U.S. patent application number 14/735248 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for release mechanism for patient interface and method for releasing patient interface.
The applicant listed for this patent is ResMed Limited. Invention is credited to Bruce Richard DAVIES, Eric SIU, Richard SOKOLOV, Zoran VALCIC, Huw Umberto WALLIS.
Application Number | 20150273173 14/735248 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39537988 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150273173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
VALCIC; Zoran ; et
al. |
October 1, 2015 |
RELEASE MECHANISM FOR PATIENT INTERFACE AND METHOD FOR RELEASING
PATIENT INTERFACE
Abstract
A mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face includes
a frame part including a male connection and a frame engagement
portion for engaging a cooperating portion on a frame of the mask.
A headgear part includes a female connection that is adapted to
receive the male connection when the frame part is inserted into
the headgear part, and a headgear engagement portion for engaging a
cooperating portion on headgear of the mask. A cord has one end
secured to the male connection, such that when the cord is pulled
by the patient the male connection disengages from the female
connection and consequently the frame part separates from the
headgear part releasing the mask from the patient's face. A method
of releasing a mask from a patient's face includes pulling a cord
away from a frame of the mask to release a latch of the mask frame
from a latch receiving portion of a headgear of the mask to release
the latch from the latch receiving portion.
Inventors: |
VALCIC; Zoran; (Sydney,
AU) ; DAVIES; Bruce Richard; (Sydney, AU) ;
WALLIS; Huw Umberto; (Sydney, AU) ; SOKOLOV;
Richard; (Sydney, AU) ; SIU; Eric; (Sydney,
AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ResMed Limited |
Bella Vista |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
39537988 |
Appl. No.: |
14/735248 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12053853 |
Mar 24, 2008 |
|
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14735248 |
|
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60969723 |
Sep 4, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
128/202.27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 2400/44 20130101;
A61M 16/0816 20130101; A61M 16/06 20130101; A61M 16/0622 20140204;
A61M 16/0633 20140204; A61M 16/0683 20130101; A44B 11/2546
20130101; A44B 11/25 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/08 20060101
A61M016/08; A61M 16/06 20060101 A61M016/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 23, 2007 |
AU |
2007901505 |
Claims
1. A mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face,
comprising: a frame part comprising a male connection member and a
frame engagement portion adapted to releasably engage a cooperating
portion of the mask, a terminus of the frame engagement portion
comprising an interface structure adapted to interlock with the
cooperating portion of the mask, the interface structure comprising
part of an arm and slot interlocking system; a headgear part
comprising a female connection member adapted to receive the male
connection member when the frame part is inserted into the headgear
part, and a headgear engagement portion adapted to engage a
cooperating portion on a headgear of the mask, wherein the male
connection member comprises a resilient arm having a lip and the
female connection member comprises a slot that receives the arm and
an aperture in the slot that receives the lip; and a cord having
one end secured to the male connection member, such that when the
cord is pulled by the patient the male connection member disengages
from the female connection member and consequently the frame part
separates from the headgear part releasing the mask from the
patient's face, wherein the cord is attached to the resilient arm
whereby pulling on the cord disengages the lip of the resilient arm
from the aperture of the slot to permit release of the mask from
the patient's face and the frame part includes a transverse wall
adapted to direct a tension force on the cord to disengage the lip
from the aperture when the cord is pulled in a range of about 180
degrees extending from left to right and in a range of about 120
degrees extending up-to-down.
2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the cord has a round
cross section.
3. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a free end of the cord
is unattached.
4. A mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the free end of the
cord includes a loop.
5. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the male connection
member arm is connected to the frame part in a cantilevered fashion
and wherein the one end of the cord is connected to a free end of
the male connection member arm.
6. A mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein the frame engagement
portion is a clip and the cooperating portion on the frame is a
clip receptacle that is adapted to releasably lock to the clip.
7. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the frame part is
configured to disconnect from the headgear part without separating
from the cooperating portion.
8. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein an engagement between
the frame part and the cooperating portion is configured to remain
unchanged when the frame part and the headgear part are
separated.
9. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, the frame engagement
portion is adapted to be fixed against movement relative to a frame
of the mask when the frame engagement portion is engaged with the
cooperating portion which is configured to be fixed against
movement relative to a frame of the mask.
10. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the frame engagement
portion and the male connection member of the frame part are
positioned on opposite sides of the frame part.
11. A mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face,
comprising: a first portion comprising a latch, the first portion
having a continuous structure with a terminus configured to
directly engage and releasably attach to a frame of the mask; a
second portion comprising a latch receiving portion that is adapted
to receive the latch when headgear of the mask is engaged with the
frame of the mask; and a cord secured to the latch such that when
the cord is pulled by the patient the latch disengages from the
latch receiving portion and the mask is pulled off the patient's
face, wherein the latch comprises an arm that is connected to the
first portion in a cantilevered fashion and wherein one end of the
cord is connected to a free end of the arm and the latch comprises
a wall configured to direct a tension force on the cord to
disengage the latch from the latch receiving portion when the cord
is pulled in a range of about 180 degrees extending from left to
right and in a range from about 120 degrees extending
up-to-down.
12. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the second portion
is configured for attachment to the headgear of the mask.
13. A mechanism according to claim 12, wherein the second portion
is configured for releasable attachment to the headgear.
14. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the cord comprises a
free end not secured to the latch, the frame of the mask or the
headgear.
15. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the terminus
comprises a mask engaging member configured to cooperate with a
component of the mask to prevent movement of the first portion
relative to the frame of the mask.
16. A mechanism according to claim 11, wherein the latch and the
terminus are on opposing ends of the first portion.
17. A clip assembly for releasing a mask from a patient's face,
comprising: a first portion adapted for releasable attachment to a
frame of the mask; and a second portion adapted for releasable
attachment to headgear of the mask, the first and second portions
together comprising a disconnection arrangement, wherein the
disconnection arrangement comprises a manual actuation member which
when actuated by a patient causes the first portion to disconnect
from the second portion and the mask to be pulled off the patient's
face, wherein the actuation member comprises a pull cord, one end
of the pull cord being secured to the first portion, the
arrangement being such that when the pull cord is pulled while the
first portion is fixed against movement relative to the frame in a
range of about 180 degrees extending left to right and in a range
of about 120 degrees extending up-to-down, the first portion is
disconnected from the second portion and the mask is pulled off the
patient's face, wherein the first portion is adapted to connect to
the frame of the mask and disconnect from the second portion in the
same direction relative to the second portion.
18. A clip assembly according to claim 17, wherein the first
portion comprises a component engaging member located at a terminus
of the first portion, the component engaging member being adapted
to engage a component of the mask when the first portion is
attached to the frame, such that when the first portion is attached
to the frame, the first portion terminates at a point of engagement
between the component engaging member and the component of the
mask.
19. A clip assembly according to claim 18, wherein the first
portion is configured to cooperate with the component of the mask
to prevent movement of the first portion relative to the frame when
the first portion is attached to the frame.
20. A clip assembly according to claim 19, wherein the first
portion further comprises a male connector and the second portion
comprises a female connector configured to receive the male
connector.
21. A clip assembly according to claim 17, wherein a terminus of
the first portion comprises a latch portion of an interlocking
latch arrangement adapted for releasable attachment to the frame of
the mask.
22. A clip assembly according to claim 21, wherein the first
portion is continuous and is adapted to engage the second portion
at an end opposite the terminus.
23. A mask assembly comprising: a cushion configured to form a seal
with a face of a patient; a frame to support the cushion; headgear
for mounting the mask assembly on the patient's head; and the clip
assembly of claim 17, the clip assembly releasably connecting the
headgear to the frame.
24. A mask assembly according to claim 23, wherein the frame
comprises a cooperating member configured to receive the first
portion of the clip assembly.
