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: 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 flexion coupling (50) for a respiratory interface (8) device is provided. The respiratory interface device includes a mask (10) and a support assembly (30) having at least one strap (40). The flexion coupling includes an elongated flexure body (52) with at least one mask coupling (54) and at least one strap coupling (56). The coupling may include a flexible softer first material (60) and an inflexible harder second material (62) in form of a plurality of elements (80) disposed within the flexure body first material web pockets (71) in an interference pattern.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a headgear assembly (20) having at least two strap member (22). The strap members (22) each include a flexible body and a bladder assembly (50). In one embodiment, bladder assemblies (50) may be selectively inflated and deflated. In the inflated, or first, filled configuration, headgear assembly (20) defines a three-dimensional shape sized to fit about a patient's head. In the deflated, or second, collapsed configuration, the head gear assembly (20) may be placed in a flat or other compact configuration.

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 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 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 headgear component for a patient interface device includes a member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the member including at least one of a textile material and a foam material, the member having a plurality of vent holes extending therethrough, and a plurality of moisture wicking members provided on the first surface, the moisture wicking members covering the vent holes and being made of a hydrophilic material.

Abstract: A fluid coupling member includes a housing having an interior and an exterior, the interior of the housing defining an airflow path through the fluid coupling member, a valve member pivotally attached to the interior of the housing, and at least one protrusion formed on the valve member or the housing. The at least one protrusion is structured to prevent the valve member from becoming stuck in a downward folded position against the housing.

Abstract: A patient interface device includes a cushion defining a cavity therein, the cushion having a first side and an opposite second side. An aperture is formed in the second side and provides access to the cavity, the aperture having a periphery adapted to sealingly engage about the nostrils of a patient when the cushion is disposed on the face of a patient. The patient interface device further includes a pair of stabilizing members coupled to, and extending from, the cushion, each stabilizing member being adapted to contact the face of the patient in the adjacent nasal region below the orbital bone ridge in such a manner that strapping forces, which would otherwise be directed near the nares of the patient, are instead concentrated onto the patient's maxilla.

Abstract: A subnasal sealing cushion for a patient interface device includes a cushion member having a front side and a rear side, the rear side being structured to face a face of the user responsive to the patient interface device being donned, the cushion member including: a support portion having an outer wall and a support structure coupled to the outer wall and extending longitudinally along a first direction extending from the front side to the rear side, and a sealing flap portion coupled a nasal shelf portion, the nasal shelf portion defining a nasal orifice and being structured to contact a bottom of a nose of the user to create a seal therewith responsive to the patient interface device being donned by the user, wherein the support structure is positioned under and spaced from a bottom of the nasal shelf portion.

Abstract: A flexion coupling (50) for a respiratory interface (8) device is provided. The respiratory interface device includes a mask (10) and a support assembly (30) having at least one strap (40). The flexion coupling includes an elongated flexure body (52) with at least one mask coupling (54) and at least one strap coupling (56). The coupling may include a flexible softer first material (60) and an inflexible harder second material (62) in form of a plurality of elements (80) disposed within the flexure body first material web pockets (71) in an interference pattern.

Abstract: The present invention provides a respiratory interface device including a mask having an upper, mask upper portion, a lower, mask lower portion, a flexible connecting member, and a patient contacting cushion. The flexible connecting member extends between, and is coupled to both, the mask upper portion and the mask lower portion. The flexible connecting member permits the mask upper portion and the mask lower portion to flex relative to one another. The patient contacting cushion is coupled to, and extends about, the mask upper portion, the mask lower portion, and the flexible connecting member. A brace assembly having a body with at least one mask coupling is provided. The brace is coupled to the mask upper portion and to the mask lower portion. The brace limits the outward rotation of the mask upper portion relative to the mask lower portion.

Abstract: A patient interface device that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional patient interface devices is provided. One embodiment of the patient interface device provides a cushion for a patient interface device that includes a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face. The first end portion includes an inner, first surface, an outer, second surface and at least one pocket disposed between the first end portion first surface and the first end portion second surface.

Abstract: A floatable coupling between a patient interface device and a frame body is provided. The floatable coupling includes a number of elastic bands extending between the patient interface device and the frame body. The elastic bands couple the patient interface device and the frame body in a manner that allows the patient interface device to float relative to the frame body.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device is provided. The respiratory interface device includes a cushion structured to be coupled to a faceplate that includes a peripheral end and a coupling assembly. The faceplate peripheral end includes a formable material and a portion of faceplate peripheral end is a customized contoured end. Cushion is coupled to faceplate adjacent faceplate customized contoured end, cushion conforming to faceplate customized contoured end.

Abstract: An elastic headgear that automatically adjusts to fit patients of different sizes and shape and that may be customized through selective placement of various accessories. The headgear includes a strap member having a central panel and a first arm member and a second arm extending from the central panel. The arm members each have at least one first attachment feature. The headgear also includes at least one accessory member having at least one second attachment feature, wherein the at least one second attachment feature is selectively mateable with the at least one first attachment feature to allow the at least one accessory member to be selectively attached to and positioned along either the first arm member or the second arm member at a plurality of different locations.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device provides a support cushion (15) including a cushion body (20) and at least two inserts (50). The cushion body has a plurality of stiffener passages (22). The at least two inserts are stiffening inserts shaped to correspond to the stiffener passages. The cushion body is made from a first material having a first hardness. One of the at least two inserts is made from a first material, having substantially the same first hardness as the cushion body, and the second insert is made from a second material having a second hardness, the second hardness being different than the first hardness.