Mask assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016339195-A1
Application number	US-201615228111-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 4, 2016
Priority date	Sep 7, 2001
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A mask assembly for therapy of Sleep Disordered Breathing may include: a cushion having a seal forming portion that is structured to form a seal with only the patient's nose in use, the cushion defining at least in part an interior chamber; a shell assembly including a generally rigid shell, the generally rigid shell having a port that opens into the interior chamber, the generally rigid shell including an exhalation vent for venting exhaled gas, an air inlet tube in fluid communication with the cushion to supply breathable gas from a pressurized supply to the interior chamber; and a swivel and an elbow attached to the air inlet tube, the swivel and the elbow configured to be attached to an air supply conduit, wherein the swivel and the elbow are positioned superior to the patient's head in use, and wherein the mask assembly does not contact the patient's forehead in use.

First claim

1 . A mask assembly for use in the delivery of Non-invasive Positive Airway Pressure (NPPV) to a patient for therapy of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), the mask assembly comprising:
a cushion having a seal forming portion that is structured to form a seal with only the patient's nose in use, the cushion defining at least in part an interior chamber, a shell assembly including a generally rigid shell, the generally rigid shell having a port that opens into the interior chamber, the generally rigid shell including an exhalation vent for venting exhaled gas; an air inlet tube in fluid communication with the cushion to supply breathable gas from a pressurized supply to the interior chamber; and a swivel and an elbow attached to the air inlet tube, the swivel and the elbow configured to be attached to an air supply conduit, wherein the swivel and the elbow are positioned superior to the patient's head in use, and wherein the mask assembly does not contact the patient's forehead in use.

2 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is attached to the generally rigid shell, and
wherein the air inlet tube is attached to the port of the generally rigid shell such that the air inlet tube and the generally rigid shell are in fluid communication to supply breathable gas from the pressurized supply to the interior chamber.

3 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air inlet tube is separable from the generally rigid shell.

4 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is separable from the generally rigid shell.

5 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air inlet tube is attached to the generally rigid shell in a fixed position.

6 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable harness to secure the mask assembly on the patient's head.

7 . The mask assembly of claim 6 , wherein the adjustable harness comprises a strap configured to be positioned superior to the patient's ears in use.

8 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seal forming portion contacts a surface of the patient's nose and a portion of the patient's face in the region between the base of the nose and the upper lip to effectively seal at the crease between the sides of the nose and the face.

9 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the air inlet tube is flexible.

10 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mask assembly is arranged such that the swivel and the elbow are fixed in a position superior to the patient's head in use.

11 . A mask assembly for use in the delivery of Non-invasive Positive Airway Pressure (NPPV) for therapy of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB), the mask assembly comprising:
a cushion having a seal forming portion that is structured to form a seal with only the patient's nose in use, the cushion defining at least in part an interior chamber; a shell assembly including a generally rigid shell, the generally rigid shell having a port that opens into the interior chamber, the generally rigid shell including an exhalation vent for venting exhaled gas; an air inlet tube and head strap assembly in fluid communication with the cushion to supply breathable gas from a pressurized supply to the interior chamber; and a swivel and an elbow attached to the air inlet tube and head strap assembly, the swivel and the elbow configured to be attached to an air supply conduit, wherein the swivel and the elbow are positioned superior to the patient's head in use, and wherein the mask assembly does not contact the patient's forehead in use.

12 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , wherein the cushion is attached to the generally rigid shell, and
wherein the air inlet tube and head strap assembly is attached to the port of the generally rigid shell to supply breathable gas from the pressurized supply to the interior chamber.

13 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , wherein the air inlet tube is attached to the generally rigid shell in a fixed position.

14 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , wherein the air inlet tube and head strap assembly is separable from the generally rigid shell.

15 . The mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is separable from the generally rigid shell.

16 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , further comprising an adjustable harness to secure the mask assembly on the patient's head.

17 . The mask assembly of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable harness is detachable from the air inlet tube and head strap assembly.

18 . The mask assembly of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable harness comprises a strap configured to be positioned superior to the patient's ears in use.

19 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , wherein the seal forming portion contacts a surface of the patient's nose and a portion of the patient's face in the region between the base of the nose and the upper lip to effectively seal at the crease between the sides of the nose and the face.

20 . The mask assembly of claim 11 , wherein the mask assembly is arranged such that the swivel and the elbow are fixed in a position superior to the patient's head in use.

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Raje Milind Chandrakant
• Drew Joanne Elizabeth
• Frater Robert Henry
• Guney Memduh
• Fu Timothy Tsun-Fai
• Amarasinghe Amal Shirley
• Solari Clive

Classifications

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0638

  in the form of a pivot · CPC title

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0611

  with a gusset portion · CPC title

• A61M16/0875

  Connecting tubes · CPC title