Abstract: A water purification component, which may be integrated in a medicament production plant and/or a blood treatment system, removes chloramine and other chlorine compounds and deionizes water. The deionization is selected to be effective for providing product water whose resistivity is sufficiently high to allow chloramine to be detected in the product water if the chloramine removal filtration fails. This allows a chloramine removal filter to be changed based on a predicted exhaustion schedule with the safety of automatic chloramine breakthrough provided.

Abstract: A needle dislodgement and blood leakage detection device includes a sensor assembly including a flexible sensor and an alarm device to which the sensor assembly is mounted. The flexible sensor includes two blood leakage detection electrodes that circumferentially surround a needle piercing site. The blood leakage detection electrodes are contactable by a needle in a manner of crossing therebetween to get shorted or are contactable with blood leaking out of the needle piercing site to get shorted. The alarm device is positionable on a body surface of a patient and is electrically connected to the blood leakage detection electrodes so as to issue an alarm message when the detection electrodes are shorted. The flexible sensor has a thin plate configuration that is flexible allows the flexible sensor to be flat attached to the patient body surface and deformable with the bending of a limb of the patient.

Abstract: A device for purifying blood includes an extracorporeal blood circulation loop, flow rate control elements to manage the blood circulation in the extracorporeal blood circulation loop, blood purification elements configured on the extracorporeal blood circulation loop, citrate injection elements for injecting a solution including citrate into the extracorporeal blood circulation loop, and a control unit configured to control the citrate injection elements and the flow rate control elements. The control unit is further configured to require, at determined time intervals of a blood purification treatment used by the device, the entry of at least one representative value of the status of the device and/or of the patient. The control unit then verifies the adequacy of the representative value with pre-established rules stored in the control unit and controls the citrate injection elements and/or the flow rate control elements in accordance with the result of the verification and the pre-established rules.

Abstract: A blood purification column includes an adsorbent and a casing whose two ends are open ends, wherein the adsorbent is housed inside the casing, and wherein one of two casing ends is a blood inflow-side end portion and another is a blood outflow-side end portion, and wherein a filter is disposed at the blood inflow-side end portion and/or the blood outflow-side end portion of the casing, and wherein the filter satisfies (1)-(3): (1) an opening rate thereof is greater than or equal to 5% and less than or equal to 80%; (2) an equivalent diameter of an aperture thereof is greater than or equal to 1 ?m and less than or equal to 5000 ?m; (3) a ratio of the equivalent diameter of the aperture thereof to an average circle equivalent diameter of void spaces of the adsorbent is greater than or equal to 45%.

Abstract: A blood bag system includes: a first bag in which blood containing multiple components is stored; a second bag in which a relative medium-density component is stored; a third bag in which a relative low-density component is stored; a first tube through which the relative low-density component and the relative medium-density component are transported from the first bag to the second bag; and a second tube through which the relative low-density component is transported from the first bag to the third bag. A blood treatment method involves: centrifuging blood containing multiple components in a first bag, transporting a low-density component from the first bag to a third bag through a first tube and transporting a relative medium-density component from the first bag to the second bag through the first tube.

Abstract: A storage portion forming a storage space 10, includes an inclined inner wall portion 20 that is connected to a base portion so that the diameter of the inclined inner wall portion gradually decreases; a concave portion 22 is formed at a part of the inclined inner wall portion; and the concave portion 22 includes a concave portion side surface 22b that is connected to a concave portion bottom surface 22a. The concave portion 22 is formed at a position, where the concave portion crosses an interface S between the specimen centrifuged during rotation and air, in a radial direction with respect to the central axis; and the maximum width of the concave portion 22 in a circumferential direction around the central axis is included in a range of 2 mm to a length of 20% of the whole circumference.

Abstract: Intelligent contrast warmers and methods for operating and using same are described. An intelligent contrast warmer may include elements configured to monitor information associated with the intelligent contrast warmer and contrast media stored in contrast bottles housed within the intelligent contrast warmer, such as contrast warmer temperatures, contrast warmer temperatures outside of specifications, contrast media inventory, expiration dates of contrast media, personnel authorized to access contrast media, and dates and times associated with contrast media added to and removed from the intelligent contrast warmer. A method for monitoring the expiration date of contrast bottles may include labeling the contrast bottles and reading the information from the label into a computing device. The computing device may be configured to monitor the expiration dates and to generate an alarm responsive to a current time being within a threshold duration of the expiration time for a contrast bottle.

