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US 6,986,352 B2Granted
Mask with gusset
AssigneeResMed Limited
InventorsRobert H. Frater, Joanne Drew, Michael K. Gunaratnam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
Claims27
A mask for delivering breathable gas to a user, comprising:
- a mask shell having a portion adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas and a user side;
- a gusset portion having a first side attached to the user side of the shell and having a second side;
- a cushion having a first portion constructed and arranged to attach to the second side of the gusset portion and a second portion constructed and arranged to contact a user's face in use and provide a seal between the mask and the user's face;
- and
- a headgear constructed and arranged to attach the mask shell to the user, said headgear including at least one headgear strap;
- wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can be selectively moved within a range of displacement to be set at a distance between the mask shell and the cushion, the gusset portion defining a gusset area exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas in use such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the gusset area provides a component of a contact force Fc of the cushion on the user's face, and
- wherein the mask shell, gusset portion, cushion and headgear are structured and arranged with respect to one another in use so that the force Fc is maintained in approximately constant proportion to the pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas, and a total force of the mask on the face Fm is maintained within a range of about 35-108 grams per gf/cm2 pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas to thereby maintain the seal between the mask and the user's face over an operating pressure range of the mask, including a minimum pressure of the operating pressure range, without adjusting the headgear strap.
4 more elements
A mask system for delivering breathable gas to a user, comprising:
- a mask shell having a portion adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas and a user side;
- a gusset portion having a first side attached to the user side of the shell and having a second side;
- a cushion having a first portion constructed and arranged to attach to the second side of the gusset portion and a second portion constructed and arranged to contact a user's face in use and provide a seal between the mask and the user's face;
- and
- a headgear constructed and arranged to attach the mask shell to the user, said headgear including length adjustable headgear straps;
- wherein, at any given length of the headgear straps that is established upon initial set up of the mask system, the gusset portion is movable within a range of displacement to be set at a distance between the mask shell and the cushion, the gusset portion defining a gusset area exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas in use such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the gusset area provides a component of a contact force Fc of the cushion on the user's face, and
- wherein the mask shell, gusset portion, cushion and headgear are structured and arranged with respect to one another in use so that the force Fc is maintained to at least equal a minimum sealing force for the seal between the user and the mask at a minimum operating pressure of the mask.
4 more elements
A mask for delivering breathable gas to a user, comprising:
- a mask shell having a portion adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas and a user side;
- a gusset portion having a first side attached to the user side of the shell and having a second side;
- a cushion having a first portion constructed and arranged to attach to the second side of the gusset portion and a second portion constructed and arranged to contact a user's face in use and provide a seal between the mask and the user's face;
- and
- a headgear constructed and arranged to attach the mask shell to the user, said headgear including at least one headgear strap;
- wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can move within a range of displacement to be set at a distance between the mask shell and the cushion, the gusset portion defining a gusset area exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas in use such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the gusset area provides a component of a contact force Fc of the cushion on the user's face, and
- wherein the mask shell, gusset portion, cushion and headgear are structured and arranged with respect to one another in use so that the force Fc is maintained in approximately constant proportion to the pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas, and a total force of the mask on the face Fm is maintained within a range of about 35-108 grams per gf/cm2 pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas at a minimum operating pressure of the mask, without adjusting the headgear strap.
4 more elements
A mask for delivering breathable gas to a user, comprising:
- a mask shell having a portion adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas and a user side;
- a cushion provided to the mask shell and arranged to contact a user's face in use and provide a seal between the mask and the user's face;
- a gusset portion provided to the cushion;
- and
- a headgear constructed and arranged to position the mask shell relative to the user, said headgear including at least one headgear strap;
- wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it provides a component of a contact force Fc of the cushion on the user's face, the gusset portion having a configuration and shape so that, in use, the force Fc is maintained in approximately constant proportion to the pressure of the supply of pressurized breathable gas, and a total force of the mask on the face Fm is maintained within a predetermined range to maintain the seal between the mask and the user's face, for at least a minimum operating pressure of the mask, without adjusting the headgear strap.
3 more elements
A mask system pressurizable to an operating pressure, the mask system comprising:
- a mask frame;
- a cushion spaced a distance from the mask frame and structured to transfer a force to a face of a user;
- and
- a gusset portion between the mask frame and the cushion, the gusset portion including a side wall having at least one of:
- (1) a pressure-dependent projected area that is variable over an operating pressure range, and
- (2) an elastic portion with at least one of a pressure-dependent and distance-dependent spring constant such that the force and the distance are approximately inversely proportional at a given operating pressure.
3 more elements
A mask system pressurizable to an operating pressure, the mask system comprising:
- a mask frame;
- a cushion spaced a distance from the mask frame and structured to transfer a force to a face of a user;
- and
- a gusset portion between the mask frame and the cushion, the gusset portion including means for establishing an approximately inversely proportional relationship between the force and the distance at a given operating pressure.
1 more element
A mask system for delivering breathable gas to a user, comprising:
- a mask shell having a portion adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas and a user side;
- a gusset portion having a first side attached to the user side of the shell and having a second side;
- a cushion having a first portion constructed and arranged to attach to the second side of the gusset portion and a second portion constructed and arranged to contact a user's face in use and provide a seal between the mask and the user's face;
- and
- a headgear constructed and arranged to attach the mask shell to the user, said headgear including length adjustable headgear straps;
- wherein, by selectively varying the length of the headgear straps upon initial set up of the mask system, the gusset portion is movable within a range of displacement to be set at a distance between the mask shell and the cushion, the gusset portion defining a gusset area exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas in use such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the gusset area provides a component of a contact force Fc of the cushion on the user's face, and
- wherein the gusset portion includes means for maintaining the force Fc, in use, to at least equal a minimum sealing force for the seal between the user and the mask at a minimum operating pressure of the mask.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.