# US 10,765,827 B2 · Magnetically controlled forehead support > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,765,827 B2 - Document ID: US10765827B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/935,357 - Filed: 2018-03-26 - Published: 2018-10-04 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-28 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Robert William Baiko - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765827B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0611: {with a gusset portion} - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient} - A61M 16/0616: {with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure} - A61M 16/0644: {having the means for adjusting its position} - A61M 16/0633: {with forehead support} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 2205/0272: Electro-active or magneto-active materials - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A patient interface device is for use in a pressure support system delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The patient interface device includes a sealing apparatus having a cushion structured to sealingly engage about the airway of the patient and defining a passage therethrough which is structured to receive the flow of breathing gas. A first magnetic material is coupled to the cushion, and a second magnetic material coupled to the cushion or another element of the sealing apparatus. The second magnetic material and the first magnetic material are configured such that there is a repulsive magnetic force therebetween. The coupling of the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material provides an adjustable coupling that provides selective adjustment of the magnitude of the repulsive magnetic force. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A patient interface device for use in a pressure support system delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient, the patient interface device comprising: a sealing apparatus comprising a frame and a cushion, the cushion being structured to sealingly engage about the airway of the patient and defining a passage therethrough which is structured to receive the flow of breathing gas, wherein the cushion is affixed to the frame and is structured to pivot with respect to the frame while remaining affixed to the frame; a first magnetic material coupled to the cushion; and a second magnetic material coupled to the frame, wherein the second magnetic material has a first portion and a second portion each configured to be aligned with a region of the first magnetic material, wherein the first portion is provided with first charges and has a first magnetic strength of a first magnitude and the second portion is provided with second charges and has a second magnetic strength of a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude, wherein the second magnetic material is adjustably coupled to the frame to enable either the first portion or the second portion to be selectively aligned with the region, wherein when the first portion is aligned with the region, there is a first repulsive magnetic force between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material that causes the cushion to pivot with respect to the frame by a first amount while remaining attached to the frame, and wherein when the second portion is aligned with the region, there is a second repulsive magnetic force between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material that is greater than the magnitude of the first repulsive magnetic force and that causes the cushion to pivot with respect to the frame by a second amount that is greater than the first amount while remaining attached to the frame. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein the second magnetic material further has a plurality of other portions each configured to be aligned with the region of the first magnetic material; wherein, when each of the respective plurality of other portions is aligned with the region, there is a respective repulsive magnetic force therebetween; and wherein the magnitudes of each of the respective repulsive magnetic forces are different from each other. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The patient interface device according to claim 2, wherein the second magnetic material has a peripheral edge and an inner edge defining a thru hole; and wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plurality of other portions each extend from proximate the inner edge to proximate the peripheral edge, and wherein the second magnetic material has an annulus shape and wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plurality of other portions are spaced about a circumference of the second magnetic material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The patient interface device according to claim 2, wherein the second magnetic material is a unitary component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein the second magnetic material is rotatably coupled to the frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The patient interface device according to claim 5, wherein the first magnetic material has a center, wherein the second magnetic material has a center, and wherein the center of the first magnetic material is offset with respect to the center of the second magnetic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material has a thickness of less than 2 millimeters. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises a nose bridge region; and wherein the first magnetic material is coupled to the nose bridge region. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein the cushion comprises a first cheek region and a second cheek region opposite the first cheek region; wherein the first magnetic material is coupled to the first cheek region; wherein the patient interface device further comprises a third magnetic material and a fourth magnetic material; wherein the third magnetic material is coupled to the second cheek region; wherein the fourth magnetic material is coupled the frame; wherein the fourth magnetic material and the third magnetic material are configured such that there is a repulsive magnetic force therebetween; wherein the repulsive magnetic force between the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material has a magnitude; and wherein the coupling of at least one of the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material is an adjustable coupling which provides for selective adjustment of the magnitude of the repulsive magnetic force between the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material. ### Claim 10 A pressure support system comprising: (a) a gas flow generator structured to generate a flow of breathing gas to be delivered to an airway of a patient; (b) a conduit coupled to the gas flow generator, and (c) a patient interface device comprising: (1) a sealing apparatus comprising a frame and a cushion, the cushion being structured to sealingly engage about the airway of the patient and defining a passage therethrough which is structured to receive the flow of breathing gas, wherein the cushion is affixed to the frame and is structured to pivot with respect to the frame while remaining affixed to the frame, and wherein the cushion is fluidly coupled to the conduit, (2) a first magnetic material coupled to the cushion, and (3) a second magnetic material coupled to the frame, wherein the second magnetic material has a first portion and a second portion each configured to be aligned with a region of the first magnetic material, wherein the first portion is provided with first charges and has a first magnetic strength of a first magnitude and the second portion is provided with second charges and has a second magnetic strength of a second magnitude that is greater than the first magnitude, wherein the second magnetic material is adjustably coupled to the frame to enable either the first portion or the second portion to be selectively aligned with the region, wherein when the first portion is aligned with the region, there is a first repulsive magnetic force between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material that causes the cushion to pivot with respect to the frame by a first amount while remaining attached to the frame, and wherein when the second portion is aligned with the region, there is a second repulsive magnetic force between the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material that is greater than the magnitude of the first repulsive magnetic force and that causes the cushion to pivot with respect to the frame by a second amount that is greater than the first amount while remaining attached to the frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The pressure support system according to claim 10, wherein the second magnetic material further has a plurality of other portions each configured to be aligned with the region of the first magnetic material; wherein, when each of the respective plurality of other portions is aligned with the region, there is a respective repulsive magnetic force therebetween; and wherein the magnitudes of each of the respective repulsive magnetic forces are different from each other. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pressure support system according to claim 11, wherein the second magnetic material has a peripheral edge and an inner edge defining a thru hole; and wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the plurality of other portions each extend from proximate the inner edge to proximate the peripheral edge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The pressure support system according to claim 11, wherein the second magnetic material is a unitary component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The pressure support system according to claim 10, wherein the second magnetic material is rotatably coupled to the frame. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The pressure support system according to claim 14, wherein the first magnetic material has a center, wherein the second magnetic material has a center, and wherein the center of the first magnetic material is offset with respect to the center of the second magnetic material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The pressure support system according to claim 10, wherein each of the first magnetic material and the second magnetic material has a thickness of less than 2 millimeters. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The pressure support system according to claim 10, when the cushion comprises a nose bridge region; and wherein the first magnetic material is coupled to the nose bridge region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The pressure support system according to claim 10, wherein the cushion comprises a first cheek region and a second cheek region opposite the first cheek region; wherein the first magnetic material is coupled to the first cheek region; wherein the patient interface device further comprises a third magnetic material and a fourth magnetic material; wherein the third magnetic material is coupled to the second cheek region; wherein the fourth magnetic material is coupled the frame; wherein the fourth magnetic material and the third magnetic material are configured such that there is a repulsive magnetic force therebetween; wherein the repulsive magnetic force between the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material has a magnitude; and wherein the coupling of at least one of the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material is an adjustable coupling which provides for selective adjustment of the magnitude of the repulsive magnetic force between the third magnetic material and the fourth magnetic material.