Headgear assemblies and interface assemblies with headgear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017274167-A1
Application number	US-201515511192-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 16, 2015
Priority date	Sep 16, 2014
Publication date	Sep 28, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A headgear system and/or an interface assembly incorporating a headgear system that, in some configurations, is configured to transform from elasticated or “stretchy” behavior to “inelastic” behavior at least in response to normal or expected forces encountered during the intended therapy. In some configurations, upon fitment to the head of a user, the system automatically adjusts toward or to an appropriate size. A headgear portion or assembly for use in combination with a breathing apparatus in some configurations is at least substantially inelastic and is three dimensional in shape. The headgear portion or assembly can comprise a plastic core and a textile casing. The headgear, or part thereof, may also have integrally moulded labels, connectors, adjustment mechanisms and/or grips.

First claim

1 - 33 . (canceled)

34 . A headgear assembly for a respiratory interface, comprising:
a top strap; and a rear strap; each strap comprising a moulded plastic core; and an integrated textile casing comprising a knitted, woven, or braided tube.

35 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the textile casing comprises a first portion that covers an inwardly-facing surface of the headgear.

36 . The headgear assembly of claim 35 , wherein the textile casing comprises a second portion that covers an outwardly-facing surface of the headgear.

37 . The headgear assembly of claim 36 , further comprising at least one flexible joint that permits the headgear to bend and/or fold, wherein the at least one flexible joint comprises a gap between portions of the plastic core and wherein the textile casing extends within the gap to connect the portions of the plastic core.

38 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , further comprising:
a substantially inelastic rear portion comprising the rear strap, or the top strap, or both the rear strap and the top strap; a substantially inelastic front portion; a first elastic side portion on a first side of the headgear assembly; a second elastic side portion of a second side of the headgear assembly; at least one filament that extends through or along the first and second elastic side portions, the at least one filament coupled to one of the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion; at least one restriction arrangement; wherein the at least one filament passes through the at least one restriction arrangement, and wherein the at least one restriction arrangement is configured to selectively engage the at least one filament to resist movement of the at least one filament relative to the at least one restriction arrangement.

39 . The headgear assembly of claim 38 , wherein the at least one restriction arrangement is configured to provide:
a first resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move away from one another, and a second resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move toward one another, wherein the second resistance force is less than the first resistance force.

40 . The headgear assembly of claim 38 , wherein the inelastic front portion is rigid and defines at least one collection passage that accommodates a portion of the at least one filament.

41 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the lateral cross-section of the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises two thickened portions or flanges separated by a thin portion or web.

42 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises a pattern of apertures that extend through the thickness of the core.

43 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprise voids, air gaps, or air pockets on each lateral edge.

44 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises long sides and short sides, and the textile casing is secured to the long sides of the core and spaced from the short sides of the core to create voids or air gaps on each lateral edge of the strap.

45 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the lateral cross-section of the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises two spaced portions.

46 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein one more of a width, thickness, edge radii, and surface curvature vary along the length of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap.

47 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprise one or more embossed or overmoulded features.

48 . The headgear assembly of claim 47 , wherein the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprise an inner surface and an outer surface and the one or more embossed or overmoulded features comprise textures or other indicia that permit tactile or visual differentiation of the inner surface and the outer surface.

49 . The headgear assembly of claim 34 , wherein the headgear assembly has no structure passing below the ear of the user that would inhibit removal of the headgear assembly in an upward direction.

50 . A headgear assembly for a respiratory interface, comprising:
a top strap; and a rear strap; each strap comprising a moulded plastic core; and an integrated textile casing comprising a knitted, woven, or braided tube, wherein the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises long sides and short sides, and the textile casing is secured to the long sides of the core and spaced from the short sides of the core to create voids or air gaps on each lateral edge of the strap, and wherein the headgear assembly has no structure passing below the ear of the user that would inhibit removal of the headgear assembly in an upward direction.

51 . The headgear assembly of claim 50 , wherein the core of the top strap, the rear strap, or both the top strap and the rear strap comprises a pattern of apertures that extend through the thickness of the core.

52 . A headgear assembly for a respiratory interface, comprising:
a substantially inelastic rear portion comprising a rear strap, or a top strap, or both a rear strap and a top strap, each strap of the rear portion comprising a moulded plastic core; and an integrated textile casing comprising a knitted, woven, or braided tube; a substantially inelastic front portion; a first elastic side portion on a first side of the headgear assembly; a second elastic side portion of a second side of the headgear assembly; at least one filament that extends through or along the first and second elastic side portions, the at least one filament coupled to one of the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion; at least one restriction arrangement; wherein the at least one filament passes through the at least one restriction arrangement, and wherein the at least one restriction arrangement is configured to selectively engage the at least one filament to resist movement of the at least one filament relative to the at least one restriction arrangement, and wherein the inelastic front portion is rigid and defines at least one collection passage that accommodates a portion of the at least one filament.

53 . The headgear assembly of claim 52 , wherein the at least one restriction arrangement is configured to provide:
a first resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move away from one another, and a second resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move toward one another, wherein the second resistance force is less than the first resistance force.

54 . The headgear assembly of claim 52 , where

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Huddart Brett John
• Hammer Jeroen
• Slight Matthew Robert Geoff
• Kapelevich Vitaly
• Felix David Monroy
• Gordon Callum Ross
• Walls Bruce Michael
• Bornholdt Melissa Catherine
• Stephenson Matthew Roger
• Freestone Paul Mathew
• Graham Ryan Anthony
• Mclaren Mark Arvind

Classifications

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M16/0683 Primary

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0875

  Connecting tubes · CPC title

• A61M16/208

  Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves · CPC title

• A61M2205/0216

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