HOLDING DEVICE FOR A RESPIRATORY MASK
A headband device for a respiratory mask includes a strap portion including a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding. The inner cover layer has a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device. The outer cover layer is adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device. The inner cover layer and the outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.
The present invention refers to a holding device for a respiratory mask, as it may for instance be used in the field of sleep medicine for fixing a nasal mask to the face of a patient.
Known holding devices of the above-mentioned kind usually comprise an upper belt arrangement and a lower belt arrangement, which are joined through a web arrangement arranged in the application position of the holding device at the back head portion of the patient. The two belt arrangements are made of a flexible textile material. In the area of the free end portions of the upper and lower belt arrangement, Velcro fastener means are provided through which the effective length and thus the press-on pressure of the respiratory mask against the face of the patient can be adjusted depending on the respective need. The upper belt arrangement may be connected in certain mask types with a forehead holding device so that the press-on pressure of the forehead rest element against the forehead of the patient can be defined by adjusting the effective length of the upper belt arrangement.
Depending on required therapeutic pressure of the respiratory gas supplied via the respiratory mask and depending on the individual face structure of the patient, mask press-on forces are partially required, which leave visible marks after a longer application of the mask on the face of the patient or in the forehead area.
The invention is based on the object to provide a manageable holding device for a respiratory mask through which a desired respiratory mask press-on force by obtaining an improved wearing comfort can be exerted in a reliable manner.
This object is solved according to the invention by a holding device for a respiratory mask by the features defined in claim 1.
Thereby it becomes possible in an advantageous manner to fix the respiratory mask at low tension forces on the face of the patient. For the case that e.g. due to an increased internal mask pressure, the mask tends to lift off the patient's face, a correspondingly greater mask fixing force is automatically exerted.
An extremely reliable fixing of the forehead rest element in the forehead portion of the patient is achieved in an advantageous manner without significant tensile forces being exerted on the belt arrangement extending across the forehead and the back of the head.
An embodiment that is especially advantageous in view of an especially high wearing comfort is given in that the upper belt arrangement is formed with a waist in a manner that it extends from the forehead portion to the respective ear portion of the patient, and then takes a course diverging in the area of the ears towards the parting, and directly behind the ears descends and encompasses the back head portion of the patient in the area of the neck or approximately on the level of the patient's nose.
The flexible insert provided in the holding device may for instance be made of a thermoplastic plastic material layer having a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 mm. A pad support is arranged in an area provided between the tensile-rigid inset and the patient. This pad support is according to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention formed by a thin and locally stitched foam layer on whose outer side a web material is backed. This web material may be a textile material or for instance a washable material to be wet-cleaned.
The headband arrangement of the respiratory mask is preferably provided with an adjustment means through which the effective length of the headband can be adjusted variably. The adjustment means may also be formed by a lock/clamping shift mechanism and/or by a Velcro fastener means.
According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible layer is formed of a plastic material, e.g. of a thermoplastic plastic material. As an alternative hereto or in combination therewith, it is also possible to make the flexible layer of a metal material, e.g. of a thin spring steel sheet. The bending elasticity of the flexible layer may be affected in a defined way by punchings or deep drawing structures. The flexible layer is, according to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, punched out of a corresponding web material by means of a punching process. As an alternative, it is also possible to make the flexible layer by means of a plastic shaping process, e.g. of a thermoplastic material in an injection tool. It is also possible to provide especially reinforcing or functional structures on the mask holding device.
According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the flexible layer is made of a thermo-formable material. Thereby it becomes possible in an advantageous manner to adapt the headband heated to a temperature of 60° C. individually to the patient, wherein the headband after cooling to ambient temperature may keep an advantageous spatial shape in view of a possible low surface pressure.
An embodiment that is especially advantageous in view of an especially high wearing comfort is provided in that the headband section is provided with a padding means. The padding means may preferably be formed of an open-cell foamed foam material. The padding means is preferably provided with a textile or washable layer. By the formation of locally stitched sections, the padding behavior of the padding means may be adapted in an advantageous manner.
An embodiment of the invention that is especially advantageous in view of an especially reliable fixing of the respiratory mask on the headband is given in that the holding device is provided—at least section-wise—with one of the two complementary structures of a Velcro fastening means. For this purpose, the headband is formed in a multi-layered backed manner. Thus, the flexible layer possibly provided with breakthroughs may for instance form the core portion of the headband, wherein a padding and a cover layer chosen with respect to structure and color are backed on the side facing the head of the patient in the application position of the headband.
An embodiment that is advantageous in view of an especially high wearing comfort is given in that the headband section has, seen in application position, an extension directed from the forehead portion to the upper ear portion, and an extension locally drawn up in the ear portion, wherein the headband portion directly after the ear portion has an extension descending towards the back of the head.
