# US 5,429,683 A · Face mask for breathing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,429,683 A - Document ID: US5429683A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/150,073 - Filed: 1993-11-22 - Granted: 1995-07-04 - Earliest claimed: 1991-05-22 - Inventors: Anne Le Mitouard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5429683A ## CPC - A61M 16/06: Respiratory or anaesthetic masks - A61M 16/0605: {Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient} - A62B 18/025: {Halfmasks (A62B23/02 takes precedence; surgical face masks A41D13/11)} - A61M 16/0683: {Holding devices therefor} - A61M 16/106: {in a path} - A61M 2205/0238: the material being a coating or protective layer - 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)} - A62B: DEVICES, APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR LIFE-SAVING (valves specially adapted for medical use A61M39/00; life-saving devices, apparatus or methods specially adapted for use in water B63C9/00; divers' equipment B63C11/00; specially adopted for use with aircraft, e.g. parachutes, ejector seats, {B64D17/00, B64D25/10}; rescue devices peculiar to mining E21F11/00) ## Abstract A face mask, in particular for mechanically ventilating a patient, the mask comprising means interposed between a breathe-in/breathe-out pipe (10) and at least one of the nose and mouth orifices of the patient (5) to provide a sealed connection between the pipe and the respiratory tract of the patient, wherein said means comprise a thin shell (1) delimited by a substantially ovoid concave inside surface (7) whose apex is provided with an opening (2), a thick and flexible lining (6) suitable for engaging inside the shell (1) and projecting beyond said shell in the form of a sealing rim that deforms to match the shape of the portion of the face (5) that surrounds the opening to the respiratory tract, the lining having a tubular endpiece (8) suitable for being snap-fastened in the opening (2) of said shell (1) and forming a sleeve for connection to the pipe (10), the mask also having a harness (3, 4) for fixing it to the head of the user (5) and including straps that are fixed to the shell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A face mask, in particular for mechanically ventilating a patient, the mask comprising means interposed between a breath-in/breath-out pipe and at least one of the nose and mouth orifices of the patient to provide a sealed connection between a breath-in/breath-out pipe and the respiratory tract of the patient, said means having a thin shell delimited by a substantially ovoid concave inside surface whose apex is provided with an opening, a thick and flexible lining engaging the inside of the shell and projecting beyond said shell to form a sealing rim that deforms to match the shape of the portion of the face that surrounds the opening to the respiratory tract and a harness for fixing said face mask to the head of the user and including straps that are fixed to the shell, wherein said lining has a tubular endpiece projecting through the opening of said shell and forming a sleeve for connection to a breath-in/breath-out pipe. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the thick and flexible lining includes a reinforcement member in its rim forming portion, the reinforcement member being suitable for being deformed to fit the shape of the face. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A mask according to claim 2, characterized in that said reinforcement member is constituted by a deformable metal wire. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A mask according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement member is constituted by a inflatable tubular chamber of variable section. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A mask according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcement member is constituted by a tubular envelope filled with a divided material and suitable for being evacuated. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the lining is constituted by a synthetic material in the form of a foam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the endpiece of the lining includes a rim at its end that forms a snap-fastening catch for engaging the lining on the shell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A mask according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing harness comprises an upper strap whose ends are fixed to the shell in two symmetrical lateral zones situated beneath the level of the opening, and a lower strap whose ends are secured to the shell in two symmetrical lateral zones situated above the level of the opening, ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A mask according to claim 8, characterized in that each strap of the harness includes means for adjusting its length and buckle means that are independent of the adjustment means.