Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Face mask covering a breathing passage
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-13
2003-05-06
Lo, Weilun (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Respiratory method or device
Face mask covering a breathing passage
C128S201240, C128S206240, C128S207150, C128S207170, C128S207180
Reexamination Certificate
active
06557556
DESCRIPTION:
FIG. 1 shows a general perspective view of the forehead support 10 of the present invention. The forehead rest or support 10 is attached to an extending airflow tube 12 from the mask 14 . The mask 14 and forehead support 10 are shown with headgear 16 which secures the mask 14 to the head of a patient. The headgear 16 may take a variety of forms, with one example being shown as 16 . As can be seen in FIG. 1 , preferably the headgear 16 loops through the forehead support 10 at 18 and 20 . This pulls the forehead support 10 against the forehead, thus creating a snugly fitted mask 14 and also provides a stabilizing member for the mask 14 .
The mask 14 , shown in FIG. 1 is merely one example of a mask which can be used with a forehead support, but any respiratory mask could be used. A full face mask which may cover the entire face or just both the nose and mouth could be used) for example. Additionally, the airflow tube 12 could be extending from the bottom of the mask 14 , thus the tube 12 supporting the forehead support 10 would terminate above forehead support 10 . If the airflow tube 12 extended in a downward or other direction from the mask 14 , then preferably a post would extend up from the mask 14 (this post position is referenced as 22 ). This post 22 would terminate slightly above where forehead support 10 is shown secured to tube 12 . Thus the forehead support 10 would be secured to the post in this alternative embodiment.
FIG. 2 discloses the preferred construction of the forehead support 10 of the present invention. The forehead support 10 has pads 24 and 26 . These pads 24 and 26 are the actual contact points of the forehead support 10 to the forehead. Pads 24 and 26 are preferably made of a deformable elastomeric material which retains its original shape upon release of pressure and provides the wearer with increased comfort and stability. As can be seen in the preferred embodiment, the forehead pads 24 and 26 have an annular interior construction with two retaining walls 28 and 30 . The retaining walls 28 and 30 provide structural integrity to the forehead contact support pads yet allow the pads to be deformed. The deformation preferably occurs by deflection of the pad walls. The pads also may be solid pads. The support pads 24 and 26 are mounted to the bridge 32 . The bridge 32 provides basically three purposes to the forehead support 10 . First off, it acts as a securing means for forehead pads or cushions 24 and 26 . Second of all, it has annular spaces 18 and 20 which receive the optional headgear 16 shown in FIG. 1 . Finally, it receives arms 34 and 36 , which may be adjusted, as described below. The bridge 32 and arms 34 and 36 operate in a cantilever fashion and are preferably made of a polymeric material, which may be easily molded, preferably injection molded. Arms 34 and 36 are secured to bridge 32 by an adjustable locking mechanism which is better illustrated in the figures below. Additionally, arms 34 and 36 join together to create an annular space 38 which may receive airflow tube 12 which is preferably connected to a flow generator to generate breathable air or some type of therapeutic gas. Arms 34 and 36 preferably create an operational hinge. The tube 12 may be an axis of this hinge. The hinge could also be a flexible membrane and not a rotational or axial hinge. Alternatively, the tube may extend through annular space 38 and terminate as described above (in the “post” embodiment) if the air flow tube is connected to another port on the mask.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of FIG. 2 and shows the forehead support 10 in greater detail. FIG. 3 discloses how bridge 32 is configured such that forehead pads 24 and 26 may be secured thereto. In particular, tongues 40 , 42 , 44 and 46 all engage forehead pads 24 and 26 by entering the interior space of the pads. This is shown in FIG. 2 wherein tongues 42 and 46 are shown securing pads 24 and 26 respectively by entering the annular space of the pads 24 and 26 Additionally, there may be engaging surfaces such as 48 , 50 , 52 and 54 , as shown in FIG. 3 ,
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patent:
Grant William Edwin John
Kwok Philip Rodney
Matchett Robert Stephen
Erezo Darwin P.
Lo Weilun
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
ResMed Limited
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