Automatically adjusting headgear for patient interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12485245-B2
Application number	US-202318354550-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 18, 2023
Priority date	Apr 24, 2013
Publication date	Dec 2, 2025
Grant date	Dec 2, 2025

Abstract

A headgear for securing a mask to a user's face is described. The headgear requires a first load force to elongate the headgear and, when fitted to a user, applies a balanced fit force that substantially equals a load force applied to the headgear during respiratory therapy. In some embodiments, the headgear includes an elastic portion configured to provide a retraction force, a non-elastic portion configured to be inelastic in comparison to the elastic portion, and a restriction mechanism connected to the non-elastic portion and to the elastic portion. The restriction mechanism is configured to apply a first resistance force to the user's head on elongation of the headgear and a second resistance force to the user's head on retraction of the headgear.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A patient interface comprising:
a mask; and a headgear for securing the mask to a user's face, the headgear comprising:
an elastic portion configured to provide a retraction force;
a non-elastic portion configured to be inelastic in comparison to the elastic portion; and
a restriction mechanism connected to the non-elastic portion and to the elastic portion, the restriction mechanism configured to require a first resistance force to permit elongation of the headgear and having a second resistance force in response to retraction of the headgear, the restriction mechanism comprising a directional lock arrangement, the directional lock arrangement comprising:
a housing having a cavity, and
a lock member within the cavity;

the non-elastic portion comprising a core member, the core member passing through an orifice in the housing and an orifice in the lock member; wherein in use, the core member is substantially free to move in a free movement direction during retraction of the headgear, and when the core member is pulled in a direction opposite to the free movement direction to elongate the headgear the lock member creates an angled path for the core member, increasing friction between the lock member and the core member; wherein when, in use, the core member is pulled in the free movement direction the lock member is aligned such that the core member has a substantially straight path through the lock member and the housing and is substantially free to move in the free movement direction; wherein when, in use, the core member is pulled in the direction opposite to the free movement direction the lock member moves to create the angled path for the core member.

2 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises:
a free movement surface that is substantially vertical and orthogonal to a longitudinal axis defined by the core member, and a locking surface that is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by the core member.

3 . The patient interface of claim 2 , wherein, in use, the lock member is aligned with the free movement surface when the core member has the substantially straight path through the lock member and the housing and is substantially free to move in the free movement direction.

4 . The patient interface of claim 3 , wherein when, in use, the core member is pulled in the direction opposite to the free movement direction the lock member moves to rest adjacent to the locking surface of the housing.

5 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the mask comprises a frame and the headgear is configured to clip into or on to the mask frame.

6 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the headgear further comprises a tube, the housing forms an end of the tube, and the tube houses an end of the core member.

7 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the headgear is in a form of a closed loop.

8 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the headgear includes two directional lock arrangements.

9 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the lock member is flat.

10 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the lock member comprises an angled surface.

11 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the housing and/or the lock member is formed of a generally rigid material.

12 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the housing and/or the lock member is formed of a rigid plastic.

13 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the cavity includes a first wall having a first stop surface that supports the lock member in a first position, and a second wall having a second stop surface that supports the lock member in a second position.

14 . The patient interface of claim 13 , wherein the stop surfaces are sized, shaped or positioned to support the lock member in a lock position or a release position.

15 . The patient interface of claim 14 , wherein the stop surfaces are continuous surfaces that contact an entirety or a substantial entirety of a cooperating surface of the lock member.

16 . The patient interface of claim 14 , wherein the stop surfaces are intermittent or discontinuous surfaces, or contact one or more portions of the lock member.

17 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein, in a first position, the lock member is positioned generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a portion of the core member within the housing such that an opening or hole of the lock member is positioned generally parallel to or aligned with the core member.

18 . The patient interface of claim 17 , wherein in use the lock member is adapted to move to a second position at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of a portion of the core member within the housing such that the opening or hole of the lock member is positioned at an oblique angle to the core member.

19 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the directional lock arrangement incorporates a release mechanism that releases the core member or reduces the resistance to movement of the core member.

20 . The patient interface of claim 19 , wherein the release mechanism comprises a biasing member.

21 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the directional lock arrangement forms a portion of a side strap of the headgear.

22 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein an elastic strap and at least a portion of the core member form at least a portion of a side strap of the headgear.

23 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the core member is connected at one end to the elastic portion and passes through the directional lock arrangement.

24 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the core member is in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 8 mm.

25 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the directional lock arrangement is a single integrated module.

26 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the first resistance force is larger than the second resistance force.

27 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the first resistance force is larger than a combined resistance force comprising a CPAP pressure force and a hose drag force.

28 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the second resistance force is smaller than a combined force comprising a CPAP pressure force and a hose drag force.

29 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the restriction mechanism is configured to apply a motion resistance force to the core member to limit extension or expansion of the headgear when a force lower than a specified yield force is applied to the headgear, wherein the motion resistance force is a friction force.

30 . A patient interface comprising:
a mask; and a headgear for securing the mask to a user's face, the headgear comprising:
an elastic portion configured to provide a retraction force;
a non-elastic portion configured to be inelastic in comparison to the elastic portion; and
a restriction mechanism connected to the non-elastic portion and to the elastic portion, the restriction mechanism configured to require a first resistance force to permit elongation of the headgear and having a second resistance force in response to retraction of the headgear, the restriction mechanism comprising a directional lock arrangement, the directional lock arrangement compris

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Mclaren Mark Arvind
• Hammer Jeroen
• Kapelevich Vitaly
• Huddart Brett John

Classifications

• A61M2205/0216

  Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · 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

• A61M2205/0283

  Electro-active polymers [EAP] · CPC title

• A61M2205/0244

  Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology · CPC title