Closed Air-filled Passage Adjacent Mask Edge (e.g., Tubular Bead, Etc.) Patents (Class 128/206.26)
  • Patent number: 6467482
    Abstract: According to the invention, the respiratory assistance apparatus comprising a chamber (3), provided with a respiratory-gas inlet and a respiratory-gas outlet, and an inflatable flexible bladder (11), intended to bear sealingly on a part (9) of a patient, is noteworthy: in that it includes an inflatable flexible envelope (12) which surrounds said bladder (11); and in that the wall thickness of said envelope (12) is less than that of said inflatable bladder (11) in order to give said envelope a greater flexibility than the flexibility of the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Inventor: Georges Boussignac
  • Publication number: 20020144684
    Abstract: The introduction of gas/air flow tubes molded/inserted from the top gas/air flow channel to the front area below the nasal area will generate additional air flow to the user's nose below the nasal openings. The gas/air flow tubes will allow users of breathing masks to become accustomed to masks that will be providing gas/air for various purposes. In this instance the mask will be providing comforting simulated breathing for a BIPAP user with sleep apnea, eliminating the feeling of insufficient airflow to the nasal area. This will eliminate user discomfort with current masks that cause discontinued cooperation by patients with the sleeping regimen. By inserting a plug in the bottom of the gas/air flow tube top the mask will convert from a BIPAP mask, to a CPaP mask. This mask can be used in a variety of hospital/healthcare settings where gas/air is used by patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Samuel Joseph Moone
  • Publication number: 20020129818
    Abstract: A flexible full face mask to supply breathable air to humans when in environments where it is not possible to breathe, such as underwater masks, or in environments having toxic gases or similar toxic conditions. The mask includes a mask skirt in the form of a one-piece flexible face seal and separate rigid frame components which define separated self-contained spaces that are connected together in a manner to allow each self-contained space to individually conform and seal against the contours of the face of the wearer. The mask also includes a removable adaptor pod mounted on a lower of the frame components to enable full access to the mouth of the wearer while maintaining the mask in sealed relation on the facial surfaces of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: William Bevly Morgan, Connie Lyn Morgan, Trent Matthew Schultz, Peter Mark Ryan
  • Publication number: 20020100475
    Abstract: A resuscitation device for providing a barrier between a rescuer and a patient requiring mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. This resuscitation device includes an inflatable portion which when inflated extends in the breathing direction between the rescuer and the patient so as to be placed around at least one breathing organ of the victim. An inflation member receives airflow from the rescuer to inflate the inflatable portion. In this resuscitation device, a valve assembly permits airflow from the rescuer to the patient and diverts the exhalation and body fluids of the patient from reaching the rescuer. An additional barrier member can also be provided for shielding the rescuer from the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: Larry T. McKinney, James R. Traut, John G. Cline, Sean Landis Phillips, Andrew Serbinski, Mirzat Koc, Mark Rosen
  • Publication number: 20020096175
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improvement for the ventilation mask, comprising an upper hood and a toroidal tube. The toroidal tube is made of soft silicone, and by first forming a tube type, the middle part of the tube type is formed into an “S” shape, whenever the lower part of the “S” is tuned upwardly and inwardly, the “S” part will form the toroidal tube. Air can be injected into the toroidal tube so as to conform the face of the patient. An assembly member is used to assemble the upper hood and the toroidal tube. The advantages of the ventilation mask according to the present invention are being comfortable, excellent air tightness, transparency. And the toroidal tube can be disassembled to disinfect for repeated use or for replacement. The upper hood does not have to be replaced, so the garbage is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Ching-Ling Her
  • Patent number: 6418928
    Abstract: A respirator mask includes an inner plenum with a gas inlet and a manifold adapted to fit under the nose of a wearer, a pair of nasal inserts projecting from the manifold to define primary seals with the nasal passages of the wearer, an outer plenum adapted to surround at least the nose of the wearer, a secondary seal mounted on an outer edge of the outer plenum and adapted to contact the face of the wearer around the nose in air tight relation, and at least one opening formed in the inner plenum to permit gas to flow into the outer plenum. By pressurizing the outer plenum, the mask decreases the pressure differential between the interior of the mask and the outside atmosphere to reduce the gas flow rate out of the mask in the event of a leak. Diversion of gas into the outer plenum also allows use of an inflatable secondary seal to maintain air-tight contact with the face of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Mallinckrodt Inc.
