Nasal mask system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12337112-B2
Application number	US-202217682222-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2022
Priority date	Nov 15, 2011
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A mask system includes a cushion for a mask that seals at its upper extent in a region of the nose that is generally above the tip of the nose or pronasale, and extends across a portion of the cartilaginous framework, alar or flares of the patient's nose, e.g., not extending over or across the nasal bone of the patient's nose.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A nasal mask configured to deliver a supply of air at positive pressure to airways of a patient, the nasal mask comprising:
a cushion including a sealing cuff configured to form a seal with the patient's airways,
wherein the cushion includes a plenum chamber configured to receive a portion of the patient's nose,
wherein the plenum chamber is pressurizable to a therapeutic pressure above ambient air pressure,
wherein the plenum chamber includes an attachment region configured to fluidly couple to an air delivery system,
wherein the plenum chamber further includes a side wall region extending between the sealing cuff and the attachment region,
wherein the sealing cuff and the plenum chamber comprise a one piece molded construction,
wherein the sealing cuff and the plenum chamber comprise a flexible, elastomeric material,
wherein the cushion further comprises a pair of headgear connectors, each of the pair of headgear connectors disposed on a respective side of the side wall region of the plenum chamber, and each of the pair of headgear connectors comprises a flexible, elastomeric material and are integrally formed with the side wall region of the plenum chamber as part of the one piece molded construction,
wherein the sealing cuff comprises a membrane seal and an undercushion arranged anterior to the membrane seal to form a dual layer structure,
wherein the membrane seal extends around an entire perimeter of the cushion including a nose ridge region, sides of the nose region, corners of nose region, and a top lip region configured to seal around both nares of the patient's nose, and
wherein the undercushion is only provided in the top lip and corners of nose regions such that the sides of the nose region includes a single layer or membrane only structure; and
a vent configured to allow patient-exhaled CO 2 to flow to an exterior of the plenum chamber.

2. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the nose ridge region of the sealing cuff is configured to seal at its upper extent on a region of the nose that is above the pronasale or tip of the nose.

3. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the sides of the nose region of the cushion is configured and arranged to seal along the alar or flares of the patient's nose and prevent excess pressure on the alar or flares of the patient's nose.

4. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the nose ridge region is configured to be positioned and seal along a nasal cartilage region which is above the pronasale and below a nasal bone region of the patient's nasal bridge.

5. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the plenum chamber does not comprise a rigid frame or a rigid shell.

6. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein there is no forehead support.

7. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the vent is positioned on an elbow assembly configured to connect the cushion to the air delivery system.

8. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the vent is positioned on the side wall region of the plenum chamber.

9. The nasal mask of any of claim 1 , wherein the corners of the nose region is configured to allow a higher pressing force against the patient's face compared to the nose ridge region.

10. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the headgear connectors are positioned at an angle α relative to an anterior-posterior axis of the sealing cuff.

11. The nasal mask of claim 10 , wherein the angle α is 90-100°.

12. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the headgear connectors are positioned at an angle β relative to a superior-inferior axis of the sealing cuff.

13. The nasal mask of claim 12 , wherein the angle β is 90-100°.

14. The nasal mask of claim 1 , wherein the headgear connectors have a first width at a region proximal to the side wall region, and a second width at its extremity, wherein the first width is greater than the second width.

15. The nasal mask of claim 14 , wherein the first width is 20-25 mm.

16. The nasal mask of claim 14 , wherein the second width is 15-20 mm.

Assignees

• ResMed Pty Ltd

Inventors

• Eves Matthew
• Guney Memduh
• Scheiner Rupert Christian

Classifications

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · 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

• A61M2250/00

  Specially adapted for animals · CPC title

• A61M2230/432

  partial CO2 pressure (P-CO2) · CPC title

• A61M2205/84

  for treating several patients simultaneously · CPC title