Abstract: A system, method or apparatus to detect abnormalities in delivery of a fluid may include an infusion apparatus that is controllable to cause one or more perturbations in a fluid flow (e.g., each of the one or more perturbations in the fluid flow may result in a measurable perturbed force response). A force signal representative of the perturbed force response may be used to determine an integrated perturbed force response value (e.g., using integration of the force signal over a perturbation time period; the integrated perturbed force response value being representative of an additional force caused by the at least one perturbation over an equilibrium force). A ratio between the integrated perturbed force response value and a normalizing value (e.g., based at least on a maximum perturbation force of the perturbed force response) may be used to determine if fluid flow is occluded.

Abstract: An occlusion detection device detects an occlusion of a flexible fluid path on either of upstream and downstream sides of a pump mechanism, the pump mechanism transporting a liquid through the fluid path by elastically deforming the fluid path. The occlusion detection device is provided with: an occlusion sensor that is disposed on the downstream side of the pump mechanism and detects an internal pressure of the fluid path during a liquid transporting operation of the pump mechanism; and a data processing circuit that analyzes on which side of the upstream and downstream sides of the pump mechanism the occlusion of the fluid path occurs, based on a change of the internal pressure of the fluid path detected by the occlusion sensor and outputs an analysis result.

Abstract: A medical system includes an input assembly for receiving one or more user inputs. The input assembly includes at least one slider assembly for providing an input signal. Processing logic receives the input signal from the input assembly and provides a first output signal and a second output signal. A display assembly is configured to receive, at least in part, the first output signal from the processing logic and render information viewable by the user. The second output signal is provided to one or more medical system components. The information rendered on the display assembly may be manipulatable by the user and at least a portion of the information rendered may be magnified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin adherable device for delivering therapeutic fluid into a body of a patient. The device includes a monitoring apparatus, a dispensing apparatus, and a tip for delivering the therapeutic fluid into the body of the patient and for monitoring bodily analyte in the body of the patient. The dispensing apparatus may continuously deliver the therapeutic fluid to the body of the patient and the monitoring apparatus may continuously monitor bodily analytes of the patient.

Abstract: An operable implant adapted to be implanted in the body of a patient. The operable implant comprising an operation device and a body engaging portion, the operation device comprises an electrical motor comprising a static part comprising a plurality of coils and a movable part comprising a plurality of magnets, such that sequential energizing of said coils magnetically propels the magnets and thus propels the movable part. The operation device further comprises an enclosure adapted to hermetically enclose the coils of the static part, such that a seal is created between the static part and the propelled moving part with the included magnets, such that the coils of the static part are sealed from the bodily fluids, when implanted.

Abstract: A system for identifying information regarding a syringe assembly used with a fluid injector includes at least one syringe assembly having a barrel extending from a distal end to an open proximal end, at least one indicator provided on at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the barrel, an injector having at least one syringe port adapted to receive the at least one syringe assembly, and at least one sensor provided on or within at least a portion of each syringe port. The at least one indicator may conduct electricity corresponding to information regarding the at least one syringe assembly, which is identified by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A cannula for transferring a substance to and/or from a patient includes a tubular support sleeve and a transfer tube. The support sleeve includes a rigid tubular member defining a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular member. The transfer tube is positioned in the lumen and extends beyond each of the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular member. The tubular member includes a rigid, MRI-compatible material.

Abstract: A drip chamber is described that is used in medical infusion therapy, wherein the drip chamber utilizes valving to control flow of one or more fluids to a patient. The drip chamber includes a body forming a chamber, wherein fluid may enter via two or more flow ports, and an output port, where fluid may exit the chamber. A float controls fluid flow through one or more flow ports into the chamber such that the flow exiting the chamber may be limited to a single fluid or a combination of the fluids entering the chamber. The float is configured to be retained within the chamber, and the float moves within the chamber based on a level of fluid within the chamber. The control characteristics of the float are determinable by attributing specific buoyancy and dimensions to the float.

