Abstract: A sealing arrangement for forming a seal between a patient's face and a patient interface device for use in delivering a flow of a treatment gas to the patient includes a generally planar substrate body having a first side and an opposite second side. The substrate body includes a main portion having an opening defined therethrough that is sized and configured to encompass the mouth and nose of the patient. The sealing arrangement further includes a first adhesive layer disposed on the first side of the substrate body and a second adhesive layer disposed on the second side of the substrate body. The first adhesive layer is sized and configured to adhere to the skin of the patient with a first adherence force and the second adhesive layer is sized and configured to adhere to a cushion of the patient interface device with a lesser second adherence force.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly having an improved support for use in securing a patient interface device to the head of a patient overcomes the shortcomings of conventional headgear. The improved support provides a self-adjusting anchor point situated anterior to the ear of the patient that provides enhanced stability in mounting the patient interface device to the patient.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device is provided that includes a cushion and a faceplate. The cushion is structured to be coupled to the faceplate. The faceplate includes a peripheral end and a number of custom features. The cushion is coupled to the faceplate adjacent the faceplate peripheral end.

Abstract: A cushion is for use in a pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The cushion includes a body having a first end and a second end located opposite the first end. The body defines a space therein. The cushion further includes a sealing portion defining a single opening into the space. The single opening is adapted to surround both a first nostril and a second nostril of a patient. The sealing portion is located between the first end and the second end. The sealing portion includes a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion each extending outwardly from the body and being adapted to sealingly engage against an interior surface of a corresponding one of the first nostril and the second nostril.

Abstract: A customized sealing member is for a customized mask of a pressure support system. The steps to manufacture the customized sealing member include generating surface geometry data of a face of a patient, the surface geometry data corresponding to and representing a surface geometry of the face of the patient; generating customization data using the surface geometry data, the customization data representing how a seal blank should be modified for the patient; and customizing the seal blank using the customization data such that the customized seal blank is shaped according to the customization data.

Abstract: A customized mask is manufactured by the process of: generating surface geometry data of a face of a patient, the surface geometry data corresponding to and representing a surface geometry of the face of the patient; generating original cushion geometry data using the surface geometry data; generating modified cushion geometry data using the original cushion geometry data; producing a rigid support member using the modified cushion geometry data such that it is shaped according to the modified cushion geometry data, the support member being made of a unitary material; and coupling a sealing flap to the support member, the sealing flap being structured to engage the face of the patient.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for use in coupling a patient interface to the skin of a patient includes an adhesive arrangement and an application system. The adhesive arrangement includes: a substrate material having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first adhesive material provided on the first surface, and a second adhesive material provided on the second surface. The application system is disposed on the first adhesive material and includes a number of separate portions, with each portion formed from a film material. Each separate portion includes: a base disposed on at least a portion of the first adhesive material, and a tab coupled to an interior edge of the base and extending upward and away therefrom, the tab being sized and configured to be grasped by the patient at an end portion opposite the interior edge.

Abstract: An adjustment system includes: a first strap assembly and a second strap assembly positioned 180 degrees with respect to, and entwined with, the first strap assembly. Each strap assembly includes a slider having first and second slots therein. The slots are defined, in-part, by a central portion extending between both of the slots, a first end portion extending along the first slot opposite the central portion, and a second end portion extending along the second slot opposite the central portion. Each strap assembly further includes a strap portion having a first end coupled to the second end portion of the slider and an opposite second end structured to be coupled to one or more of the patient interface device or another portion of the headgear; and a tab coupled to the first end portion of the slider, the tab being structured to be grasped by the patient.

Abstract: A patient interface for use in delivering a flow of a breathing gas to an airway of a patient includes a body that defines a cavity therein that is structured to receive the flow of breathing gas. A first aperture defined in the body is positioned and structured to communicate the flow of breathing gas from the cavity to an airway of the patient. A second aperture defined in the body is sized and configured to provide a pathway between the cavity and an ambient environment in which the body is disposed. The patient interface further includes a restrictor element that is selectively coupled to the body. The restrictor element includes a blocking portion that obstructs at least a portion of the second aperture.