25. A clip assembly for releasing a mask from a patient's face,
comprising: a first portion adapted for releasable attachment to a
component of a frame of the mask by way of movement of the first
portion in a first direction; and a second portion adapted for
releasable attachment to headgear of the mask, the first and second
portions together comprising a disconnection arrangement, wherein
the disconnection arrangement comprises a pull cord, wherein the
mask can be pulled away from the patient's face by a single
movement of pulling the pull cord in a range of about 180 degrees
extending left to right and in a range of about 120 degrees
extending up-to-down, and wherein the first portion is configured
to releasably attach to the second portion by way of movement of
the first portion in a second direction opposite the first
direction.
26. A clip assembly according to claim 25, wherein the first
portion comprises a mask engaging member located at a terminus of
the first portion, the mask engaging member being adapted to engage
the mask when the first portion is attached to the frame, such that
when the first portion is attached to the frame, the first portion
terminates at a point of engagement between the mask engaging
member and the mask.
27. A clip assembly according to claim 26, wherein the first
portion is configured to engage and cooperate with the mask to
prevent movement of the first portion relative to the frame when
the first portion is attached to the frame.
28. A clip assembly according to claim 27, wherein the first
portion further comprises a male connector and the second portion
comprises a female connector configured to receive the male
connector.
29. A clip assembly according to claim 28, wherein the mask
engaging portion is configured to releasably engage the mask.
30. A clip assembly according to claim 25, wherein a terminus of
the first portion comprises a latch portion of an interlocking
latch arrangement adapted for releasable attachment to the frame of
the mask.
31. A clip assembly according to claim 30, wherein the terminus is
opposite the disconnection arrangement.
32. A clip assembly for releasing a mask from a patient's face, the
clip assembly comprising: a first portion comprising a first
connection mechanism adapted to engage and cooperate with a
component of a frame of the mask to releasably secure the first
portion to the component of the frame of the mask, the first
connection mechanism constituting a terminus of the first portion;
and a second portion comprising a second connection mechanism
adapted to engage headgear of the mask, wherein the first and
second portions each comprises portions of a third connection
mechanism adapted to releasably secure the first portion to the
second portion, and wherein the first connection mechanism
comprises a first type of interface, the second connection
mechanism comprises a second type of interface and the first and
second types of interfaces are different from each other.
33. A clip assembly according to claim 32, wherein the third
connection mechanism further comprises a pull cord, the first and
second portions being configured to separate form each other upon a
pulling of the pull cord.
34. A clip assembly according to claim 33, wherein the first
release mechanism comprises at least one flexible leg.
35. A clip assembly according to claim 33, wherein the first
release mechanism comprises a slot.
36. A clip assembly according to claim 33, wherein the first
portion is adapted to engage the component of the frame of the mask
in the same direction in which the second portion is adapted to
engage the first portion.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 12/053,853, now allowed, filed Mar. 24, 2008, which claims
priority to Australian Provisional Application 2007901505, filed
Mar. 23, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application 60/969,723, filed
Sep. 4, 2007, the entire contents of each of the above applications
being incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to quick release mechanisms
for allowing a patient interface, such as a Continuous Positive
Airway Pressure (CPAP) mask, to be quickly and easily removed from
a patient's face. More particularly, the invention relates to a
clip for interconnection between a patient interface and
headgear.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] CPAP masks are generally used for treating Obstructive Sleep
Apnoea (OSA) and can take a number of different forms, such as a
nasal, full-face or nasal prong type mask.
[0004] Various connection and release mechanisms or arrangements
for masks are known. Examples of these include U.S. Pat. No.
