US 2001/0032648 A1 · Exhaust airway for nasal continuous positive airway pressure mask

Abstract

The present invention is an exhaust airway for a continuous positive airway pressure mask for assisting in the treatment of sleep apnea. The present invention generally comprises an improved structure and method of exhausting air from the nosepiece of the mask, which structure and method can be incorporated into most standard CPAP respiratory masks, to keep the exhaust air away form the user and/or the user's bed partner. An elongated exhaust passage is provided, separate from the inlet air passage but preferably attached or molded into the respiratory mask intake hose. The exhaust airway has an intake hole on the respiratory mask at or near where the intake air hose attaches to the mask. The exhaust airway runs along the intake air hose for about 7 inches or more and then ends with an exit hole from which the exhaust air actually escapes. The invention provides an exhaust airway separate from the inlet airway, to preferably keep the exhaust air completely away from the face and eyes and away from bouncing off the bedding and back onto the wearer or the wearer's bed partner. It also allows the wearer to lay with his face into the pillow while sleeping and still allow the respiratory mask to work efficiently.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A respiratory mask for treating sleep apnea, the respiratory mask comprising:

a nosepiece having a cavity for placement over a user's nose;
an inlet hose having a length, an outlet end, and a supply end, and an inlet air passageway, the outlet end attached to the nosepiece and fluidly communicating with the cavity, and the supply end adapted to communicate with an air supply, so that the inlet hose delivers a positive pressure of air into the cavity for the user to breath;
an exhaust tube having a length, an inlet end, and an exhaust end, and an exhaust air passageway, the inlet end attached to the nosepiece and fluidly communicating with the cavity, the exhaust tube length being about 7 inches or greater so that the exhaust tube extends away from the nosepiece to hold the exhaust end about 7 inches or more away from the nosepiece;
wherein the exhaust tube conducts exhaust air away from the user's face for increasing comfort during sleep.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Exhaust airway for nasal continuous positive airway pressure mask

Life of this patent

Exhaust airway for nasal continuous positive airway pressure mask

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16