Seal forming portion, pad and cushion for a patient interface and method of manufacturing

A patient interface for positive air pressure therapy, the patient interface comprising:

• an air supply opening having a perimeter adapted to surround an entrance to an airway of a patient;
• a plurality of fibers distributed around the perimeter of the air supply opening, each of the plurality of fibers including a proximate end and a free distal end that extends in use toward the patient's skin;
• and
• a pad including an open cell material foamed on a first side of a textile material, the pad including a first surface directly engaging the first side and a base surface opposite to the first surface, the pad extending around the perimeter of the air supply opening, the proximate end of each of the plurality of fibers being directly fixed to the base surface of the pad.

A method of manufacturing a pad for a patient interface for contacting a patient's skin around an entrance to an airway of the patient, the method comprising:

• providing a resilient material by foaming on a rear side of a textile;
• providing a plurality of fibers;
• fixing the plurality of fibers to a base surface of the resilient material so that the plurality of fibers extends away from the base surface;
• and
• providing the plurality of fibers in a multilevel arrangement wherein a first portion of fibers establishes a first level extending a first length away from the base surface and a second portion of fibers establishes a second level extending a second length away from the base surface.