Improvements relating to respiratory masks

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016339196-A1
Application number	US-201415107785-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 23, 2014
Priority date	Dec 24, 2013
Publication date	Nov 24, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A sealing cushion ( 16 ) for a respiratory mask assembly ( 10 ) has a patient interface portion ( 18 ) having a resiliently deformable membrane ( 24 ) for engagement with a patient's face, and an aperture ( 26 ) formed therein for receiving a nasal and/or mouth region of a patient's face. An inner surface of the membrane has a plurality of projections ( 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 ). The projections ( 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 ) are arranged such that each projection ( 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 ) is engageable with an adjacent projection ( 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 ) on deformation of the membrane ( 24 ) during engagement of the membrane ( 24 ) with the patient's face, in use, thereby providing the membrane ( 24 ) with an increased resistance to deformation in a deformed configuration.

First claim

1 . A sealing cushion for a respiratory mask assembly, the sealing cushion comprising a patient interface portion having a resiliently deformable membrane for engagement with a patient's face, and an aperture formed therein for receiving a nasal and/or mouth region of a patient's face, wherein an inner surface of the membrane comprises a plurality of projections, the projections being arranged such that each projection is engageable with an adjacent projection on deformation of the membrane during engagement of the membrane with the patient's face, in use, thereby providing the membrane with an increased resistance to deformation in a deformed configuration.

2 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the height of the projections is at least double the thickness of the membrane.

3 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the width and/or length of the projections is at least double the thickness of the membrane.

4 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein groups of projections are arranged in a plurality of localised regions of the membrane.

5 . (canceled)

6 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 4 , wherein two or more groups of projections are shaped, sized, and/or arranged to provide different levels of resilience and/or resistance to deformation, pre- and/or post-engagement.

7 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 4 , wherein one or more groups of projections located in a nasal bridge region of the membrane are larger than one or more groups of projections located in lower corners of the membrane.

8 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the projections in a group of projections extend substantially transversely across the membrane.

9 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 4 , wherein groups of projections are located either side of a nasal bridge region and/or in lower corners of the membrane adjacent nostrils in a nasal mask or adjacent sides of the mouth in a full face mask.

10 . (canceled)

11 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a series of three or more adjacent projections are adapted to be brought into engagement substantially simultaneously, as deformation of the membrane increases.

12 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a series of three or more adjacent projections are adapted to be brought into staged engagement, as deformation of the membrane increases.

13 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 12 , wherein at least two projections in a first region of the membrane are adapted to engage one another before engagement of at least two projections in a second region of the membrane during engagement of the membrane with the patient's face, in use.

14 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one or more of the projections are tapered in a transverse direction, such that the projection reduces in width and/or height towards an inner edge of membrane which defines the aperture.

15 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one or more of the projections are tapered in a circumferential direction, such that the projections provide a graduated transition between regions of greater, and regions of lesser, resilience and/or resistance to deformation.

16 - 19 . (canceled)

20 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein one or more, or each, of the projections is separated from an adjacent projection by a substantially “V-shaped” channel or groove.

21 . (canceled)

22 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the membrane is curved in cross-section in the region of the contact surface, and where the curvature increases on deformation caused by engagement with patient's face, the engagement between adjacent projections being caused by the increase in curvature of the membrane.

23 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a single membrane.

24 . A sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the projections are integrally formed with the membrane.

25 . A respiratory mask assembly comprising a sealing cushion as claimed in claim 1 .

26 - 47 . (canceled)

48 . A respiratory system comprising a respiratory mask assembly as claimed in claim 25 .

49 . A respiratory system as claimed in claim 48 , wherein the respiratory system comprises a ventilator for delivering a supply of breathing gas to the respiratory mask assembly, and the ventilator is configured to supply positive pressure ventilation to a patient during at least a portion of a breathing cycle.

Assignees

• Intersurgical Ag

Inventors

• Bowsher Richard Francis

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

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M2209/08

  Supports for equipment · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title

• A61M2202/0225

  Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide · CPC title