6,422,238 (Lithgow), U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,046 (Starr et al.) and WO
2004/030736 (Gradon et al.).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Advantageously, a mask according to the invention can be
removed from the patient's face quickly and easily in one
continuous movement in the case of an emergency or discomfort (e.g.
claustrophobia). To remove a mask from one's face, some other masks
with quick release mechanisms require three movements (particularly
when the patient is lying on their back), these being: (1) pulling
the cord to undo/release the headgear, (2) gripping the mask, and
(3) removing the mask from the face. Another advantage of the mask
of the present invention is that it is removed by pulling the cord
across one's face rather than outwardly. This is a natural,
ergonomic hand/arm movement and so can be readily performed in an
emergency. The mask also advantageously provides both a headgear
clip and quick release clip in one clip. This allows the clip to be
easily retrofitted to current mask products and may reduce the
total number of parts required to achieve the same functionality.
It should be appreciated that one or more of these advantages apply
to the following aspects of the invention.
[0006] An aspect of the invention relates to a quick release
mechanism for allowing a patient interface to be quickly and easily
removed from the patient's face.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention relates to a clip for
interconnection between a patient interface and headgear, the clip
performing the function of both a headgear clip and a quick release
clip. The patient interface can be quickly released and removed
from a patient's face by simply pulling on a cord attached to the
clip.
[0008] Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a pull cord
for a patient mask which, when pulled by a patient, disengages one
side of the headgear from the mask and pulls the mask off the
patient's face.
[0009] According to a sample embodiment of the invention, a
mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face comprises a
frame part comprising a male connection and a frame engagement
portion for engaging a cooperating portion on a frame of the mask;
a headgear part comprising a female connection that is adapted to
receive the male connection when the frame part is inserted into
the headgear part, and a headgear engagement portion for engaging a
cooperating portion on a headgear of the mask; and a cord having
one end secured to the male connection, such that when the cord is
pulled by the patient the male connection disengages from the
female connection and consequently the frame part separates from
the headgear part releasing the mask from the patient's face.
[0010] According to still another sample embodiment of the
invention, a mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face
comprises a first portion comprising a latch; a second portion
comprising a latch receiving portion that is adapted to receive the
latch when headgear of the mask is engaged with a frame of the
mask; and a cord secured to the latch such that when the cord is
pulled by the patient the latch disengages from the latch receiving
portion and the mask is pulled off the patient's face.
[0011] According to a further sample embodiment of the invention, a
mechanism for releasing a mask from a patient's face comprises a
first portion comprising a latch; a second portion comprising a
latch receiving portion that is adapted to receive the latch when a
headgear of the mask is engaged with a frame of the mask; and a
cord secured to the latch such that when the cord is pulled by the
patient towards the frame, the latch disengages from the latch
receiving portion and the first portion disengages from the second
portion.
[0012] According to yet another sample embodiment of the invention,
a mask comprises a mechanism as described above.
[0013] According to an even further sample embodiment of the
invention, a clip assembly for releasing a mask from a patient's
face comprises a first portion adapted for releasable attachment to
a frame of the mask; and a second portion adapted for releasable
attachment to headgear of the mask, the first and second portions
together comprising a disconnection arrangement. The disconnection
arrangement comprises a manual actuation member which when actuated
by a patient causes the first portion to disconnect from the second
portion and the mask to be pulled off the patient's face.
[0014] According to another sample embodiment of the invention, a
clip assembly for releasing a mask from a patient's face comprises
a first portion adapted for releasable attachment to a frame of the
mask; and a second portion adapted for releasable attachment to
headgear of the mask, the first and second portions together
comprising a disconnection arrangement, wherein the disconnection
arrangement comprises a pull cord. The mask can be pulled away from
the patient's face by a single movement of pulling the pull
cord.
[0015] According to a further sample embodiment of the invention, a
mask comprises a frame having at least one male portion, the male
portion comprising a latch; headgear having at least one female
portion, the female portion comprising a latch receiving portion
that is adapted to receive the latch when the male portion is
inserted into the female portion; and a cord having one end secured
to the latch, such that when the cord is pulled by the patient, the
latch disengages from the latch receiving portion and the frame is
pulled away from the patient's face.
[0016] According to yet another sample embodiment of the invention,
a method of releasing a mask from a patient's face comprises
pulling a cord toward a frame of the mask to release a latch of the
mask frame from a latch receiving portion of a headgear of the mask
to release the latch from the latch receiving portion.
