# US 2013/0152937 A1 · Patient interface device with a frame assembly having a double-y supporting structure

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- Number: US 2013/0152937 A1
- Document ID: US20130152937A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/818,174
- Filed: 2011-08-24
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2010-08-30
- Assignees: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
- Inventors: Gregory John Jablonski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152937A1

## CPC

- A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor}
- A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient}
- A61M 16/0057: {Pumps therefor}
- 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 16/0816: {Joints or connectors}
- A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes}
- 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 device (2,102) is includes a cushion (6,106) and a frame assembly (60,160) coupled to the cushion, the frame assembly including a main frame member (4,104) and a stiffening structure (62,162) coupled to the main frame member, the stiffening structure having a main arm (64,164), a first Y-portion coupled to a first end of the main arm having first and second front branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the first end of the main arm, and a second Y-portion coupled to a second end of the main arm having first and second rear branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the second end of the main arm.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A patient interface device, comprising:
a cushion; and
a frame assembly coupled to the cushion, the frame assembly, comprising:
a main frame member, and
a stiffening structure, the stiffening structure being an insert made of a plastic material and being disposed inside the main frame member, the stiffening structure having a main arm, a first Y-portion coupled to a first end of the main arm having first and second from branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the first end of the main arm, and a second Y-portion coupled to a second end of the main arm having first and second rear branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the second end of the main arm.

### Claim at position 2

2-14. (canceled)

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The patient interface device according to claim 1, wherein the frame member has a first arm and a second arm, wherein the stiffening structure is coupled to the first arm, wherein the patient interface device further includes an additional stiffening member coupled to the second arm, the additional stiffening structure having an additional main arm, an additional first Y-portion coupled to a first end of the second arm having first and second front branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the first end of the second arm, and an additional second Y-portion coupled to a second end of the second arm having first and second rear branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the second end of the second arm, wherein the frame member further includes a generally annular central member defining a central orifice, wherein the first arm extends from a first side of the central member and the second arm extends from a second side of the central member, wherein the first Y-portion and the additional first Y-portion are directly coupled to the central member and wherein an end of the cushion is received through the central orifice.

### Claim 16

A frame assembly for a patient interface device, comprising:
a main frame member; and
a stiffening structure, the stiffening structure being an insert made of a plastic material and being disposed inside the main frame member, the stiffening structure having a main arm, a first Y-portion coupled to a first end of the main arm having first and second front branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the first end of the main arm, and a second Y-portion coupled to a second end of the main arm having first and second rear branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the second end of the main arm.

### Claim 17

(canceled)

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main frame member is made of a silicone material, the stiffening structure is made of a plastic material, and the main frame member is overmolded onto the stiffening structure.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The frame assembly according to claim 18, wherein the main frame member is made of a material having a Shore A durometer of between 70 and 80 Shore A.

### Claim 20

(canceled)

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main frame member has a first arm and a second arm, wherein the stiffening structure is disposed inside the first arm, wherein the frame assembly further includes an additional stiffening structure being an insert made of a plastic material and being disposed inside the second arm, the additional stiffening structure having an additional main arm, an additional first Y-portion coupled to a first end of the second arm having first and second front branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the first end of the second arm, and an additional second Y-portion coupled to a second end of the second arm having first and second rear branches extending at upward and downward angles, respectively, from the second end of the second arm.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the first Y-portion is symmetrical with respect to a line through the main arm along a longitudinal axis of the main arm, and wherein the second Y-portion is asymmetrical with respect to the line.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main arm has a length of between 55 and 60 mm.

### Claim 24 (depends on 22)

The frame assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first rear branch has a centerline along a longitudinal axis thereof that is positioned at an angle of about 60 degrees with respect to the line.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The frame assembly according to claim 24, wherein the second rear branch has a centerline along a longitudinal axis thereof that is positioned at an angle of about 30 degrees with respect to the line.

### Claim 26 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main frame member has a first arm including a first branching member having a first length extending upwardly from a first end of the first arm and a second branching member extending downwardly from the first end of the first arm, wherein the stiffening structure is coupled to the first arm, wherein the first rear branch has a second length that is equal to about one half the first length.

### Claim 27 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein a degree of cross-sectional curvature of each of the first rear branch and the second rear branch decreases from a first end of the second Y-portion immediately adjacent to the second end of the main arm to a distal end of each of the first rear branch and the second rear branch.

### Claim 28 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein a degree of cross-sectional curvature of the first Y-portion increases from a first end of the first Y-portion immediately adjacent to the first end of the main arm to a distal end of each of the first front branch and the second front branch.

### Claim 29 (depends on 21)

The frame assembly frame assembly according to claim 21, wherein the main frame member further includes a generally annular central member defining a central orifice, wherein the first arm extends from a first side of the central member and the second arm extends from a second side of the central member, and wherein the first Y-portion and the additional first Y-portion are directly coupled to the central member.

### Claim 30 (depends on 16)

The frame assembly according to claim 16, wherein the main frame member comprises a compressed foam covered in a fabric material.