FOREHEAD SUPPORT FOR A FACIAL MASK
A forehead support for a respiratory mask. The forehead support includes a pair of arms. The arms are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion. The arms are also adapted to pivot relative to each other. The arms are also selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other. The forehead support can thus be adjusted to suit the facial topography of the wearer of the respiratory mask.
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This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/074,401, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/348,369, filed Jan. 5, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,149, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/068,863, filed Mar. 2, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,704, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/320,701, filed Dec. 17, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,973,929, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/538,349, filed Mar. 29, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,182, which claims the benefit of Australian Application No. PP9499, filed Mar. 29, 1999, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a forehead support for a facial mask used to supply breathable gas to a wearer's airways.
The invention has been developed primarily for use in supporting a nasal mask used in Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) treatment of, for example, Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other ventilatory assistance treatments such as Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these particular uses and is also suitable for use with, for example, full-face (i.e. nose and mouth) masks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCPAP treatment is a common ameliorative treatment for breathing disorders including OSA. CPAP treatment, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310, provides pressurised air or other breathable gas to the entrance of a patient's airways at a pressure elevated above atmospheric pressure, typically in the range 4-20 cm H2O.
It is also known for the level of treatment pressure to vary during a period of treatment in accordance with patient need, that form of CPAP being known as automatically adjusting nasal CPAP treatment, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,245,995.
NIPPV is another form of treatment for breathing disorders which can involve a relatively higher pressure of gas being provided in the patient mask during the inspiratory phase of respiration and a relatively lower pressure or atmospheric pressure being provided in the patient mask during the expiratory phase of respiration.
In other NIPPV modes the pressure can be made to vary in a complex manner throughout the respiratory cycle. For example, the pressure at the mask during inspiration or expiration can be varied through the period of treatment.
Typically, the ventilatory assistance for CPAP or NIPPV treatment is delivered to the patient by way of a nasal mask. Alternatively, a mouth mask or full face mask or nasal prongs can be used. In this specification any reference to a mask is to be understood as incorporating a reference to a nasal mask, mouth mask, full face mask or nasal prongs.
In this specification any reference to CPAP treatment is to be understood as embracing all of the above described forms of ventilatory treatment or assistance.
A CPAP apparatus broadly comprises a flow generator constituted by a continuous source of air or other breathable gas such as a hospital piped supply or a blower. In the latter case, an electric motor drives the blower and is typically controlled by a servo-controller under the control of a microcontroller unit. In either case, the gas supply is connected to a conduit or tube which in turn is connected to a patient nasal or full-face mask which incorporates, or has in close proximity, an exhaust to atmosphere for venting exhaled gases. Examples of prior art nasal masks are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,782,832 and 5,243,971.
The supply conduit delivers gas into a chamber formed by walls of the mask. The mask is normally secured to the wearer's head by straps. The straps are adjusted to pull the mask against the face with sufficient force to achieve a gas tight seal between the mask and the wearer's face.
A problem that arises with the use of the existing masks is that in order for the straps to be tight, the mask is compressed against the wearer's face and may push unduly hard on the wearer's nose. Additionally, the mask may move around the wearer's face. Thus, there has been hitherto provided a forehead support, which provides a support mechanism between the mask and the forehead. This forehead support prevents both the mask from pushing too strongly against the wearer's nose and/or facial region as well as minimising movement of the mask with the addition of a contact point between the mask and the wearer's head thereby reducing uncomfortable pressure points. Additionally, the forehead support can be arranged to prevent the gas supply conduit from contacting the wearer's forehead or face.
Forehead supports with a single cushion and a single contact point or the forehead are known.
The applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,693 relates to a substantially rigid one-piece forehead support having a pair of forehead cushions mounted at each outer end of the support. This forehead support is connected to the top of a facial mask and includes an adjustable mechanism to allow the spacing between the top of the facial mask and the forehead support to be altered between predetermined positions to thereby alter the angle of the mask relative to the wearer's head to suit the wearer's facial topography.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternate form of forehead support.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a forehead support for a respiratory mask, said forehead support including a pair of arms, wherein: the arms are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion; the arms are adapted to pivot relative to each other; and the arms are selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a respiratory mask assembly comprising a respiratory mask and a forehead support, said forehead support including a pair of arms, wherein: the arms are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion; the arms are adapted to pivot relative to each other; and the arms are selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other.
As the angle between the arms adjacent to wearer's forehead is decreased or increased the distance between the forehead and the extension of the respiratory mask is increased or decreased respectively, thereby altering the angle of the respiratory mask relative to the wearer's face.
The arms are preferably also adapted to each pivot relative to the respiratory mask.
