Headgear

Details Headgear Headgear

2000-01-12

2002-07-23

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Face mask covering a breathing passage

C128S207170, C128S205250, C128S206210, C128S206240, C128S206120, C128S206130, C128S206280

Reexamination Certificate

active

06422238

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to headgear for securing a mask to a human face. The invention has particular application for patent gas delivery systems of the kind used in the treatment of respiratory disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and the like.
There is a need to provide a system whereby a respiratory mask being worn by a person can be removed quickly and easily in the event of an emergency. Such an emergency may occur for example through anxiety of the person, failure of a gas delivery system or where the person has vomited into the gas mask.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,046 assigned to Respironics Inc. discloses buckle-type connectors pivotably attached to both sides of the mask shell. A strap passes around the rear of the wearer's head and attaches to the buckles. Pivoting of the buckles by means of a cord will release the engagement of the strap with one of the buckles.
Later U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,116, also assigned to Respironics Inc., has a strap which passes from one side of the mask shell around the rear of the wearer's head and attaches to the other side of the mask shell by VELCRO™ type fasteners. This arrangement does not provide sufficiently swift and simple removal of the mask by an anxious patient.
There is a need for a convenient and effective alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention resides it respiratory mask-securing headgear for securing to the face of a wearer a respiratory mask having a fist side and an opposite second side, the headgear including at least one strap extending from each of the first and second sides of the mask, the straps in use being releasably fastened at a region rearwards of the facial region of the wearer by fastening means so as to secure the mask, the headgear further including release means acting on the fastening means and in use extending forward of the fastening means such that the release means may be gripped from substantially the front of the wearer and actuated to release the fastening means and thereby allow removal of the headgear from the wearer.
Preferably the fastening means is located in use at the rear of the head of the wearer.
Preferably, the fastening means includes a hook fastener attached on an inner surface of an overlying one of said straps, wherein said release means is attached to said overlying strap at said fastening means and acts to pull said overlying strap away from said other strap to release the fastening means.
Preferably also, the release means is a release cord attached at one end thereof to the inner surface of the overlying strap, wherein said overlying strap has one or more guides through which the release cord passes, such that a distal end of the release cord is located at the front of the wearer and may be pulled to actuate release of the fastening means.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3056402 (1962-10-01), Dickinson
patent: 5035006 (1991-07-01), Hetz et al.
patent: 5069205 (1991-12-01), Urso
patent: 5237986 (1993-08-01), Seppala et al.
patent: 5441046 (1995-08-01), Starr et al.
patent: 5492116 (1996-02-01), Scarberry et al.
patent: 5517986 (1996-05-01), Starr et al.
patent: 5542128 (1996-08-01), Lomas

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Headgear does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Headgear, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Headgear will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2880891