U.S. patent application number 13/926148 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-31 for patient interface with forehead support system.
The applicant listed for this patent is RIC INVESMENTS, LLC. Invention is credited to LANCE RANARD BUSCH, JASON PAUL EATON, PETER CHI FAI HO, RICHARD JOSEPH LORDO.
Application Number | 20130284178 13/926148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43063762 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130284178 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
EATON; JASON PAUL ; et
al. |
October 31, 2013 |
PATIENT INTERFACE WITH FOREHEAD SUPPORT SYSTEM
Abstract
A patient interface having a forehead support adjustably. The
forehead support assembly includes a support arm that is adjustably
mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the
distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in
order to adjust for patients of different sizes. A forehead support
bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. The pivoting
forehead support bracket is self-aligning to allow the forehead pad
to remain parallel to the patient's forehead at all times, thus
enhancing comfort and stability. The forehead support bracket is
removable from the support arm, allowing the headgear (with support
bracket attached) to be donned separately from the mask and support
arm. The forehead support bracket in one embodiment has a forehead
pad formed from the headgear itself.
Inventors: |
EATON; JASON PAUL;
(MONROEVILLE, PA) ; LORDO; RICHARD JOSEPH;
(ALLISON PARK, PA) ; BUSCH; LANCE RANARD;
(TRAFFORD, PA) ; HO; PETER CHI FAI; (PITTSBURGH,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RIC INVESMENTS, LLC |
WILMINGTON |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
43063762 |
Appl. No.: |
13/926148 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13489546 |
Jun 6, 2012 |
8485191 |
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13926148 |
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|
11480592 |
Jul 3, 2006 |
8210179 |
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13489546 |
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|
10654379 |
Sep 3, 2003 |
7069932 |
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11480592 |
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60408836 |
Sep 6, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/205.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20130101;
Y10T 403/32245 20150115; A61M 16/0633 20140204; A61M 16/0683
20130101; A61M 16/0638 20140204; A61M 16/0655 20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
128/205.25 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06 |
Claims
1. A gas delivery mask comprising: (a) a mask shell; (b) a
curvilinear attachment member associated with the mask shell, the
attachment member comprising a track having a first track member
and a second track member spaced apart from the first track member,
and a plurality of pairs of oppositely positioned teeth provided on
the first track member and the second track member, each of the
teeth extending outwardly in a respective first direction that is
substantially normal to a surface of the first track member and a
surface of the second track member; and (c) a forehead support
comprising: (1) a support arm having a first portion and a second
portion, wherein the first portion is coupled to the mask shell via
the attachment member, and wherein the first portion is slideable
along the attachment member in a curvilinear fashion, wherein the
first portion does not pivot or rotate about a fixed axis to permit
movement of the entire forehead support in a first direction
relative to the mask shell and a second direction relative to the
mask shell simultaneously, wherein the first portion includes an
attachment assembly having a first flexible member structured to
slideably receive the first track member and a second flexible
member spaced apart from the first flexible member and structured
to slideably receive the second track member, the first flexible
member and the second flexible member each having a hooked portion
positioned at its distal end and extending in a second direction,
the second direction being transverse to the first direction
associated with each of the teeth, the hooked portions each being
structured to independently flex toward and away from one another
in the second direction to selectively engage a selected one of the
pair of oppositely positioned teeth, and (2) a forehead support
bracket coupled to the second portion of the support arm.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/489,546, filed Jun. 6,
2012, which is a Continuation under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/480,592, filed Jul. 3, 2006, now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,179, which is a Continuation under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/654,379, filed
Sep. 3, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,069,932, and also claims the
benefit under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from
provisional U.S. patent application no. 60/408,836 filed Sep. 6,
2002, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention pertains to a support system for a gas
delivery mask, and, in particular to a forehead support system for
a gas delivery mask and to a system for supplying a flow of gas to
a patient that incorporates such a forehead support system.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] There are numerous situations where it is necessary or
desirable to deliver a flow of breathing gas non-invasively to the
airway of a patient, i.e., without intubating the patient or
surgically inserting a tracheal tube in their esophagus. For
example, it is known to ventilate a patient using a technique known
as non-invasive ventilation. It is also known to deliver continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) or variable airway pressure, which
varies with the patient's respiratory cycle, to treat a medical
disorder, such as sleep apnea syndrome, in particular, obstructive
sleep apnea (OSA), or congestive heart failure. Non-invasive
ventilation and pressure support therapies involve the placement of
a patient interface device, which is typically a nasal or
nasal/oral mask, on the face of a patient to interface the
ventilator or pressure support device with the airway of the
patient so that a flow of breathing gas can be delivered from the
pressure/flow generating device to the airway of the patient. It is
known to maintain such masks on the face of a patient by a headgear
having upper and lower straps, each having opposite ends threaded
through connecting elements provided on the opposite sides and top
of a mask.