Preferably, each of the arms include a cylindrical recess adapted to pivotally receive a cylindrical boss provided on the respiratory mask.
The respiratory mask preferably includes an extension adjacent and above, in use, the wearer's nose on which the cylindrical boss is provided.
Desirably, one of the arms includes a tongue adapted to be received in one of at least two grooves provided on the other of the arms so as to lock the arms at one of two or more predetermined said angular positions.
The tongue is preferably provided on a flexible member which is adapted to permit the tongue be moved out of engagement with the grooves by manual manipulation of the member.
The forehead cushions are desirably located on the outer ends of the arms.
The arms preferably also include means to connect a head strap thereto.
The respiratory mask preferably also includes means to connect a head strap thereto.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The extension 12 is positioned on top of the nasal mask 14 generally adjacent and above the wearer's nose. It will be appreciated that this is just one example of a facial mask that could be supported by the forehead support 10. For example, the forehead support also finds application in supporting full-face (i.e. nose and mouth) masks.
Forehead supports according to the invention can also be used with facial masks in which the gas supply connector 16 is incorporated into the mask in the general position of the extension 12. In this type of mask, the supplied gas flows through or past the forehead support 12.
The mask 14 includes a pair of slotted connectors 20 to which are respectively connected ends of a lower head strap (not shown) for securing the nasal mask to the wearer's head.
The forehead support 10 includes a pair of arms 22 pivotally mounted to each other adjacent the extension 12. Each of the arms 22 includes a slotted connector 23 to which ends of an upper head strap 25 are respectively connected (see
The arms 22 each include a cylindrical recess 24 which receives a cylindrical boss 26 provided on the extension 12. As best shown in
Also as shown in
The arms are constructed from a plastics material, such as polycarbonate, which allows the member 32, when pressed in the general direction of arrow 43, to be flexed relative to the arm 22 upon which it is mounted to release the tongue 34 from engagement from one of the grooves 42 to allow angular adjustment between the arms 22. Releasing the member 32 biases the tongue 34 towards the grooves 42. When the tongue 34 and one of the grooves 42 are aligned, as is shown in
The tongue 34 has a radiused leading corner 35 and a similar radius is provided on the corresponding corner 37 of each of the grooves. The leading corner 35 and corresponding corners 37 can also be angled. When the arms 22 are pushed towards each other in a direction reducing the angle therebetween, the corner 35 causes the tongue 34 to ride up out of engagement with the slot and fall into engagement with the next slot. This allows the angle between the arms 22 to be quickly adjusted in a ratchet type fashion.
The extension 12 of the nasal mask 14 is connected to the forehead support 10 generally in the region of the axis 28. Consequently, as the arms are pivoted towards each other the distance A is increased. This suits wearers with relatively high nasal regions and relatively low foreheads. Conversely, as the arms 22 are pivoted away from each other the distance A is decreased. This suits wearers with relatively low nasal regions and relatively high foreheads.
In this way the forehead support 10 advantageously allows the mask 14 to be positioned to comfortably suit the particular topography of the wearer's face by adjusting the angle of tilt of the mask 14 relative to the wearer's face. As examples, the position of arms 22 in
The curved shape of the cushions 30 allows them to effectively “roll” over the wearer's forehead during angular adjustment of the arms 22.
Further, as the arms 22 can also pivot relative to the mask 14, then the forehead support 10 is also able to better fit wearers whose foreheads are not symmetrical about the front-to-rear centreline of their head.
Further, the forehead support advantageously allows the angle between the arms to be adjusted using only one hand. The ease of adjustment of the arms also makes the forehead support particularly suitable for use by sick, weak or one-armed wearers.
The forehead support 50 is similar to the forehead support 10 shown in
Although the invention has been described with reference to a specific example, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.
As an example, the forehead support can include means to resiliently bias the arms relative to one another such that they increase or decrease their angle relative to one another when the tongue is disengaged from one of the slots. Also, in the embodiments described above the angle between the arms can be changed independently of the angle between the mask and the arms. However, in an alternative embodiment, the arms can be adapted to simultaneously change their relative angle, thereby maintaining a symmetrical position relative to the mask. Further, the tongue and grooves of the second embodiment can have the radiused corners of the first embodiment.
Claims
1. A forehead support for a patient interface configured to treat a respiratory disorder, the forehead support comprising:
- a first arm configured to engage a forehead of a patient;
- a second arm configured to engage the forehead of the patient, the first and second arms being resiliently biased with respect to one another; and
- a locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second arms in position relative to each other.
2. A forehead support according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arms are movable to increase or decrease an angle between the first and second arms.
3. A forehead support according to claim 2, wherein the first and second arms are biased toward each other to decrease the angle between the first and second arms.
