# US 2013/0152918 A1 · Pap system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152918 A1 - Document ID: US20130152918A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/819,128 - Filed: 2011-08-26 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-08-27 - Assignees: ResMed Limited - Inventors: Gerard Michael Rummery; Benjamin John Hunter; Robert Edward Henry; Jose Ignacio Romagnoli; James William Charles Vandyke; David Anthony Pidcock; Rupert Christian Scheiner; Stuart Norris Plascott; Stewart Joseph Wagner; Jamie Graeme Wehbeh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152918A1 ## CPC - A61M 16/0825: {with ball-sockets} - A61M 16/00: Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators (iron lungs A61H31/02); Tracheal tubes - A61M 16/0066: {Blowers or centrifugal pumps} - 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 16/0633: {with forehead support} - A61M 16/0644: {having the means for adjusting its position} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 16/0694: {Chin straps} - A61M 2202/0085: product washed out - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2209/088: on the body - A61M 2210/06: Head - 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 PAP system adapted for treatment of respiratory disease or sleep disordered breathing includes headgear adapted to engage a patient's head, a patient interface adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of a patient's face, in use, by the headgear, a flow generator adapted to be connected to the patient interface, and wherein the flow generator is adapted to be secured by a portion of the headgear to the patient's head, and an outlet tube to interconnect the flow generator and the patient interface. The patient interface includes a frame and a sealing arrangement supported by the frame. The sealing arrangement includes a seal portion, a body portion, and an inlet tube in communication with the outlet tube. The frame and the outlet tube are constructed of a relatively rigid material. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -11. (canceled) ### Claim 12 A PAP system adapted for treatment of respiratory disease or sleep disordered breathing, comprising: headgear adapted to engage a patient's head; a patient interface adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of a patient's face, in use, by the headgear, a flow generator adapted to be connected to the patient interface, and wherein the flow generator is adapted to be secured by a portion of the headgear to the patient's head; and an outlet tube assembly to interconnect the flow generator and the patient interface; wherein the outlet tube assembly includes an outlet tube constructed of a relatively rigid material, a top articulated connector constructed of a relatively soft flexible material configured to connect a top portion of the outlet tube with an outlet of the flow generator, and a bottom articulated connector constructed of a relatively soft flexible material configured to connect a bottom portion of the outlet tube with an inlet tube of the patient interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the patient interface includes a relatively rigid frame which supports a cushion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A PAP system according to claim 13, wherein the frame includes a body portion defining a breathing chamber, the inlet tube, and a forehead support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A PAP system according to claim 14, wherein the body portion includes a vent to allow the exhalation of gases. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A PAP system according to claim 15, wherein the vent is a relatively rigid vent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the top articulated connector includes a first annular recess along an interior surface thereof adapted to engage an annular barb or flange provided to the outlet of the flow generator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the top articulated connector includes a second annular recess along an interior surface thereof adapted to engage an annular barb or flange provided to the top portion of the outlet tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the outlet of the flow generator includes one or more ribs adapted to engage corresponding recesses along an interior surface of the top articulated connector to provide mistake-free connection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the bottom articulated connector includes a first annular recess along an interior surface thereof adapted to engage an annular barb or flange provided to the bottom portion of the outlet tube. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the bottom articulated connector includes one or more second recesses along an interior surface thereof adapted to engage respective barbs or flanges provided to the inlet tube of the patient interface. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the outlet tube includes a fixed length. ### Claim 23 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein one or more of the top articulated connector and the bottom articulated connector includes a bellows section that provides an adjustable length. ### Claim 24 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the outlet tube includes a diameter that tapers from its top portion to its bottom portion. ### Claim 25 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, wherein the outlet tube includes protrusions or fingers adapted to be received in corresponding recesses provided to the top and bottom articulated connectors. