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 tubing assembly for use with a patient interface device includes a manifold portion structured to be coupled to a conduit carrying a flow of breathing gas and a number of tubular portions. Each tubular portion extends from the manifold portion to a distal end which is structured to be coupled to the patient interface device. Each tubular portion is structured to communicate the flow of breathing gas from the manifold portion to the patient interface device. Each tubular portion comprises an adjustment element which provides for a characteristic of the tubular portion to be selectively varied.

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 wearable device (8,60,70,86) structured to exert a contact pressure between the wearable device and a skin surface of a wearer, such as a patient interface device for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient, includes a first member (18,72,96), such as a faceplate member, structured to have a first pressure applied thereto, a contact member (14,74), such as a sealing cushion, structured to exert the contact pressure against the skin surface in response to the first pressure, and a support member (20,62,78) positioned between the first member and the contact member, the support member including a plurality of compression members (40,52,54,64,84), wherein each of the compression members is structured to buckle in response to a compression force having at least a first predetermined level being applied to the support member.

Abstract: A cushion support assembly for a respiratory interface device cushion is provided. The cushion support assembly includes a cushion support assembly ribbon-like body with an inner side, an outer side and a wide facial side. The cushion support assembly body facial side includes a support surface, the support surface is structured to support the respiratory interface device cushion engagement portion in a generally planar configuration. The cushion support assembly body facial side support surface is generally planar relative to the user's respiratory interface device contour radial aspect.

Abstract: An apparatus structured to contact external tissue, such as skin, of a user includes a portion that has a component, which is effective to stimulate keratinocytes in the skin of the user. The portion is structured to directly or indirectly engage the external tissue. The portion can include a coating applied to a surface of the apparatus or, alternately, the portion can include a piece or part of the apparatus that has the component incorporated in its material composition. In one implementation, the component is an agonist of olfactory receptors which are expressed by skin cells, and the component is effective to stimulate the skin cells for enhanced wound healing.

Abstract: A cradle style cushion includes a central sealing body portion including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall includes a central sealing surface, a first stabilizing surface and a second stabilizing surface, the first and second stabilizing surfaces each extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the central sealing surface and a top edge of the front wall and being structured to wrap around and engage an outside of the nostrils when the patient interface device is donned by the patient, wherein the first stabilizing surface includes a first front side edge portion and the second stabilizing surface includes a second front side edge portion, and wherein the top edge of the front wall, the first front side edge portion and the second front side edge portion together define a front opening of the central sealing body portion.

Abstract: An augmented reality apparatus for facilitating a patient interface device fitting process includes a device or system for providing a real-time image of the patient, and a processor apparatus structured to: (i) store a plurality of augmented reality component data files, each of the augmented reality component data files relating to either a structure or an aspect of one or more particular patient interface devices or a problem that may be encountered in the fitting process, and (ii) cause an augmented real-time image to be created and transmitted by the augmented reality apparatus by augmenting the real-time image using at least one of the augmented reality component data files.

Abstract: An improved patient interface assembly and pressure support system integrate a pressure sensor and a valve into the patient interface assembly and employs closed loop control between the sensor and the valve in order to limit delay between the time at which a condition indicative of abnormal breathing or flow load during normal breathing is experienced by a patient and the time at which altered pressure support is received by the patient.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a patient-contacting element (10) or a patient interface (12) including such a patient-contacting element (10) wherein the required minimum pressure for sealing may be realized for all different values of CPAP pressure.