[0017] These and other aspects will be described in or apparent
from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the
various embodiments of the present invention. In such drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a mask including a
headgear clip having a pull-cord quick release mechanism in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the headgear clip of FIG.
1 where the quick release mechanism has been activated by a
patient;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the headgear clip of FIG.
1 where the quick release mechanism has not been activated;
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the headgear clip of FIG.
1 where the quick release mechanism has been activated.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the headgear clip of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the headgear clip of FIG.
1;
[0025] FIGS. 7 and 8 show left and right side views of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1;
[0026] FIGS. 9 and 10 show front and rear end views of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the
headgear clip of FIG. 1 where the quick release mechanism has not
been activated;
[0028] FIG. 12 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the
headgear clip of FIG. 1 where the quick release mechanism has been
activated;
[0029] FIG. 13 shows a side cross-sectional view of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1 where the quick release mechanism has not been
activated;
[0030] FIG. 14 shows a side cross-sectional view of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1 where the quick release mechanism has been
activated;
[0031] FIG. 15 shows a top view of a frame part of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of the frame part of FIG.
15;
[0033] FIGS. 17 and 18 show left and right side views of the frame
part of FIG. 15;
[0034] FIGS. 19 and 20 show front and rear end views of the frame
part of FIG. 15;
[0035] FIG. 21 shows a top view of a headgear part of the headgear
clip of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 22 shows a bottom view of the headgear part of FIG.
21;
[0037] FIGS. 23 and 24 show left and right side views of the
headgear part of FIG. 21;
[0038] FIGS. 25 and 26 show front and rear end views of the
headgear part of FIG. 21;
[0039] FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of a latching portion of
the headgear clip of FIG. 1;
[0040] FIG. 28 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the
latching portion of FIG. 27;
[0041] FIG. 29 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the
latching portion of FIG. 27 where the quick release mechanism has
been activated;
[0042] FIG. 30 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the
latching portion of FIG. 27 where the quick release mechanism has
not been activated; and
[0043] FIGS. 31 through 34 show a sequence of side cross-sectional
views that depict the releasing of the quick release mechanism of
the headgear clip of FIG. 1, wherein
[0044] FIG. 31 shows the clip in a connected state;
[0045] FIG. 32 shows a lip of the latching portion of the quick
release mechanism being translated downwards;
[0046] FIG. 33 shows the lip disengaged from an aperture in the
headgear part of the clip, and
[0047] FIG. 34 shows the headgear part released from the frame part
of the clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] FIGS. 1-14 depict a quick release clip 10 for a patient
interface or mask 15. The clip 10 is located between a frame 20 and
headgear 25 of the mask 15 and allows a patient to disconnect the
frame 20 from the headgear 25 and remove the frame 20 from their
face. The clip 10 comprises a frame part 30, a headgear part 35 and
a cord, wire, tape, or other flexible, elongate member, 40. The
frame part 30 comprises a male connection 45, e.g. a latch, at one
end and a frame engagement portion 50 at the other. The headgear
part 35 comprises a female connection 55, e.g. a latch receiving
portion, at one end and a headgear engagement portion 60 at the
other. Frame Part
[0049] The frame part 30 will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 15-20 and 27-30. The male connection 45 is sized and adapted
to be slidingly received within the female connection 55. The male
connection 45 comprises two substantially parallel longitudinal
side walls 56, a transverse wall 57 extending between and
connecting the side walls 56 and an arm 65 extending longitudinally
from the transverse wall 57. A proximal end 75 of the arm 65 is
fixedly mounted to the transverse wall 57. A distal end 80 of the
arm 65 can be resiliently displaced with respect to the proximal
end 75. The distal end 80 includes an elongate lip 85 having a
wedge-shaped cross-section that is configured to cooperate with an
aperture 86 in the headgear part 35.
