Respiratory mask with nasogastric tube path

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016354572-A1
Application number	US-201515114377-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 26, 2015
Priority date	Feb 26, 2014
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A respiratory mask can be used to provide therapy to patients who also require a nasogastric (NG) tube. The mask seal can include a path that is designed to deform around an NG tube or other without lifting the mask away from a patient's face. The deforming path can help to minimize gaps that form between the patient's face and the mask seal as a result of the tube, thus reducing leaks and improving the efficacy of the treatment.

First claim

1 . A cushion for a respiratory mask, comprising:
a face contacting portion; at least one thin region at least partially within the face contacting portion, the thin region adapted to accommodate the placement of a tube between the face contacting portion and a face of a user.

2 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein, in use, the at least one thin region is adapted to conform to a shape of the tube while substantially maintaining an adequate seal with the face of the user.

3 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin region is located on a lateral side of the face contacting portion.

4 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin region comprises a thin region on each lateral side of the face contacting portion.

5 . The cushion of claim 4 , wherein the thin region on one lateral side is a relatively larger thin region and the thin region on the other side is a relatively smaller thin region.

6 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin region comprises two or more thin regions on one lateral side of the face contacting portion.

7 . The cushion of claim 6 , wherein a first thin region and a second thin region of the two or more thin regions are spaced apart from one another.

8 . The cushion of claim 7 , wherein the first thin region and the second thin region are spaced apart along a perimeter of the face contacting portion.

9 . The cushion of claim 8 , wherein the two or more thin regions comprises at least one relatively larger thin region and at least one relatively smaller thin region.

10 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin region extends in a direction from an inner edge of the face contacting portion toward an outer edge of the face contacting portion.

11 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the at least one thin region extends downwardly relative to a horizontal axis from an inner end portion to an outer end portion.

12 . The cushion of claim 11 , wherein the at least one thin region extends downwardly at an angle of between about 5 degrees and about 45 degrees.

13 . The cushion of claim 1 , further comprising a smooth transition in thickness between the at least one thin region and an adjacent portion of the face contacting portion.

14 . The cushion of claim 13 , wherein the transition is substantially linear.

15 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the at least one thin region is between about 5 percent and about 80 percent of a thickness of an adjacent portion of the face contacting portion.

16 . The cushion of claim 15 , wherein the thickness of the at least one thin region is between about 10 percent and about 30 percent of the thickness of the adjacent portion of the face contacting portion.

17 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein end portions of the at least one thin region are rounded.

18 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein an inner end portion of the at least one thin region is spaced outwardly from an inner edge of the face contacting portion.

19 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein an outer end portion of the at least one thin region is spaced inwardly from an outer edge of the face contacting portion.

20 . The cushion of claim 1 , wherein the tube is a feeding tube.

21 . The cushion of claim 1 , further comprising a visual alignment indicator that indicates a proper location of the tube.

22 . A patient interface, comprising:
a cushion according to claim 1 .

23 . The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein the cushion is adapted to create a seal around the user's nose and/or mouth.

24 . The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein the cushion is configured such that an upper portion of the cushion can be deflected forward relative to a lower portion of the cushion.

25 . The patient interface of claim 22 , further comprising headgear adapted to retain the patient interface on the head of a user.

26 . The patient interface of claim 25 , further comprising a frame portion adapted to interface with the headgear, wherein the cushion is adapted to interface with the frame portion.

27 . The patient interface of claim 22 , wherein the cushion comprises a relatively soft portion defining the face contacting portion and a relatively rigid portion facing away from the relatively soft portion.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Lim Jae Yun

Classifications

• A61M2205/583

  by visual feedback · CPC title

• A61J15/0003

  Nasal or oral feeding-tubes, e.g. tube entering body through nose or mouth · CPC title

• A61M2205/0216

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

• A61M16/0461

  Nasoendotracheal tubes · CPC title

• A61M16/0616 Primary

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