[0006] Because such masks are typically worn for an extended period
of time, it is important the headgear maintain the mask in a tight
enough seal against a patient's face without discomfort. A problem
arises in that in order for the mask to maintain a seal without any
undue gas leaks around the periphery of the mask, the mask may be
compressed against the patient's face.
[0007] It is known to provide forehead supports associated with gas
delivery masks to provide a support mechanism between the mask and
the patient's forehead. Gas delivery masks having forehead
cushions, spacers or supports are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,907,584; 5,243,971; 5,517,986; 5,570,689;6,119,693 and 6,357,441.
The forehead supports prevent the mask from exerting too much force
on a patient's face at one general location by dispersing the load
over a larger area, provides greater control of the force on the
patient at certain pressure points, such as at the bridge of the
nose, and provides stability to the mask.
[0008] Another mask with forehead support is disclosed in
International Publication No. WO 00/78384 A1. In this arrangement a
forehead support is adapted to be secured to a respiratory mask.
The forehead support includes a joining member for securing to the
mask and a cushion frame pivotally mounted to the joining member.
While pivotal movement of the cushion frame to the joining member
in one dimension allows the position of the forehead cushions to be
adjusted, it does not optimize the ranges of positions for the
forehead on a human head.
[0009] From the above-identified conventional masks, it can be
appreciated that an advantage exists for increased stability of the
gas delivery mask support. Another advantage exists for a forehead
support that evenly distributes headgear strapping force. A further
advantage exists for a mask that has an adjustable forehead support
adaptable to a wide range of forehead configurations and sizes.
Still yet, a further advantage exists for a forehead support
bracket that allows the headgear and mask to be donned
separately.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a
patient interface gas delivery mask having a forehead support
including an adjustably mounted support arm and a forehead support
bracket, and to a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient
that incorporates such a mask and forehead support.
[0011] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a
forehead support that includes a support arm adjustably mounted to
the mask shell, thereby providing adjustment along an axis or curve
which is normal to the plane of the mask shell to adjust for
patients of different sizes and shapes. The adjustment assembly
allows a patient to adjust the mask in such a way as to minimize
leakage and pressure on certain areas of the face, such as the nose
bridge.
[0012] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a
forehead support bracket which is slideably connected to the
support arm. The forehead support bracket is self-aligning so that
it allows the forehead pad to remain parallel to the patient's
forehead at all times, thus enhancing comfort and stability. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the forehead support
bracket is removable from the support arm, allowing the headgear
(with forehead support bracket attached) to be donned separately
from the mask and support arm. This allows the patient to easily
remove the mask without having to remove the headgear straps. An
exemplary embodiment of the present invention further comprises a
forehead support bracket having a forehead pad formed from the
headgear itself.
[0013] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of
the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and
functions of the related elements of structure and the combination
of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent
upon consideration of the following description and the appended
claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which
form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be
expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the
purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended
as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the
specification and in the claims, the singular form of "a", "an",
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mask and forehead
support system according to the principles of an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention shown (schematically) connected
to a gas flow generating device;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a partial side of the mask and forehead support
system of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mask and forehead support
system of
[0017] FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective of a second embodiment of a
mask and forehead support system according to the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a third embodiment
of a mask and forehead support system according to the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective of a fourth embodiment of a
mask and forehead support system according to the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a fifth embodiment
of a mask and forehead support system according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of the mask and forehead
support system of
[0023] FIG. 7;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the support arm of FIG.