Abstract: A cushion for use in a system providing a flow of breathing gas to the airway of a patient includes a first end having a sealing flap structured to sealingly engage a surface of the patient about an airway of the patient and a second end adapted to receive the flow of breathing gas. A wall portion extends between the first end and the second end and defines a passage which extends between the first end and the second end and which is structured to communicate the flow of breathing gas from the second end to the first end. The wall portion includes a notch which is positioned and structured to deform in a predetermined manner such that an angle which the wall portion makes with a longitudinal axis of the passage increases from a first value to a second value upon deformation of the notch.

Abstract: A method of selectively altering one or more deformation characteristics of a polymer-based fabric material includes selectively melting a number of portions of the fabric in a predetermined pattern.

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 patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user is being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use. The patient-contacting element includes an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas, at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet, and a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user. The air-tight material has at least one opening therein.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) structured to engage a patient's sub-nasal area is provided and includes a body (22), a cushion (50) and a custom cushion support assembly (100). Patient interface device body includes a sidewall (27) with an upper side (32) including a number of passages (40). Cushion includes a resilient body (52). Cushion body is disposed on patient interface device body. Patient interface device cushion body includes an engagement portion (60) structured to engage a patient's sub-nasal area, and a pocket (70) disposed under cushion body engagement portion. Custom cushion support assembly includes a body (102) with an upper surface (104) including a custom contour (110). Custom cushion support assembly body is disposed in patient interface device cushion body pocket. In this configuration, custom contour deforms patient interface device cushion body engagement portion to correspond to patient's sub-nasal area.

Abstract: An interconnect assembly (100, 300, 400) is for a support assembly (2) that includes a retention member (4) and a strap member (6). The interconnect assembly includes a number of female interconnect members (110, 210, 310, 410) with a first body member (112, 212, 312) and a first magnet (116, 216, 316, 416) coupled to the first body member. The first body member is connected to the retention member and has an aperture (114, 214, 314, 414). The interconnect assembly also includes a number of male interconnect members (150, 250, 350, 450) with a second body member (152, 252, 352) and a second magnet (160, 260, 360, 460) coupled to the second body member. The second body member is connected to the strap member and includes a protrusion (154, 254, 354, 452, 454) structured to be located within the aperture. When the protrusion is located within the aperture, the first magnet is attracted to the second magnet, thereby removably connecting the first body member to the second body member.

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 nasal pillow adapted for use with a patient interface device, the nasal pillow including an outer casing structured to define an interior area; and an inner support structure disposed in the interior area, wherein a rigidity of the inner support structure is greater than a rigidity of the outer casing.

Abstract: An adhesive arrangement for use in securing a patient interface to the face of a patient includes a substrate material having a first surface that is structured to face the patient and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substrate material includes a number of tabs, each tab projecting outward from a main portion of the substrate material. The adhesive arrangement further includes an adhesive material disposed on the first surface of the substrate material. Each of the tabs is sized and configured to be folded back onto a corresponding portion of the main portion of the substrate material and coupled thereto by the adhesive material.

Abstract: A system for aligning a patient interface for use in delivering a flow of a breathing gas to the airway of a patient with an adhesive arrangement that is structured to secure the patient interface to the patient. The system includes a base that is structured to be disposed on a surface, the base having a central member protruding upward from the base to a contoured surface. The central member includes a pair of protruding alignment elements that extend further upward from the contoured surface and which are sized and structured to engage apertures in both of the adhesive arrangement and the patient interface in a manner which aligns such components with each other.

Abstract: A patient interface for use in delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The patient interface includes a front portion and a rear portion coupled to the front portion. The front portion and the rear portion together define a cavity therebetween which is structured to receive the flow of breathing gas. The rear portion includes a support layer disposed directly adjacent the cavity, the support layer having a region having a plurality of first thru-holes structured to receive the flow of breathing gas from the cavity. The rear portion further includes a patient engaging layer structured to engage the patient at or about the airway of the patient, the patient engaging layer including at least a second thru-hole structured to receive the flow of breathing gas from the plurality of first thru-holes.