Cushion for a respiratory mask assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018193581-A1
Application number	US-201815916379-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 9, 2018
Priority date	Jun 16, 2004
Publication date	Jul 12, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame and a cushion. The cushion has a non-face contacting portion structured to be connected to the frame, a face-contacting portion structured to engage the patient's face, and a central portion that interconnects the non-face contacting portion and the face contacting portion. The frame may be structured to allow a forehead support to assume multiple positions, to compensate for replacement cushions that may have a different profile, shape or size. The cushion is structured to compensate for variations in strap tension, treatment pressure and/or movement of the patient. Headgear may be provided with a strap assembly in which one or more straps is provided with selectively adjustable elasticity or extensibility that may be automatically changed in dependence of treatment pressure and/or treatment type.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
a frame to support one of at least first and second compliant patient interfaces; and a forehead support adjustably mounted to the frame, wherein the forehead support is structured and configured to be moved between a first position for use with the first patient interface and a second position relative to the frame for use with a second patient interface, whereby the forehead support maintains a horizontal offset distance with the first and second patient interfaces which is substantially constant.

2 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first patient interface is a cushion with a gusset portion and the second patient interface is a cushion without a gusset portion.

3 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the frame includes first and second slots and a keyway, whereby a portion of the forehead support is movable between the first and second slots via the keyway.

4 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the portion of the forehead support comprises a shaft having relatively shorter sides that are more narrow than the keyway, and relatively wider sides that are wider than the keyway.

5 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the forehead support is pivotable about the shaft.

6 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the forehead support must be moved to an inoperative position to allow adjustment between the first and second positions.

7 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the forehead support is linearly movable between the first and second positions.

8 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a resiliently biased push button to allow adjustment of the forehead support between the first and second positions.

9 . The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 , wherein forehead support is pivotably movable in each of the first and second positions to allow adjustment between the forehead support and the patient's forehead in use.

10 . A cushion for a respiratory mask assembly that delivers breathable gas in a range of operating pressures to a patient, the cushion comprising:
a non-face contacting portion connected to a frame; a face-contacting or interacting portion structured to form a contact seal with the patient's face in use; and a central portion that interconnects the non-face contacting portion and the face-contacting portion, the central portion being structured to automatically adjust a component of force applied to the patient's face through the face-contacting portion in accordance with operating pressure, while maintaining the contact seal throughout the range of operating pressures.

11 . A cushion for a respiratory mask assembly according to claim 10 , further comprising a spring structure.

12 . The cushion according to claim 10 , wherein the spring structure includes a concertina portion with a spring portion.

13 . The cushion according to claim 12 , wherein the concertina spring portion includes an embedded wire spring.

14 . The cushion according to claim 11 , wherein the spring structure includes a T-shaped spring having a first anchored end and a second end structured to engage an internal shoulder portion of the face contacting portion.

15 . The cushion according to claim 10 , wherein the central portion includes an inwardly projecting gusset portion.

16 . The cushion according to claim 15 , further comprising an internal compression spring to follow the contour of the inward gusset portion.

17 . The cushion according to claim 15 , further comprising an external tension spring to generally follow the contour of the inward gusset portion.

18 . The cushion according to claim 15 , wherein the inward gusset portion is constructed to be converted to an outwardly extending gusset portion, by everting action.

19 . The cushion according to claim 10 , wherein the central portion includes an outwardly projecting gusset portion.

20 . The cushion according to claim 19 , further comprising a spring positioned on an inside of the outward gusset portion.

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Frater Robert Henry
• Drew Joanne Elizabeth
• Kwok Philip Rodney
• Mcauliffe Patrick John
• Davidson Aaron Samuel
• Hitchcock Robin Garth
• Gunaratnam Michael Kassipillai
• Darkin Donald
• Robinson Gary Christopher

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

• A61M16/0605

  Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient · CPC title

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0057

  Pumps therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0622

  having an underlying cushion · CPC title