4. A forehead support according to claim 2, wherein the first and second arms are biased away from each other to increase the angle between the first and second arms.
5. A forehead support according to claim 2, wherein the first and second arms are configured so that the angle between the first and second arms is changeable independently of an angle between the patient interface and the first and second arms.
6. A forehead support according to claim 5, wherein the first and second arms are configured so that movement of the first arm coincides with movement of the second arm to simultaneously change the angle between the first and second arms.
7. A forehead support according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tongue and groove configuration.
8. A forehead support according to claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tongue and a plurality of grooves configured to receive the tongue.
9. A forehead support according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism locks the first and second arms in position relative to one another when the tongue is inserted into one of the plurality of grooves.
10. A forehead support according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ratchet configuration such that changing the angle between the first and second arms successively disengages and engages the locking mechanism.
11. A forehead support according to claim 1, wherein the first and second arms each includes a cushion configured to engage a forehead of the patient when the forehead support engages the patient's forehead.
12. A patient interface for treating a respiratory disorder comprising:
- a sealing structure;
- a frame configured to maintain the sealing structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding an entrance to the patient's airways while maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the entrance to the patient's airways; and
- a forehead support according to claim 1.
13. A forehead support for a patient interface configured to treat a respiratory disorder, the forehead support comprising:
- a first arm configured to engage a forehead of a patient;
- a second arm configured to engage the forehead of the patient, the first and second arms being rotatable around a common axis, the first and second arms being resiliently biased to change an angle formed between the first and second arms; and
- a locking mechanism configured to lock the first and second arms in position relative to each other and counter the biasing of the first and second arms.
14. A forehead support according to claim 13, wherein the first and second arms are movable to increase or decrease an angle between the first and second arms.
15. A forehead support according to claim 14, wherein the first and second arms are biased toward each other to decrease the angle between the first and second arms.
16. A forehead support according to claim 14, wherein the first and second arms are biased away from each other to increase the angle between the first and second arms.
17. A forehead support according to claim 13, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ratchet configuration such that changing the angle between the first and second arms successively disengages and engages the locking mechanism.
18. A forehead support according to claim 13, wherein the first and second arms each includes a cushion configured to engage a forehead of the patient when the forehead support engages the patient's forehead.
19. A patient interface for treating a respiratory disorder comprising:
- a sealing structure;
- a frame configured to maintain the sealing structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding an entrance to the patient's airways while maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the entrance to the patient's airways; and
- a forehead support according to claim 13.
20. A forehead support for a patient interface, the patient interface being configured for sealed delivery of a flow of breathable gas at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways, wherein the patient interface is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 4 cm H2O to about 20 cm H2O above ambient air pressure, throughout the patient's respiratory cycle, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing; said forehead support comprising:
- a main body;
- a first arm extending from the main body in a first direction;
- a second arm extending from the main body in a second direction, the second arm being movable with respect to the first arm;
- a biasing mechanism configured to resiliently bias the first and second arms relative to one another; and
- a locking mechanism configured to counter a biasing force generated by the biasing mechanism.
21. A forehead support according to claim 20, wherein the first and second arms are movable to increase or decrease an angle between the first and second arms.
22. A forehead support according to claim 21, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to resiliently bias the first and second arms toward each other to decrease the angle between the first and second arms.
23. A forehead support according to claim 21, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to resiliently bias the first and second arms away from each other to increase the angle between the first and second arms.
24. A forehead support according to claim 20, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a ratchet configuration such that changing the angle between the first and second arms successively disengages and engages the locking mechanism.
25. A forehead support according to claim 20, wherein the first and second arms each includes a cushion configured to engage a forehead of the patient when the forehead support engages the patient's forehead.
26. A patient interface for sealed delivery of a flow of breathable gas at a continuously positive pressure with respect to ambient air pressure to an entrance to the patient's airways, wherein the patient interface is configured to maintain a therapy pressure in a range of about 4 cm H2O to about 20 cm H2O above ambient air pressure, while the patient is sleeping, to ameliorate sleep disordered breathing, said patient interface comprising:
- a sealing structure;
- a positioning and stabilizing structure to maintain the sealing structure in sealing contact with an area surrounding an entrance to the patient's airways while maintaining a therapeutic pressure at the entrance to the patient's airways;
- a plenum chamber pressurized at a pressure above ambient pressure; and
- a forehead support according to claim 20.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 28, 2014
Publication Date: May 22, 2014
Applicant: ResMed Limited (Bella Vista)
Inventor: Michael Kassipillai GUNARATNAM (Sydney)
Application Number: 14/165,934
International Classification: A61M 16/06 (20060101); A61M 16/00 (20060101);