Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask of the present invention includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask of the present invention includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mask for achieving positive pressure mechanical ventilation (inclusive of CPAP, ventilator support, critical care ventilation, emergency applications), and a method for a operating a ventilation system including such mask. The mask of the present invention includes a piloted exhalation valve that is used to achieve the target pressures/flows to the patient. The pilot for the valve may be pneumatic and driven from the gas supply tubing from the ventilator. The pilot may also be a preset pressure derived in the mask, a separate pneumatic line from the ventilator, or an electro-mechanical control. The mask of the present invention may further include a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) which is integrated therein.

Abstract: A mask system includes a frame (20) adapted to attach headgear, a sealing arrangement (40) releasably connectable to the frame, and an elbow (70) provided to the sealing arrangement and adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers breathable gas to the patient. The sealing arrangement defines a breathing chamber and is adapted to form a seal with the patient's face. The sealing arrangement includes structure (50) to establish a positive connection with the frame and with the elbow.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for humidifying ventilation gas. Systems and methods may include a nasal interface apparatus for receiving ventilation gas from gas delivery tubing and for humidifying ventilation gas. The nasal interface apparatus may have one or more channels within the nasal interface to deliver gas from a gas delivery circuit to a patient's nose; one or more structures in fluid communication with the one or more channels to direct ventilation gas to the patient's nose; and a hygroscopic material within the nasal interface in the flow path of the ventilation gas.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a frame and a flexible structure provided to the frame and adapted to engage a patient's face. The flexible structure includes a chamber filled with a first gel and a second gel that is relatively harder than the first gel. A ratio of height of the first gel to the second gel in a lip region is in the range of about 0.25 to about 0.6.

Abstract: A cushion assembly for use with a respiratory mask includes a bladder filled with the combination of a gel having a first indentation hardness and a gel having a second indentation hardness.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient for the treatment of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) that is less obtrusive includes a nasal cannula, cannulae (2a, 2b), prongs, or pillows and may be sealed or unsealed with the nares of the patient in use. The cannula, pillows or prongs may be positioned on the face of the patient by a headgear (6). The cannula, pillows or prongs may be smaller, lighter, and/or less visible than other nasal cannula, cannulae, pillows or prongs and may therefore be less obtrusive to the patient.

Abstract: Headgear for a respiratory mask includes a strap arrangement including front strap portions adapted to be disposed over a patient's cheeks and having front ends adapted for attachment to an airway interfacing portion, top strap portions connected to respective front strap portions and adapted to be disposed over the top of a patient's head and to connect to each other, and a back strap extending rearwardly from and connecting respective junctions of the front strap portions and top strap portions or regions adjacent these junctions and adapted to locate underneath a patient's occiput. In use with a patient having long hair, the back strap is adapted to extend under the patient's hair and urge upwardly on the patient's hair and against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In use with a patient having short hair, the back strap is adapted to urge against the patient's head beneath the occiput. In an embodiment, front strap portions of the headgear may be provided with a sleeve or cover (e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a built-in dishwashing machine wherein a capacitive control input system (13) is provided. The built-in dishwashing machine according to the invention comprises a washing chamber, a first door (2) to be opened for accessing the washing chamber and a second door (7) covering the first door (2). The dishwashing machine is characterised in that the second door (7) comprises a capacitive control input system (13) placed between the first (2) and the second door (7).

Abstract: A flow generator for generating a flow of pressurized breathable gas includes a cylindrical housing and a motor supported in the housing. The motor has a shaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The shaft is generally coincident with an axis of the motor. A first impeller is attached to the first end of the shaft and a second impeller is attached to the second end of the shaft. A stator directs an air flow from the first impeller back towards the motor axis. The housing includes an inlet adjacent the first end of the shaft having an inlet axis generally coincident with the motor axis and at least one outlet between the first and second impellers. The at least one outlet has an outlet axis generally tangential to the motor axis. An apparatus for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator and a casing to contain the flow generator.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a structure configured to contact a) at least one point on the patient's forehead, b) two points on the patient's temples, the two temple points being on opposite sides of the patient's face, and c) two points on the patient's cheek, the two cheek points being on opposite sides of the patient's face; a frame, being part of the structure, rigidly connected to other elements of the structure and configured to support a cushion in contact with the patient's face; and a plurality of straps connected to the other elements of the structure and configured to hold the frame against the at least one forehead point, the two temple points, and the two cheek points in a fully constrained manner.

Abstract: A patient interface for use in delivering a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient includes a first seal adapted to contact the patient's face and seal a first space between the patient interface and the patient's face at a first positive pressure; and a second seal adapted to contact the patient's face and seal a second space between the patient interface and the patient's face at a second positive pressure. The first seal also seals the first space from the second space. A leak reducing element may be provided on a seal to reduce and/or diffuse leakage of gas. A vacuum line configured to create a negative pressure may be provided in the second space to remove any gas leaking from the first space to the second space. A seal may be connected to a conduit for delivering the flow of gas that is incorporated into a frame of the patient interface.

Abstract: A respiratory mask includes a mask frame, a forehead support provided to the mask frame and including a forehead member, and headgear including at least one strap adapted to connect to the forehead member. The forehead member includes one or more holes configured and positioned to allow at least one strap to form a strap loop that loops around at least a portion of the forehead member and arrange one or more layers of the strap loop between the headgear member and the patient's forehead in use.