# US 2014/0150798 A1 · Swivel elbow and connector assembly for patient interface systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150798 A1 - Document ID: US20140150798A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/131,507 - Filed: 2012-07-06 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2011-07-08 - Assignees: ResMed Limited - Inventors: Teck Fong; Stephen Gray; Francis Barlow; Robert Burnam; Skipper Christopher Scott; David Anthony Pidcock; Tumul Gupta; Julian Mazzone; Jose Ignacio Romagnoli; Chris Cullen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150798A1 ## CPC - A61M 16/0816: {Joints or connectors} - 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 16/0825: {with ball-sockets} - A61M 16/0875: {Connecting tubes} - A61M 16/208: {Non-controlled one-way valves, e.g. exhalation, check, pop-off non-rebreathing valves} - A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient} - 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 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 2202/0225: Carbon oxides, e.g. Carbon dioxide - A61M 2205/42: Reducing noise - A61M 2207/00: Methods of manufacture, assembly or production - A61M 2210/0618: Nose - 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 swivel elbow and connector assembly for a patient interface system includes a ring configured to be sealingly secured in an aperture of the patient interface system. The ring includes a first side in an interior of the patient interface system and a second side at an exterior of the patient interface system when the ring is secured in the aperture. The ring also includes a plurality of vents configured to permit flow of gases from the interior to the exterior of the patient interface system. The swivel elbow and connector assembly includes an elbow swivelably secured in the ring. A patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a user includes a patient interface structure configured to sealing engage the face of the user. The patient interface structure includes an aperture. A swivel elbow and connector assembly is sealingly secured in the aperture. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An air delivery tube having an end portion that is removably connectable to a mask, the end portion includes a first arcuate region adapted to engage the mask and constructed from a first material, and a second arcuate region adapted to engage the mask and constructed from a second material, the first arcuate region and the second arcuate region being combined and arranged to define a circular shape and at least a portion of a cylinder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the first material is relatively more rigid than the second material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the first material is resilient and/or stiff. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the second material is flexible. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the first material forms a vent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the second material forms a valve. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the first arcuate region includes a stop. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, wherein the first arcuate region and the second arcuate region are formed in one piece and/or over-molded. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The air delivery tube of claim 1, further comprising actuators. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The air delivery tube of claim 9, wherein the actuators are adapted to deform the first arcuate region. ### Claim at position 11 11-38. (canceled) ### Claim 39 A swivel elbow and connector assembly for a patient interface system, comprising: a ring configured to be sealingly secured in an aperture of the patient interface system, the ring including a first side in an interior of the patient interface system and a second side at an exterior of the patient interface system when the ring is secured in the aperture, the ring comprising a plurality of vents configured to permit flow of gases from the interior to the exterior of the patient interface system; and an elbow swivelably secured in the ring, wherein the ring comprises a first flange on the first side and a second flange on the second side, the first and second flanges defining a channel that sealingly engages the aperture of the patient interface system and the second flange comprises an angled surface that directs the flow of gases from the plurality of vents at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the ring. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 39, further comprising a first swivel cuff having a first end rotatably connected to the elbow at a first end and having a second end configured to be connected to a conduit for delivering a flow of breathable gas to the patient interface system or to be connected to a second swivel cuff. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 40, wherein the first swivel cuff is rotatably connected to the elbow which is configured to provide an angle between the longitudinal axis of the first swivel cuff and the longitudinal axis of the elbow varies as the first swivel cuff rotates relative to the elbow. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 41, wherein the angle varies from about 40°-60°. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 42, wherein the angle varies about 50°. ### Claim 44 (depends on 40) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 40 wherein the second swivel cuff is rotatably connected to the first swivel cuff which is configured to provide an angle between the longitudinal axis of the second swivel cuff and the longitudinal axis of the first swivel varies as the second swivel cuff rotates relative to the first swivel elbow. ### Claim 45 (depends on 39) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 39, wherein the angle varies from about 40°-60°. