Abstract: A pressure support system for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient includes a pressure generating base unit including a gas flow generator and a controller, a patient interface device for delivering the flow of breathing gas to the airway of the patient, and a degradation monitor apparatus including a control unit and an indicator apparatus. The controller is structured to generate data indicative of a degradation metric based on use of the pressure support system and to communicate the data indicative of the degradation metric to the degradation monitor apparatus. The control unit of the degradation monitor apparatus is structured to cause the indicator apparatus to generate a human perceptible indication based on the data indicative of the degradation metric when the degradation metric indicates that a component of the patient interface device demonstrates at least a threshold level of degradation.

Abstract: A wearable device (8,60,70,86) structured to exert a contact pressure between the wearable device and a skin surface of a wearer, such as a patient interface device for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient, includes a first member (18,72,96), such as a faceplate member, structured to have a first pressure applied thereto, a contact member (14,74), such as a sealing cushion, structured to exert the contact pressure against the skin surface in response to the first pressure, and a support member (20,62,78) positioned between the first member and the contact member, the support member including a plurality of compression members (40,52,54,64,84), wherein each of the compression members is structured to buckle in response to a compression force having at least a first predetermined level being applied to the support member.

Abstract: An interface device comprises a cushion and a shell coupled thereto which together define an interior space with the face of a user. The shell includes an inlet port structured to have a conduit carrying a flow of treatment gas to the interior space selectively coupled thereto and a first aperture structured to allow the passage of ambient air into the interior space. A first sealing member is operatively coupled to the shell and is positioned such that the first sealing member is movable between a first state in which the first sealing member substantially seals the first aperture, and a second state wherein the sealing member does not substantially seal the first aperture. The first sealing member moves between the first state and the second state responsive to breathing of the patient.

Abstract: A cushion member for a patient interface device that includes a main body portion including a plurality of chambers and a self-sealing cap portion coupled to the main body portion. The cap portion covers each of the chambers and forms a plurality of membrane members, with each membrane member being positioned over and sealing a respective one of the chambers. The cap portion is made of a self-sealing material such that that each of the membrane members is structured to self-seal responsive to having a needle inserted through and pulled out of the membrane member. Also, an apparatus and a method for selectively adjusting the internal pressure of the chambers of such a cushion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) comprises a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) comprises an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to reversibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and returned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.

Abstract: A cushion member (12, 12?, 12?) for a patient interface device (4) that includes a main body portion (34) including a plurality of chambers (48) and a self-sealing cap portion (36) coupled to the main body portion. The cap portion covers each of the chambers and forms a plurality of membrane members (52), with each membrane member being positioned over and sealing a respective one of the chambers. The cap portion is made of a self-sealing material such that that each of the membrane members is structured to self-seal responsive to having a needle inserted through and pulled out of the membrane member. Also, an apparatus and a method for selectively adjusting the internal pressure of the chambers of such a cushion.

Abstract: A back strap for a patient interface device having a headgear component including a first strap member and a second strap member attached to the first strap member and structured to wraparound a back of the patient's head. The back strap member includes a first portion having a first attachment mechanism structured to couple the first portion to the second strap member, a connecting portion extending from the first portion, and a second portion having a second attachment mechanism structured to couple the second portion to at least one of the first strap member, a patient sealing assembly, or skin, hair, neck or clothing of the patient in a manner wherein the back strap member is configured to hold the second strap member and prevent it from riding up on a head of the patient during use.

Abstract: A patient interface device (8) includes a cushion member (16) structured to engage a face of a patient when the patient interface device is donned by a patient, and a frame assembly (14), wherein the cushion member is coupled to the frame assembly. The frame assembly including a main frame member (18) having a plurality of pocket members (32) provided therein, and a plurality of peg members (20) coupled to the main frame member, wherein each peg member includes an arm member (42) that is received and held within a respective one of the pocket members at a user selectable position, and where in movement of the peg members relative to the main frame member adjusts a size and/or shape of the patient interface device.

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 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 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 patient interface assembly comprises a patient interface device for communicating a gas to a patient and headgear comprising a strap arrangement for securing the patient interface device against the face of the patient. A hair grip device (30) is provided for coupling the headgear to the hair of the patient.

Abstract: A cushion member (12, 12?, 12?) for a patient interface device (4) that includes a main body portion (34) including a plurality of chambers (48) and a self-sealing cap portion (36) coupled to the main body portion. The cap portion covers each of the chambers and forms a plurality of membrane members (52), with each membrane member being positioned over and sealing a respective one of the chambers. The cap portion is made of a self-sealing material such that that each of the membrane members is structured to self-seal responsive to having a needle inserted through and pulled out of the membrane member. Also, an apparatus and a method for selectively adjusting the internal pressure of the chambers of such a cushion.

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 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 member (16) structured to engage a face of a patient when the patient interface device is donned by a patient, and a frame assembly (14), wherein the cushion member is coupled to the frame assembly. The frame assembly including a main frame member (18) having a plurality of pocket members (32) provided therein, and a plurality of peg members (20) coupled to the main frame member, wherein each peg member includes an arm member (42) that is received and held within a respective one of the pocket members at a user selectable position, and where in movement of the peg members relative to the main frame member adjusts a size and/or shape of the patient interface device.

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 hose management system (30) for use with a system adapted to provide respiratory therapy. The system includes an elongated, flexible second hose (22). The hose management system (30) includes a housing assembly (32), a rotatable spool assembly (34), and a rotatable coupling (36). The housing assembly has a sidewall assembly (40) defining a substantially enclosed space. The rotatable spool assembly has a spool body (50). The spool body (50) is disposed in the housing assembly (32) enclosed space and rotatably coupled to the housing assembly (32). The rotatable coupling (36) defines a passage (90), the rotatable coupling (36) being a rotatable conduit extending through the housing assembly sidewall and spool body. Wherein the second hose (22) may be substantially wrapped about the spool body (50) and substantially concealed within the housing assembly (32) enclosed space.