U.S. patent application number 15/665782 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-16 for cradle cushion having side stabilizers.
The applicant listed for this patent is KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.. Invention is credited to JONATHAN SAYER GRASHOW, ROBERT O'GRADY.
Application Number | 20170326321 15/665782 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49170758 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170326321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GRASHOW; JONATHAN SAYER ; et
al. |
November 16, 2017 |
CRADLE CUSHION HAVING SIDE STABILIZERS
Abstract
A cradle style cushion includes a central sealing body portion
including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall.
The top wall includes a central sealing surface, a first
stabilizing surface and a second stabilizing surface, the first and
second stabilizing surfaces each extending upwardly and outwardly
with respect to the central sealing surface and a top edge of the
front wall and being structured to wrap around and engage an
outside of the nostrils when the patient interface device is donned
by the patient, wherein the first stabilizing surface includes a
first front side edge portion and the second stabilizing surface
includes a second front side edge portion, and wherein the top edge
of the front wall, the first front side edge portion and the second
front side edge portion together define a front opening of the
central sealing body portion.
Inventors: |
GRASHOW; JONATHAN SAYER;
(CHESWICK, PA) ; O'GRADY; ROBERT; (PITTSBURGH,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. |
EINDHOVEN |
|
NL |
|
|
Family ID: |
49170758 |
Appl. No.: |
15/665782 |
Filed: |
August 1, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14414288 |
Jan 12, 2015 |
9764107 |
|
|
PCT/IB2013/055440 |
Jul 3, 2013 |
|
|
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15665782 |
|
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|
61671926 |
Jul 16, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 16/0683 20130101;
A61M 16/0816 20130101; A61M 16/0057 20130101; A61M 16/0666
20130101; A61M 16/06 20130101; A61M 2210/0618 20130101; A61M
16/0622 20140204 |
International
Class: |
A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06; A61M 16/06 20060101 A61M016/06; A61M 16/00 20060101
A61M016/00; A61M 16/06 20060101 A61M016/06; A61M 16/06 20060101
A61M016/06; A61M 16/08 20060101 A61M016/08 |
Claims
1. A cradle style cushion for a patient interface device,
comprising: a central sealing body portion defining an internal
chamber, the central sealing body portion comprising: a front wall,
a rear wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, the top wall including
a central sealing surface structured to engage a septum and a
bottom of each nostril of a patent when the patient interface
device is donned by the patient, a first stabilizing surface and a
second stabilizing surface, the first and second stabilizing
surfaces each extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the
central sealing surface and a top edge of the front wall in a
direction away from the bottom wall and being structured to wrap
around and at portions thereof engage an outer side of a respective
one of the nostrils of the patient when the patient interface
device is donned by the patient, wherein the first stabilizing
surface includes a first front side edge portion and the second
stabilizing surface includes a second front side edge portion, and
wherein the top edge of the front wall, the first front side edge
portion and the second front side edge portion together define a
front opening of the central sealing body portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application is a Continuation under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/414,288, filed
Jan. 12, 2015, which claimed priority to PCT Application
PCT/IB2013/055440 filed Jul. 3, 2013, which claims the priority
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/671,926, filed on Jul. 16, 2012, the contents of
which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention pertains to patient interface devices
structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to a user, and, in
particular, to a cradle style sealing cushion for a patient
interface device that has side stabilizers providing an improved
fit and seal.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] 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 into the patient's esophagus.
For example, it is known to ventilate a patient using a technique
known as non-invasive ventilation. It is also known to deliver
positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy to treat certain medical
disorders, the most notable of which is OSA. Known PAP therapies
include continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), wherein a
constant positive pressure is provided to the airway of the patient
in order to splint open the patient's airway, and variable airway
pressure, wherein the pressure provided to the airway of the
patient is varied with the patient's respiratory cycle. Such
therapies are typically provided to the patient at night while the
patient is sleeping.
