Mask system with snap-fit shroud

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9962511-B2
Application number	US-201715724732-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 4, 2017
Priority date	Mar 4, 2008
Publication date	May 8, 2018
Grant date	May 8, 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 forming a breathing chamber, the cushion module comprising:
a frame having an interior surface exposed to the breathing chamber, the frame including a frame opening positioned to receive a supply of air at positive pressure, wherein the frame includes a collar surrounding the frame opening and extending away from an exterior surface of the frame, the collar having a longitudinal axis, and the collar having a cylindrical surface with an axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the collar, wherein the collar includes a first radial protrusion and a second radial protrusion extending from the cylindrical surface, each of the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion having a part-annular shape and having a curvature centered about the longitudinal axis of the collar, wherein the frame, including the collar and each of the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion, is constructed from a first material, and
a cushion constructed of an elastomeric material that is a different material from the first material, the first material of the frame being harder than the elastomeric material of the cushion, the frame being more rigid than the cushion, the cushion 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,
wherein the cushion and the frame are joined to form an integrated component;

an elbow configured to receive the supply of air at positive pressure and deliver the supply of air at positive pressure to the breathing chamber;
a shroud configured to removably connect to the frame of the cushion module, wherein the shroud includes an elbow opening that accommodates the elbow, wherein the shroud includes a rear surface at least partly covering the exterior surface of the frame, the shroud having a first part-annular snap connection portion and a second part-annular snap connection portion circumferentially spaced from one another and centered about a longitudinal axis of the elbow opening, the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion being positioned rearward of the elbow opening of the shroud, wherein the shroud, including the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion, is constructed from a second material, the second material of the shroud being harder than the elastomeric material of the cushion, and the shroud being more rigid than the cushion;
headgear configured to connect to the shroud to maintain the cushion module in position on the patient's head in use; and
a vent arrangement having a plurality of holes for gas washout from the breathing chamber to atmosphere,
wherein the shroud includes headgear connectors structured to connect to said headgear,
wherein, to releasably connect the shroud to the cushion module, each of the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion and a corresponding one of the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion are structured to form a removable snap-fit connection by moving the cushion module and the shroud towards one another along the longitudinal axis of the collar, and
wherein when the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion and the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion are joined to form the removable snap-fit connection, the cushion module and the shroud are stabilized against rotation relative to one another.

2. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein the collar and the snap-fit connection are arranged to remain stationary relative to one another as the elbow is rotated relative to the shroud.

3. A system for treating a patient with 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.

4. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
the elbow opening of the shroud is circular,
the collar of the frame is cylindrical,
the cylindrical surface is on an exterior of the collar,
the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion are spaced circumferentially about the cylindrical surface,
the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion and the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion are configured to form the removable snap-fit connection between a front end of the cylindrical surface and a rear end of the cylindrical surface,
the cushion is constructed to engage the patient's face along a nasal bridge region, a cheek region, and an upper lip region of the patient's face when in use,
the elastomeric material of the cushion is silicone,
the shroud does not include a forehead support,
the first material is polycarbonate,
the second material is polycarbonate,
the cushion and the frame are joined by a chemical bond,
the elbow is directly attached to the shroud at the elbow opening,
the elbow is rotatable 360° relative to the shroud,
the first part-annular snap connection portion and the second part-annular snap connection portion are arranged to remain stationary relative to the first radial protrusion and the second radial protrusion as the elbow is rotated,
the headgear connectors comprise a pair of upper headgear connectors and a pair of lower headgear connectors,
the headgear comprises a pair of upper straps, each of the pair of upper straps configured to be positioned on a corresponding lateral side of the patient's head in use, and a pair of lower straps, each of the pair of lower straps configured to be positioned on a corresponding lateral side of the patient's head in use,
each of the pair of upper headgear connectors comprises an elongated arm to direct a corresponding one of the pair of upper straps away from the patient's corresponding eye, each elongated arm being shaped to follow contours of the patient's face and avoid the patient's line of sight in use,
each elongated arm has an inner surface including a cheek pad,
each elongated arm is constructed of a flexible material, each elongated arm is configured to be positioned inferior to the patient's corresponding eye in use and is configured to direct a corresponding one of the pair of upper straps superior to the patient's corresponding ear in use,
each of the pair of lower headgear connectors is configured to direct a corresponding one of the pair of lower straps inferior to the patient's corresponding ear in use, and
the mask system further includes a seal at an interface between the elbow and the frame.

5. A system for treating a patient with sleep disordered breathing, comprising:
the mask system of claim 4 ;
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.

6. The mask system of claim 1 , wherein:
the frame opening of the frame is circular,
the elbow opening of the shroud is circular,
the collar of the frame is cylindrical,
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 of the cushion is silicone,
the cushion and the frame are constructed and arranged to be in an interlocking relationship with one another,
the first material is polycarbonate,
th

Assignees

• Resmed Ltd

Inventors

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

Classifications

• A61M16/0622 Primary

  having an underlying cushion · CPC title

• A61M16/0816

  Joints or connectors · CPC title

• A61M16/06 Primary

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M16/0683

  Holding devices therefor · CPC title