Abstract: Patient interface devices (8) structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient include a member (16) structured to contact and adhere to a face of the patient responsive to the patient interface being donned by the patient, the member having a contact surface and an adhesive layer (34) provided on the contact surface.

Abstract: Condensation management techniques for a gas flow delivery system. The techniques include providing a radiant barrier associated with patient circuit and/or a patient interface, providing a water trap and/or an absorbent insert in the patient interface device, or a combination of these techniques. The radiant barrier prevents condensation from forming in the patient circuit and/or the patient interface. The water trap and absorbent insert in the patient interface control condensation that reaches or forms in the interior of the patient interface to prevent it from interfering the user of the gas delivery system.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: Condensation management techniques for a gas flow delivery system. The techniques include providing a radiant barrier associated with patient circuit and/or a patient interface, providing a water trap and/or an absorbent insert in the patient interface device, or a combination of these techniques. The radiant barrier prevents condensation from forming in the patient circuit and/or the patient interface. The water trap and absorbent insert in the patient interface control condensation that reaches or forms in the interior of the patient interface to prevent it from interfering the user of the gas delivery system.

Abstract: A pad assembly for use with a gas delivery mask for delivering a flow of gas to an airway of a patient is described. The pad assembly includes an outer casing and a support element. The outer cashing has a housing portion and a mounting portion. The housing portion has a first wall and a second wall defining a hollow cavity therebetween. The first wall is structured to engage a portion of the patient, and the mounting portion is structured to couple the outer casing to the patient interface device. The support element is disposed substantially within the cavity of the outer casing.

Abstract: Patient interface devices (8) structured to deliver a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient include a member (16) structured to contact and adhere to a face of the patient responsive to the patient interface being donned by the patient, the member having a contact surface and an adhesive layer (34) provided on the contact surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for indicating a strapping force applied by a headgear of a patient interface device. The apparatus includes a first portion structured to be selectively connectable to a connecting element of a mask of the patient interface device, a second portion structured to be selectively connectable to a strap of the headgear, and a force gauging mechanism coupled to the first portion and the second portion. The force gauging mechanism is structured to gauge and indicate a force being applied by the headgear in response to the second strap portion being pulled by the strap of the headgear.

Abstract: A humidifier for use with a pressure support system. The humidifier includes a body having an inlet, a fluid holding chamber, and an outlet. The inlet is positioned upstream and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. The outlet is positioned downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid holding chamber. A back-flow preventing valve is positioned upstream of the fluid chamber. The back-flow preventing valve is movable between an open position, in which the inlet is unblocked, and a closed position in which the inlet is blocked. In the closed position, the back-flow preventing valve prevents fluid, fluid vapor, or both from entering the pressure support via the inlet to the humidifier.

Abstract: Condensation management techniques for a gas flow delivery system. The techniques include providing a radiant barrier associated with patient circuit and/or a patient interface, providing a water trap and/or an absorbent insert in the patient interface device, or a combination of these techniques. The radiant barrier prevents condensation from forming in the patient circuit and/or the patient interface. The water trap and absorbent insert in the patient interface control condensation that reaches or forms in the interior of the patient interface to prevent it from interfering the user of the gas delivery system.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly that includes a patient interface device, a headgear, and pivoting coupling member joining the interface device to a headgear assembly. In one embodiment, the patient interface device is a nasal cushion that includes a formable support mounted to the nasal cushion for providing support and adjustment of the nasal cushion to improve fit and comfort. In a further embodiment, a pair of rigid connecting members couple the patient interface device to the headgear.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling assembly for use in coupling portions of a gas deliver system. The magnetic coupling assembly includes a first member and a second member to be coupled together. The attractive forces between the first plurality of magnetic elements on the first member and a second plurality of magnetic elements on the second member join these member. The poles of magnetic elements in the first and second plurality of magnetic elements is opposite that of an adjacent magnetic element. The first and second members are easily detached from one another simply by rotating the first member relative to the second member such that the magnetic poles of the magnetic elements in each plurality of magnetic elements become unaligned, causing an weakening of the attractive forces.

Abstract: A patient interface having a forehead support adjustably. The forehead support assembly includes a support arm that is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patients of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. The pivoting forehead support bracket is self-aligning to allow the forehead pad to remain parallel to the patient's forehead at all times, thus enhancing comfort and stability. The forehead support bracket is removable from the support arm, allowing the headgear (with support bracket attached) to be donned separately from the mask and support arm. The forehead support bracket in one embodiment has a forehead pad formed from the headgear itself.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8, 8?, 8?) that includes a cushion (16), a shell (18) coupled to the cushion, a headgear (22, 22?, 22?) having a first strap (28A, 28A?, 28A?) and a second strap (28B, 28B?, 28B?), and a release mechanism (30) coupled to the shell. The release mechanism includes a first cord (54A) coupled to the first strap and a second cord (54B) coupled to the second strap. The release mechanism is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: A patient interface having a forehead support adjustably. The forehead support assembly includes a support arm that is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patients of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. The pivoting forehead support bracket is self-aligning to allow the forehead pad to remain parallel to the patient's forehead at all times, thus enhancing comfort and stability. The forehead support bracket is removable from the support arm, allowing the headgear (with support bracket attached) to be donned separately from the mask and support arm. The forehead support bracket in one embodiment has a forehead pad formed from the headgear itself.

Abstract: A patient interface device (10) that includes a mask (12) and a headgear component (18) for attaching the patient interface device to the head of a patient. The headgear component includes a strap (20) and an attachment element (22, 40, 60, 80) provided between the mask and the strap. The attachment element has a mask attachment portion (24, 42, 62, 82) coupled to the mask, a strap attachment portion (26, 44, 64, 84) coupled to the strap, and a flexible linkage portion (28, 46, 66, 86) provided between the mask attachment portion and the strap attachment portion. The flexible linkage portion is more flexible than both the mask attachment portion and the strap attachment portion to enable the mask attachment element to flex, bend, and/or twist along multiple axes to conform to particular facial contours of the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a mask shell and a cushion assembly. The cushion assembly includes a seal cushion and a support cushion. The seal cushion contacts a first area of a patient's face to form a seal therewith. The support cushion defines a second area over a face of such a patient when the patient interface device is being worn. The second area overlaps at least a portion of the first area.

Abstract: A patient interface gas delivery mask having a forehead and chin support system including a forehead support, a chin support, and a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient that incorporates such a mask, forehead support, and chin support. The forehead support includes a supporting arm which is adjustably mounted to the mask shell, thereby allowing the adjustment of the distance between the forehead support bracket and the mask shell in order to adjust for patient's of different sizes. A forehead support bracket is pivotally connected to the support arm. Likewise the chin support is also adjustably mounted to the mask shell.

Abstract: A packaging system for patient interface devices components that includes a macro container and a plurality of dispensing packages removeably held within the macro container. Each of the dispensing packages includes a continuous item supply including a plurality of selectively separable single item packages, wherein for each of the dispensing packages the single item packages in the continuous item supply of the dispensing package holds a patient interface device component of a type and a size that is associated with the dispensing package, and wherein each of the dispensing packages includes an opening enabling the single item packages of the dispensing package to be removed while the dispensing package is held within the macro container and markings that indicate the type and size that is associated with the dispensing package.