The above-mentioned object is solved according to a further solution idea by a holding device for a respiratory mask, having an element of increased flexural strength extending from the forehead portion laterally to the upper ear portion, and a bracket section descending behind the ear towards the neck, and a means for supporting the bracket section in the back head portion.
Thus, it becomes possible in an advantageous manner to apply a respiratory mask in a comfortable manner and possibly to refrain from using a belt arrangement.
The element of increased flexural strength may for instance be made of a wire material, in particular of a spring steel material. In an advantageous manner the element of increased flexural strength has a section projecting towards the nose tip of the patient that urges the respiratory mask against the face of the patient.
The introduction of forces into the respiratory mask is preferably implemented in that a deformation axis extends through a point of gravity of the mask support surface.
The support on the back of the head is preferably implemented by a padded band element in a manner that a deformation axis is defined which basically corresponds to the deformation axis acting on the mask.
Further details can be derived from the following description in connection with the drawing.
The headband 1 has a reinforcement layer 4 which is formed in this case of a thermoplastic material, the thickness of the reinforcement insert being in this case 0.75 mm. On the side of the reinforcement insert 5 facing the patient in the application position, a padding 5 is provided, which in this case is formed of an open-cell foamed foam material. The padding 5 in turn is covered by a cover layer 6 which is formed in this case by a textile material. The cover layer 6 and the padding 5 are coupled via a connection point 7 with the flexible layer. The connection point 7 is in this case formed by a stitching seam.
The padding 5 and a section of the cover layer are guided around a lateral edge of the reinforcement layer 4. This leads to an especially advantageous padding of the lateral edge of the reinforcement insert 4. The section guided around the reinforcement insert 4 is sewed onto the reinforcement insert 4 by means of said stitching seam. The stitching seam extends in the embodiment shown through a fleece material 8, which points towards the outside in the application position of the headband. The fleece material 8 is additionally directly adhered onto the reinforcement insert 4.
The embodiment of the headband shown in
A preferred embodiment of the stitching sections is shown in
The element 14 having flexural strength is preferably releasably fixed to the headband 12 via a Velcro fastener means.
The mask fixing means 16 and the element 14 having flexural strength are made of a steel spring wire in the embodiment shown in this case.
The headband 12 further comprises quick acting closure means 20 through which the headband 12 can be expanded and shortened in a defined manner. In the embodiment shown it is possible to attach a further band element (on)y indicated by way of a hint) to the element 14 having flexural strength, by means of which said band element additional holding forces can be exerted in the fashion of a belt arrangement onto the respiratory mask 17.
Instead of the elastic tension 22 provided in the embodiment according to
Since the flexural strength of the reinforcement layer 4 around the main axis Z is substantially defined by the edge zone portion r1, r2 of the reinforcement insert 4, it is possible to provide openings in the intermediate portion, so that the reinforcement insert 4 has a substantially latticework-like structure.
A latticework-like structure of the reinforcement insert 4 may in particular be realized in the manufacture of the reinforcement insert 4 by a plastic injection tool.
In zones of an especially high bending load it is also possible to provide a plurality of reinforcement inserts in the headband, or to form the reinforcement layers with locally thicker portions.
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A headband device for a respiratory mask, comprising:
- a strap portion including a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding,
- the inner cover layer having a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device,
- the outer cover layer adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device,
- wherein the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each said connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.
18. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein each lateral side of the strap portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge.
19. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein said foam padding is encapsulated between the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer.
20. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane.
21. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein the inner cover layer includes a textile material.
22. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein the outer cover layer includes a fleece material.
23. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein each said connection point includes an ultra-sonic weld, a thermo-weld, or a stitching seam.
24. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein the outer cover layer includes a fastening portion adapted to fix the strap portion to the respiratory mask, the fastening portion including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer, and the loop fastener includes a fleece material.
25. The headband device according to claim 17, wherein each lateral side of the strap portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge;
- wherein said foam padding is encapsulated between the inner cover layer and the outer cover layer;
- wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane;
- wherein the inner cover layer includes a textile material;
- wherein the outer cover layer includes a fleece material;
- wherein each said connection point includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld;
- wherein the outer cover layer includes a fastening portion adapted to fix the strap portion to the respiratory mask, the fastening portion including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer; and
- wherein the loop fastener includes a fleece material.
26. A respiratory mask arrangement, comprising:
- a respiratory mask having a forehead rest element, and
- the headband device according to claim 17.
