BREATHING ASSISTANCE APPARATUS
A patient interface that is comfortable for a user to wear is disclosed. The patient interface includes a forehead rest and cushion. In particular the cushion includes a deformable resilient member that when compressed creates a uniformly and gradually increasing force while evenly distributing the pressure on the forehead of the patient.
This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/331,629, filed Oct. 21, 2016, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/727,757, filed Jun. 1, 2015, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/360,227, filed Jan. 27, 2012, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/784,016, filed May 20, 2010, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/564,998, which received a 371 filing date of Jun. 6, 2006 and is a 371 filing of PCT/NZ2004/000165, filed on Jul. 27, 2004. These applications claim priority from New Zealand Application No. 527313, which was filed on Jul. 30, 2003. All of these references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThis invention relates to patient interfaces particularly though not solely for use in delivering Continuous Positive Airways Pressure (CPAP) therapy to patients suffering from obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). In particular the present invention relates to forehead rest pads on patient interfaces.
Description of the Related ArtIn the art of respiration devices, there are well known variety of respiratory masks which cover the nose and/or mouth of a human user in order to provide a continuous seal around the nasal and/or oral areas of the face such that gas may be provided at positive pressure within the mask for consumption by the user. The uses for such masks range from high altitude breathing (i.e., aviation applications) to mining and fire fighting applications, to various medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
One requisite of such respiratory masks has been that they provide an effective seal against the user's face to prevent leakage of the gas being supplied. Commonly, in prior mask configurations, a good mask-to-face seal has been attained in many instances only with considerable discomfort for the user. This problem is most crucial in those applications, especially medical applications, which require the user to wear such a mask continuously for hours or perhaps even days. In such situations, the user will not tolerate the mask for long durations and optimum therapeutic or diagnostic objectives thus will not be achieved, or will be achieved with great difficulty and considerable user discomfort.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,243,971 and 6,112,746 are examples of prior art attempts to improve the mask system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,689 and PCT publication No. WO 00/78384, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,693 are examples of attempts to improve the forehead rest.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIt is an object of the present invention to attempt to provide a patient interface which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages in the prior art or which will at least provide the industry with a useful choice.
Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising:
a patient interface, in use in fluid communication with said supply of gases,
a forehead rest engaging said interface including a deformable resilient member configured to in use rest against the face of a patient, said deformable resilient member when compressed in use creating a uniformly and gradually increasing force, while evenly distributing the pressure on the area of the forehead of said patient that contacts said resilient member.
Preferably said deformable resilient member has a top surface and a base connected by two side walls, said side walls being thin and in use are compressible.
Preferably said top surface is substantially thicker than said side walls.
Preferably said top surface includes additional support at its centre to limit its collapse.
Preferably said side walls are capable of folding under compression.
Preferably said deformable resilient member is moulded from silicone.
Alternatively said deformable resilient member is extruded from silicone.
In a second aspect the present invention consists in a device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising:
a patient interface, in use in fluid communication with said supply of gases,
a forehead rest engaging said interface including a deformable resilient member configured to in use rest against the face of a patient, said deformable resilient member being of a hollow conical shape where in use and under compression the top part of said hollow cone deforms or the side walls of said cone deform.
Preferably said deformable resilient member is moulded from silicone.
Alternatively said deformable resilient member is extruded from silicone.
In a third aspect the present invention consists in a device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising:
a patient interface, in use in fluid communication with said supply of gases,
a forehead rest engaging said interface, an adjustable deformable resilient member mounted on said forehead rest, said adjustable deformable resilient member configured to in use rest against the face of a patient, said resilient member is height adjustable such that said patient can adjust the distance between said forehead rest and the face of said patient.
Preferably said adjustable deformable resilient member is at least one adjustable strap attached and adjustable on said forehead rest.
Alternatively said adjustable deformable resilient member is a member rotatably mounted on said forehead rest.
In the alternate form the adjustable deformable resilient member being rotatable relative to said forehead rest
In a further form said resilient member has two ends, one of the resilient member being fixed to the forehead rest, the other end of the strap is free, said free end capable of sliding relative to said forehead rest, said sliding of free end of strap allowing said user to adjust the height between said forehead rest and said forehead of said user.
Preferably said forehead rest includes a plurality of recesses, the free end of the strap including a slideable sleeve, said slideable sleeve sliding relative to said forehead rest and slideably moving said strap to adjust the height of said resilient member, said sleeve also capable of being fixed into any one of the recesses, said recesses allowing varying degrees of height adjustment.
Preferably said forehead rest also including an aperture, said fixed end of strap fixed to said forehead rest by engaging into said aperture.