[0004] Non-invasive ventilation and pressure support therapies as
just described involve the placement of a patient interface device
including a mask component having a soft, flexible sealing cushion
on the face of a patient. The mask component may be, without
limitation, a nasal mask that covers the patient's nose, a
nasal/oral mask that covers the patient's nose and mouth, or a full
face mask that covers the patient's face. Such patient interface
devices may also employ other patient contacting components, such
as forehead supports, cheek pads and chin pads. The patient
interface device is connected to a gas delivery tube or conduit and
interfaces 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 devices on the face of a
wearer by a headgear having one or more straps adapted to fit
over/around the patient's head.
[0005] One type of known sealing cushion is called a cradle style
sealing cushion. A cradle style sealing cushion is structured to
rest beneath the patient's nose and provides an air-tight seal
against the surfaces of the nasal septum and nostrils (and also
possibly the upper lip). One major disadvantage of current cradle
style sealing cushions is that the seal between the cushion and the
nose is very sensitive to the alignment of the cushion to the nose.
For this reason, many wearers find it difficult to maintain a
reliable seal when using a mask with a cradle style sealing cushion
due to misalignment caused by movement of the wearer or external
forces acting on the mask (e.g. from a bed pillow). When the seal
is broken, the ability of the respiratory therapy device to deliver
adequate airflow to the wearer may be compromised. Additionally,
air leakage may be directed into the wearer's face, causing
discomfort.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a cradle style sealing cushion that overcomes the
shortcomings of conventional cradle style sealing cushions. This
object is achieved according to one embodiment of the present
invention by providing cradle style sealing cushion that includes
hat has side stabilizers providing an improved fit and seal.
[0007] In one embodiment, a cradle style cushion for a patient
interface device is provided that includes a central sealing body
portion defining an internal chamber, the central sealing body
portion including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a
bottom wall. The top wall includes a central sealing surface
structured to engage a septum and a bottom of each nostril of a
patent (and possibly the portion of the patient's mouth above the
upper lip) when the patient interface device is donned by the
patient, a first stabilizing surface and a second stabilizing
surface, the first and second stabilizing surfaces each extending
upwardly and outwardly with respect to the central sealing surface
and a top edge of the front wall in a direction away from the
bottom wall and being structured to wrap around and at portions
thereof engage an outer side (transverse to the bottom) of a
respective one of the nostrils when the patient interface device is
donned by the patient, wherein the first stabilizing surface
includes a first front side edge portion and the second stabilizing
surface includes a second front side edge portion, and wherein the
top edge of the front wall, the first front side edge portion and
the second front side edge portion together define a front opening
of the central sealing body portion.
[0008] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system adapted to provide
a regimen of respiratory therapy to a patient according to one
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front isometric view, FIG. 3 is a front
elevational view, FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, FIG. 5 is a
rear elevational view, and FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a cradle
style sealing cushion according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention that may be employed in a patient interface
device of the system of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of cradle style sealing
cushion taken along lines A-A of FIG. 6;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the system of FIG. 1
wherein the cradle style sealing cushion is shown in
cross-section;
[0013] FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of the system of FIG.
1 illustrating the effect of gravitational or similar forces on the
patient interface device;
[0014] FIGS. 11-13 are schematic diagrams of alternative cradle
style sealing cushions that may be employed in a patient interface
device of the system of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a system adapted to
provide a regimen of respiratory therapy to a patient according to
another exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a system adapted to
provide a regimen of respiratory therapy to a patient according to
yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a cradle style sealing cushion
according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present
invention that may be employed in a patient interface device of the
system of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17C are schematic diagrams of a cradle
style sealing cushion according to another alternative exemplary
embodiment of the present invention that may be employed in a
patient interface device of the system of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] As used herein, the singular form of "a", "an", and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or
components are "coupled" shall mean that the parts are joined or
operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one
or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs.