7;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the slide pin of
FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a top view of the forehead support bracket of
FIG. 7 with the addition of a headgear strap; and
[0027] FIG. 12 is a back view of the forehead support bracket of
FIG. 7 with the headgear strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0028] In describing the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention, the terms "horizontal " and "vertical" refer to the
orientation of the mask as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0029] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a gas
delivery mask 10 according to the principles to the present
invention. Gas delivery mask 10 functions as a patient interface
device to communicate a flow of breathing gas between a patient's
airway and a pressure generating device 12, such as a ventilator,
CPAP device, autotitrating CPAP device, PPAP, PAV.RTM., or variable
pressure device, e.g. a BiPAP.RTM. device manufactured and
distributed by Respironics, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa., in which the
pressure provided to the patient varies with the patient's
respiratory cycle so that a higher pressure is delivered during
inspiration than during expiration.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated a gas delivery
mask 10 including a mask shell 14 or body portion which is
preferably, but not necessarily, a generally rigid, formed
structural shell having an open side that defines an annular
portion 16 to which a resilient, relatively soft cushion or seal
member 18 is attached. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment,
mask shell 14 is substantially triangular in shape, having an upper
apex angle 20 and two lower angles 22. Mask shell 14 includes an
inlet opening 24 adapted to receive a gas supply conduit 26. Mask
shell is preferably formed from rigid plastic, such as
Polycarbonate. Seal member 18 is configured to receive a portion of
the patient, such as the nose. Alternatively, mask 10 may, instead,
comprise a nasal/oral mask configured to enclose the nose and mouth
of a patient or an oral mask configured to enclose only the mouth
of a patient.
[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, a lower headgear
connector assembly 28 includes a pair of first connectors 30
rigidly attached to lower angles 22 of mask shell 14. Lower
headgear straps in headgear assembly are selectively connected to
mask 10 by means of a second connector 32. In the illustrated
embodiment, a pair of second connectors 32, are removably
connectable to end portions of headgear straps (not shown) and are
also removably connectable to first connectors 30 on each side of
mask shell 14. Alternately, lower headgear connector assembly 28
can be any suitable headgear connector assembly.
[0032] Likewise, the present invention contemplates the headgear
can be any suitable headgear, i.e., and conventional headgear used
in the patient interface field. For example, a typical headgear
assembly comprises a headpiece (not shown) that overlies a portion
of the patient's crania and with a pair of lower headgear straps
and a pair of upper headgear straps extending therefrom to
adjustably connect the headgear to the mask.
[0033] A forehead support 34, according to the illustrated
exemplary embodiment, is provided at upper apex angle 20. Forehead
support 34 in this embodiment is generally T-shaped and includes a
support arm 36 which is connected at its upper end 38 to a
horizontal forehead support bracket 40. Forehead support bracket 40
includes a forehead pad 42 on the patient contacting side.
[0034] Forehead pad 42 forms the actual contact point of forehead
support bracket 40 to the forehead of the patient and is formed
from an elastomeric cushioning material, such as silicon. In the
illustrated embodiment, forehead pad 42 is rectangular in shape
formed from a first wall 43 that contacts the patient and a second
wall 44 having protrusions 46 that are connectable to respective
openings (not illustrated) on forehead support bracket 40. A gap is
provided between the first wall and the second wall so that the
first wall moves toward the second wall when the mask is donned by
a user and as the force on the forehead pad increases. A pair of
retaining walls 48 extending between the first and second walls
(43, 44) provide stability, for example, so that the first wall
does not readily collapse onto the second wall as the force on
forehead pad increases. The present invention contemplates that
forehead pad 42 can be any suitable cushioning element and may
include more than one pad and/or different sizes or variations or
formed from alternative materials, such as gel, foam, or
silicone.
[0035] The present invention further includes an adjustment
assembly 50 in order to provide adjustment of the forehead support
along an axis or curve, which is generally normal to the plane of
mask shell 14. Adjustment assembly 50 allows the user to control
the position of the forehead support, so that a common mask can be
properly fitted to patients of different sizes and shapes.
Moreover, adjustment assembly 50 allows a patient to adjust the
mask in such a way as to minimize leakage and pressure on certain
areas of the face, such as the nose bridge.
[0036] Adjustment assembly 50 is defined by components provided on
mask shell 14 and a lower end 52 of support arm 36 so that support
arm 36 is adjustably connectable to mask shell 14. More
specifically, adjustment assembly 50 includes an arcuate attaching
member 54 disposed on mask shell 14 and extending from a central
portion of the mask shell above inlet opening 24 to a position
spaced above upper apex angle 20 of mask shell 14. Attaching member
54 preferably is in the form of a track and includes multiple pairs
of opposed teeth 56 (FIG. 3), where each tooth 56 extends in a
horizontal direction. Adjustment assembly 50 also preferably
includes two spaced apart flexible members 58 provided at the lower
end of the support arm, where each flexible member 58 has a hook
portion 60 at its distal end. It is to be understood, however, that
a single row of teeth and a single flexible member corresponding
therewith are also contemplated by the present invention.
