Abstract: Securement arrangements for use in securing a patient interface to the skin of a patient include a substrate material having a first surface and an adhesive material disposed on the first surface. The locations of the adhesive material are varied so as to minimize repetitious adherence of the adhesive material to the patient during repeated applications.

Abstract: A frame for use in an interface device for delivering a flow of treatment gas to the airway of a patient includes a first and second frame members, each having a first end structured to be coupled to a conduit supplying the flow of treatment gas and an opposite second end structured to be coupled to a sealing assembly. Each frame member has a passage defined therein which extends between the first end and the second end thereof. The first frame member is disposed on a first side of a reference plane which passes through the sealing assembly and the second frame member is disposed on a second side of the reference plane opposite the first side. At least one of the first frame member and the second frame member is biased toward the other of the first frame member and the second frame member.

Abstract: Securement arrangements for use in securing a patient interface to the skin of a patient include a substrate material having a first surface and an adhesive material disposed on the first surface. The locations of the adhesive material are varied so as to minimize repetitious adherence of the adhesive material to the patient during repeated applications.

Abstract: A fluid coupling conduit is for a patient interface device. The fluid coupling conduit includes a body including: an inlet end structured to receive a flow of breathing gas, an outlet end fluidly coupled to the inlet end, and a middle portion disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, the middle portion including a rim defining a relief aperture provided in an aperture plane. The fluid coupling conduit further includes a blocking member substantially disposed in the relief aperture, a number of openings being formed between the blocking member and the rim. The rim includes a number of protrusions extending transversely to the aperture plane.

Abstract: A strap member for securing a user interface device to the head of a user includes a first portion formed from a silicone or thermoplastic material; a second portion comprising an adhesive silicone material; and a third portion extending between the first and second portions. The second portion is positioned and structured to selectively adhere to the first portion.

Abstract: A flow member (200) is for a flow assembly (100) of a pressure support system (2). The pressure support system includes a patient interface device (6), a flow generator (4), and a coupling conduit (8). The flow assembly includes a cover (102) and a sensing assembly (110). The sensing assembly has a flow sensor (114) having flow sensing components (118,120). The flow member comprises: a body (202) comprising: a mounting portion (204) connected to the cover, thereby enclosing the sensing assembly, a gas conduit (206) at least partially overlaying the mounting portion, the second conduit fluidly coupling the first conduit to the flow generator, and a number of flow conduits (208,210) each extending transverse to the gas conduit (206) and receiving a corresponding flow sensing component.

Abstract: An fluid connector apparatus having an exhalation insert that provides an improved exhalation feature whereby exhaled breathing gas flows out of the fluid connector apparatus in the form of elongated blades of gas. The elongated blades of gas enable improved fluid flow when compared with conventional circular jets of gas and advantageously also entrain atmospheric gases adjacent the gas blades to facilitate diffusion and dissipation of the gas blades. The fluid connector apparatus includes one or more elongated flow channels formed between the exhalation insert and the fluid connector. The exhaust gas flows through the flow channels, and the flow channels cause the discharged gas to be output in the form of the elongated blades of gas. The exhalation feature enables the outputting of exhaled breathing gas in greater volumes, at reduced velocities, and with reduced acoustic signature.

Abstract: A frame for use in an interface device for delivering a flow of treatment gas to the airway of a patient includes a first and second frame members, each having a first end structured to be coupled to a conduit supplying the flow of treatment gas and an opposite second end structured to be coupled to a sealing assembly. Each frame member has a passage defined therein which extends between the first end and the second end thereof. The first frame member is disposed on a first side of a reference plane which passes through the sealing assembly and the second frame member is disposed on a second side of the reference plane opposite the first side. At least one of the first frame member and the second frame member is biased toward the other of the first frame member and the second frame member.

Abstract: A fluid coupling conduit is for a patient interface device. The fluid coupling conduit includes a body including: an inlet end structured to receive a flow of breathing gas, an outlet end fluidly coupled to the inlet end, and a middle portion disposed between the inlet end and the outlet end, the middle portion including a rim defining a relief aperture provided in an aperture plane. The fluid coupling conduit further includes a blocking member substantially disposed in the relief aperture, a number of openings being formed between the blocking member and the rim. The rim includes a number of protrusions extending transversely to the aperture plane.

Abstract: A flow member (200) is for a flow assembly (100) of a pressure support system (2). The pressure support system includes a patient interface device (6), a flow generator (4), and a coupling conduit (8). The flow assembly includes a cover (102) and a sensing assembly (110). The sensing assembly has a flow sensor (114) having flow sensing components (118,120). The flow member comprises: a body (202) comprising: a mounting portion (204) connected to the cover, thereby enclosing the sensing assembly, a gas conduit (206) at least partially overlaying the mounting portion, the second conduit fluidly coupling the first conduit to the flow generator, and a number of flow conduits (208,210) each extending transverse to the gas conduit (206) and receiving a corresponding flow sensing component.