As used herein, "directly coupled" means that two elements are
directly in contact with each other. As used herein, "fixedly
coupled" or "fixed" means that two components are coupled so as to
move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to
each other.
[0020] As used herein, the word "unitary" means a component is
created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that
includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled
together as a unit is not a "unitary" component or body. As
employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components
"engage" one another shall mean that the parts exert a force
against one another either directly or through one or more
intermediate parts or components. As employed herein, the term
"number" shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a
plurality).
[0021] Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and
without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front,
back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the
elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims
unless expressly recited therein.
[0022] A system 2 adapted to provide a regimen of respiratory
therapy to a patient according to one exemplary embodiment of the
invention is generally shown in FIG. 1. System 2 includes a
pressure generating device 4, a delivery conduit 6, and a patient
interface device 8. Pressure generating device 4 is structured to
generate a flow of breathing gas and may include, without
limitation, ventilators, constant pressure support devices (such as
a continuous positive airway pressure device, or CPAP device),
variable pressure devices (e.g., BiPAP.RTM., Bi-Flex.RTM., or
C-Flex.TM. devices manufactured and distributed by Philips
Respironics of Murrysville, Pa.), and auto-titration pressure
support devices. Delivery conduit 6 is structured to communicate
the flow of breathing gas from pressure generating device 4 to
patient interface device 8.
[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, patient interface device 8
comprises a cradle style nasal mask structured to engage the nose
of the patient and provide a seal against the surfaces of the nasal
septum and nostrils (and possibly the portion of the patient's
mouth above the upper lip) as described in detail herein. In the
present embodiment, patient interface device 8 includes a cradle
style sealing cushion 10 coupled to a tubing assembly 12. As seen
in FIG. 1, tubing assembly 12 includes a first arm 14A structured
to rest along a first side of the patient's head and a second arm
14B structured to rest along a second side of the patient's head
when patient interface device 8 is donned by the patient. A first
end of first arm 14A and a first end of second arm 14B are each
fluidly coupled to cradle style sealing cushion 10. In addition, a
second end of first arm 14A and a second end of second arm 14B are
each fluidly coupled to a coupling connector 16 structured to rest
on top of the head of the patient when patient interface device 8
is donned by the patient. Delivery conduit 6 is fluidly coupled to
coupling connector 16 to allow the flow of breathing gas from
pressure generating device 4 to be communicated to cradle style
sealing cushion 10 through tubing assembly 12, and then, to the
airway of a patient. Straps 18 of a headgear component are attached
to first arm 14A and second arm 14B via attachment members 20 to
secure patient interface device 8 to the patient's head.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a front isometric view, FIG. 3 is a front
elevational view, FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, FIG. 5 is a
rear elevational view, and FIG. 6 is a top plan view of cradle
style sealing cushion 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, cradle style
sealing cushion 10 is defined from a unitary piece of soft,
flexible, cushiony material, such as, without limitation, silicone
rubber, an appropriately soft thermoplastic elastomer, a fabric, or
any combination of such materials. It will be understood, however,
that cradle style sealing cushion 10 does not need to be unitary
within the scope of the present invention. Rather, cradle style
sealing cushion 10, and the parts thereof, may be made of separate
components that are coupled to one another by suitable means.
[0025] Cradle style sealing cushion 10 includes a central sealing
body portion 22 defining an internal chamber, a first port portion
24A provided on and extending from a first side of central sealing
body portion 22, and a second port portion 24B provided on and
extending from a second, opposite side of central sealing body
portion 22. First port portion 24A and second port portion 24B are
fluidly coupled to the internal chamber of central sealing body
portion 22. First port portion 24A includes a first opening 26A and
is structured to be fluidly coupled to first arm 14A, while second
port portion 24B includes a second opening 26B and is structured to
be fluidly coupled to second arm 14B.
