Respiratory mask sealing interface

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to a sealing interface for use as part of an apparatus for supplying a flow of respiratory gases to a user.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system, such as a continuous positive airway pressure system, for providing a heated humidified gases stream to a user as might be used in conjunction with a sealing interface that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a diagram of a nasal mask that may incorporate a sealing interface that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.

#A sealing interface that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention provides improvements in the delivery of CPAP therapy. In particular a sealing interface is described that reduces a pressure of a mask on a face of a user and that reduces leakage when compared with the prior art. The sealing interface as described herein can be used in respiratory care generally or with a ventilator but will be described below with reference to use in a humidified CPAP system. Certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention can be applied to any form of interface including, but not limited to, full face masks that seal around a nose and a mouth of a user, nasal masks that seal around a nose of a user, and oral masks and mouthpieces that are in sealing engagement with a mouth of the user.

#With reference to FIG. 1 a humidified Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) system is shown in which a user 1 is receiving humidified and pressurized gases through an interface 2 that is connected to a humidified gases transportation pathway or inspiratory conduit 3. Delivery systems could also be VPAP (Variable Positive Airway Pressure), BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure) or any of numerous other forms of respiratory therapy. An inspiratory conduit 3 is connected to the outlet 4 of a humidification chamber 5, which contains a volume of water 6. The inspiratory conduit 3 may contain heating means or heater wires (not shown) that heat the walls of the conduit to reduce condensation of humidified gases within the conduit 3. The humidification chamber 5 preferably is formed from a plastics material and may have a highly heat conductive base (for example, an aluminum base) that is in direct contact with a heater plate 7 of a humidifier 8. The humidifier 8 is provided with control means or an electronic controller 9 that may comprise a microprocessor-based controller that executes computer software commands stored in an associated memory.

#The controller 9 receives input from sources, such as user input means or a dial 10 through which a user of the device may, for example, set a predetermined required value (e.g., preset value) of humidity or temperature of the gases supplied to user 1. The controller 9 also may receive input from other sources, such as, for example, temperature and/or flow velocity sensors 11, 12 through a connector 13 and a heater plate temperature sensor 14. In response to the user set humidity or temperature value, which is input via the dial 10, and the other inputs, the controller 9 determines when, or to what level, to energise the heater plate 7 to heat the water 6 within the humidification chamber 5. As the volume of water 6 within the humidification chamber 5 is heated, water vapor begins to fill the volume of the chamber 5 above the water's surface and the water vapor is passed out of the outlet 4 of the humidification chamber 5 with the flow of gases (for example, air) that is provided from a gases supply means or a blower 15, which flow enters the chamber through an inlet 16. Exhaled gases from the mouth of the user can be passed directly to ambient surroundings in FIG. 1.