Back to results
US 5,647,357 AGranted
Respiratory mask facial seal
AssigneeRespironics, Inc.
InventorsShari S. Barnett, Patrick M. Handke, Kristine K. Sabo, Eugene N. Scarberry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeRespironics, Inc.
InventorsShari S. Barnett, Patrick M. Handke, Kristine K. Sabo, Eugene N. Scarberry
Estimating the term…
An improved flexible respiratory mask facial seal, as well a respiratory mask incorporating such seal. The facial seal comprises an annular member including a peripheral sidewall bounded by an inner end and an outer end generally opposite the inner end. The inner end is adapted for attachment to the shell or body portion of a respiratory mask and the outer end defines a contoured sealing surface adapted for confronting sealing engagement with a user's face. The annular member is formed of a gel substance possessing resilience characteristics corresponding to those of human fat tissue. Preferably, the annular member is encapsulated in a thin, pliable, membranous covering to enhance the durability and washability of the facial seal. Because the facial seal simulates the resiliency of human fat tissue, the user experiences the sensation of a natural substance against his skin when the mask is donned.
A flexible, resilient respiratory mask facial seal for sealing engagement with the face of a human user to form a sealed interface encompassing a predetermined portion of such user's face, said facial seal being operatively connectable to a source of breathing gas, said facial seal comprising a peripheral wall portion having an inner end and an outer end opposite said inner end, said inner end being attachable to a body of a respiratory mask and said outer end including a seal portion having a contoured sealing surface for sealing engagement with a user's face, at least said seal portion being formed from a gel substance having a resiliency substantially corresponding to that of human fat tissue, said gel substance including the property of recoiling back to substantially its original shape when not stressed.
A respiratory mask operatively connectable to a source of breathing gas and comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.