Preferably said strap includes a plurality of protrusions at each end, said protrusions at said fixed end of said strap engaging with said aperture to fix said strap to said forehead rest, said protrusions at said free end of said strap engaging with said sleeve to connect said strap to said sliding sleeve.
Preferably said forehead rest is substantially T shaped, said forehead rest comprising two lateral arms extending outward from a vertical arm, said resilient member attached to at least one lateral arm of said forehead rest.
Alternatively said forehead rest is substantially I shaped.
In a further form said strap has a fixed end and a movable end, said fixed end fixed to the forehead rest, said movable end is arranged on said forehead rest to form a substantially circular shape that provides a cushioning effect should a force be applied.
Preferably said movable end of said strap being threaded through an aperture in the arm to form said circular shape, said movable end of said strap being adjustable on said forehead rest to allow a user to adjust the size of the circular shape created by said strap.
Preferably said strap includes a plurality of spaced apart apertures on the strap, said forehead rest including a protrusion extending outward from said forehead rest, said protrusion capable of engaging with any one of said apertures on said strap to fix the movable end of said strap and fix the size of said circular shape, said plurality of spaced apart holes on strap allowing a user to adjust the size of said circular shape.
Preferably said forehead rest includes a holding sleeve, said holding sleeve holding said strap in a substantially correct orientation relative to the forehead rest and protrusion on said forehead rest.
Preferably said forehead rest is a substantially I shaped piece.
In another form said strap is arranged on said forehead rest to form two arced sections relative to said forehead rest, said arced sections resting against a user's head and providing a cushioning effect.
Preferably said forehead rest includes at least one aperture, said strap curled through said aperture to form a middle section extending in the opposing direction to said arced sections.
Preferably said strap is folded back on itself to form said middle section, said strap having two ends, both ends of said strap fixed to opposing ends of said forehead rest.
Preferably said forehead rest includes a lip at each end of said forehead rest, said rest comprising an abutment at each end of said strap, said abutment engaging with said lip to fix each end of said strap to said forehead rest.
Preferably said forehead rest includes a pair of apertures said strap curling through both said apertures to form said middle section and arced sections.
Preferably said middle section can be pulled through or pushed through said aperture or apertures in order to increase or decrease the size of said arced sections.
Preferably said strap includes a plurality of spaced apart notches along the edge of said strap, said notches capable of engaging with said aperture or apertures to hold said middle section in place, said notches providing incremental positions for the middle section to be held and said notches providing incremental sizes of said arced sections.
Preferably said strap has notches along both edges of said strap to provide for better grip and engagement with said aperture or apertures.
One preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
The present invention provides improvements in the delivery of humidified gases therapy. In particular a patient interface is described which is more comfortable for the user to wear and reduces leakage as compared with the prior art. It will be appreciated that the patient interface as described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention can be used in respiratory care generally or with a ventilator but will now be described below with reference to use in a humidified CPAP system. It will also be appreciated that the present invention can be applied to any form of patient interface including, but not limited to, nasal masks, oral masks and mouthpieces.
With reference to
Controller 9 receives input from sources such as user input means or dial 10 through which a user of the device may, for example, set a predetermined required value (preset value) of humidity or temperature of the gases supplied to patient 1. The controller may also receive input from other sources, for example temperature and/or flow velocity sensors 11 and 12 through connector 13 and heater plate temperature sensor 14. In response to the user set humidity or temperature value input via dial 10 and the other inputs, controller 9 determines when (or to what level) to energise heater plate 7 to heat the water 6 within humidification chamber 5. As the volume of water 6 within humidification chamber 5 is heated, water vapour begins to fill the volume of the chamber above the water's surface and is passed out of the humidification chamber 5 outlet 4 with the flow of gases (for example air) provided from a gases supply means or blower 15 which enters the chamber through inlet 16. Exhaled gases from the patient's mouth are passed directly to ambient surroundings in
Blower 15 is provided with variable pressure regulating means or variable speed fan 21 which draws air or other gases through blower inlet 17. The speed of variable speed fan 21 is controlled by electronic controller 18 (or alternatively the function of controller 18 could carried out by controller 9) in response to inputs from controller 9 and a user set predetermined required value (preset value) of pressure or fan speed via dial 19.
Nasal MaskAccording to a first embodiment of the present invention the patient interface is shown in
The hollow body 102 is constructed of a relatively inflexible material for example, polycarbonate plastic. Such a material would provide the requisite rigidity as well as being transparent and a relatively good insulator. The expiratory gases can be expelled through a valve (not shown) in the mask, a further expiratory conduit (not shown), or any other such method as is known in the art.