[0037] When support arm 36 is connected to mask shell 14, attaching
member 54 is received within support arm 36 with hook portions 60
of flexible members 58 engaging a pair of opposed teeth 56, thus
locking support arm 36 into position relative to mask shell 14.
Pressing flexible members 58 inwardly, as indicated by arrows A in
FIG. 1, allows hook portions 60 to release from teeth 56 in order
to change position to another set of opposed teeth 56 or in order
to release support arm 36 and, thus, forehead support 34 from the
mask shell entirely. Forehead support 34 is detachable from the
mask shell 14 for cleaning or replacement. The present invention
contemplates that any number of opposed teeth could be used. In
addition, the teeth could be on the support arm and the hook
portions could be on the attaching member.
[0038] It can appreciated from the above description and the
accompanying illustrations, that the adjustment assembly of the
present invention allows the forehead support, including the
support arm, forehead support bracket and forehead pad, to move
relative to the mask shell in two general directions
simultaneously. First, the entire forehead support moves in a
generally vertical direction, i.e., in a direction parallel to the
plane in which the mask shell lies, as indicated by arrow B in FIG.
2, to move the forehead pad closer to or away from the mask shell.
Second, the entire forehead support moves in a generally horizontal
direction, i.e., in a direction generally perpendicular to the
plane in which the mask shell lies, as indicated by arrow C in FIG.
2, to adjust the distance of the forehead support and the
patient.
[0039] This simultaneous, two dimensional movement, which is
indicated by arrow D in FIG. 2, is made possible by the curvilinear
shape of the adjustment assembly, and, more particularly, the
curvilinear shape of attaching member 54. This feature of the
present invention allows the forehead support to be adjusted for
the optimal, i.e., most comfortable, fit on the patient. In
addition, the curvilinear movement of the forehead support allow
the positioning of the forehead support to better approximate the
shape of the human forehead than conventional forehead supports,
which provide only pivoting movement about a fixed pivot point or
linear movement along a single axis, e.g., along an axis correspond
to arrow C in FIG. 2.
[0040] As best seen in FIG. 3, upper end 38 of support arm 36 is
generally bifurcated forming two parallel vertical walls 62. A
tongue 64 is perpendicularly and rigidly connected to the inside
edge of each wall. Forehead support bracket 40 includes a pair of
grooves 65 or tracks (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) extending in
an arched shape and corresponding to tongues 64 for sliding receipt
of the tongues. Movement of tongues 64 along grooves 65 causes the
forehead support bracket 40 to move relative to the support arm 36
along a curvilinear or arc-shaped path, as indicated by arrow E in
FIG. 2. It can be appreciated that the axis of rotation for the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 is located at the centerpoint of the
concentric circles that define arched grooves 65, which would be a
virtual axis located a distance from the forehead support bracket.
In this manner, the moveable attachment of the support art to the
support bracket provides a connecting assembly that enhances
automatic positioning of the forehead support on the patient.
[0041] Because this virtual centerpoint is actually located off of
the support arm and the forehead support bracket, and, more
particularly, below the surface of the patient's skin when wearing
the mask, it provides self-alignment while creating a condition of
high stability. The design of this virtual pivot is intended to
reduce the likelihood of the forehead support bracket 40 tipping at
an undesirable angle relative to the patient's skin when the mask
is donned. In this way, the forehead support bracket 40 is self
aligning to conform to the shape of the patient's head.
[0042] Forehead support bracket 40 is also detachable from support
arm 36 by pressing a center tab 66 on forehead support bracket 40
and squeezing each of the two parallel vertical walls 62 on the
upper end of the support arm. This allows detachment of the
headgear for cleaning purposes or to allow a patient to don the
headgear (with forehead support bracket 40 attached) and then
attach support arm 36 to forehead support bracket 40. This also
allows a patient to leave headgear straps 68 attached to the
forehead support bracket at a desirable length when doffing and
donning the mask so that the optimum headgear strap adjustment does
not have to occur every time.
[0043] Each end portion 70 of the forehead support bracket,
preferably includes a connector element 72 for securing an upper
headgear strap 68. In this preferred embodiment, the connector
element 72 is a female receiving slot for receiving a male quick
release element 74 attached to an upper headgear strap 68. However,
it should be apparent that other connection mechanisms could be
used.
[0044] Alternative exemplary embodiments are illustrated in FIGS.
