Automatically adjusting headgear for patient interface

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2026061147-A1
Application number	US-202519381412-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 6, 2025
Priority date	Apr 24, 2013
Publication date	Mar 5, 2026
Grant date	—

Abstract

A headgear for securing a mask to a user's face is described. The headgear requires a first load force to elongate the headgear and, when fitted to a user, applies a balanced fit force that substantially equals a load force applied to the headgear during respiratory therapy. In some embodiments, the headgear includes an elastic portion configured to provide a retraction force, a non-elastic portion configured to be inelastic in comparison to the elastic portion, and a restriction mechanism connected to the non-elastic portion and to the elastic portion. The restriction mechanism is configured to apply a first resistance force to the user's head on elongation of the headgear and a second resistance force to the user's head on retraction of the headgear.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A headgear for securing a patient interface assembly to a user's face, the headgear comprising:
an elastic portion configured to provide a retraction force; a non-elastic portion configured to be inelastic in comparison to the elastic portion; and a restriction mechanism connected to the non-elastic portion and to the elastic portion; wherein the restriction mechanism comprises a directional lock comprising a movable lock member, which is movable between a lower resistance position and a higher resistance position, the lock member comprising an opening; wherein the non-elastic portion comprises a core member, and the core member passes through the opening of the movable lock member of the directional lock; wherein the restriction mechanism is configured to require a first, higher resistance force to permit elongation of the headgear when the movable lock member is in the higher resistance position, and a second, lower resistance force in response to retraction of the headgear when the movable lock member is in the lower resistance position.

2 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the restriction mechanism is an auto-adjusting mechanism removing any need for manual adjustment of the headgear to suit an individual user.

3 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the first, higher resistance force is larger than a combined resistance force comprising a CPAP pressure force and a hose drag force.

4 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the second, lower resistance force is smaller than a combined force comprising a CPAP pressure force and a hose drag force.

5 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the movable lock member is supported within a housing for movement between the lower resistance position and the higher resistance position.

6 . The headgear of claim 5 , wherein the housing comprises a first stop surface that supports the movable lock member in the lower resistance position.

7 . The headgear of claim 6 , wherein the housing includes a first wall having the first stop surface.

8 . The headgear of claim 6 , wherein the housing comprises a second stop surface that supports the movable lock member in the higher resistance position.

9 . The headgear of claim 8 , wherein the housing comprises a second wall having the second stop surface.

10 . The headgear of claim 8 , wherein one or both of the first stop surface and the second stop surface are sized, shaped, or positioned to support the movable lock member in a desired one of the lower resistance position and the higher resistance position, and, thus, the one or both of the first stop surface and the second stop surface are:
a. continuous surfaces that contact an entirety or a substantially entirety of a cooperating surface of the movable lock member; or b. are intermittent or discontinuous surfaces, or can contact one or more portions of the movable lock member.

11 . The headgear of claim 5 , wherein the movable lock member is positioned generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of a portion of the core member positioned within the housing in the lower resistance position such that a central axis of the opening of the movable lock member is positioned generally parallel to or aligned with the core member.

12 . The headgear of claim 11 , wherein the movable lock member is positioned at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the portion of the core member positioned within the housing in the higher resistance position such that the opening of the movable lock member is positioned at an oblique angle to the core member.

13 . The headgear of claim 5 , wherein the housing is configured to be coupled to one component of the headgear or the patient interface assembly, and the core member is configured to be coupled to another component of the headgear or the patient interface assembly such that relative movement between the housing and the core member occurs during extension or retraction of the headgear.

14 . The headgear of claim 1 , further comprising a rear portion and at least one side strap on each side of the headgear that couples the rear portion to the patient interface assembly, wherein the at least one side strap is coupled to the rear portion of the headgear at a point located forward of and at or near an upper portion of the user's outer ear in use.

15 . The headgear of claim 14 , wherein the rear portion of the headgear comprises an upper strap and a lower strap.

16 . The headgear of claim 14 , wherein the at least one side strap comprises a pair of side straps, wherein each side strap comprises a directional lock.

17 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein a free end of the core member can be positioned within a conduit or tube, which resides in, or is carried by, or is formed by, the patient interface assembly.

18 . The headgear of claim 17 , wherein the conduit or tube is integrated with the patient interface assembly.

19 . A directional lock configured for use in a patient interface assembly comprising headgear, the directional lock comprising:
a housing; and a lock member supported within the housing for movement between a first position and a second position, the first position being a lower resistance or release position, the second position being a higher resistance or lock position, wherein the lock member comprises an opening; a core member that passes through the opening of the lock member; wherein the housing comprises a first wall having a first stop surface that supports the lock member in the first position, and a second wall having a second stop surface that supports the lock member in the second position; wherein the housing is configured to be coupled to one component of the patient interface assembly and the core member is configured to be coupled to another component of the patient interface assembly such that relative movement between the housing and the core member occurs during extension or retraction of the headgear of the patient interface assembly.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Mclaren Mark Arvind
• Hammer Jeroen
• Kapelevich Vitaly
• Huddart Brett John

Classifications

• A61M2205/0216

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

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · 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

• A61M2205/0283

  Electro-active polymers [EAP] · CPC title

• A61M2205/0244

  Micromachined materials, e.g. made from silicon wafers, microelectromechanical systems [MEMS] or comprising nanotechnology · CPC title