
each elongated arm is semi-rigid and resists bending in an up or down direction relative to the patient in an upright position, and wherein each elongated arm is flexible in a direction generally perpendicular to the up or down direction so as to allow each elongated arm to adjust to the patient's face;
each elongated arm is contoured to follow contours of the patient's face and avoid line of sight, in use; and
each elongated arm is upwardly curved and configured to extend in a direction across the cheek of the patient.

13. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the shroud module does not include a forehead support configured to engage the patient's forehead.

14. The mask system of claim 1 , further comprising a seal provided at an interface between the elbow and the shroud module.

15. The mask system of claim 14 , wherein the seal is formed separately from the elbow and the shroud module, and wherein the seal is sandwiched between the elbow and the shroud module.

16. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is a full-face cushion, and wherein the full-face cushion is configured to engage the patient's face generally along nasal bridge, cheek, and lower lip regions of the patient's face.

17. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is a nasal cushion, and wherein the frame includes a collar supporting structures.

18. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
a seal is provided at an interface between the elbow and the shroud module, the seal is formed separately from the elbow and the shroud module, and wherein the seal is sandwiched between the elbow and the shroud module;
the pair of lower headgear connectors are molded as part of the shroud module; and
the pair of upper headgear connectors are positioned at a top of the shroud module and the pair of lower headgear connectors are positioned at a bottom of the shroud module.

19. A device for treating sleep disorder breathing, the device comprising:
the mask system of claim 1 ;
the air delivery tube connected to the second end; and
a flow generator configured to deliver pressurized breathable air to the patient wearing the mask system via the air delivery tube, the flow generator being configured to deliver the pressurized breathable air to the patient's airways at about 2-30 cm H2O above atmospheric pressure.

20. A patient interface comprising:
a cushion constructed of a flexible material to form a sea

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

• A61M16/0616

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

• A61M16/208

  Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves · CPC title

• A61M16/20

  Valves specially adapted to medical respiratory devices · CPC title

• A61M16/0066

  Blowers or centrifugal pumps · CPC title

• A61M2016/0661

  with customised shape · CPC title