Frame and vent assembly for mask assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9254370-B2
Application number	US-31230807-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 14, 2007
Priority date	Nov 14, 2006
Publication date	Feb 9, 2016
Grant date	Feb 9, 2016

Abstract

A nasal or full-face mask frame includes a main body and a vent assembly provided to the main body. The vent assembly includes a plurality of holes arranged in at least one column. The holes are positioned on a relatively flat and/or non-recessed portion of the main body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask frame for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, the frame comprising: a one-piece main body of molded polycarbonate material; and a vent portion adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the vent portion being provided to the main body, the vent portion including a plurality of holes arranged in the polycarbonate material, wherein all of the holes extend through the molded material and are positioned on a continuous, substantially planar portion of the main body, the substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being positioned and aligned between an apex of the main body and an aperture to receive an elbow, the aperture being positioned below the apex, the continuous, substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being centered at the apex,
wherein at least a part of the substantially planar portion is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame,
wherein the holes of the vent portion are grouped on the substantially planar portion so that gas exiting the holes will avoid interference with the frame, thereby helping to reduce noise;
wherein the substantially planar portion is positioned on the main body at a location generally corresponding to a nasal bridge of a patient when the mask frame is positioned on a face of the patient;
wherein the main body has a vertical longitudinal axis and the holes are arranged in at least one vertical column aligned with or parallel to the longitudinal axis; and
wherein the vent portion includes a pair of intermediate columns parallel to but horizontally offset from the longitudinal axis and a flanking column adjacent to and vertically offset from the respective intermediate column, each said column having at least 6 holes.

2. A mask frame for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, the frame comprising: a one-piece main body of molded polycarbonate material; and a vent portion adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the vent portion being provided to the main body, the vent portion including a plurality of holes arranged in the polycarbonate material, wherein all of the holes extend through the molded material and are positioned on a continuous, substantially planar portion of the main body, the substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being positioned and aligned between an apex of the main body and an aperture to receive an elbow, the aperture being positioned below the apex, the continuous, substantially planar portion containing all of the holes being centered at the apex,
wherein at least a part of the substantially planar portion is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame,
wherein the holes of the vent portion are grouped on the substantially planar portion so that gas exiting the holes will avoid interference with the frame, thereby helping to reduce noise;
wherein the substantially planar portion is positioned on the main body at a location generally corresponding to a nasal bridge of a patient when the mask frame is positioned on a face of the patient; and
wherein the plurality of holes of the vent portion are arranged in a five column pattern.

3. The mask frame according to claim 2 , wherein the five column pattern includes a center column, flanked by intermediate columns, which in turn are flanked by outside columns.

4. The mask frame according to claim 3 , wherein the center column includes 3-20 holes, the intermediate columns each include 3-20 holes, and the outside columns each include 3-20 holes.

5. The mask frame according to claim 4 , wherein the center column includes 8 holes, the intermediate columns each include 8 holes, and the outside columns each include 6 holes.

6. The mask frame according to claim 3 , wherein the holes in the center column are offset with the holes in the intermediate columns.

7. The mask frame according to claim 3 , wherein the holes in the center column are aligned with the holes in the outside columns.

8. A full-face mask frame for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, the mask frame comprising:
a one piece main body comprising polycarbonate, said main body having a lower bore adapted to engage an elbow assembly, said main body defining a longitudinal axis extending though the lower bore and an apex of the main body, said main body having a continuous, substantially planar and smooth vent surface positioned between the lower bore and the apex; and
a pattern of holes adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the pattern of holes being arranged in a plurality of vertical columns, extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, all of said holes and all of said columns being formed within and extending through the polycarbonate and being positioned on the continuous, substantially planar and smooth vent surface, each of said columns having at least 6 holes,
wherein the plurality of columns includes a pair of intermediate columns that are parallel to the longitudinal axis, and an outside column flanking each intermediate column,
wherein the holes in each intermediate column are offset with the holes in the flanking outside column, and
wherein at least a part of the substantially planar and smooth vent surface is not substantially recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame.

9. The mask frame according to claim 8 , wherein the holes in the outside columns are aligned with each other.

10. The mask frame according to claim 9 , wherein the holes in the intermediate columns are aligned with each other.

11. The mask frame according to claim 10 , further comprising an upper support member adapted to support a forehead support.

12. The mask frame according to claim 10 , wherein a lowermost part of the vent surface is not recessed with respect to surrounding portions of the frame.

13. The mask frame according to claim 12 , wherein the vent surface is inclined with respect to vertical so that the holes are adapted to direct exhausted air upwardly and outwardly from the frame.

14. The mask frame according to claim 13 , further comprising lower headgear clip attachment points adapted to be engaged with clips provided to straps of a headgear assembly.

15. The mask frame according to claim 14 , wherein each hole converges from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter as viewed in the direction of exhausted gas.

16. A full face mask assembly for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and configured to deliver gas pressurized above atmospheric to a patient, the mask assembly comprising:
the full face mask frame according to claim 15 ; and
a cushion provided to the mask frame.

17. The mask frame according to claim 8 , wherein the vent surface is positioned on the main body so as to reduce noise-inducing interference between gas exiting the holes and adjacent portions of the main body.

18. A mask frame assembly for a mask assembly useful for treating sleep disordered breathing of a patient, comprising:
a one piece main body having a bore extending through polycarbonate material;
an elbow received within the bore; and
a pattern of gas washout vent holes adapted to allow washout of gases exhaled by the patient, the pattern of holes extending through polycarbonate material of the one piece main body, each of said holes being provided on a continuous, substantially planar surface aligned between an apex of the main body and the bore, the bore being positioned below the apex

Assignees

• Lynch Susan Robyn
• Stallard Philip Thomas
• Howard Scott Alexander
• Gudiksen Joshua Adam
• Lee Murray William
• Eves Matthew
• Cariola Melanie Lucia
• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Lynch Susan Robyn
• Stallard Philip Thomas
• Howard Scott Alexander
• Gudiksen Joshua Adam
• Lee Murray William
• Eves Matthew
• Cariola Melanie Lucia

Classifications

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M2205/42

  Reducing noise · CPC title

• A61M16/0633 Primary

  with forehead support · CPC title

• A61M2016/0661

  with customised shape · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title