Breathing assistance apparatus

A mask assembly comprising:

• a cushion comprising a user contacting portion surrounding at least one aperture, the user contacting portion being adapted to rest in sealed manner about a respiratory orifice a user, in use;
• an elbow connector comprising an elbow connector inlet configured to be connected to an inspiratory tube and an elbow connector outlet configured to be fluidically connected to the cushion, wherein the elbow connector is configured to allow the elbow connector inlet to swivel relative to the cushion;
• a headgear strap comprising a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the headgear strap being flexible;
• and
• an elongate and continuous headgear connector member supporting the cushion in use, the elongate and continuous headgear connector member comprising:
• a central section continuous with a first headgear extension and with a second headgear extension, the first and second headgear extensions being configured to be connectable to a headgear strap;
• the first headgear extension extending from a left side of the central section to a first proximal end configured to be connectable to the headgear strap, the first headgear extension configured to extend over a side of a user's left cheek, in use;
• the second headgear extension extending from a right side of the central section to a second proximal end configured to be connectable to the headgear strap, the second headgear extension configured to extend over a side of a user's right cheek, in use
• a first weakened portion disposed between the central section and the first proximal end;
• and
• a second weakened portion disposed between the central section and the second proximal end.

A mask assembly comprising:

• a cushion assembly comprising a base portion and a body portion connected together, the body portion comprising a proximal section and a distal section both of which are formed of a first material that is substantially flexible, the proximal section comprising at least one aperture and a user contacting portion surrounding the at least one aperture, the user contacting portion being adapted to rest in sealed manner about a respiratory orifice of a user in use, the base portion comprising a second material that is substantially hard, the base portion comprising a proximal portion connected to the distal section of the body portion and a distal portion comprising a respiratory gas inlet;
• an elbow connector comprising an elbow connector inlet configured to be connected to an inspiratory tube and an outlet connector configured to be fluidically connected to the respiratory gas inlet, wherein the elbow connector is configured to allow the elbow connector inlet to swivel relative to the respiratory gas inlet of the cushion assembly;
• a headgear strap comprising a first end, a second end, and a central portion, the headgear strap being flexible;
• and
• an elongate member supporting the cushion assembly in use, the elongate member comprising a central section integrally formed with a first headgear extension and with a second headgear extension, the first and second headgear extensions being configured to be connectable to a headgear strap;
• the first headgear extension having a first distal end extending from the central section, a first weakened portion, and a first proximal end configured to be disposed proximally with at least a portion of the first headgear extension extending over a user's first cheek, in use;
• the second headgear extension having a second distal end extending from the central section, a second weakened portion, and a second proximal end configured to be disposed proximally with at least a portion of the second headgear extension extending over a user's second cheek, in use.