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.

Abstract: A sealing device (20) includes a base (22) adapted to attach at any of a plurality of positions on a patient interface device (8), an arm (26) having a first end coupled to the base (22), and an end portion (24) connected to a second end of the base and adapted to apply pressure to an area of a cushion member (12) of the patient interface (8) device when the base is attached at any of the plurality of positions on the patient interface device.

Abstract: A coupling assembly for a respiratory interface device support assembly and a respiratory interface device mask is provided. The respiratory interface device support assembly has at least one strap structured to be coupled to each lateral side of the respiratory interface device mask. The coupling assembly includes a first rotatable coupling component structured to be coupled to the support assembly and having a first rotation limiting structure, and, a second rotatable coupling component structured to be coupled to the mask and having a second rotation limiting structure. When coupled, the first rotatable coupling component first rotation limiting structure and the second rotatable coupling component first rotation limiting structure limit the rotation of the first rotatable coupling component relative to the second rotatable coupling component.

Abstract: An improved connection apparatus is structured to extend between a mask (8) and a headgear (12). The headgear has a first strap (16) and a second strap (20) structured to overlie the patient's head. The connection apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip apparatus (24) and a face plate. The clip apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip (32A,B) having a first mount (44) that is structured to be connected with the first strap and a second mount (48) that is structured to be connected with the second strap. The face plate is structured to overlie at least a portion of the mask. The face plate (28) can be generally stated as including an attachment apparatus having a connection upon which the clip is structured to be disposed. At least a portion of the clip is removable from at least a portion of the connection.

Abstract: A coupling for use in a system (2) for communicating a flow of gas from a pressure generating device (4) to an airway of a patient includes a first portion (16, 16?, 16?) adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the pressure generating device and a second portion (10) selectively coupled to the first portion. The second portion is adapted to be coupled in fluid communication with the airway of the patient. At least one of the first portion and the second portion includes an illuminated portion (18, 20), the illuminated portion being adapted to be visible to a patient when the first and second portions are uncoupled and adapted to be not visible to a user when the first and second portions are coupled. The illuminated portion assists a user in locating and recoupling the first and second portions of the coupling in a darkened room.

Abstract: A respiratory interface device is provided that includes a mask (10) and a brace (40) assembly. The mask has a faceplate (12) and a cushion (15), and the brace assembly has a brace body (42) and a lever assembly (44). The brace body is coupled to the mask faceplate, and the lever assembly has at least one lever arm (70) and at least one actuator assembly (72) for each lever arm. The at least one lever arm has a body (76) and a pivot assembly (90). The lever arm body is pivotally coupled to the brace body at the pivot assembly. The lever arm body is structured to move between two positions, a first position, where the lever arm body does not effectively engage a portion of the mask, and a second position, wherein the lever arm body effectively engages a portion of the mask.

Abstract: A cushion assembly (16) for use in a patient interface device (10) includes a cushion member having a sealing flap (24) adapted to sealing engage a user's face about at least one of an oral orifice or nasal orifices of the user. The cushion member defines a cavity (30) therein accessible via an opening generally defined by the sealing flap. The cushion assembly further includes a stabilizing member (16b) having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end and the second end being selectively coupled to the sealing flap such that the stabilizing member spans across at least a portion of the opening.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) includes a cushion assembly (100) that is customizable to compensate for anatomical variances from patient-to-patient and, therefore, provides an effective seal with the patient's face. The cushion assembly includes a cushion member (102) having a first side structured to engage the patient's face, and a second side disposed opposite the first side, a plurality of plate members (108, 110, 112, 114, 116), and an adjustment mechanism (120, 122, 124). The adjustment mechanism is structured to adjust the position of the plate members, thereby changing the shape of the cushion member to gener ally conform to the patient's face.

Abstract: A cushion assembly for use in a patient interface device includes a first end portion adapted to engage a user's face; a second end portion opposite the first end portion, the second end portion being adapted to be coupled to a mask shell; a cushion portion having a wall portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the wall portion including a stiffened portion; and a dampening portion including a dampening material disposed about the second end portion and adapted to be disposed between the stiffened portion and the mask shell.

Abstract: A headgear assembly (30) includes a first sub-portion (D1) formed from a generally planar first material and a second sub-portion (A1, B1, C1) formed from a generally planar second material. The second sub-portion is coupled along an edge face to an edge face of the first sub-portion without overlapping the first sub-portion. The second material differs from the first material by at least one physical property.

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 method for geometrically forming a portion of a headgear to conform to a selected portion of an intended user's head. The method includes determining a triangular region on the portion of the headgear that generally coincides with the selected portion of the intended user's head. The triangular region being defined by a first side, a second side and a third side. The method further includes forming a curved and cupped region in the portion of the headgear by bringing together and coupling the second and third sides of the triangular region.

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.