    Inventors: Steven S. Bordewick, Gary Hansen
  • Patent number: 6412488
    Abstract: A low contact nasal mask assembly that includes a seal member defined from a unitary piece of elastomeric material. The seal member defines a nose receiving cavity and has a first end portion and a second end portion generally opposite the first end portion. A first open is defined in the first end portion to allow at least a portion of a nose of a patient to enter the nose receiving cavity such that the nares of the patient communicate with the nose receiving cavity. The seal member also includes a neck portion defined in the second end portion and a second opening defined in the neck portion in communication with the nose receiving cavity. In addition, an outside diameter of the seal member and an inside diameter of the seal member increase generally linearly from the second end portion to the first end portion to minimize contact of the seal member with a patient and to minimize dead space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Respironics, Inc.
    Inventors: Shari S. Barnett, Joseph M. Miceli, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020005198
    Abstract: A full-face cushion (30B) comprises a substantially triangularly shaped frame (32) from which extends a membrane (34). The frame (32) has a scalloped edge (36) by which the cushion (30B) is affixed to a mask body (46) to form a full-face mask (60B). The membrane (34) has an aperture (38) into which the wearer's nose is received. The member (34) is spaced away from the rim (40) of the frame (32), and its outer surface (41) is of substantially the same shape as the rim (40). Respective notches (42, 44) receive the bridge of the wearer's nose. The wearer's nose and lips are received through the aperture (38) into the chamber within the mask body (46). The seal forming portion (45) thus contacts both the surface of the wearer's nose and a portion of the wearer's face in the region between the bottom lip and the chin, and around the sides and over the bridge of the nose.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: PHILIP RODNEY KWOK, ROBERT EDWARD STYLES, GREGORY SCOTT SMART
  • Patent number: 6338340
    Abstract: A filter mask is provided for use in environments of smoke and toxic gas which includes a filter element having a filling of shiftable bodies coated with a flowable, aloe vera extract having a gel-like viscosity and a retainer for holding the filter element over the mouth and nose of the wearer. The coating has a pH level which is alkaline which aids in the reduction of toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride and acrolein inhaled by the wearer. The filter element is preferably replacably mounted to the retainer, and may be provided as a bag-like flexible fabric container adapted to shift so as to conform to the face of the wearer. The filter element itself is adaptable to a variety of different uses for removing smoke particulates and toxic gases from air flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Xcaper Industries LLC
    Inventors: Peter Finch, Eric Ellison
  • Publication number: 20010035188
    Abstract: A respiratory mask and service module combination for pressure breathing. The respiratory mask has a hardshell member that extends along the contour of the face toward the peripheral edge of the mask and has a central portion forming a canopy. An inhalation/exhalation valve assembly having two breathing conduits and integrally formed so as to provide communication between the conduits. The assembly mounts externally to the mask such that the valves are capable of being sealed along the outer surface of the respiratory mask. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Colin M. Gleason, Valentin A. Castro
  • Patent number: 6199550
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention comprises a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask that incorporates a series of physiologic sensors. These physiologic sensors are mounted on the interior of the SCBA mask in such a way as to contact the facial skin of an individual wearing the mask. The physiologic sensors monitor, among other things, heart rate and carbon monoxide and oxygen saturation levels. The physiologic sensors are connected to a transmitting apparatus attached to the SCBA. The SCBA transmitter sends output data from the physiologic sensors to a remote processor. The SCBA transmitter also sends location information of the individual wearing the SCBA mask to the remote processor. The remote processor compiles the physiologic and location data for the wearer of the SCBA and transmits a signal back to the SCBA receiver which, in turn, sends a signal to a display integrated into a SCBA mask. The display indicates to the individual his physiologic status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Assignee: BioAsyst, L.L.C.
    Inventors: William Paul Wiesmann, Loland Alexander Pranger, Mary Sandra Bogucki