27. A headband device for a respiratory mask, comprising:
- a pair of upper side band portions adapted to extend over a patient's ears;
- an upper rear band portion adapted to extend along an upper portion of a patient's head, the upper rear band portion provided between the upper side band portions;
- a pair of lower side band portions adapted to extend below the patient's ears;
- a lower rear band portion adapted to extend along or adjacent a neck portion of the patient's head, the lower rear band portion provided between the lower side band portions;
- a pair of connecting portions adapted to extend behind the patient's ears to interconnect the upper side band portions and upper rear band portion with the lower side band portions and lower rear band portion,
- wherein:
- each of the upper side band portions includes a hook and loop fastener,
- each of the upper side band portions has a multi-layered construction including an inner cover layer, an outer cover layer, and foam padding,
- each said inner cover layer has a face contacting surface adapted to contact a patient's skin in an application position of the headband device,
- each said outer cover layer is adapted to be oriented outwardly from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device, and
- each said inner cover layer and a respective said outer cover layer are coupled to one another via connection points that are laterally spaced from one another when viewed in cross-section, each said connection point being spaced outwardly away from the face contacting surface of the inner cover layer so as to position the connection points outwardly away from the patient's skin in the application position of the headband device.
28. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein each said outer cover layer includes the hook and loop fastener adapted to fix each of the side band portions to the respiratory mask, the hook and loop fastener including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer, and the loop fastener includes a fleece material.
29. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein the headband device is structured to maintain its spatial shape when not in use.
30. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein the multi-layered construction includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld.
31. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein each lateral side of the side band portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge.
32. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein the face contacting surface has a generally convex exterior surface.
33. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein each said foam padding is encapsulated between a respective said inner cover layer and outer cover layer.
34. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane.
35. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein the lower rear band portion has the multi-layered construction.
36. The headband device according to claim 27, wherein each said outer cover layer includes the hook and loop fastener adapted to fix the at least one of the band portions to the respiratory mask, the hook and loop fastener including a hook fastener adapted to engage with a loop fastener of the outer cover layer;
- wherein the loop fastener includes a fleece material;
- wherein the multi-layered construction includes an ultra-sonic weld or a thermo-weld;
- wherein each lateral side of the band portion, when viewed in cross-section, includes a rounded edge;
- wherein each said foam padding is encapsulated between to respective said inner cover layer and outer cover layer; and
- wherein the face contacting surface extends within a first plane and said laterally spaced connection points extend within a second plane which is offset from the first plane.
37. A respiratory mask, comprising:
- a seal adapted to form a seal with a patient's face; and
- the headband device according to claim 27.
38. A headband device for holding a respiratory mask in a position on a face of a patient to enhance a mask seal with the patient's face, the headband device including a plurality of bands for holding the respiratory mask, said plurality of bands comprising:
- at least one upper band configured to extend above a patient's ears in use;
- at least one lower band configured to extend below the patient's ears in use; and
- a back head portion,
- wherein at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a multi-layered construction having at least a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer of a different material from the first fabric layer, said first fabric layer being constructed and arranged to be located on a patient-contacting side in use, and said second fabric layer being constructed and arranged to be located on a non-patient-contacting side in use,
- wherein said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer are coupled by at least one connection configured to be positioned away from the patient's face when in use, and
- wherein said at least one band of said plurality of bands has a first rounded lateral edge when viewed in cross-section.
39. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the multi-layer construction comprises a layer of padding material between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.
40. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the multi-layer construction further comprises a foam layer, the foam layer positioned between said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer.
41. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a second rounded lateral edge, opposite said first rounded lateral edge, as viewed in said cross section.
42. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the back head portion comprises back head bands being configured to engage a back of a patient's head and extend on either side of a patient's parietal bone behind the patient's ears and assume, in use, a substantially oval shape.
43. The headband device of claim 38, wherein said at least one lower strap and said at least one upper strap include a hook and loop material adapted for attachment to the respiratory mask.
44. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the headband device is structured to maintain a spatial shape when not in use.
45. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the at least one connection includes laterally spaced connections.
46. The headband device of claim 38, wherein the multi-layer construction comprises a layer of foam padding material between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer;
- wherein said foam padding material is encapsulated between said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer;
- wherein the at least one band of said plurality of bands includes a second rounded lateral edge, opposite said first rounded lateral edge, as viewed in said cross section; and
- wherein the at least one connection includes laterally spaced connections.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 5, 2014
Publication Date: Apr 2, 2015
Inventors: Stefan Rolf MADAUS (Graefelfing), Harald Wolfgang VÖGELE (Gauting)
Application Number: 14/561,896
International Classification: A61M 16/06 (20060101); A42B 1/00 (20060101);