Abstract: A patient interface device (10) includes a patient sealing assembly (60) including a cushion (70), and a frame member (80) coupled to the cushion, and an adjustable forehead support assembly (200) provided at the distal end (120) of the frame member. The adjustable forehead support assembly includes an adjustment mechanism (202) coupled to a forehead cushion (204), wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a forehead cushion support member (212) having a base portion (216) coupled to the forehead cushion and an vertical/upright rotatable wheel member (214). Rotation of the wheel member causes movement of the frame member and the cushion relative to the forehead cushion.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) includes a patient sealing assembly (12) including a cushion (14) and a frame member (16), and an adjustable forehead support assembly (26) provided at the distal end (24) of the frame member. The assembly includes an adjustment mechanism (28) coupled to a forehead cushion (30), the adjustment mechanism including a housing (32), a forehead cushion support member (52) having a base portion (58) and an elongated post member (60) extending from the base portion and received within the housing, and a locking member (54, 56) structured to be selectively coupled to the elongated post member. In the locked condition, the locking member engages the elongated post member and prevents the elongated post member from moving relative to the housing, and in the unlocked condition the locking member does not engage the elongated post member such that the elongated post member and the housing are freely linearly movable with respect to one another.

Abstract: A connector (36) is employed in a patient interface (2) that provides a flow of breathable gas to an airway of a patient. The connector includes a support apparatus (48) and a connection apparatus (50). The support apparatus is connected with a source of a breathable gas (4). The connection apparatus is disposed on the support apparatus and is engaged with the cushion. The connection apparatus includes an engagement element (78) and a retention apparatus (80). The engagement element has a frusto-conic engagement surface (84) that is structured to receive against it at least a portion of the cushion. The retention apparatus includes at least a first retention element (86) engaged with the cushion and retaining the at least portion of the cushion in a condition received against the engagement surface.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a patient sealing assembly having a cushion and a frame member having a faceplate portion and an extension portion extending from the faceplate portion. The cushion is coupled to the faceplate portion. A forehead member engages the forehead of the patient, and a flexible elongated member is coupled to the extension portion. A drive assembly selectively causes the second end portion of the flexible elongated member to move relative to the extension portion in a first direction. Movement of the flexible elongated member relative to the extension portion in the first direction causes movement of the frame member relative to the forehead member in a second direction transverse to the first direction.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) includes a patient sealing assembly (12) adapted to communicate a flow of breathing gas within an airway of a patient, the patient sealing assembly including a cushion (14), a frame member (16) coupled to the cushion, and an adjustable forehead support assembly (26) coupled to the frame member. The adjustable forehead support assembly includes a forehead cushion (30) and an inflatable and deflatable bladder (48) coupled to the forehead cushion, wherein inflation and deflation of the bladder causes the distal end (24) of the frame member to move relative to the forehead cushion in a manner wherein a pressure applied to a bridge of a nose of the patient by the cushion is adjusted.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a patient sealing assembly adapted to communicate a flow of breathing gas within an airway of a patient, a fluid coupling conduit fluidly coupled to the patient sealing assembly, the fluid coupling conduit being structured to receive the flow of breathing gas and communicate the flow of breathing gas to the patient sealing assembly, and a headgear component structured to secure the patient interface device to the patient's head, the headgear component including a strap member having a generally C-shaped connector member. The generally C-shaped connector member is structured to at least partially wrap around and be releasably received and held by or within a receiving feature provided on one of: (i) the fluid coupling conduit, and (ii) an extension member extending outwardly from the patient sealing assembly.

Abstract: An fluid connector apparatus having an exhalation insert that provides an improved exhalation feature whereby ex -haled breathing gas flows out of the fluid connector apparatus in the form of elongated blades of gas. The elongated blades of gas enable improved fluid flow when compared with conventional circular jets of gas and advantageously also entrain atmospheric gases adjacent the gas blades to facilitate diffusion and dissipation of the gas blades. The fluid connector apparatus includes one or more elongated flow channels formed between the exhalation insert and the fluid connector. The exhaust gas flows through the flow channels, and the flow channels cause the discharged gas to be output in the form of the elongated blades of gas. The exhalation feature enables the outputting of exhaled breathing gas in greater volumes, at reduced velocities, and with reduced acoustic signature.

Abstract: A patient interface device is provided that includes a patient sealing assembly, such as a mask having a rigid shell and a cushion coupled to the rigid shell, and a forehead support movably coupled to the patient sealing assembly. The forehead support is moved by an wedge-type adjustment mechanism such that linear translation of the wedge moves the forehead support among the plurality of positions and fixes the forehead support in a desired position among the plurality of positions.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a respiratory interface device, such as a mask, that includes a substantially rigid frame member and a cushion device wherein the frame member and cushion device are coupled together using a clip assembly wherein the clip assembly includes a plurality of tabs and a plurality of detents. The detents and tabs engage with one another to removably couple the cushion device to the frame member.

Abstract: An improved patient interface has a post to which can alternatively be attached a clip or a strap. A strap apparatus includes a clip mounted at an end of a strap, but if the clip is lost the strap can itself be mounted to the post.