Abstract: A fluid delivery Y-site is described that is configured to receive and control delivery of two or more fluid flows. Fluid flow is controlled within a chamber by a valve and float. Flow of a primary fluid into the chamber is reduced or halted by the movement of a valve. The valve may occlude a first flow port into the chamber in response fluid flowing from a second flow port into the chamber. A float is moveably disposed within the chamber and configured to engage the valve in response a fluid flow into the chamber from the second flow port. As fluid flow from the second flow port into the chamber is reduced or ceases, the valve and float allow the flow from the primary flow port to once again enter the chamber and exit from an outlet port.

Abstract: The invention provides a modular tubing system with a set of tubing segments that can be configured to provide a desired flow rate. In the modular systems described herein, multiple tubes with pre-set flow rates are attached either in-series or in parallel to allow the user to vary the flow rate of the therapy. The modular systems described herein may be used in connection with a constant pressure pump for subcutaneous administration of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An expansion/compression mechanism of a piston rod assembly is composed of a bush shaft, a first cylindrical piston rod that is screwed with the bush shaft, a second cylindrical piston rod that is screwed with the first piston rod, and a piston rod holding member for housing the bush shaft and these piston rods. Therefore, the piston rods move linearly in multiple stages.

Abstract: A system for pairing a controller and an infusion pump is disclosed. The system includes an infusion pump, a controller device and a user interface residing on both the infusion pump and the controller. The user interface includes a pairing mode for enabling wireless communication between the infusion pump and the controller device, wherein the user interface requires both the infusion pump and the controller to be in the pairing mode simultaneously. Also, a method of changing a power source in an infusion pump is disclosed. The method includes placing the infusion pump in idle mode wherein the infusion pump stops delivery. Removing the first power source from the infusion pump. Replacing the first power source with a second power source in the infusion pump, and maintaining the insulin on board during the changing of the first power source with the second power source.

Abstract: A syringe shield used for containing radioactive drugs in order to reduce healthcare provider's exposure to radiation or to reduce or eliminate ambient light contamination to optically sensitive components in a syringe is described.

Abstract: Penetrating systems and devices are described herein which include a penetrating portion with two concentric hollow cylinders joined at one end with a substantially ring-shaped end piece, the space between the concentric outer and inner hollow cylinders forming an internal fluid conduit, the outer hollow cylinder including a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the internal fluid conduit and a first fluid reservoir portion for holding a first fluid composition, the inner hollow cylinder defining a lumen in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir portion.

Abstract: Described herein are laterally connected syringes with an integrated mixing hub and static mixer designed to facilitate mixing two or more substances at specific user-selectable ratios.

Abstract: A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap operates a first actuation mechanism which opens a valve between a first and second chamber that are slidably movable relative to each other and thus allows for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.

Abstract: An auto-injector device for administering a liquid pharmaceutical composition, in which an end-user can select between doses that the device is capable of delivering. The end-user choices that translate into the selected doses can be based on end-user perceived severity of symptoms, end-user weight and other such factors. In some embodiments the auto-injector is configured to administer the one chosen dose only. In other embodiments, the auto-injector can deliver second and subsequent doses up to full dose of the pharmaceutical composition disposed in the injector. The auto-injector can provide visual, audio, and tactile feedback, alone or in combination, to the user to indicate the dose selected, instructions for use, and when the dose has been administered.