[0026] Central sealing body portion 22 includes a front side 28
including a front wall 29 and a rear side 30 opposite front side 28
and including a rear wall 31. A plurality of exhaust holes 32 are
provided in front wall 29 and act as an exhaust port for patient
interface device 8. Exhaust holes 32 may be directed in any
direction (or combination of directions) including directly away
from the wearer (as shown in the illustrated embodiment), up
towards the top of the wearer's head, down towards the wearer's
chin, or to the sides. Alternatively, an exhaust port in the form
of a semi-permeable porous material, such as a woven fabric, may be
provided in place of exhaust holes 32. Central sealing body portion
22 also includes a top wall 34 and bottom wall 36 opposite top wall
34.
[0027] Top wall 34 includes a central sealing surface 38 including
a hole 39 (providing access to the internal chamber of central
sealing body portion 22), and first and second stabilizing surfaces
40A and 40B. In the exemplary embodiment, central sealing surface
38 is structured to engage and form a seal against a septum and a
bottom of each nostril of a patent (and possibly the portion of the
patient's mouth above the upper lip in one particular embodiment)
when the patient interface device is donned by the patient. In
addition, first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A and 40B extend
upwardly and outwardly from central sealing surface 38 (and the top
edge of front wall 29) in a direction away from bottom wall 36 (and
the top edge of front wall 29), and are structured to wrap around
and, at portions thereof, contact the outer sides (transverse to
the bottom) of the nostrils (the alare) of the patient when patient
interface device 8 is donned by the patient.
[0028] As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the exemplary embodiment, the
junction of first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A and 40B with
central sealing surface 38 each comprises a rounded, filleted
portion (forming a part of first and second stabilizing surfaces
40A and 40B in the exemplary embodiment) which in each case
provides a smooth transition between the two surfaces. In addition,
first stabilizing surface 40A and second stabilizing surface 40B
are provided between the top edge of front wall 29 and the top edge
of rear wall 31. In the exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, first
stabilizing surface 40A has a generally triangular shape including
a base portion 42A, a front side edge portion 44A, a rear side edge
portion 46A, and an apex portion 48A. Similarly, in the exemplary,
non-limiting embodiment, second stabilizing surface 40B also has a
generally triangular shape including a base portion 42B, a front
side edge portion 44B, a rear side edge portion 46B, and an apex
portion 48B.
[0029] Thus, as seen most readily in FIG. 3, the top edge of front
wall 29, front side edge portion 44A and front side edge portion
44B together define a front opening 50 of central sealing body
portion 22 which exposes the front and top of the patient's nose
(i.e., the cradle style sealing cushion 10 does not cover the front
and top of the patient's nose). The significance of this feature is
described elsewhere herein. Also, the top edge of rear wall 31,
rear side edge portion 46A and rear side edge portion 46B together
define a rear opening 51 of central sealing body portion 22 that is
structured to receive the patient's nose therethrough. In
alternative embodiments, first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A,
40B may have other shapes, such as generally rectangular or
trapezoidal shapes.
[0030] Moreover, as seen in FIG. 3, cradle style sealing cushion 10
has a transverse axis 52 that is a line of symmetry for cradle
style sealing cushion 10. Transverse axis 52 is perpendicular to a
longitudinal axis 54 of central sealing body portion 22, shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, a center line 56 of
central sealing surface 38 extends through the middle of central
sealing surface 38 from the center of front side 28 (and front wall
29) to the center of rear side 30 (and rear wall 31). Center line
56 lies in and defines a sealing plane of cradle style sealing
cushion 10. In the non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the sealing
plane of cradle style sealing cushion 10, when viewed from the
front as shown in FIG. 3, is not orthogonal to transverse axis 52,
but instead is angled and extends/slopes downwardly from front to
back at an angle of slightly more than zero to thirty degrees with
respect to a line or axis that is orthogonal to transverse axis
52.
