Abstract: A mask system for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a nares portion and a mouth portion and an inlet conduit connected to at least one of the nares portion and the mouth portion to deliver the pressurized, breathable gas. The mask system is adapted to selectively utilize the nares portion and/or the mouth portion in a first mode utilizing both the nares portion and the mouth portion, and in a second mode utilizing the nares portion and not utilizing the mouth portion.

Abstract: A flexible patient interface structure includes a posterior portion with at least one thin flexible membrane configured to form a seal with the patient's face in use. A wall thickness of the posterior portion is varied. An anterior portion of the flexible patient interface forms a chamber with the posterior portion and has a central gas washout vent region. A wall thickness of the anterior portion is thicker at the central gas washout vent region than at other adjacent regions. First and second laterally extending protrusions are configured to receive the breathable gas from an air delivery tube or air delivery tube connector. The central gas washout vent region is located between the first and second laterally extending protrusions and comprises an array of vent openings. Each of the first and second laterally extending protrusions terminates at a distal end that is furthest from the other laterally extending protrusion.

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 head-mountable flow generator is configured to deliver a flow of breathable gas at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to a patient interface in communication with an entrance to a patient's airways including at least an entrance of the patient's nares, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing. The flow generator includes a motor, an impeller assembly and housing that encases the motor and the impeller assembly. The housing is configured to be mounted on the patient's head and comprises an inlet to receive the flow of breathable gas and a pair of opposing outlets to deliver the flow of breathable gas. In addition, the impeller assembly is configured to pressurize the flow of breathable gas received from the inlet, and the housing is configured to convey the pressurized flow of breathable gas through both outlets.

Abstract: A flexible patient interface structure includes a posterior portion with at least one thin flexible membrane configured to form a seal with the patient's face in use. A wall thickness of the posterior portion is varied. An anterior portion of the flexible patient interface forms a chamber with the posterior portion and has a central gas washout vent region. A wall thickness of the anterior portion is thicker at the central gas washout vent region than at other adjacent regions. First and second laterally extending protrusions are configured to receive the breathable gas from an air delivery tube or air delivery tube connector. The central gas washout vent region is located between the first and second laterally extending protrusions and comprises an array of vent openings. Each of the first and second laterally extending protrusions terminates at a distal end that is furthest from the other laterally extending protrusion.

Abstract: A system for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface and a flow generator mounted on the patient interface. The patient interface is configured to contact the patient's head and includes a frame and a cushion supported by the frame and configured to sealingly connect the patient interface to the patient's face and form a chamber between the frame and the patient's face. An inlet port in the frame is configured to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The flow generator is configured to generate the pressurized flow and is capable of creating a pressure of about 2-40 cm H2O in the chamber. In addition, a pressure sensor assembly spans from an outlet port of the flow generator to the inlet port of the patient interface.

Abstract: A mask system for delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient includes a nares portion and a mouth portion and an inlet conduit connected to at least one of the nares portion and the mouth portion to deliver the pressurized, breathable gas. The mask system is adapted to selectively utilize the nares portion and/or the mouth portion in a first mode utilizing both the nares portion and the mouth portion, and in a second mode utilizing the nares portion and not utilizing the mouth portion.

Abstract: A positive airway pressure (PAP) device for supplying a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier configured to receive and humidify the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. The PAP device also includes a power source. The flow generator, humidifier and power source are positioned so that heat generated by at least one of the flow generator and the power source is conveyed to water in the humidifier.

Abstract: A system of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes at least first and second cushion components, e.g., full-face, nasal, nasal prongs, nose tip, and/or a combination of any of the above, including a nasal or full-face cushion and nasal prongs/nozzles combination, etc., that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and a common frame assembly configured to support each of the first and second cushion components. Various embodiments are directed to a full-face or nasal mask used with a frame having lateral connector portions having a stiffening member. The mask assembly may include a nose height adjustment device for the height of the cushion, or a cushion adjustment member by which the position of the cushion may be adjusted relative to the frame. The mask assembly may include a chin strap assembly.

Abstract: A system for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a patient interface and a flow generator mounted on the patient interface. The patient interface is configured to contact the patient's head and includes a frame and a cushion supported by the frame and configured to sealingly connect the patient interface to the patient's face and form a chamber between the frame and the patient's face. An inlet port in the frame is configured to receive the pressurized flow of breathable gas. The flow generator is configured to generate the pressurized flow and is capable of creating a pressure of about 2-40 cm H2O in the chamber. In addition, a pressure sensor assembly spans from an outlet port of the flow generator to the inlet port of the patient interface.