[0050] The overall length and width of the frame part 30 are
approximately 20-35 mm, for example 28 mm, and 25-50 mm, for
example 33 mm, respectively. The two substantially parallel side
walls 56 are approximately 10-35 mm, for example 18 mm, apart. The
arm 65 is approximately 10-20 mm, for example 13 mm, long and the
elongate lip 85 is approximately 2-6 mm, for example 3.5 mm, wide
and approximately 3-15 mm, for example 8 mm, long. The arm 65 is
approximately 0.5-3 mm, for example 0.9 mm, thick and the lip 85 is
approximately 0.7-3 mm, for example 1.2 mm, thick. The transverse
wall 57 is approximately 5-16 mm, for example 11 mm, long.
[0051] Underneath the arm 65, substantially opposite the lip 85, a
rectangular ring-like structure 87 is provided to which one end of
the cord 40 is secured. The cord 40 then extends forwards (towards
the frame engagement portion 50) underneath the arm 65, under the
transverse wall 57 and up through an aperture 88 in the frame part
30. The aperture 88 is approximately 5-15 m, for example 10 mm,
long and approximately 1-3 mm, for example 2 mm, wide.
[0052] The frame engagement portion 50 of the frame part 30
comprises two frog-like legs 90 that extend respectively from
either side of a mid-section 95 of the frame part 30, and a central
tongue 100. The legs 90 are shaped such that they initially extend
rearwards in spaced relation to the male connection 45 then double
back over themselves and extend approximately the length of the
frame part 30 in spaced relation to the rearwardly extending
portion of the legs 90 and then to the tongue 100.
[0053] Free ends 105 of the legs 90 include arrow-like portions 110
that are configured to engage apertures/recesses 111 provided by
headgear clip receptacles 115 in the frame 20. The free ends 105 of
the legs 90 are approximately 21 mm apart. Each leg 90 includes a
gripping region 112 comprising a series of ribs adjacent the
respective dog-leg portion 120. In use, the arrow-like portions 110
are resiliently displaced towards each other by manual clamping of
the gripping regions 112 during insertion of the frame engagement
portion 50 into the headgear clip receptacles 115. Once properly
located, the legs can be released and the arrow-like portions
locate in the apertures/recesses 111 to lock the frame engagement
portion 50 to the frame 20. The free ends 105 of the legs 90 are
approximately 3-8, for example 5 mm, wide and approximately 0.7-3
mm, for example 1.2 mm, thick.
[0054] The legs 90 also include dog-leg portions 120 that enable
the legs 90 to run closer to the sides of the tongue 100. The
dog-leg portions 120 are located approximately 5-16 mm, for example
11 mm, back from the front of the tongue 100.
[0055] The tongue 100 includes a convergent longitudinal recess 125
that is adapted to slidingly receive a wall portion 130 of the clip
receptacles 115. Provision of the recess 125 and wall portion 130
aids location of the frame engagement portion 50 in the clip
receptacles 115, which might otherwise be difficult for patient's
who are not particularly dextrous. The tongue is approximately 4-11
mm, for example 7 mm, thick.
Headgear Part
[0056] The headgear part 35 will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 21 to 26. The female connection 55 is configured to slidingly
receive the male connection 45. Once properly located, the lip 85
of the arm 65 of the male connection 45 engages the aperture 86 and
retains the male connection 45 substantially within the female
connection 55. The headgear engagement portion 60 comprises a loop
135 having a width and height that are sufficient to allow it to
slidingly receive a strap of the headgear 25.
[0057] The headgear part 35 is approximately 20-30 mm, for example
25 mm, wide at the headgear engagement portion 60 and approximately
10-30 mm, for example 19 mm, wide at the female connection 55. The
headgear part 35 is approximately 15-40 mm, for example 23 mm, long
and approximately 4-11 mm, for example 8 mm, thick. The general
recess provided by the female connection 55 for receiving the male
connection 45 is approximately 10-35 mm, for example 17 mm, wide
and approximately 3-10 mm, for example 7 mm, high. The aperture 86
is approximately 2-6 mm, for example 3.6 mm, wide.