[0031] In another, exemplary embodiment, the sealing plane of
cradle style sealing cushion 10, when viewed from the front as
shown in FIG. 3, is a orthogonal to transverse axis 52. In still
another, exemplary embodiment, central sealing surface 38 is not
flat, but rather actually has an arc where the apex is not
necessarily at the front edge but rather closer to the middle of
central sealing surface 38. These axes, lines and planes help to
define another important feature of cradle style sealing cushion
10. In particular, first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A and
40B each include a contacting portion 41A, 41B that is structured
to engage the outside of the nostrils (the alare) of the patient
when patient interface device 8 is donned by the patient. In the
exemplary embodiment, at any point along the surface of contacting
portions 41A and 41B, contacting portions 41A and 41B are
configured to lie at an angle .theta..sub.1 (FIGS. 7 and 8) (which
may be constant or vary within contacting portions 41A and 41B)
with respect to the sealing plane (labeled 58 in FIG. 7) of cradle
style sealing cushion 10 that is less than or equal to 135 degrees
and greater than or equal to 30 degrees. In one particular
exemplary embodiment, at any point along the surface of contacting
portions 41A and 41B, contacting portions 41A and 41B are
configured to lie at an angle .theta..sub.1 with respect to sealing
plane 58 that is less than or equal to 90 degrees and greater than
or equal to 30 degrees. A complementary angle .theta..sub.2 is also
shown in FIG. 7, wherein .theta..sub.2 is measured with respect to
a plane 60 that is orthogonal to sealing plane 58 and is less than
or equal to 60 degrees and greater than or equal to -45 degrees
(less than or equal to 60 degrees and greater than or equal to 0
degrees in the particular exemplary embodiment).
[0032] In the exemplary embodiment, the distance between contacting
portions 41A and 41B is 25 mm to 55 mm.
[0033] The combination of the side stabilizing features comprising
first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A and 40B and the open
front (opening 50) serves to direct any air leakage away from the
wearer, while blocking the flow of air leakage from the sides of
cradle style sealing cushion 10. In particular, as seen in FIGS. 9
and 10, headgear attachment points 62 serve to anchor cradle style
sealing cushion 10 to the face, but an external force (e.g.
gravity) of sufficient magnitude could cause cradle style sealing
cushion 10 to rotate about this anchor point (FIG. 10). With
reference to FIG. 10, the cradle style sealing cushion 10 is
blocked by the patient's nose from rotating in a counter-clockwise
direction, but could potentially rotate clockwise away from the
nose. In this situation, the seal adjacent to the face would be
maintained, blocking air from jetting into the face of the wearer,
while the open front of cradle style sealing cushion 10 (opening
50) facilitates air flow away from the wearer, thereby minimizing
discomfort.
[0034] FIGS. 11-13 show cradle style sealing cushions 10', 10'' and
10''' according to alternative embodiments wherein first and second
stabilizing surfaces 40A', 40A'', 40A''' and 40B', 40B'', 40B'''
thereof curve around toward the nose tip to varying degrees while
still maintaining a front opening 50', 50'', 50'''. Maintaining a
wider front opening may help to accommodate noses of extreme
length, while maintaining a narrower opening may offer increased
stability due to the corresponding larger stabilizing surfaces.
[0035] In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-13, cradle style sealing
cushions 10, 10', 10'' and 10''' are shown and described in a
resting, non-inflated/non-deformed state (i.e., without pressurized
gas therein). FIG. 14 shows an alternative system 2-1 having an
alternative cradle style sealing cushion 10-1 wherein in a resting,
non-inflated/non-deformed state, first and second stabilizing
surfaces 40A-1 and 40B-1 thereof may or may not satisfy the angular
specifications (.theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2) described herein
with respect to cradle style sealing cushion 10, but wherein in an
inflated/deformed state (responsive to an internal pressure of 4-30
cmH.sub.20), cradle style sealing cushion 10-1 will expand (see
arrows in FIG. 14) and first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A-1
and 40B-1 thereof will be caused to satisfy the angular
specifications (.theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2) described herein
with respect to cradle style sealing cushion 10 and will be caused
to engage the outside of the patient's nostrils. Additionally, the
cradle style sealing cushions described herein could be constructed
of a very soft material (e.g., soft silicone, a gel, or a
visco-foam) that could be deformed by contact with the facial
anatomy such that first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A-1 and
40B-1 thereof will be caused to satisfy the angular specifications
(.theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2) described herein with respect to
cradle style sealing cushion 10 (in the resting state, those
condition may or may not be satisfied).
