Abstract: A patient interface device includes a cushion defining a cavity therein, the cushion having a first side and an opposite second side. An aperture is formed in the second side and provides access to the cavity, the aperture having a periphery adapted to sealingly engage about the nostrils of a patient when the cushion is disposed on the face of a patient. The patient interface device further includes a pair of stabilizing members coupled to, and extending from, the cushion, each stabilizing member being adapted to contact the face of the patient in the adjacent nasal region below the orbital bone ridge in such a manner that strapping forces, which would otherwise be directed near the nares of the patient, are instead concentrated onto the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device, a cushion body and a cushion support assembly is provided. The respiratory interface device cushion body includes a nose bridge engagement portion structured to engage a user's nose bridge, the cushion nose bridge engagement portion movable between an un-deformed first configuration and a deformed second configuration. The cushion support assembly includes a faceplate and a pressure distributing assembly. A faceplate perimeter nose bridge portion defines a recessed tapered contour. A pressure distributing assembly includes a number of pressure distributing members. A pressure distributing member is disposed at the faceplate perimeter nose bridge portion and is structured to move between a first position, wherein the pressure distributing member maintains the cushion in the first cushion configuration, and a second position wherein the pressure distributing member maintains the cushion in the second cushion configuration.

Abstract: A cushion tension assembly for a respiratory interface device is provided. Cushion tension assembly includes an adjustment assembly and a number of tension members. Each tension member is operatively coupled to the adjustment assembly and is operatively coupled to the cushion body. In this configuration, the adjustment assembly is structured to move cushion body between a first configuration in which the cushion body provides a generally continuous seal, and a second configuration in which the cushion body provides a more complete seal.

Abstract: A minimal weight patient interface device that delivers breathing gas to a user includes a cushion assembling including a support cushion assembly and a sealing member is described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the support cushion assembly includes a wedge that is made of a high density foam received within a wedge receiving portion of the support cushion assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, the cushion assembly is formed by the sealing member fitting over the support cushion assembly. The sealing member, in one embodiment, is made of silicone, for example, having a low durometer value (e.g., between 5-10 Shore 00). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the patient interface device also includes a faceplate that is placed over the cushion assembly and is made of a thermoform, such as a high density foam laminated between two pieces of fabric, such as polyester.

Abstract: A valve assembly (12) includes a first housing (22), a diaphragm member (24) having a plurality of individually pivotable sealing members (50), and a second housing (26) coupled to the end of the first housing over the diaphragm member. The second housing has a plurality of ports (78) spaced about the second member. The diaphragm member is structured to actuate between (i) a first state wherein the sealing members substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure within the first housing being below a certain level, each of the ports being open in the first state, and (ii) a second state wherein the sealing members pivot away from and do not substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure in the first housing being at or above the certain level, each sealing member substantially sealing a respective one of the ports in the second state.

Abstract: A minimal weight patient interface device that delivers breathing gas to a user includes a cushion assembling including a support cushion assembly and a sealing member is described herein. In one exemplary embodiment, the support cushion assembly includes a wedge that is made of a high density foam received within a wedge receiving portion of the support cushion assembly. In the exemplary embodiment, the cushion assembly is formed by the sealing member fitting over the support cushion assembly. The sealing member, in one embodiment, is made of silicone, for example, having a low durometer value (e.g., between 5-10 Shore 00). Furthermore, in one embodiment, the patient interface device also includes a faceplate that is placed over the cushion assembly and is made of a thermoform, such as a high density foam laminated between two pieces of fabric, such as polyester.

Abstract: A cushion tension assembly for a respiratory interface device is provided. Cushion tension assembly includes an adjustment assembly and a number of tension members. Each tension member is operatively coupled to the adjustment assembly and is operatively coupled to the cushion body. In this configuration, the adjustment assembly is structured to move cushion body between a first configuration in which the cushion body provides a generally continuous seal, and a second configuration in which the cushion body provides a more complete seal.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a cushion defining a cavity therein, the cushion having a first side and an opposite second side. An aperture is formed in the second side and provides access to the cavity, the aperture having a periphery adapted to sealingly engage about the nostrils of a patient when the cushion is disposed on the face of a patient. The patient interface device further includes a pair of stabilizing members coupled to, and extending from, the cushion, each stabilizing member being adapted to contact the face of the patient in the adjacent nasal region below the orbital bone ridge in such a manner that strapping forces, which would otherwise be directed near the nares of the patient, are instead concentrated onto the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: A fluid coupling conduit (6, 50, 70, 104, 134) includes an inlet end (28, 52, 76, 110, 140) structured to receive a flow of breathing gas, an outlet end (32, 56, 78, 112, 142) fluidly coupled to the inlet end and defining an outlet opening, a central chamber portion (36, 60, 80, 124, 145) positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end, the central chamber portion having an outer wall (38, 62, 82, 116, 146) positioned opposite the outlet opening. The outer wall has a plurality of exhaust gas orifices (40, 64, 84, 118, 148) extending therethrough. A number of sound attenuating structures are disposed in the central chamber portion between the outlet opening and the outer wall. The sound attenuating structures including a plurality of surfaces structured to reflect sound waves associated with exhaust gas flow through the fluid coupling conduit.

Abstract: A valve assembly (12) includes a first housing (22), a diaphragm member (24) having a plurality of individually pivotable sealing members (50), and a second housing (26) coupled to the end of the first housing over the diaphragm member. The second housing has a plurality of ports (78) spaced about the second member. The diaphragm member is structured to actuate between (i) a first state wherein the sealing members substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure within the first housing being below a certain level, each of the ports being open in the first state, and (ii) a second state wherein the sealing members pivot away from and do not substantially seal the end of the first housing responsive to a pressure in the first housing being at or above the certain level, each sealing member substantially sealing a respective one of the ports in the second state.

Abstract: A fluid coupling conduit (6, 50, 70, 104, 134) includes an inlet end (28, 52, 76, 110, 140) structured to receive a flow of breathing gas, an outlet end (32, 56, 78, 112, 142) fluidly coupled to the inlet end and defining an outlet opening, a central chamber portion (36, 60, 80, 124, 145) positioned between the inlet end and the outlet end, the central chamber portion having an outer wall (38, 62, 82, 116, 146) positioned opposite the outlet opening. The outer wall has a plurality of exhaust gas orifices (40, 64, 84, 118, 148) extending therethrough. A number of sound attenuating structures are disposed in the central chamber portion between the outlet opening and the outer wall. The sound attenuating structures including a plurality of surfaces structured to reflect sound waves associated with exhaust gas flow through the fluid coupling conduit.