Abstract: A connector system for use with an apparatus that delivers a supply of pressurized breathable air to a patient includes an air delivery conduit including an auxiliary conduit. The air delivery conduit and auxiliary conduit have a first end and a second end. A connector is provided to at least one of the first and second ends. The connector includes an inner tubular wall and an outer tubular wall surrounding the inner tubular wall and being concentric with the inner tubular wall. The inner and outer tubular walls define first and second passages that are isolated from one another. One of the first and second passages is configured to communicate with the air delivery conduit and the other of the first and second passages is configured to communicate with the auxiliary conduit.

Abstract: A system of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes at least first and second cushion components, e.g., full-face, nasal, nasal prongs, nose tip, and/or a combination of any of the above, including a nasal or full-face cushion and nasal prongs/nozzles combination, etc., that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and a common frame assembly configured to support each of the first and second cushion components. Various embodiments are directed to a full-face or nasal mask used with a frame having lateral connector portions having a stiffening member. The mask assembly may include a nose height adjustment device for the height of the cushion, or a cushion adjustment member by which the position of the cushion may be adjusted relative to the frame. The mask assembly may include a chin strap assembly.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly is configured to deliver a positively pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient's airways. The patient interface assembly includes a patient interface configured to sealingly engage the patient's face and comprises a chamber configured to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The patient interface assembly also includes headgear configured to support the patient interface on the patient's head and be tightened to one of a plurality of discrete tension settings. The headgear includes a tensioning element that is configured to contract in length to one of a plurality of discrete lengths when subjected to an electrical signal. Each discrete length of the tensioning element corresponds to a respective one of the plurality of discrete headgear tension settings.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a sealing arrangement adapted to provide an effective seal with the patient's nose, an inlet conduit arrangement adapted to deliver breathable gas to the sealing arrangement, and a cover that substantially encloses the sealing arrangement and/or the inlet conduit arrangement.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly is configured to deliver pressurized gas to the patient's airways. The patient interface assembly includes a patient interface structure that is configured to sealingly engage the patient's face. The patient interface includes a receptacle. The patient interface assembly further includes headgear configured to support the patient interface structure on the patient's head. The headgear includes a clip that is receivable by the receptacle. The receptacle and the clip together form a multiple stage connection arrangement in which each of the multiple stages corresponds to an interlocked position of the clip in the receptacle. Each stage is associated with a corresponding range of headgear tension.

Abstract: A respiratory mask, a mould for a respiratory mask, as well as to a method for producing a respiratory mask are disclosed, in which manufacturability and usability of respiratory masks are improved. A respiratory mask is disclosed for administering a breathable gas to a patient, the respiratory mask comprising a first component formed from a flexible material and a second component formed from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material, wherein the first component is formed onto the second component by an overmoulding process.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing a patient to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, including operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB). The device provides continuous positive airway pressure to the patient during sleep via a mask configured to provide a seal with respect to airways of the patient. The method comprises applying full therapeutic pressure during a first session, monitoring a mask pressure during application of the full therapeutic pressure, calculating a difference between the full therapeutic pressure and the mask pressure, comparing the difference to a threshold representing an acceptable level of leak, generating a first signal in response to said comparing, and in response to said first signal indicating a fault in the seal, decreasing an applied pressure to below the full therapeutic pressure during the first session in order to improve the seal of the mask against the patient's face.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient's head in use.

Abstract: A respiratory mask, a mould for a respiratory mask, as well as to a method for producing a respiratory mask are disclosed, in which manufacturability and usability of respiratory masks are improved. A respiratory mask is disclosed for administering a breathable gas to a patient, the respiratory mask comprising a first component formed from a flexible material and a second component formed from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material, wherein the first component is formed onto the second component by an overmoulding process.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing a user to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, including operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions, wherein the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, includes determining a clinically-derived full therapeutic pressure, applying a sub-therapeutic treatment pressure for the duration of a first session, obtaining responses to a series of pre-programmed patient and/or bed partner feedback questions before the start of a second session, and, based on the responses, either incrementally increasing the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy, or maintaining the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses do not indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy.

Abstract: A cushion for a patient interface includes two or more bladders arranged in concentric relation. Each of the bladders includes a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face, and each of the bladders is adapted to be pressurized independently from one another. At least one of the bladders is an active bladder that is pressurized to at least a sealing pressure to form a continuous seal with the patient's face in use.

Abstract: A method of operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB), wherein the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, includes applying a treatment pressure to a patient, monitoring the patient for speech output, generating a signal in response to detected speech of the patient, and, in response to the signal, reducing the treatment pressure applied to the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient's head in use.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient's head in use.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient's head in use.

Abstract: A mask system for use between a patient and device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient includes a mouth cushion, a pair of nasal prongs, an elbow, and a headgear assembly. The mouth cushion is structured to sealingly engage around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and the pair of nasal prongs are structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use. The elbow delivers breathable gas to the patient. The headgear assembly maintains the mouth cushion and the nasal prongs in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear assembly provides a substantially round crown strap that cups the parietal bone and occipital bone of the patient's head in use.

Abstract: A patient interface includes a sealing arrangement adapted to provide an effective seal with the patient's nose, an inlet conduit arrangement adapted to deliver breathable gas to the sealing arrangement, and a cover that substantially encloses the sealing arrangement and/or the inlet conduit arrangement.

Abstract: An air delivery system for providing a supply of air from a source of air at positive pressure to an interfacing structure located at the entrance to the airways of a patient includes a manifold adapted to connect with the supply of positive air pressure and at least one tube connected to the manifold and adapted to deliver the supply of air to the interfacing structure. Each tube is structured to allow movement between an open phase in which the tube allows the passage of air and a collapsed phase in which the tube is collapsed. Each tube is structured such that weight of a typical patient's head against bedding apparel is sufficient to collapse the tube from the open phase to the collapsed phase.