Respiratory mask system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020338294-A1
Application number	US-201816956471-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 20, 2018
Priority date	Dec 21, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

A mask assembly includes a mask interface and a headgear assembly. The mask interface includes a housing and a seal that seals around a user's nose and/or mouth in use. The headgear assembly secures the mask interface to the user's face in use. The headgear assembly can include a top strap, a rear section, and side arms. The top strap can be manually adjustable. The rear section can be temporarily expanded to allow for donning and/or doffing of the mask assembly. The side arms can be automatically adjustable.

First claim

1 . A respiratory mask assembly comprising:
a mask interface comprising a housing and a seal coupled to the housing, the seal configured to seal on a user's face in use; and a headgear assembly coupled to the mask interface at four locations and comprising at least two automatically adjusting headgear mechanisms, one of the at least two automatically adjusting headgear mechanisms disposed on each side of the user's face in use.

2 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 1 , wherein the mask interface is a full face mask and the seal is configured to cover the user's nose and mouth in use.

3 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a removable frame.

4 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 3 , wherein the removable frame comprises two upper headgear connector arms and two lower headgear connector arms, wherein an upper side strap of a headgear can be coupled, permanently or removably, to each of the upper arms and a lower side strap of the headgear can be coupled, permanently or removably, to each of the lower arms.

5 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 3 , wherein the frame comprises a top edge and two opposing side edges, wherein the top edge and each of the side edges follow a continuous arc.

6 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 4 , wherein the frame is generally quadrilateral in shape and comprises a front surface and a rear surface, each having upper, lower and side edges, and the two lower headgear connector arms extend from the rear surface, at, adjacent or spaced from the lower edge of the front surface.

7 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 6 , wherein the frame comprises a gas path positioned within a space defined by a portion of the rear surface of the frame.

8 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 7 , wherein the frame and the gas path are integrated to form a single component.

9 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 6 , wherein the front surface is curved and is substantially smooth.

10 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 6 , wherein the frame comprises insert recesses, each insert recess housing one of the at least two automatically adjusting headgear mechanisms.

11 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 10 , wherein each insert recess is formed in the front surface of the frame.

12 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 10 , wherein each insert recess comprises a shelf, a mouth, a chamber and a channel that terminates at a blind end.

13 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 10 , wherein each insert recess extends along the side edge of the frame.

14 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 10 , wherein each insert recess houses a control mechanism and an associated filament of one automatically adjusting headgear mechanism.

15 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 10 , wherein an insert may be inserted into each insert recess.

16 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 15 , wherein the insert is inserted into the insert recess engaging at least the recessed portion and providing a cover that forms an enclosed space within the insert recess.

17 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 14 , wherein, in use, the filament can move longitudinally within the insert recess, with a free end of the filament able to move towards and away from the blind end of the insert recess, as dictated by the motion of the headgear and operation of the automatically adjusting headgear mechanism.

18 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 15 , wherein each insert comprises an alignment feature.

19 . The respiratory mask assembly of claim 15 , wherein when the insert is engaged with the frame the alignment feature is positioned within the chamber and oriented to correctly orient the automatically adjusting headgear mechanism for operation.

20 .- 44 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Mclauren Mark Arvind
• Huddart Brett John
• Hammer Jeroen
• Slight Matthew Robert Geoff
• Kapelevich Vitaly
• Felix David Monroy

Classifications

• A61M16/0622

  having an underlying cushion · CPC title

• A61M16/0616

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

• A61M2210/0625

  Mouth · CPC title

• A61M2210/0618

  Nose · CPC title

• A61M2205/33

  Controlling, regulating or measuring · CPC title