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A PAP system according to claim 25, wherein the protrusions or fingers are generally U-shaped. ### Claim 27 (depends on 12) A PAP system according to claim 12, further comprising a chin strap provided to the patient interface and adapted to extend under the patient's chin in use. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A PAP system according to claim 27, further comprising a clip arrangement provided to each side of the patient interface, the clip arrangement structured to engage both a lower side strap of the headgear and the chin strap. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) A PAP system according to claim 28, wherein the clip arrangement includes a clip receptacle provided to the patient interface and a headgear clip adapted to be releasably connected to the clip receptacle. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A PAP system according to claim 29, wherein the clip receptacle is provided to a strap extending from a frame of the patient interface. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A PAP system according to claim 29, wherein the clip receptacle includes a chin strap loop adapted to attach the chin strap and the headgear clip includes a lower headgear strap loop adapted to attach the lower side strap of the headgear. ### Claim at position 22 -46. (canceled) ### Claim 47 A PAP system adapted for providing a supply of pressurized respiratory gas to a patient, comprising: headgear adapted to engage the patient's head; a patient interface adapted to be secured to and sealed against a portion of the patient's face, in use, by the headgear; a flow generator adapted to be connected to the patient interface and to generate a supply of pressurized gas, in use, wherein the flow generator is adapted to be secured by a portion of the headgear to a patient's head; and a tube assembly between the flow generator and the patient interface to deliver the pressurized gas generated by the flow generator to the patient interface; wherein the tube assembly provides a relatively smooth and fixed internal flow path to provide a relatively even and uninterrupted flow for the pressurized gas. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) A PAP system according to claim 47, wherein the tube assembly includes a relatively rigid outlet tube. ### Claim 49 (depends on 47) A PAP system according to claim 47, wherein the tube assembly further comprises at least first and second articulation points to provide flexibility to fit a range of patient head sizes and shapes. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) A PAP system according to claim 49, wherein the first articulation point includes a top articulated connector constructed of a relatively soft flexible material, and wherein a first end of the top articulated connector is configured to connect with an outlet of the flow generator. ### Claim 51 (depends on 49) A PAP system according to claim 49, wherein the second articulation point includes a bottom articulated connector constructed of a relatively soft flexible material, and wherein a first end of the bottom articulated connector is configured to connect with an inlet tube of the patient interface. ### Claim 52 (depends on 50) A PAP system according to claim 50, wherein a second end of the top articulated connector is inserted over an outer surface of a first end of the outlet tube to provide a coupling between the outlet of the flow generator and the outlet tube that allows fore and aft flex and prevents contact between the outlet tube and the outlet of the flow generator. ### Claim 53 (depends on 50) A PAP system according to claim 50, wherein a second end of the bottom articulated connector is inserted over an outer surface of a second end of the outlet tube to provide a coupling between the outlet tube and the inlet tube of the patient interface that allows fore and aft flex and prevents contact between the outlet tube and the inlet tube of the patient interface. ### Claim 54 (depends on 47) A PAP system according to claim 47, wherein the patient interface includes a relatively rigid frame which supports a cushion. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A PAP system according to claim 54, wherein the frame includes a body portion defining a breathing chamber, the inlet tube, and a forehead support. ### Claim 56 (depends on 55) A PAP system according to claim 55, wherein the body portion includes a vent to allow the exhalation of gases. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) A PAP system according to claim 56, wherein the vent is a relatively rigid vent. ### Claim 58 (depends on 47) A mask arrangement according to claim 47, wherein the headgear includes: at least one headgear strap; a chin strap; and a clip arrangement structured to engage both the at least one headgear strap and the chin strap. ### Claim 59 (depends on 58) A mask arrangement according to claim 58, wherein the clip arrangement includes a clip receptacle and a headgear clip adapted to be releasably connected to the clip receptacle. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) A mask arrangement according to claim 59, wherein the clip receptacle includes a chin strap loop adapted to attach the chin strap and the headgear clip includes a headgear strap loop adapted to attach the at least one headgear strap.