Mask system with snap-fit shroud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9950131-B2
Application number	US-201715682117-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 21, 2017
Priority date	Mar 4, 2008
Publication date	Apr 24, 2018
Grant date	Apr 24, 2018

Abstract

A shroud ( 1020 ) for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame ( 1040 ), a pair of upper headgear connectors ( 1024 ) each including an elongated arm ( 1026 ) and a slot ( 1027 ) at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors ( 1025 ) each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A mask system to provide positive air pressure therapy to a patient, the mask system comprising:
a cushion module comprising a frame and a cushion:
the frame comprising:
an internal surface that at least partly forms a breathing chamber and an external surface opposite the internal surface;
a circular frame opening configured to receive a supply of air at positive pressure;
a cylindrical collar projecting from the frame and surrounding the circular frame opening, the cylindrical collar having a longitudinal axis; and
a vent arrangement including a vent-wall, a lower wall, and two lateral side walls, the vent-wall having a plurality of holes for gas washout from the breathing chamber to atmosphere, the vent-wall being spaced from the external surface of the frame by the lower wall and the two lateral side walls, and the vent arrangement being positioned on the frame such that the vent arrangement is superior to the frame opening in use;
wherein the frame, including the vent arrangement and the cylindrical collar, is constructed from a single piece of a first material; and

the cushion being constructed of an elastomeric material that is a different material from the first material, the first material being harder than the elastomeric material, the frame being more rigid than the cushion, and the cushion being configured to seal against the patient's face in use to enable the supply of air at positive pressure to be delivered to at least the patient's nose, and
wherein the cushion and the frame are joined to form a one-piece, integrated component;

headgear configured to maintain the cushion module in position on the patient's head in use;
a rotatable elbow configured to receive the supply of air at positive pressure and deliver the supply of air at positive pressure to the breathing chamber through the circular frame opening; and
a shroud removably connected to the cushion module, the shroud comprising:
a vent-receiving opening that receives the vent arrangement, the vent-receiving opening being bounded by a rim, a lower portion of the rim being adjacent to the lower wall, and lateral portions of the rim being adjacent to corresponding ones of the two lateral side walls when the shroud is connected to the cushion module;
a circular elbow opening, the elbow extending into the elbow opening;
a rear surface that at least partly covers the external surface of the frame;
a pair of upper headgear connectors structured to connect to the headgear; and
a pair of lower headgear connectors structured to connect to the headgear via clips,
wherein the shroud, including the pair of upper headgear connectors and the pair of lower headgear connectors, is constructed from a single piece of a second material, the second material being harder than the elastomeric material, the shroud being more rigid than the cushion, and

wherein the shroud is connected to the cushion module so as to resist adjustable, rotational movement between the frame and the shroud about the longitudinal axis,
wherein the cylindrical collar includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude radially therefrom, and the plurality of protrusions are spaced circumferentially from one another about the cylindrical collar,
wherein the shroud includes a plurality of snap fingers circumferentially spaced about the elbow opening, and the plurality of snap fingers projecting from the rear surface of the shroud, and
wherein, to removably connect the shroud and the cushion module, the plurality of snap fingers are structured to resiliently deflect in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical collar to form a removable snap-fit connection with the plurality of protrusions by moving the cushion module and the shroud towards one another along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical collar.

2. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the cushion is constructed to engage the patient's face along a nasal bridge region, a cheek region, and a lower lip/chin region of the patient's face when in use, and
wherein the elbow includes an anti-asphyxia valve.

3. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric material is silicone and the first material is polycarbonate.

4. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the one piece, integrated component is constructed and arranged such that the cushion and the frame are in an interlocking relationship with one another.

5. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the cushion includes notches and/or protrusions to engage with complementary features in the frame.

6. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the shroud comprises a forehead support.

7. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the vent-wall is oriented relative to the circular frame opening such that a longitudinal axis of each of the plurality of holes and the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical collar are not parallel.

8. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the elbow is sealingly attached to the shroud at the elbow opening, and
wherein the elbow is rotatable 360° relative to the shroud.

9. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the shroud has a thickness at the rim such that the rim does not extend beyond the vent-wall when the shroud is removably connected to the cushion module.

10. A system for treating sleep disordered breathing, comprising:
the mask system of claim 1 ;
a flow generator to generate a supply of air at positive pressure to be delivered to the mask system; and
an air delivery tube configured to deliver the supply of air from the flow generator to the mask system.

11. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
the cushion is constructed to engage the patient's face along a nasal bridge region, a cheek region, and a lower lip/chin region of the patient's face when in use,
the elastomeric material is silicone,
the one piece, integrated component is constructed and arranged such that the cushion and the frame are in an interlocking relationship with one another,
the first material is polycarbonate,
the second material is polycarbonate,
the headgear comprises hook and loop material,
the shroud further comprises a forehead support,
the elbow includes an anti-asphyxia valve,
the shroud has a thickness at the rim such that the rim does not extend beyond the vent-wall when the shroud is removably connected to the cushion module,
the elbow and the shroud are configured to be directly connected to one another, and
a region of the cushion positioned to engage the nasal bridge region of the patient is configured to allow increased movement compared to another region of the cushion that is adapted to seal with another region of the patient's face.

12. The mask system of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of protrusions and the plurality of snap fingers are arranged to remain stationary relative to one another as the elbow is rotated.

13. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of snap fingers and each of the plurality of protrusions have a part-annular shape that is curved relative to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical collar, and
wherein the mask system is constructed so that the removable snap-fit connection is established when a force is applied to move the shroud and cushion module toward one another along the longitudinal axis until a rear end of each of the snap fingers initially contacts a front end of a corresponding one of the plurality of protrusions on the cylindrical collar, whereupon further application of the force causes each of the snap fingers to ride over the corresponding one of the plurality of protrusions and therefore resiliently deflect in a first radial direction, and upon further movement t

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

• Ng Eva
• Lockwood David James
• Wehbeh Jamie Graeme
• Valcic Zoran
• D'Souza Errol Savio Alex
• Eves Matthew
• Sari Mahsita

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

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M16/0694

  Chin straps · CPC title

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title