# US 11,298,497 B2 · Swivel elbow and connector assembly for patient interface systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,497 B2 - Document ID: US11298497B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/407,240 - Filed: 2019-05-09 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-08 - Assignees: ResMed Pty Ltd - Applicants: ResMed Pty Ltd - Inventors: Teck Fong; Stephen Gray; Adam Francis Barlow; Robert Thomas Burnham; Christopher Scott Skipper; David Anthony Pidcock; Tumul Gupta; Damien Julian Mazzone; Jose Ignacio Romagnoli; Christopher Samuel Cullen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298497B2 ## CPC - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - A61M 16/0616: {with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure} - A61M 16/0622: {having an underlying cushion} - A61M 16/0825: {with ball-sockets} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient} - A61M 16/0666: {Nasal cannulas or tubing (devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02)} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2210/0618: Nose - 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 system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a user includes a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the face of the user. The patient interface system further includes an elbow and connector assembly adapted to receive gases from a flow generator and deliver the gases to the patient interface structure. The elbow and connector assembly includes a ring attached to the patient interface, a sleeve, and an elbow. The ring includes an inner flange, an outer flange separated from the inner flange by a channel, and a plurality of vent slots extending through the inner flange, across the channel, and through the outer flange. The sleeve is configured so that inserting the sleeve into the ring forms a plurality of vent paths for the venting of exhalation gases from an interior of the patient interface to an exterior of the patient interface through the vent slots. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a user, the patient interface system comprising: a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the face of the user; and an elbow and connector assembly adapted to receive gases from a flow generator and deliver the gases to the patient interface structure, the elbow and connector assembly comprising: a ring attached to the patient interface, the ring comprising an inner flange, an outer flange separated from the inner flange by a channel, and a plurality of vent slots extending through the inner flange, across the channel, and through the outer flange; a sleeve configured so that inserting the sleeve into the ring forms a plurality of vent paths for the venting of exhalation gases from an interior of the patient interface to an exterior of the patient interface through the vent slots; and an elbow with a first end inserted into the sleeve and a second end opposite the first end and configured to be connected to an air delivery hose. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a sleeve flange positioned between an elbow flange of the elbow and the outer flange of the ring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The patient interface system of claim 2, wherein the sleeve flange extends from a main body of the sleeve at an oblique angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The patient interface system of claim 3, wherein the elbow comprises a tapered flange at the first end of the elbow, and the sleeve is positioned between the elbow flange and the tapered flange. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The patient interface system of claim 4, wherein the sleeve comprises a cylindrical portion extending from the sleeve flange toward the patient interface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the cross-sections of the vent paths is larger toward the inner flange and smaller toward the outer flange. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the ring has an elliptical cross-section. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the vent paths are configured to vent exhalation gases 360 degrees around the elbow. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The patient interface system of claim 1, wherein the second end of the elbow comprises a swivel cuff. ### Claim 10 A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a user, the patient interface system comprising: a patient interface structure configured to sealingly engage the face of the user; and an elbow and connector assembly adapted to receive gases from a flow generator and deliver the gases to the patient interface structure, the elbow and connector assembly comprising: a ring attached to the patient interface, the ring comprising an inner flange, an outer flange separated from the inner flange by a channel, and a plurality of vent slots extending through the inner flange, across the channel, and through the outer flange; a sleeve inserted into the ring so that the sleeve covers the vent slots to form a plurality of vent paths for the venting of exhalation gases from an interior of the patient interface to an exterior of the patient interface through the vent slots; and an elbow with a first end configured to be inserted into the sleeve and a second end opposite the first end and configured to be connected to an air delivery hose. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the sleeve comprises an annular rim sandwiched between an annular rim of the elbow and the outer flange of the ring. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The patient interface system of claim 11, wherein the elbow comprises a tapered flange configured to engage a rear end of the sleeve that is opposite the annular rim of the sleeve to lock the elbow in place within the sleeve. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein each vent path comprises an exit point configured to discharge vented gas at an oblique angle relative to the channel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the cross-sections of the vent paths is larger toward the inner flange and smaller toward the outer flange. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the ring has an elliptical cross-section. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the vent paths are configured to vent exhalation gases 360 degrees around the elbow. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the second end of the elbow comprises a swivel cuff. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The patient interface system of claim 10, wherein the patient interface is one of a nasal mask or a full face mask.