Abstract: An injector may include a container having a wall with an interior surface defining a closed sterile reservoir filled with a drug product. The injector may also include a fluid delivery system comprising a sterile container needle that is in fluid communication with the container in a delivery state, but may or may not be in fluid communication with the container in a storage state. Further, the injector may include an actuator that is adapted to move the container needle from the storage state to the delivery state.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for drug supply. The device comprises a holder suitable for holding a carrier comprising a drug layer (151); a transmission part for transmitting a laser beam from a laser system, via the transmission part to the carrier; a placement provision; arranged for distancing the carrier from the skin or tissue; and a control mechanism. The control mechanism is arranged to moving a laser beam and/or the carrier relative to each other, in order to provide a virginal area of the carrier for the laser beam; and impinging the laser beam via the transmission part on the carrier; in such a way that the carrier is activated to eject a distinct quantity of drug transferred (50) in normal direction from the carrier from the drug layer into the skin or tissue. Accordingly drugs can be injected in a controlled way without using nozzles or needles.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a nozzle, for use in an injection device, that projects material at an ultra-high velocity. The nozzle includes an integrally formed body having an interior passageway that has a longitudinal axis. The input of the nozzle is configured to interface with a cartridge, and the output is configured to be placed proximate to a target. The passageway includes a taper, and its path length, from an initial diameter to a position along the passageway where the passageway first reaches a smallest diameter, is at least 0.5 mm. The taper of the passageway defines a shape, in a plane that includes the longitudinal axis, that is a continuous and monotonically decreasing function of distance along the longitudinal axis in a direction of flow through the nozzle.

Abstract: A liquid administration device includes: a structure that includes: a cylindrical body including a bottom part in a distal portion and an opening in a proximal portion, a needle tube positioned in the distal portion of the cylindrical body, the needle tube having a sharp needle tip at a distal end, wherein a proximal end of the needle tube is communicatable with the inside of the cylindrical body, and a gasket installed in the cylindrical body, the gasket being slidable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body; an operation member configured to perform a pressing operation by pressing the gasket such that the liquid is discharged from the needle tube; a pressing mechanism configured to generate a pressing force for pressing the gasket; and a pressing force transmission inhibiting mechanism configured to inhibit transmission of the pressing force to the gasket during the pressing operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in controlling a dispensing rate of medication or other substance via a syringe, including, without limitation, into a patient, intravenous line port or heparin lock. A force (typically manual) is applied to an input plunger of a dashpot, which is directly coupled to a piston which, in turn, is coupled to an output plunger. The force applied to the input plunger is buffered and transmitted to the output plunger. The output plunger acts upon the plunger of a conventional syringe, thereby resulting in flow of medicine or any other substance from the syringe at a desired and controlled flow rate.

Abstract: An injection device includes a housing having a receptacle for a vessel for holding injection fluid; an operator-manipulated element for setting an injection dose; a dosing member rotatable about a longitudinal center axis relative to the housing when setting the injection dose; a feed part; and, a latching unit acting between the feed part and housing. The dosing member has a zero position whereat no dose is set and an injection position whereat an intended dose of injection fluid is set. A spring acts between the dosing member and the housing to return the dosing member from an intermediate position to the injection position or a zero position.

Abstract: A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap operates a first actuation mechanism which opens a sliding valve and thus allows for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for administering a substance to a subject. A vial contains the substance and a stopper is disposed within the vial and is slidably coupled to the vial. A first threaded element is (a) rotatable with respect to the vial and (b) substantially immobile proximally with respect to the vial during rotation of the first threaded element. A second threaded element is threadedly coupled to the first threaded element. At least a distal end of the second threaded element is substantially non-rotatable with respect to the vial, and the distal end of the second threaded element defines a coupling portion that couples the second threaded element to the stopper. The first threaded element, by rotating, linearly advances the stopper and at least the distal end of the second threaded element toward a distal end of the vial. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for dispensing of a dose of a medicament, the device comprising: an elongated housing extending in an axial direction to accommodate a cartridge containing a medicament to be dispensed, wherein the housing being further adapted to detachably support a needle assembly at a distal end thereof, a drive mechanism comprising a piston rod to operably engage with a piston of the cartridge, a protecting sleeve slidably attached to the distal end of the housing to enclose the needle assembly in a distal stop position and to expose the needle assembly in a retracted proximal stop position, and an interlocking member operably engaged with the protecting sleeve and being axially displaceable relative to the housing between a locking position, in which the protecting sleeve is locked to the housing, and a release position, in which the protecting sleeve is axially displaceable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A safety syringe has a barrel, a pushing element, a retracting element, and a needle group. The barrel is hollow and has a needle-group mounting end, an operating grip end, and a barrel lumen. The pushing element is retractably mounted in the barrel lumen and has a pushrod chamber. The retracting element is airtightly and slidably mounted in the pushrod chamber. The needle group is connected to the needle-group mounting end of the barrel. The present invention can pull the retracting element to move relative to the pushing element to form a low pressure condition in the pushrod chamber as a vacuum status. After the injection, a vacuum attraction force in the pushrod chamber can retract the used needle group into the pushrod chamber for safe use of the safety syringe.

