Mask and headgear connector

Details Mask and headgear connector Mask and headgear connector

2000-02-15

2002-04-23

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Face mask covering a breathing passage

C128S206210, C128S207110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06374826

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a connector for use with a mask and headgear suitable for the delivery of breathable gases to a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing (SDB).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Respiratory masks used in the treatment of SDB may comprise either a nasal mask, designed to fit over a patient's nose, or a full face mask designed to fit over the nose and mouth of the patient. Air or other breathable gas is supplied by a blower and passed along a flexible conduit to the mask.
The mask generally comprises a relatively rigid shell, termed a frame, which defines a rearwardly opening cavity covering the patient's nose and/or mouth and a soft portion, termed a cushion, which spaces the frame away from the face for comfortable contact.
The mask are typically held in place using headgear, the mask and headgear being joined using some form of connector.
One known example is the Mirage® Mask (ResMed Limited), shown in FIG.
1
. In this case, the headgear
100
is constructed from fabric and includes a rear portion, which engages the region near the occiput of the patient, and four saps
110
which are secured to a forehead support
120
(2 straps) and nasal mask fame
130
(2 straps). The straps include hook and loop material, such as Velcro™ on one side. The mask frame and forehead supports include loops
140
through which a strap can pass. In order to secure the mask in place on a patient's head, the four straps are passed through the four corresponding loops and held in place at an appropriate length by the hook and loop material. The patient can adjust the length of the material in order to secure a good fit of the mask. In some cases, it can require considerable adjustment to find the optimal length of straps which is required. A difficult with this connector is that if the patient removes the mask by loosening the straps, they will lose what may have been a good fit of the mask the next time it is being used. In this case they will need to repeat the adjustment step.
Another known manner of connecting the mask and headgear is shown in
FIGS. 2
a
,
2
b
and
2
c
. In this headgear, a short strap length
200
is secured to one side of the mask, with a two-part, press-release connector
210
,
220
attaching this to the strap
250
of the headgear. One disadvantage of the approach of using this arrangement is that the connector may be difficult to release because the connector is free to move relative to the mask frame. A further disadvantage of this arrangement is that the connector may be in contact with the patient's face which may lead to discomfort in use, particularly if they sleep on their side.
More detailed views of this prior art connector are shown in
FIGS. 2
b
and
2
c
. Each part of the connector includes a bar
230
,
240
behind which a respective one of the straps
200
,
250
may be passed. The male portion
220
of the connector includes a resilient cantilever
260
which is captured behind a bar
270
on the female portion
210
. The cantilever is depressed to engage and disengage the connector. A further disadvantage of this particular connector, best seen in
FIG. 2
b
, is that it may be awkward to disengage the connector because of the close positioning of the bar
270
to the cantilever
260
.
Another known mask and headgear connector is shown in
FIG. 3
a
to
FIG. 3
d
. This comprises a flexible part
310
positioned on the outer surface of a flexible mask frame
300
and a rigid part
320
formed generally as a D-ring with a loop to which the headgear strap is attached. The flexible part consists of a base
330
supporting an upper portion
340
(best illustrated in
FIG. 3
a
) which overhangs the base portion
330
and has a narrow central region
350
. In order to engage and disengage the connector, the flexible part
310
must be deformed whilst the D-ring of the rigid part is pushed over the upper portion
340
to engage below the overhanging ledge. This arrangement is awkward to engage and disengage and typically requires two hands.
Another known mask and headgear connector consists of hooks on the end of the headgear straps and corresponding holes in the mask frame. To engage the mask and headgear connector, the hook is passed through one of the corresponding holes on the headgear. This arrangement is also awkward to engage and disengage and typically requires two hands. Also, it is possible for the hooks to disengage during sleep as there is no locking means for the connection.
There is a need for a connector arrangement which is simple and quick to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides, in one form, a respiratory mask and headgear combination comprising a respiratory mask having a rigid mask frame, adjustable headgear for securing said mask on a patient, said headgear including at least one attachment strap, said mask fame having rigidly secured thereto a rigid first connector, further comprising a second connector adapted for releasable mating with said first connector, said second connector having means for connection of said attachment strap of the headgear.
The invention further provides a respiratory mask and headgear combination adopted for single-handed disengagement, comprising a rigid mask frame, adjustable headgear for securing said mask on a patient, said headgear including at least one attachment strap, said mask frame having rigidly secured thereto a rigid first connector, further comprising a second connector connected to said strap of said headgear, said second connector being adapted for releasable mating with the first connector and having first and second gripping surfaces positioned for gripping of said second connector between a thumb and finger of a patient's hand and release means positioned for operation by another finger of the patient's hand.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4437462 (1984-03-01), Piljay et al.
patent: 5245993 (1993-09-01), McGrady et al.
patent: 5291880 (1994-03-01), Almovist et al.
patent: A-59430/94 (1995-10-01), None
patent: 0958 841 (1999-11-01), None
patent: WO 97/20597 (1997-06-01), None

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