4-10. In these embodiments, many features are similar to those
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. Like reference numerals to those used in
describing one embodiment will be used to denote like features in
relation to other embodiments. It should be noted that the lower
portion of the mask shell and lower headgear connector elements are
not shown in these figures, because the relevant features can be
garnered from reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0045] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate alternative embodiments for the
adjustment assembly for the support arm of the forehead support. In
a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, adjustment assembly 50'
of the present invention includes forming support arm 36' into two
portions: a shell portion 76 connected to mask shell 14', and a
bracket portion 78 connected to forehead support bracket 40'. The
portions are connected to each other using a ratchet-type
connection. Shell portion 76 has a generally tubular cross section
having an exterior guide slot 80 having opposed ratchet-like teeth
82. The bracket portion 78 also has a generally tubular cross
section adapted to slide within the shell portion 76 and having a
central protrusion 84 corresponding to the guide slot 80. It is to
be understood, however, that the present invention contemplates
reversing the orientation of the tubular shell portion and the
bracket portion, so that shell portion with the tubular slot is
provided on the forehead support and the bracket portion that
slides within a tubular slot is provided on the mask shell.
[0046] Like in the second embodiment of FIG. 4, the third
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 includes an adjustment assembly
50'' having a support arm 36'' formed into two portions: a shell
portion 76' connected to mask shell 14'',and a bracket portion 78'
connected to the forehead support bracket 40''. In this embodiment,
shell portion 76' and bracket portion 78' have generally U-shaped
cross sections. The portions are connected to each other using a
ratchet-type connection. Shell portion 76' has guide slots 80' on
each side of its U-shape. Central guide slot 80' has opposed
ratchet-like teeth 82'. Bracket portion 78' also is adapted to
slide within shell portion 76' and has a central protrusion 84'
corresponding to central guide slot 80' along with guide
protrusions 84' corresponding to the other two guide slots 80'
(only one of which is shown). In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5,
the central protrusions 84, 84' are located on a flexible member
(86 shown in FIG. 5) having ratchet teeth (not illustrated) on
either side of the central protrusion. When the central protrusion
is pressed inwardly, flexible member 86 flexes inwardly allowing
the ratchet teeth to disengage from each other, so that the shell
portion and bracket portion can move relative to each other. As
with the second embodiment, the relative male-female relationships
between the bracket portion and the shell portion can be
reversed.
[0047] Like in the third embodiment of FIG. 5, the fourth
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 includes an adjustment assembly
50''' having a support arm 36' formed into two portions: a shell
portion 76'' having a U-shaped cross section connected to mask
shell 14', and a bracket portion 78'' having a U-shaped cross
section connected to forehead support bracket 40'''. Shell portion
76''also includes three guide slots 80'' (only two are shown) and
the bridge portion 78'' includes corresponding protrusions 84''.
However, rather than a system of ratchet teeth for adjustment, the
shell portion also includes a pivoting member 88, pivotable about
its lower end to provide a cam-locking action when locked in the
position illustrated to supply a frictional force to effectively
lock the relative position of the mask shell 14''' and forehead
support bracket 40'''. This member 88 may be locked at any of an
infinite number of positions within the range of motion, as opposed
to other embodiments which have a set number of pre-determined
positions.
[0048] In the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7-12, the
forehead support comprises a support arm 36'''' which is pivotally
attached to a horizontal forehead support bracket 40'''' by means
of a coupling system generally indicated at 91. Mask shell 14'
further includes an adjustment assembly 50'''' adjustably
connecting the support arm 36'''' to mask shell 14''''. Mask shell
14'''' includes an arcuate attaching member 54' rigidly attached to
and extending from a central portion of mask shell 14'''' above
inlet opening 24' to upper apex 20'. Attaching member 54'includes
two concentrically arched ribs 90 forming a slot 92 therebetween.
The outer curved portion includes a series of horizontal teeth and
alternating grooves 94.
[0049] Support arm 36'''' includes a pair of arched engaging
elements 96 (FIG. 9) that slide within the slot 92 on the attaching
member 54'. A locking assembly 98 is provided to latch support arm
36' to attaching member 54'. In the illustrated embodiment, locking
assembly 98 includes a latching slide pin 100, which is retained by
support arm 36'''' and which slides in a direction perpendicular to
the support arm. One or more teeth and grooves 102 (see FIG. 10) on
the slide pin 100 are engageble with the teeth and grooves 94 on
the attaching member 54'. Slide pin 100 of the illustrated
embodiment is manually engaged but may also be spring-loaded.
