Respiratory mask and service module

Details Respiratory mask and service module Respiratory mask and service module

2001-04-17

2003-10-07

Lewis, Aaron J. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Means for supplying respiratory gas under positive pressure

C128S206240, C128S206260

Reexamination Certificate

active

06629531

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to respiratory masks and service modules suitable for use in pressure breathing and other applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
High performance, high altitude flying typically poses several challenges for masks for pressure breathing. First, high mask pressures make it relatively difficult to hold the mask on the face with minimal leakage. Second, the “G” forces combined with the harnessing and mask pressures tend to cause discomfort for the user. Third, “G” forces sometimes cause the mask to lose proper position and to migrate around the face.
Because of the environment that the mask assembly is subjected to, namely the pressure differential in high altitude applications and the forces associated with High “G” force applications, it is desirable to minimize the volume of the internal breathing cavity. A larger breathing gas cavity where pressure is higher than ambient would create greater forces urging the mask away from the face of the user thus requiring tighter restraints to keep the mask on the face.
Accordingly there is a need for an oro-nasal mask that minimizes the surface area “footprint” of the mask internal breathing cavity on the face.
With any pressure breathing mask, some force needs to be exerted on the face to counteract pressure forces and for harnessing. It is important to exert this force in a fashion so that it is not localized or causing pressure points on isolated areas such as the bridge of the nose.
Also, because varying “G” loads and directions will magnify any mask weight and attempt to pull it around the face there is a need for a mask design that is structurally supported on the face so as to be resistant to being pulled around the face.
Further, in order to provide a proper seal for different face sizes and face shapes, it is often desirable to provide an arrangement so that breathing conduits or the like can be easily and quickly combined with more than one size mask.
In addition to the high altitude, high performance setting, the modular design would also be important to many other types of masks including, but not limited to, full facepiece masks, standard half facepiece masks, half facepiece masks with detachable goggles, or the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the above-described need by providing a respiratory mask and service module combination.
The mask provides a modular arrangement such that the service module can be used with many different sized mask assemblies.
The service module is described herein in connection with a mask assembly suitable for high “G” force applications. However, as it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, the service module could also be integrated into modular designs for other types of masks including, but not limited to, full facepiece masks, standard half facepiece masks, half facepiece masks with detachable goggles, or the like.
Also, in order to provide a proper seal for different face sizes and face shapes, it is often desirable to provide more than one size mask. The present invention provides for interchanging different mask assemblies with a single service module.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1362766 (1920-12-01), McGargill
patent: 1653572 (1927-12-01), Jackson
patent: 2371965 (1945-03-01), Lehmberg
patent: D143782 (1946-02-01), Yant
patent: 2444417 (1948-07-01), Bierman
patent: 2465973 (1949-03-01), Bulbulian
patent: 2473518 (1949-06-01), Garrard et al.
patent: 2505173 (1950-04-01), Conley
patent: 2629375 (1953-02-01), Holmes
patent: 2954027 (1960-09-01), Marasco
patent: 2985169 (1961-05-01), Elling
patent: 3056402 (1962-10-01), Dickinson
patent: 3092105 (1963-06-01), Gabb
patent: 3256898 (1966-06-01), Ringrose
patent: 3330273 (1967-07-01), Bennett
patent: 3459216 (1969-08-01), Bloom et al.
patent: 3602219 (1971-08-01), Warncke
patent: 4062357 (1977-12-01), Laerdal
patent: 4111197 (1978-09-01), Warncke et al.
patent: 4164942 (1979-08-01), Beard et al.
patent: 4250877 (1981-02-01), Owens et al.
patent: D266196 (1982-09-01), Sundström
patent: 4402316 (1983-09-01), Gadberry
patent: 4559939 (1985-12-01), Levine et al.
patent: 4574799 (1986-03-01), Warncke
patent: 4677977 (1987-07-01), Wilcox
patent: 4739755 (1988-04-01), White et al.
patent: 4770169 (1988-09-01), Schmoegner et al.
patent: D303585 (1989-09-01), White et al.
patent: 4905683 (1990-03-01), Cronjaeger
patent: 4957106 (1990-09-01), Vandeputte
patent: 4960121 (1990-10-01), Nelson et al.
patent: 4961420 (1990-10-01), Cappa et al.
patent: 4991577 (1991-02-01), Shigematsu
patent: 5003633 (1991-04-01), Itoh
patent: 5080092 (1992-01-01), Tenna
patent: 5265595 (1993-11-01), Rudolph
patent: 5271390 (1993-12-01), Gray et al.
patent: 5297544 (1994-03-01), May et al.
patent: 5318019 (1994-06-01), Celaya
patent: 5419318 (1995-05-01), Tayebi
patent: 5499624 (1996-03-01), Kruger et al.
patent: 5540223 (1996-07-01), Starr et al.
patent: 5572990 (1996-11-01), Berlin
patent: D377089 (1996-12-01), Starr et al.
patent: 5647357 (1997-07-01), Barnett et al.
patent: 5673690 (1997-10-01), Tayebi et al.
patent: 5676133 (1997-10-01), Hickle et al.
patent: 5775323 (1998-07-01), Knott
patent: 5787882 (1998-08-01), Hamilton
patent: 5839436 (1998-11-01), Fangrow, Jr. et al.
patent: 5924420 (1999-07-01), Reischel et al.
patent: 6039043 (2000-03-01), Graber et al.
patent: 1072741 (1967-06-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Respiratory mask and service module does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

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

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3125406