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 vent assembly is configured to discharge gas washout from a patient interface that is configured to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from a positive airway pressure device. The vent assembly includes a vent base configured to be attached to the patient interface and comprising a plurality of coplanar openings and a hydrophilic material positioned adjacent to the coplanar openings. The hydrophilic material is configured to wick water near the plurality of coplanar openings and/or capture moisture from a gas washout flow adjacent to the plurality of coplanar openings. In addition, the hydrophilic material is configured to release the accumulated moisture and/or water to the pressurized flow of breathable gas for breathing by the patient when the patient inhales.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes an elastomeric piece configured to receive a flow of pressurized respiratory gas and sealingly engage the patient's face. The elastomeric piece forms a plenum and includes a mouth sealing portion, a nasal sealing portion, and an anterior surface with an air inlet opening configured to be coupled to a connector and/or an air delivery tube. The patient interface assembly also includes a stiffening structure that is attached to the anterior surface of the elastomeric piece. The stiffening structure comprises a central aperture that is sized so that the air inlet opening and a portion of the anterior surface surrounding the air inlet opening remain exposed through the central aperture. The stiffening structure is configured so that the entirety of the stiffening structure is inferior to the patient's nose in use.

Abstract: A positive airway pressure (PAP) device for supplying a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a flow generator configured to pressurize a flow of breathable gas and a humidifier configured to receive and humidify the pressurized flow of breathable gas from the flow generator. The PAP device also includes a power source. The flow generator, humidifier and power source are positioned so that heat generated by at least one of the flow generator and the power source is conveyed to water in the humidifier.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing a user to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, including operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB) during successive treatment sessions, wherein the device provides continuous positive airway pressure during sleep, includes determining a clinically-derived full therapeutic pressure, applying a sub-therapeutic treatment pressure for the duration of a first session, obtaining responses to a series of pre-programmed patient and/or bed partner feedback questions before the start of a second session and, based on the responses, either incrementally increasing the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy, or maintaining the treatment pressure for the second session if the responses do not indicate that the patient is adjusting to therapy.

Abstract: A patient interface assembly includes an elastomeric piece configured to receive a flow of pressurized respiratory gas and sealingly engage the patient’s face. The elastomeric piece forms a plenum and includes a mouth sealing portion, a nasal sealing portion, and an anterior surface with an air inlet opening configured to be coupled to a connector and/or an air delivery tube. The patient interface assembly also includes a stiffening structure that is attached to the anterior surface of the elastomeric piece. The stiffening structure comprises a central aperture that is sized so that the air inlet opening and a portion of the anterior surface surrounding the air inlet opening remain exposed through the central aperture. The stiffening structure is configured so that the entirety of the stiffening structure is inferior to the patient’s nose in use.

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 patient interface is configured to deliver a pressurized flow of respiratory gas to a patient's airways. The patient interface includes a cushion and shell assembly with a cushion portion mounted on a shell portion that is more rigid than the cushion portion. The cushion portion is configured to sealingly engage the patient's face and has a vent opening. The shell portion includes a plurality of headgear connectors. The patient interface further includes a gas washout vent assembly configured to be positioned within the vent opening of the cushion portion. The gas washout vent assembly includes a main body configured to be secured to the cushion portion, a porous body, and an outer cover with a plurality of openings. The main body at least partially houses the porous body and the outer cover.

Abstract: A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a nasal prong assembly including a pair of nasal prongs structured to sealingly communicate with nasal passages of a patient's nose in use and headgear to maintain the nasal prong assembly in a desired position on the patient's face. The headgear includes side straps and rigidizers provided to respective side straps. Each rigidizer includes a first end portion that provides a connector structured to engage a respective end of the nasal prong assembly and an inwardly curved protrusion in the form of a cheek support that curves inwardly of the connector. The cheek support is adapted to follow the contour of the patient's cheek and guide a respective end portion of the side strap into engagement with the patient's cheek to provide a stable cheek support.

Abstract: A method of acclimatizing a patient to provide continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, including operating a device for treating sleep disordered breathing (SDB). The device provides continuous positive airway pressure to the patient during sleep via a mask configured to provide a seal with respect to airways of the patient. The method comprises applying full therapeutic pressure during a first session, monitoring a mask pressure during application of the full therapeutic pressure, calculating a difference between the full therapeutic pressure and the mask pressure, comparing the difference to a threshold representing an acceptable level of leak, generating a first signal in response to said comparing, and in response to said first signal indicating a fault in the seal, decreasing an applied pressure to below the full therapeutic pressure during the first session in order to improve the seal of the mask against the patient's face.