A positive airway pressure device

A mask for use with a positive airway pressure device, the mask comprising:

• a cap, a frame, and a cushion together forming a chamber configured to be positively pressurised by a source of positively pressurised air, the frame comprising an aperture for communicating the source of positively pressurised air into the chamber adjacent to the nares and/or mouth of a subject, the cushion extending around a periphery of the cap defining a lip and a sealing surface, wherein the lip supports at least one sensor and the sealing surface seals the chamber against the subject, the at least one sensor configured to assess contact pressure applied to the subject by the sealing surface of the cushion and airway pressure, wherein the mask is configured to automatically respond to suboptimal mask application or suboptimal airway pressure,
• wherein the mask is fitted over the nares and/or mouth of a subject, the source of positively pressurised air is initiated to deliver positively pressurised air to the mask, the at least one sensor continuously relays data on the airway pressure and contact pressure applied to the subject by the sealing surface of the cushion,
• and wherein the processor is configured to:
• categorise the data on the contact pressure applied to the subject by the sealing surface of the cushion as above or below a predetermined contact pressure range;
• measure airway pressure;
• and
• categorise the measured airway pressure as satisfactory or sub-optimal.

A positive airway pressure device, comprising a mask supported on an armature the mask having a chamber for directing a positive pressure air supply to the nares and/or a mouth of the subject, and providing a plurality of sensors configured to assess contact pressure applied to the subject by the mask, the armature comprising:

• a respiratory channel and an expiratory channel for supplying positively pressurised air to the chamber and evacuating expelled air therefrom;
• and
• a processor for receiving sensor data from the plurality of sensors, and calculating the contact pressure at each sensor,
• wherein the processor compares the contact pressure at each sensor against a predetermined contact pressure range to categorise the pressure state of each sensor as being:
• above the predetermined contact pressure range;
• below the predetermined contact pressure range;
• and within the predetermined contact pressure range.

A method of monitoring for, and automatically responding to, sub-optimal mask application or airway pressure using a positive airway pressure device comprising a mask and a source of positively pressurised air, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) fitting the mask over the nares and/or a mouth of a subject, the mask including a plurality of sensors;
• (b) initiating the source of positively pressurised air to deliver positively pressurised air to the mask;
• (c) continuously relaying data from the plurality of sensors to a processor to assess a contact pressure between the mask and the subject, and airway pressure;
• (d) categorising data, by the processor, from each of the plurality of sensors against a predetermined contact pressure range, to assess whether the contact pressure between the mask and the user at each sensor location is:
• above the predetermined contact pressure range;
• below the predetermined contact pressure range;
• and within the predetermined contact pressure range;
• (e) measuring airway pressure and categorising the measured pressure as satisfactory or sub-optimal by the processor.