Abstract: A device for providing active assistance to a body joint including at least one spring module interconnecting first and second attachment parts. The at least one spring module including first and second elongate link members coupled to the first and second attachment parts respectively and pivotably coupled to each other at a pivot joint with a pivoting axis perpendicular to the first and second elongate link members; a coil spring extending longitudinally between the first and second elongate link members and across the pivot joint, whereby first and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to the first and second elongate link members respectively; and a coil-spring-retaining-member slidable relative to the first elongate link member in a manner so as to vary a portion of a length of the coil spring engaged and retained by the coil-spring-retaining-member to vary an effective length of the coil spring.

Abstract: A patient interface (200, 300) comprising: a seal-forming structure (210, 220, 310, 320) including a face-engaging surface that is personalised to the patient's facial contour and to form a seal with the patient's face at least on or below the bridge of the patient's nose and between the patient's lower lip and on or above the patient's chin, preferably proximal to the patient's mentolabial crease, the face-engaging surface including at least one nare port (211, 311) shaped and sized to align with the patient's nares; an anterior surface (205, 305) including a connection port; wherein the seal-forming structure (210, 220, 310, 320) is non-deformable in response to headgear tension or pressurised air received within the seal-forming structure (210, 220, 310, 320).

Abstract: A device for providing active assistance to a body joint including at least one spring module interconnecting first and second attachment parts. The at least one spring module including first and second elongate link members coupled to the first and second attachment parts respectively and pivotably coupled to each other at a pivot joint with a pivoting axis perpendicular to the first and second elongate link members; a coil spring extending longitudinally between the first and second elongate link members and across the pivot joint, whereby first and second ends of the coil spring are coupled to the first and second elongate link members respectively; and a coil-spring-retaining-member slidable relative to the first elongate link member in a manner so as to vary a portion of a length of the coil spring engaged and retained by the coil-spring-retaining-member to vary an effective length of the coil spring.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for acclimatizing a user to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy are provided. Generally, a sub-therapeutic treatment pressure is provided initially. It may be ramped up to a full treatment pressure over the course of one or more therapy sessions. The pressure level may be ramped up based on, for example, sleep state, sleep phase, patient compliance with types of treatment (e.g. bilevel vs. CPAP, etc.), clinician input (either at the site, remotely, via pre-programmed smartcards, etc.), etc. Such techniques may be used alone or in combination.

Abstract: A seal-forming structure (91) for treating sleep disordered breathing by delivering breathable gas to an entrance of a patient's airways during sleep at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure in a range of 4 to 20 cm H2O, the seal-forming structure (91) comprising: a face-engaging surface (95) that is personalised to a patient's facial contour and to form a seal with the patient's face; and at least one comfort region (75, 80) configured to provide substantially even contact pressure between the face-engaging surface (95) against the patient's face when headgear tension is applied in use for maintaining the position of the seal-forming structure (91) on the patient's face; wherein the seal-forming structure (91) is non-deformable in response to headgear tension or pressurised air received within the seal-forming structure (91).

Abstract: Systems, methods, and/or apparatuses for acclimatizing a user to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy are provided. Generally, a sub-therapeutic treatment pressure is provided initially. It may be ramped up to a full treatment pressure over the course of one or more therapy sessions. The pressure level may be ramped up based on, for example, sleep state, sleep phase, patient compliance with types of treatment (e.g. bilevel vs. CPAP, etc.), clinician input (either at the site, remotely, via pre-programmed smartcards, etc.), etc. Such techniques may be used alone or in combination.

Abstract: A nasal dilator includes a contact pad attachable to a user's facial region below the user's eye and outboard from the user's nose. A tugging device is coupled with the contact pad and urges the contact pad in a direction away from the user's nose. With this structure, effective dilation of the nasal passages can be achieved in a comfortable manner. The dilator may also be incorporated into a CPAP mask and/or form part of an automated control system.

Abstract: A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and a flexible element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.

Abstract: A breathing arrangement includes a patient interface, at least one inlet conduit, and a headgear assembly. The patient interface includes a mouth covering assembly including a cushion structured to sealingly engage around exterior of a patient's mouth in use, a nozzle assembly including a pair of nozzles structured to sealingly engage within nasal passages of a patient's nose in use, and an element connecting the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly. The at least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. The headgear assembly is removably connected to at least one of the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly so as to maintain the mouth covering assembly and the nozzle assembly in a desired position on the patient's face.

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 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 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 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 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: Headgear for a patient interface includes at least one headgear strap and an indicator provided to the at least one headgear strap structured to indicate attainment of a desired adjustment setting of the headgear in response to headgear tension applied to the at least one headgear strap.

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 patient interface includes a sealing arrangement adapted to provide an effective seal with the patient's nose, an inlet conduit arrangement adapted to deliver breathable gas to the sealing arrangement, and a cover that substantially encloses the sealing arrangement and/or the inlet conduit arrangement.

Abstract: A harness assembly for a nasal mask for communicating breathable gas to a patient's airways includes a cap portion adapted to engage an occipital region of the patient's skull in use and side straps extending from the cap portion. The cap portion includes an upper strap portion and a lower strap portion that cooperate to define an opening through which the occiput region at least partially protrudes in use. Each of the side straps includes hook and loop connectors.

Abstract: A nasal cushion (30) comprises a substantially triangularly frame (32) from which extends a membrane (34). The frame (32) has a scalloped edge (36) by which the cushion (30) is affixed to a mask body. The member (34) has an aperture (38) into which the wearer's nose is received. The membrane (34) is spaced away from the rim (40) of the frame (32), and its or surface (41) is of substantially the same shape as the rim (40). Respective notches (42,44) receive the bridge of the wearer's nose. The wearer's nose is received through the aperture (38) into the chamber within the mask body (46). The seal forming portion (45) thus contacts both the surface of the wearer's nose and a portion of the wearer's face in the region between the base of the nose and the upper lip, and around the sides and over the bridge of the nose. The shape of the seal forming portion (45) is particularly suited to effectively seal the difficult region of the facial contour that is the crease between the sides of the nose and the face.

Abstract: A low-dropout regulator with a single-transistor-control providing improved transient response and stability is disclosed. The single-transistor-control provides a dynamic resistance at the output of the regulator for minimizing undershoot and overshoot, and hence improves transient response. Since the single-control transistor reduces the output resistance of the regulator, the output pole is pushed to a sufficiently high frequency without affecting stability. Therefore, the limited choice of combinations of the output capacitance and its equivalent-series-resistance is substantially relaxed.