Mask CushionReferring now to
In
In the preferred embodiment shown in
The outer sheath 1112 fits in place over the cushion 1110, holding it in place. The sheath 1112 is secured by a snap-fit to the periphery 1114 of the hollow body. In
A prior art nasal mask 102 including a forehead rest 106 is shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
When the cushion 140 comes into contact with the user's face the outer curved member 210 deforms as more pressure is applied to the cushion towards the face. This comprises of the first mode of deformation. Once the outer curved member 210 deforms enough to contact the inner curved member a second mode of deformation occurs.
As will be appreciated if the outer curved member is flatter than the second curved member 212 the first mode requires less force. The relative curvature and thickness of each can be varied to give a characteristic first mode and second mode. Once in the second mode of deformation extra force is required to deform both the first curved member 210 and the second curved member 212. This configuration described above results in more even deformation force across the load bearing surface of the cushion 216 and also results in a more progressive force of cushioning when the cushion 120 is deformed.
A further prior art embodiment of a forehead rest cushion is shown in
These prior art forehead rests have a base member that includes a flange 240 which engages with a slot 2138 in the forehead rest 106 to lock the forehead rest cushion in place. The flange 240 first slides through aperture 2139 as seen in
In the preferred forms of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention will now be described with reference to
A first embodiment of the forehead rest cushion is shown in
In alternative embodiments any of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention as shown in the Figures may have an alternative attachment mechanism such as an arrow head type barb or protrusion, which fits into apertures on the forehead rest. Alternatively, any of the cushions may be provided with an aperture in place of the flange that is able to be slid about an arm of the forehead rest.
A third embodiment of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention is shown in
Reference is now made to
A fifth embodiment of the forehead rest cushion is shown in
Reference is now made to
A seventh embodiment of the forehead rest cushion as shown in
The eighth embodiment of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention is shown in
A ninth embodiment of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention is shown in
A fourteenth embodiment forehead rest cushion of the present invention is shown in
A further embodiment of a forehead rest cushion is shown in
A twelfth embodiment of a forehead rest cushion of the present invention is shown in
A further embodiment of an adjustable forehead rest cushion is shown in
Yet still a further embodiment of an adjustable forehead rest cushion is shown in
The forehead rest cushion embodiments shown in
In other forms of the forehead rest cushion of the present invention the cushion may be an inflatable member that can be manually inflated using a syringe or a hand or finger operated compression pump, or automatically inflated using a compressible reservoir or the like.
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising:
- a patient interface in fluid communication with a supply of gases; and
- a deformable resilient member configured to engage with the patient interface and configured to rest against the face of a patient, the deformable resilient member including a contact portion and a body portion, wherein the body portion has a first end and an opposite second end, the first end coupled to the contact portion, and wherein the diameter of the second end is greater than the first end.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein the body portion is a parabolic cone.
4. The device of claim 2, wherein the contact portion of the deformable resilient member includes an opening.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the opening includes an edge that is configured to roll the deformable resilient member inwards when the contact portion of the deformable resilient member is compressed.
6. The device of claim 2, wherein the contact portion is circular.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the contact portion has a curved perimeter, the curved perimeter is configured to roll down towards the body portion when a force is applied on the contact portion.
8. The device of claim 2, wherein the contact portion is configured to adjust to the shape of the face of the patient.
9. The device of claim 2, wherein the body portion is conical.
10. The device of claim 2, wherein the deformable resilient member is composed of thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or foam.
11. The device of claim 2, wherein the deformable resilient member further includes a flange configured to engage with the patient interface to secure the deformable resilient member to the patient interface.
12. The device of claim 2, wherein the deformable resilient member is glued to the patient interface.
13. A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising:
- a patient interface in fluid communication with a supply of gases; and
- a deformable resilient member configured to engage with the patient interface and configured to rest against the face of a patient, the deformable resilient member including a contact portion and a body portion, wherein the contact portion has a circular cross-section.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the deformable resilient member is composed of thermoplastic elastomer, silicone, or foam.
15. The device of claim 13, wherein the contact portion is hemispherical.
16. The device of claim 13, wherein the body portion has a first portion and a second portion.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the second portion is a flange that is configured to be slotted into an aperture in the patient interface.
18. The device of claim 16, wherein the first portion is circular.
19. The device of claim 13, wherein the contact portion is suspended above the body portion.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein at least one support is configured to secure the contact portion to the body portion.
21. The device of claim 13, wherein two supports are configured to secure the contact portion to the body portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 7, 2020
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2020
Inventors: Alastair Edwin McAuley (Auckland), Christopher Earl Nightingale (Auckland), Aidan Mark Shotbolt (Dunedin), Stuart Robert Allen Grant (Auckland), Lewis George Gradon (Auckland)
Application Number: 16/842,628