Abstract: A cradle style cushion includes a central sealing body portion including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The top wall includes a central sealing surface, a first stabilizing surface and a second stabilizing surface, the first and second stabilizing surfaces each extending upwardly and outwardly with respect to the central sealing surface and a top edge of the front wall and being structured to wrap around and engage an outside of the nostrils when the patient interface device is donned by the patient, wherein the first stabilizing surface includes a first front side edge portion and the second stabilizing surface includes a second front side edge portion, and wherein the top edge of the front wall, the first front side edge portion and the second front side edge portion together define a front opening of the central sealing body portion.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a compilation unit structured to receive a plurality of different 3-D models of a patient's face, to compare the different 3-D models of the patient's face and to determine additional information about the patient's face based on the comparison, wherein the additional information includes at least one of a location of hard tissue, a depth of soft tissue, and a compliance of soft tissue, and wherein the patient's face is manipulated between the different 3-D models.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a bladder assembly having a headgear bladder member, a nose bridge bladder member, and a connecting tube member provided between the headgear bladder member and the nose bridge bladder member. The headgear bladder member is in sealed fluid communication with the nose bridge bladder member through the connecting tube member, and is filled with a fluid medium. The bladder assembly is structured such that the nose bridge bladder member will be inflated as a pressure on the headgear bladder member increases and such that the nose bridge bladder member will be deflated as the pressure on headgear bladder member decreases. Inflation of the nose bridge bladder member causes the top of a cushion member to move toward the patient's nose bridge, and deflation of the nose bridge bladder member causes the top of the cushion member to move away from the patient's nose bridge.

Abstract: A pressure support system includes a pressure generating device, an airflow path, and a control system. The control system is structured to determine a first measurement indicative of an amount of water vapor in the airflow path or an amount of condensation in the airflow path and generate a number of control signals structured to control an environmental control device structured to control an environmental parameter in an environment including the pressure support system, wherein the control signals are generated based on at least the first measurement and are configured to cause the environmental control device to adjust the environmental parameter in a manner that will reduce a degree or a likelihood of rainout in the airflow path, and transmit the control signals to the environmental control device so that it may be controlled to reduce the degree or likelihood of rainout.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus including an adjustment determination unit structured to receive patient interface device information for a patient interface device including one or more adjustable features and a 3-D model of a patient's face, and to calculate adjustment information for the patient interface device corresponding to the patient's face using the patient interface device information and the 3-D model of the patient's face and an output unit structured to output the adjustment information.

Abstract: An advice system employs a genetic analysis of a patient to identify one or more characteristics of the patient. The advice system employs the characteristics to identify one or more attributes of a medical device that would desirably exist in a medical device that is to be prescribed for the patient. The advice system then identifies from the one or more attributes one or more medical devices from among a plurality of medical devices whose features at least in part meet the one or more attributes. The advice system then outputs a recommendation of the one or more medical devices. The system employs known genes that are expressive of certain traits in a person, with the known traits being interpreted or evaluated in terms of characteristics that are relevant in selecting a medical device from among a plurality of medical devices, such as patient interface devices or other devices.

Abstract: A back strap for a patient interface device having a headgear component including a first strap member and a second strap member attached to the first strap member and structured to wraparound a back of the patient's head. The back strap member includes a first portion having a first attachment mechanism structured to couple the first portion to the second strap member, a connecting portion extending from the first portion, and a second portion having a second attachment mechanism structured to couple the second portion to at least one of the first strap member, a patient sealing assembly, or skin, hair, neck or clothing of the patient in a manner wherein the back strap member is configured to hold the second strap member and prevent it from riding up on a head of the patient during use.

Abstract: A method of detecting the fit of a patient interface device (8) includes determining a plurality of capacitance values when the patient interface device is donned by a user. The patient interface device has a contacting element (14) having a user contacting surface (49), and each of the capacitance values is associated with one of a plurality of locations along at least a portion of the contacting surface, wherein each of the locations has a number of electrode elements (54) associated therewith that are used to determine the capacitance values. The method further includes classifying each of the capacitance values into one of a plurality of predetermined categories, and using the classified capacitance values to identify a number of predetermined fit conditions along the contacting element. Also, a respiratory therapy system implementing the method.

Abstract: A method of providing a range of different sized masks for fitting to a patient includes providing a first mask having an upper lip engagement surface having a first concavity and a first nasal envelope and providing a second mask having an upper lip engagement surface having a second concavity different than the first concavity and a second nasal envelope.