[0036] A system 2-2 adapted to provide a regimen of respiratory
therapy to a patient according to an alternative exemplary
embodiment of the invention is generally shown in FIG. 15. System
2-2 includes a pressure generating device 4 and a delivery conduit
6 as described elsewhere herein. System 2-2 includes an alternative
patient interface device 8-2. Patient interface device 8-2
comprises a cradle style nasal mask structured to engage the nose
of the patient that includes a cradle style sealing cushion 10-2
that is similar to cradle style sealing cushion 10. More
specifically, cradle style sealing cushion 10-2 includes a central
sealing body portion 22-2 defining an internal chamber that is
similar in structure to central sealing body portion 22 in that it
includes first and second stabilizing surfaces 40A-2 and 40B-2
having contacting portions that satisfy the angular specifications
(.theta..sub.1 and .theta..sub.2) described herein with respect to
cradle style sealing cushion 10 and a front opening 50-2 similar in
structure to front opening 50. However, rather than having port
portions 24A, 24B that are coupled to tubing assembly 12, the sides
of cradle style sealing cushion 10-2 are coupled (not fluidly) to
the arms of headgear assembly 64. In addition, the front of central
sealing body portion 22-2 is provided with an orifice 66 that
provides access to the inner chamber of central sealing body
portion 22-2. An elbow conduit 68 having an exhaust port 70 is
fluidly coupled to both central sealing body portion 22-2 through
orifice 66 and to delivery conduit 6 so that pressured gas from
pressure generating device 4 may be supplied to the inner chamber
of central sealing body portion 22-2, and then to the airways of
the patient.
[0037] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a cradle style sealing cushion
10-3 that is similar to (and may be substituted for) cradle style
sealing cushion 10 (like parts are labeled with like reference
numerals including a "-3" designation). However, rather than
including a top wall 34 that includes a central sealing surface 38
including a single hole 39, cradle style sealing cushion 10-3
includes a top wall 34-3 that includes a central sealing surface
38-3 including a first hole 72A and a second hole 72B, wherein each
hole 72A, 72B is structured to be aligned with a respective nostril
of the patient.
[0038] Furthermore, according to yet another embodiment of the
present invention, the first stabilizing surface (40A, 40A', 40A'',
40A''', 40A-1, 40A-2, 40A-3) and the second stabilizing surface
(40B, 40B', 40B'', 40B''', 40B-1, 40B-2, 40B-3) (including the
transition between the central sealing surface and such side
stabilizing surfaces) each include at least a portion wherein the
radius of curvature has a certain minimum value that is within a
pre-defined minimum range. In the exemplary embodiment, that range
is 0 mm to 15 mm. This embodiment is shown schematically in FIGS.
17A, 17B and 17C (using stabilizing surface 40A), wherein in FIG.
17A, the portion has a radius of curvature r that is equal to 0
(the rest of the stabilizing surface is flat with r equal to
infinity), wherein in FIG. 17B, the portion has a radius of
curvature r that is equal to about 3 mm (the rest of the
stabilizing surface has a radius of curvature r equal to about 300
mm), and wherein in FIG. 17C, the portion comprises the entire
stabilizing surface and has a radius of curvature r that is equal
to about 15 mm.
[0039] In the claims, any reference signs placed between
parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word
"comprising" or "including" does not exclude the presence of
elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device
claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be
embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word "a" or "an"
preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality
of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means,
several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of
hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in
mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these
elements cannot be used in combination.
[0040] 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.
* * * * *