Abstract: Penetrating systems and devices are described herein which include a penetrating portion having a fluid reservoir portion formed from two concentric hollow cylinders joined at one end with a substantially ring-shaped first end piece and associated at the other end with a substantially ring-shaped second end piece, the outer hollow cylinder including a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir portion, the inner hollow cylinder defining a lumen in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir portion, and the substantially ring-shaped second end piece forming a deformable barrier.

Abstract: Penetrating systems and devices are described herein which include a penetrating portion with two concentric hollow cylinders joined at one end with a substantially ring-shaped end piece and at the other end with a hollow structure forming a fluid reservoir portion, the outer hollow cylinder including a plurality of pores in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir portion, the inner hollow cylinder in fluid communication with a second fluid reservoir portion, and the hollow structure formed at least in part from a deformable material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a needle-equipped outer tube includes a preheating step comprising heating a distal end connecting section to a temperature at or below a softening point of a material forming an outer tube member with a joint member inserted in a distal end connecting section of the outer tube member, and with a needle being inserted or inserted and fixed in the needle insertion hole; and a joint member welding step, performed after the preheating step, comprising thermally welding the joint member to the distal end connecting section of the outer tube member with a distal end portion of the joint member pressed toward the proximal end of the joint member by a pushing member with a pressing force in a range of 4 N to 30 N.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. A framing member has a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The framing member has a framing member body which includes a bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint having proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The framing member is comprised of a plurality of framing member beams. At least three framing member beam arrays of framing member beams are arranged in non-overlapping longitudinal sequence to form at least a portion of the framing member. The framing member beams that make up the framing member substantially each have a width-to-thickness fractional ratio in the range of 0.6-3.0.

Abstract: An apparatus for targeting a desired target site on a body tissue comprising a wall of a first body cavity of a patient includes a target catheter. The framing member, when deployed into an expanded condition, has a framing member body which includes a three-dimensionally bulbous portion defining a maximum body footprint in a lateral dimension and has longitudinally spaced proximal and distal body ends which are both longitudinally spaced from the maximum body footprint. The proximal body end is attached to the target catheter. A protrusion has a diameter which is smaller than the maximum body footprint diameter. At least one target point is carried by the framing member and is adapted for placement adjacent the desired target site. At least one target pathway is attached to at least one target point. At least a portion of the target pathway is substantially spaced apart from the framing member body.

Abstract: A child-resistant closure system for a container comprises a protective cap, a dispensing tip, and a cylindrical base. The dispensing tip includes a pair of buttons adapted to control whether the dispensing tip is in a locked condition so as to prevent actuation or an unlocked condition so as to permit actuation, via the shoulders, of a sprayer pump unit that is partially contained within the dispensing tip. The cylindrical base has a pair of spaced apart upwardly extending legs. In an locked condition of the dispensing tip, the upwardly extending legs are not aligned with slots defined in a horizontal circumferential portion of the dispensing tip such that downward movement of the dispensing tip in relation to the base is blocked by the upwardly extending legs to prohibit actuation of the sprayer pump unit and to lock the dispensing tip.

Abstract: A gasification apparatus gasifies and concentrates a gasifiable compound. The gasification apparatus includes a closure member having a closure member body and a gasification body engageable with the closure member to define a gasification chamber. The gasification chamber is in gas communication with at least one air intake defined in at least one of the gasification body and the closure member. The gasification body is in heat conductive transfer with the closure member. The gasification body includes a gasifiable source material support extending below the gasification chamber and at least one concentration channel in gas communication with the gasification chamber. A heating member operatively connects to at least one of the closure member body and the gasification body for heating the same. An assembly kit and method of operation are for gasification and concentration.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems useful for detecting leaks in pleural tissue. Also disclosed are methods of detecting and sealing such leaks. Indicator dye or stain is aerosolized and delivered to the lung via anesthetic equipment, oxygen tube, endoscope, or other suitable equipment, the dye is allowed to travel through the lung along the path or paths of least resistance emerging at the surface of the lung, staining the tissue indicative of a leak. Some embodiments include introducing one part of a two part sealant with the dye, and applying the second part of the sealant to the stain identified leak locations.