Functionality
[0058] The functionality of the clip 10 will now be described with
particular reference to FIGS. 31 to 34. FIG. 31 shows the clip 10
in normal use with the frame part 30 secured to the headgear part
35.
[0059] In FIG. 32, the patient or a clinician or other third party
has decided to remove the mask 15 from the patient and so has
pulled the cord 40. The cord 40 slides under the transverse wall 57
and pulls the arm 65 and lip 85 downwardly. This moves the lip 85
out of engagement with the aperture 86. Advantageously, the
transverse wall 57 ensures that the force applied to the arm 65 by
the cord 40 is in the correct direction (i.e. downwards) to bend
the arm 65. Thus, the cord 40 can be pulled at a range of different
angles including, from left-to-right (in use) an angular range of
about 180 degrees and from up-to-down (in use) an angular range of
about 120 degrees.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 33, by further pulling of the cord 40 the
male connection 45 slides out of the female connection 55 until the
frame part 30 is completely separated from the headgear part 35 as
depicted in FIG. 34. By continuing the pulling action, the mask 15
can be pulled off the patient's face altogether.
[0061] It should be appreciated that the mask 15 can advantageously
be released and removed from the patient's face by a single
movement, that is, the pulling of the pull cord 40.
[0062] Advantageously, the mask 15 can be removed quickly and
easily in the case of an emergency or even discomfort (e.g.
claustrophobia). To remove the mask 15 from one's face, some other
masks with quick release mechanisms require three movements
(particularly when the patient is lying on their back), these
being: (1) pulling the cord to undo/release the headgear, (2)
gripping the mask, and (3) removing the mask from the face. Another
advantage of the mask 15 is that it is removed by pulling the cord
across one's face. This is a natural, ergonomic hand/arm movement
and so can be readily performed in an emergency. Advantageously,
the invention provides both a headgear clip and quick release clip
in the one clip. This allows the clip to be easily retrofitted to
current mask products and may reduce the total number of parts
required to achieve the same functionality.
[0063] While the invention has been described in connection with
what are presently considered to be the most practical and
preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is
not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the
contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0064] For example, the cord 40 may include a loop along its length
or at its free end to aid a patient in pulling it. In another
embodiment, the cord 40 is replaced by a spring-loaded button or a
lever. When the button is depressed or the lever is actuated the
arm 65 is depressed and similar functionality is achieved to the
cord 40. Preferably, the button faces away from the patient's face
such that it can be easily accessed but cannot easily be
accidentally depressed.
[0065] In yet another embodiment, the cord 40 may have a round
cross-section to allow the cord to be pulled over a wider range of
angles (left to right, up to down) and still allow the clip 10 to
properly function. To better accommodate a round cord 40, the
aperture 88 may take a convex conical form or a form that tapers
from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter with large radius'
around both edges.
[0066] In another variation, the lip 85 may have a different
cross-section. Generally, the cross-section will enable better
retainment of the headgear part 35 to the frame part 30 if the
cross-section includes a retaining wall (i.e. a wall like the
perpendicular wall provided by the wedge cross-section). Therefore,
other suitable lip 85 cross-sections include a rectangular
cross-section and a semi-bullet-shaped cross-section.
[0067] The dimensions provided in this specification could be
altered by up to 20% or by up to 50% and a similar functionality
still achieved.
[0068] Also, the various embodiments described above may be
implemented in conjunction with other embodiments, e.g., aspects of
one embodiment may be combined with aspects of another embodiment
to realize yet other embodiments. Further, each independent feature
or component of any given assembly may constitute an additional
embodiment. In addition, while the invention has particular
application to patients who suffer from OSA, it is to be
appreciated that patients who suffer from other illnesses (e.g.,
congestive heart failure, diabetes, morbid obesity, stroke,
bariatric surgery, etc.) can derive benefit from the above
teachings. Moreover, the above teachings have applicability with
patients and non-patients alike in non-medical applications.
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