Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: A vent arrangement is provided to a mask or associated conduit to discharge exhaled gas from the mask to atmosphere. The vent arrangement is structured to diffuse the exhaust vent flow to produce less air jetting, thereby increasing the comfort of the patient and their bed partner. For example, the vent arrangement may include one or more grill components and/or media constructed and arranged to diffuse vent flow.

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.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: An extrusion die (100) for a honeycomb body, the die (100) including: an input surface (102); an opposing output surface (104); feed holes (108) extending from the input surface (102) toward the output surface (104); discharge slots (106) having a slot width (SW) and a slot length (SL), and extending from the output surface (104) toward the input surface (102); and a plenum (130) fluidly connecting the feed holes (108) and the discharge slots (106). The plenum (130) may include chambers (132) connected to the feed holes (108) and including tapered outlets (134) connected to the discharge slots (106). The plenum (133) may include first chambers (132A) connected to the feed holes (108) and including first tapered outlets (134A), and second chambers (132B) connected to the first outlets and including second tapered outlets (134B) connected to the discharge slots (106).

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having lateral connector, a cushion with a pair of nozzles, and a clip to secure the cushion to the frame. The frame includes a vent channel and a plurality of vent holes. The frame/cushion includes structure (lugs/cut outs) to prevent the assembly of an unvented frame with an unvented cushion, for safety purposes. The frame includes cored portions that interface with corner lugs provided on the cushion. A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion (nasal mask, nasal-oro mask, nozzles, etc.) and a vent assembly including a pattern of vent holes including at least two rows.

Abstract: A system and a method of asymmetric shock absorption and torsion cushioning for footwear. The asymmetric shock absorption system providing an upper plate attached to the upper section of the footwear and a lower plate attached to the lower section of the footwear. The upper plate may be in direct contact with or spaced apart from the lower plate. A flexible perimeter band extends around the entire perimeter of the sole of the footwear and permanently connects the upper section to the lower section of the footwear. The flexible perimeter band may have a low-profile and extend around only the perimeter of the upper and lower plates. The flexible perimeter band may wrap around one or more plate to provide for limited horizontal movement, e.g., lateral, longitudinal, or both lateral and longitudinal, between the upper section of the footwear and the lower section of the footwear.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.

Abstract: An interfacing structure for a mask system includes a cushion component adapted to contact the patient's face in use and a cushion-to-frame component provided to the cushion component. The cushion-to-frame component is structured to secure the cushion component to a mask frame of the mask system. The cushion-to-frame component includes a cushion side adapted to interface with the cushion component and a frame side adapted to interface with the mask frame. The cushion side includes a platform to engage and support the cushion component. The platform provides an engagement surface to engage the cushion component and inner and outer flanges provided to opposing ends of the platform to guide, support and/or retain the cushion component on the platform.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a foam interfacing portion adapted to provide a nasal interface to contact under and around the patient's nose in use and including an orifice adapted to surround both the patient's nares in use, and a positioning and stabilizing structure to support the foam interfacing portion in an operative position on the patient's face. The positioning and stabilizing structure is structured to provide a range of rotational, axial, and/or lateral movement to the foam interfacing portion while maintaining a sufficient interface and resisting the application of tube drag and/or headgear tension to the foam interfacing portion.

Abstract: An ancillary laundry composition comprising: (a) 2.5-30 w.t. % fabric softening silicone; (b) Less than 2 w.t. % surfactant; (c) 0.25-10 w.t. % cationic polymer (d) Water.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having lateral connector, a cushion with a pair of nozzles, and a clip to secure the cushion to the frame. The frame includes a vent channel and a plurality of vent holes. The frame/cushion includes structure (lugs/cut outs) to prevent the assembly of an unvented frame with an unvented cushion, for safety purposes. The frame includes cored portions that interface with corner lugs provided on the cushion. A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion (nasal mask, nasal-oro mask, nozzles, etc.) and a vent assembly including a pattern of vent holes including at least two rows.

Abstract: A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.

Abstract: An interfacing structure for a mask system includes a cushion component adapted to contact the patient's face in use and a cushion-to-frame component provided to the cushion component. The cushion-to-frame component is structured to secure the cushion component to a mask frame of the mask system. The cushion-to-frame component includes a cushion side adapted to interface with the cushion component and a frame side adapted to interface with the mask frame. The cushion side includes a platform to engage and support the cushion component. The platform provides an engagement surface to engage the cushion component and inner and outer flanges provided to opposing ends of the platform to guide, support and/or retain the cushion component on the platform.

Abstract: A respiratory mask assembly includes a frame having a channel and a cushioning element including a clip portion adapted for interference seal and retention in the channel. The cushioning element includes an interfacing portion constructed from foam and having a wider width than the clip portion.

Abstract: A patient interface is configured to deliver pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways and includes a flexible cushion forming at least a portion of a plenum chamber. A pair of flexible receptacles are integrally formed with the flexible cushion and are formed on opposite lateral sides of the flexible cushion. Each flexible receptacle includes an inner wall that forms an opening configured to receive an air delivery tube and an outer wall that is radially offset from the inner wall. The outer wall extends laterally beyond the inner wall on a posterior side of the flexible receptacle and does not extend laterally beyond the inner wall on an anterior side of the flexible receptacle. The patient interface further includes a gas washout vent, a support structure that is attached to and is more rigid than the flexible cushion, and a pair of headgear connectors located on opposing lateral sides of the support structure.

Abstract: A nozzle is provided having a low precipitation rate and uniform fluid distribution to a desired arcuate span of coverage. The nozzle has an inflow port having a shape corresponding to the desired arc of coverage and a size for effecting a low precipitation rate. The nozzle also has a deflector surface with a water distribution profile including ribs for subdividing the fluid into multiple sets of fluid streams. There are at least two fluid streams for distant and close-in irrigation to provide relatively uniform distribution and coverage. The nozzle may be a unitary, one-piece, molded nozzle body including a mounting portion, an inflow port, and a deflector portion.

Abstract: An irrigation nozzle with a rotating deflector is provided whose rotational speed may be controlled by a friction brake. The nozzle may also include an arc adjustment valve having two portions that helically engage each other to define an opening that may be adjusted at the top of the sprinkler to a desired arcuate length. The arcuate length may be adjusted by pressing down and rotating a deflector to directly actuate the valve. The nozzle may also include a radius reduction valve that may be adjusted by actuation of an outer wall of the nozzle. Rotation of the outer wall causes a flow control member to move axially to or away from an inlet.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a foam interfacing portion adapted to provide a nasal interface to contact under and around the patient's nose in use and including an orifice adapted to surround both the patient's nares in use, and a positioning and stabilizing structure to support the foam interfacing portion in an operative position on the patient's face. The positioning and stabilizing structure is structured to provide a range of rotational, axial, and/or lateral movement to the foam interfacing portion while maintaining a sufficient interface and resisting the application of tube drag and/or headgear tension to the foam interfacing portion.

Abstract: A self-organizing network of nodes communicates with uncollimated optical pulses. The nodes use low-power, unmoving, broad-beam optical interfaces, low-power processors, and communication algorithms based on timeslots within a timeframe. Nodes self-organize to form the network by pulsing detectors and sources to find neighboring nodes, confirm connections, transmit and store data, and exchange partner node identities. Two- or three-dimensional networks can thereby self-organize without external awareness of network topology, and can repair themselves when nodes move or fail. Node communication may be synchronous, thereby allowing for images of the environment status, and activation of the environment is possible via node stimulators. After forming a network, a cluster of nodes may be read out to provide data from node sensors.