Mask system with interchangeable headgear connectors

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-8960196-B2
Application number	US-201313904748-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 29, 2013
Priority date	Jan 30, 2007
Publication date	Feb 24, 2015
Grant date	Feb 24, 2015

Abstract

A mask system for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a common frame provided without built-in or integral headgear attachment points and at least first and second headgear connectors adapted to be provided to the frame. Each of the at least first and second headgear connectors are adapted to attach headgear straps of headgear. The at least first and second headgear connectors are different from one another in at least one aspect.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask for delivering breathable gas to a patient at positive pressure to treat sleep disordered breathing, the mask comprising:
a mask frame having a central bore, said mask frame having no built-in or integral headgear attachment points;
a sealing cushion provided to the mask frame and adapted to form a seal with the patient's face; and
a headgear connector adapted to engage the mask frame, said headgear connector including a pair of lower headgear clip anchors adapted to be engaged with respective ones of a pair of lower headgear clips, said headgear connector including a forehead support connected to the headgear connector by an upper support member, said forehead support including a pair of openings adapted to attach to respective ones of a pair of upper side straps,
wherein the mask frame is adapted to removably connect to more than one headgear connector, each headgear connector being different in at least one aspect.

2. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein the mask frame and the sealing cushion comprise a full-face mask.

3. The mask according to claim 2 , wherein the sealing cushion is secured to the mask frame.

4. The mask according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of said headgear connector is shaped to conform to a portion of said mask frame.

5. The mask according to claim 4 , wherein the mask frame includes a peripheral edge to engage the headgear connector.

6. The mask according to claim 1 , comprising an elbow assembly, said elbow assembly being adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube.

7. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein the headgear connector is removably attachable to the mask frame.

8. The mask according to claim 7 , wherein when said mask frame and said headgear connector are attached, the mask frame and the headgear connector are not movable relative to one another.

9. The mask according to claim 7 , wherein the headgear connector and the mask frame are adapted to be engaged by a snap-fit.

10. The mask according to claim 7 , wherein the headgear connector comprises a plurality of tabs to attach the mask frame with a snap-fit.

11. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein the central bore is located on a main body of the mask frame.

12. The mask according to claim 1 , comprising a vent assembly for gas washout.

13. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein the forehead support is T-shaped.

14. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing cushion cannot be easily detached from the mask frame.

15. The mask according to claim 14 , wherein the sealing cushion and the mask frame are permanently attached.

16. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein said headgear connector is constructed of a similar material as the frame.

17. The mask according to claim 16 , wherein said headgear connector and said mask frame are constructed of a substantially rigid, non-malleable plastic material.

18. The mask according to claim 17 , wherein said headgear connector and said mask frame are constructed of polycarbonate.

19. A mask system for delivering breathable gas to a patient at positive pressure to treat sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
a headgear including a pair of upper side straps, a pair of lower side straps, and a rear portion;
a pair of lower headgear clips adapted to receive respective ones of the pair of lower side straps; and
a mask according to claim 1 .

20. The mask system according to claim 19 , wherein the pair of upper side straps are arranged to extend above the patient's ears and the pair of lower side straps are arranged to extend below the patient's ears.

21. The mask system according to claim 20 , wherein the rear portion of the headgear is adapted to cup the occiput of the patient's head.

22. The mask according to claim 1 , wherein said forehead support is adjustable.

23. A mask for delivering breathable gas to a patient at positive pressure to treat sleep disordered breathing, the mask comprising:
a rigid mask frame having a bore and an interfacing structure associated with the bore, said mask frame having no built-in or integral headgear attachment points;
a sealing cushion provided to the mask frame and adapted to form a seal with the patient's face, the mask frame and the sealing cushion together forming a breathing cavity; and
a headgear connector adapted to engage the interfacing structure with a snap-fit, said headgear connector including a pair of lower headgear clip anchors adapted to be engaged with respective ones of a pair of lower headgear clips to attach a pair of lower side straps, said headgear connector including a fixed forehead support, said fixed forehead support including a pair of openings adapted to attach to respective ones of a pair of upper side straps.

24. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein the mask frame and the sealing cushion comprise a full-face mask.

25. The mask according to claim 24 , wherein the sealing cushion is secured to the mask frame.

26. The mask according to claim 25 , wherein at least a portion of said headgear connector is shaped to conform to a portion of said mask frame.

27. The mask according to claim 23 , further comprising an elbow assembly, said elbow assembly being adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube to deliver the breathable gas to the breathing cavity.

28. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein the headgear connector is removably attachable to the mask frame.

29. The mask according to claim 28 , wherein when said mask frame and said headgear connector are attached, the mask frame and the headgear connector are not movable relative to one another.

30. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein the bore is located on a front face of the mask frame.

31. The mask according to claim 23 , comprising a vent assembly for gas washout.

32. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein the fixed forehead support is T-shaped.

33. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein the sealing cushion and the mask frame are permanently attached.

34. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein said headgear connector is constructed of a similar material as the mask frame.

35. The mask according to claim 23 , wherein said headgear connector and said mask frame are constructed of a substantially rigid, non-malleable plastic material.

36. The mask according to claim 35 , wherein said headgear connector and said mask frame are constructed of polycarbonate.

37. The mask according to claim 23 , further comprising:
an elbow assembly, said elbow assembly being adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube to deliver the breathable gas to the breathing cavity; and
a vent assembly for gas washout,
wherein the mask frame and the sealing cushion comprise a full-face mask,
wherein at least a portion of said headgear connector is shaped to conform to a portion of said mask frame,
wherein the headgear connector is removably attachable to the mask frame,
wherein when said mask frame and said headgear connector are attached, the mask frame and the headgear connector are not movable relative to one another,
wherein the sealing cushion and the mask frame are permanently attached, and
wherein said headgear connector and said mask frame are cons

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Henry Robert Edward

Classifications

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0638

  in the form of a pivot · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title

• A62B18/084

  Means for fastening gas-masks to heads or helmets · CPC title

• A61M16/0683 Primary

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title