[0050] As noted above, forehead support bracket 40'''' is pivotally
connected to the upper end of support arm 36'''' via coupling
system 91. In the illustrated embodiment, support arm 36' has a
generally circular hole 104 formed through its upper end, with a
slot 106 cut through a side at a predetermined angle, and forehead
support bracket 40'''' has a horizontally oriented connecting
bracket 108 that form the coupling system. Connecting bracket 108
has an oblong cross section. The long cross sectional dimension is
approximately the same as the hole 104 diameter, and the short
cross sectional dimensions approximately the same as the slot
width. Connecting bracket 108 may be inserted into slot 106 in the
support arm 36'''' when the two parts are at a certain angular
position relative to one another. This position is out of the
normal range of use. When forehead support bracket 40'''' is
rotated into its normal range of use, it is locked in circular hole
104, but free to pivot within hole 104 about an axis of rotation
110 (FIG. 9).
[0051] Axis of rotation 110 for the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7-12
is along the center of the oblong cross-section on the connecting
bracket 108. When support arm 36'''' and forehead support bracket
40'''' are attached, this coincides with the center of circular
hole 104 in the upper end of support arm 36''. This allows the
patient to remove forehead support bracket 40'''' from support arm
36'''' and, thus, the mask, without having to remove the headgear
straps from his or her head. Also, the forehead support bracket
40'''' is self aligning, so that it remains parallel to a patient's
forehead regardless of forehead slope, mask position, or support
arm 36'''' position.
[0052] Detachable forehead support bracket 40'''' in the embodiment
of FIGS. 7-12, as well as the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, allows a
patient to don the headgear, with the forehead support bracket
attached, separately from the mask. The mask is rotated to the
proper angle for engagement/disengagement and attached to forehead
support bracket 40''. The lower headgear straps are then connected
by the use of the disconnection device provided. To remove the
mask, the patient disconnects the lower headgear straps, rotates
the mask to the proper angle for engagement/disengagement as
indicated by arrow in FIG. 7, and pulls the mask and support arm
36'''' away from forehead support bracket 40''. This leaves the
headgear, with forehead support bracket 40'''' attached to the
headgear, on the patient's head. If the mask were to be replaced
quickly, the patient could choose to leave the headgear and
forehead support bracket 40'''' in place, as this would not be as
obtrusive as wearing the complete mask assembly. This allows a
patient to leave the bedside, get a drink, or other commonly
performed activities without readjusting the headgear, and it would
allow quick and easy replacement of the mask when desired.
[0053] As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the present invention
contemplates that headgear 68' itself can form the forehead pad.
Headgear 68' passes through openings 112 having retaining rods 114
on each end of forehead support bracket 40''''. In this embodiment,
headgear 68' is arranged across the forehead providing padding and
evenly distributing the strapping force across the forehead.
[0054] The gas delivery mask of all of the embodiments functions as
a patient interface device that communicates a flow of breathing
gas between the patient's airway and pressure generating device,
such as a ventilator, CPAP device (FIG. 1), or variable pressure
device, e.g., a BiPAP.RTM. device manufactured and distributed by
Respironics, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa., in which the pressure
provided to the patient varies with the patient's respiratory cycle
so that a higher pressure is delivered during inspiration than
during expiration or an auto-titratition pressure support system
where the pressure varies with the condition of the patient, such
as whether the patient is snoring or experiencing an apnea or
hypopnea.
[0055] Communicating a flow of breathing gas between the patient's
airway and a pressure generating device includes delivering a flow
of breathing gas to the patient from the pressure generating device
and exhausting a flow of gas from the patient to ambient
atmosphere. The system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient
according to the present invention comprises a pressure or gas flow
generating device 12 that produces a flow of gas; a conduit 26
having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow
generating device 12 and a second end portion, wherein the conduit
26 carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device 12
during operation of the system; a gas delivery mask assembly 10
coupled to the second end portion of the conduit; and a
headgear.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment assembly is
configured to allow for curvilinear movement of the forehead
support relative to the mask shell (see, e.g., arrow D in FIG. 2.
It is to be understood, however, that the present invention
contemplates that the adjustment assembly can provided other
patterns of translational movement of the forehead support relative
to the mask shell. For example, attaching member 54 can have an "S"
shaped pattern, or a "J" shaped pattern so that the forehead
support is moveable in an "S" or "J" pattern relative to the mask
shell.
[0057] Although the invention has been described in detail for the
purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the
contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent
arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present
invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more
features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more
features of any other embodiment.
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