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 45, wherein the angle varies about 50°. ### Claim 47 (depends on 39) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 39, wherein the plurality of vents are provided on an inner surface of the ring. ### Claim 48 (depends on 47) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 47, further comprising a sleeve between the ring and the elbow. ### Claim 49 (depends on 48) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 48, wherein the elbow comprises a tapered flange that secures the sleeve between the ring and the elbow. ### Claim 50 (depends on 47) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 47, wherein the sleeve comprises a flange between the second flange of the ring and a flange of the elbow. ### Claim 51 (depends on 39) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 39, wherein the plurality of vents are provided on an outer surface of the ring. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 51, wherein an inner surface of the ring is partially spherical and an outer surface of the elbow is partially spherical and the elbow and the ring form a ball and socket connection. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 52, wherein an annular surface of the elbow is flush with an annular surface of the ring when the longitudinal axes of the elbow and the ring are co-linear. ### Claim 54 (depends on 53) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 53, wherein the elbow comprises an annular junction configured to limit swiveling of the elbow by engaging a second annular surface of the ring. ### Claim 55 (depends on 52) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 52, wherein the partially spherical surfaces of the ring and elbow have approximately equal radii of curvature. ### Claim at position 29 56-90. (canceled) ### Claim 91 A swivel elbow and connector assembly for a patient interface system, comprising: a ring configured to be sealingly secured in an aperture of the patient interface system, the ring including a first side in an interior of the patient interface system and a second side at an exterior of the patient interface system when the ring is secured in the aperture, and a space is defined between the first and second sides that forms part of a spherical socket; an elbow swivelably secured in the ring, and wherein the ring comprises a first flange on the first side and a second flange on the second side, the first and second flanges defining a channel that sealingly engages the aperture of the patient interface system; and wherein an inner surface of the ring is partially spherical and an outer surface of the elbow is partially spherical and the elbow and the ring form a ball and socket connection. ### Claim 92 (depends on 91) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 91, further comprising a swivel cuff annular engaging ring that is received in an annular groove of the elbow, the swivel cuff annular engaging ring configured to be connected to a conduit for delivering a flow of breathable gas to the patient interface system. ### Claim 93 (depends on 92) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 92, wherein the swivel cuff annular engaging ring is rotatably connected to the elbow. ### Claim 94 (depends on 91) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 91, wherein an annular surface of the elbow is flush with an annular surface of the ring when the longitudinal axes of the elbow and the ring are co-linear. ### Claim 95 (depends on 94) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 94, wherein the elbow comprises an annular junction configured to limit swiveling of the elbow by engaging a second annular surface of the ring. ### Claim 96 (depends on 91) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 91, wherein the partially spherical surfaces of the ring and elbow have approximately equal radii of curvature. ### Claim 97 (depends on 91) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 91, further comprising a plurality of vents configured to permit flow of gases from the interior to the exterior of the patient interface system. ### Claim 98 (depends on 96) A swivel elbow and connector assembly according to claim 96, wherein the plurality of vents are positioned on the elbow. ### Claim 99 A patient interface system, comprising: a patient interface, an elbow having a first end and a second end, a ball and socket joint between the first end of the elbow and the patient interface, a swivel cuff rotatably secured to the second end of the elbow, and a conduit for delivering a supply of breathable gas to the patient interface secured to the swivel cuff. ### Claim 100 A swivel elbow for a patient interface system, comprising: an elbow having a first end and a second end, a connector configured to sealably secure the elbow to an aperture in a patient interface system, a ball and socket joint between the elbow and the connector, and a swivel cuff rotatably connected to the second end of the elbow, wherein the swivel cuff is configured to secure to the elbow a conduit for delivering a supply of breathable gas to the patient interface. ### Claim 101 (depends on 100) The swivel elbow according to claim 100, wherein the elbow and the connector are pneumatically engaged such that exhaled air of a patient does not vent between the elbow and the connector. ### Claim 102 (depends on 100) The swivel elbow according to claim 100, wherein the ball and socket joint does not have protuberances on its surface.