Abstract: A flap (20) for an inhalation actuated mechanism (18) of a powder inhaler (1) comprises a base member (29), a skirt structure (24) projecting from a surface of the base member (29), and a coupling portion (21) to be coupled to a resilient member (40?) of the inhalation actuated mechanism (18).

Abstract: An active substance depot for an inhalation device having a depot body externally sealed in an airtight manner prior to use, comprising at least one segment made from a plastic material, having a flow channel to be unsealed for use, and having at least one active substance carrier provided in the flow channel in which is stored at least one volatile substance at least partially transitioning into the gaseous phase when heated, the active substance carrier being heated for releasing the substance. According to the invention, the plastic material of which the segment of the depot body is made is a polymer from the group of cyclo olefin copolymers, and the segment of the depot body made from the polymer comprises an opening connected to the flow channel, said opening being sealed by a foil made of a second material, and said foil being removed or punctured immediately prior to use.

Abstract: A respiratory device comprising a housing enclosing a chamber and an orientation indicator moveable with respect to the housing between a first position indicative of an orientation of the housing predetermined to be suitable for operation of the respiratory device, and a second position indicative of an orientation of the respiratory device predetermined to be less suitable for operation of the respiratory device. The orientation indicator is positioned in a location on the respiratory device visible to a user during the operation of the respiratory device.

Abstract: A method for acclimating a new user to a CPAP or BiPAP breathing therapy device in which the pressure delivered to the patient increases from an initial, starting pressure to the desired therapy pressure in a linear manner over the course of several sleep sessions, with the start pressure for each successive sleep session starting at the ending pressure for the previous sleep session.

Abstract: A mask is included. The mask includes: a tubing portion having a fastener portion; and a face receptacle portion having a valve portion. The face receptacle portion is coupled to the tubing portion for facilitating the transfer of one or more fluids to a patient. The face receptacle has a semi-filled shape.

Abstract: A tracheostomy tube assembly includes an outer tracheal tube (1) and a removable inner cannula (20). The inner cannula (20) has a corrugated outer surface (23) but a smooth inner surface (22). At its patient end the inner cannula (20) has an integral tip (26) with a smooth outer surface that forms a close sliding fit with the inside of the outer tube (1). At its rear, machine end the inner cannula has an integral hub (30) that fits in a hub (18) on the outer tube. The smooth inner surface (22) of the inner cannula (20) allows non-turbulent gas flow along the assembly and facilitates insertion of devices along the cannula.

Abstract: A flexible cushion system for oxygen mask comprises an oxygen mask for providing oxygen gas from a gas source to a user to breathe in the gas through the user's nose. A cushion is provided for connecting to the mask for protecting and comforting the user's face. In one embodiment, the cushion comprises a nasal bridge section for connecting to a mask section that places on wearer's nose, a cheek section for connecting to a mask section that places on wearer's cheek, and a chin section for connecting to a mask section that places on wearer's chin. In one embodiment the cheek section and the chin section are separate pieces. Preferably, each of the nasal bridge section, the cheek section and the chin section are separable from the mask. In another embodiment the cushion is in one piece. Preferably, the cushion thickness can be reduced from an initial thickness by one or more perforations along its original surface.

Abstract: A mask apparatus for a respiratory treatment can permit delivery of breathable gas to a user. In one example, the mask may employ a frame and cushion to form a seal for both mouth and nose. The frame may be adapted for coupling with a respiratory treatment apparatus so as to permit communication of a pressurized gas from the respiratory treatment apparatus. The cushion, which may be foam, may have a substantially under the nose configuration or over the nose configuration. The mask may have a common plenum chamber for both nose and mouth. The cushion may further define a centrally open lip superior region. The cushion may be adapted to couple with the frame directly or to the frame in conjunction with a cushion support clip. Various features of the cushion may further promote sealing and comfort for the under the nose design.