Mask system

A mask system for providing respiratory therapy to the airways of a patient, the mask system comprising:

• a frame;
• a pair of lower headgear connectors, each of said pair of lower headgear connectors configured to connect to the frame;
• a sealing arrangement configured to interface with the frame, the sealing arrangement configured to form a seal with a patient's face;
• wherein the sealing arrangement forms a breathing chamber pressurizable to a therapeutic pressure, the sealing arrangement including an inlet opening configured to receive a flow of air at the therapeutic pressure for breathing by the patient;
• an elbow configured to connect to an air delivery tube to deliver the flow of air at the therapeutic pressure to the breathing chamber;
• and
• headgear configured to maintain the mask system in position on a patient's head,
• the headgear including a rear strap, a pair of upper side straps configured to be routed over the patient's ears, and a pair of lower side straps configured to be routed under the patient's ears,
• wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a face-contacting side and a non face-contacting side,
• wherein the non face-contacting side of the sealing arrangement comprises a front wall having the inlet opening configured to communicate with the elbow,
• wherein the front wall includes an inside surface arranged to be at said therapeutic pressure in use and an outside surface arranged to be at ambient pressure in use, and the frame includes a wall arranged along the outside surface of the front wall so that the wall is outside the breathing chamber,
• wherein the face-contacting side of the sealing arrangement includes a sealing flap,
• wherein the front wall of the sealing arrangement comprises a vent including a plurality of vent holes for gas washout,
• wherein the vent is positioned along a top portion of the sealing arrangement such that each of the plurality of vent holes is superior the inlet opening configured to communicate with the elbow,
• wherein the wall of the frame forms an edge that is arranged inferior the vent and passes directly under each of the plurality of vent holes when the sealing arrangement is interfaced with the frame, the edge configured and arranged to accommodate and expose the vent past the frame when the sealing arrangement is interfaced with the frame,
• wherein the frame includes an opening having a closed circular shape, the opening configured to allow the elbow to communicate with the breathing chamber of the sealing arrangement, and
• wherein said edge is spaced apart and superior the opening.