Sleep apnea headgear

Surgery – Respiratory method or device – Respiratory gas supply means enters mouth or tracheotomy...

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C128S201220, C128S201290, C002S171200

Reexamination Certificate

active

06269814

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of medical devices, and more particularly to an improved headgear for holding breathing apparatus in position adjacent a face of a person during sleep for treating sleep apnea.
B. Description of the Prior Art
Applicants are aware of a prior art headgear for sleep apnea treatment apparatus comprising a T-shaped rear portion, a T-shaped front portion releasably attached to the T-shaped rear portion to form a shell or cap for the head, and a chin strap releasably attached to the assembled shell. Two adjustable loops are fixed along an outer surface of a longitudinal leg of the T-shaped front portion for holding an oxygen feeder tube. The various components of the prior art headgear are made from a stretchable layered fabric having an inner layer of lycra, and an outer layer of nylon each adhered to a middle layer of neoprene, with hook-and-loop fastening elements being sewn at various locations for attachment purposes.
In this headgear of the prior art, a pair of opposite lateral segments of a latitudinal leg of the T-shaped rear portion include elongated loop pads sewn to an inner surface thereof, and a horizontal leg of the T-shaped front portion includes a single elongated hook pad sewn to an outer surface thereof for receiving the loop pads on each opposite lateral segment of the rear portion to form a closed loop about the head. Drawbacks of this design include the fact that part of the loop pads on the inner surface of the horizontal leg of the T-shaped rear portion are in contact with skin and can cause discomfort or irritation, and the adhesive used to bond to the neoprene causes an allergic reaction in a significant number of wearers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved headgear for supporting breathing apparatus on the head of a sleep apnea sufferer that is comfortable to wear, durable, easy to adjust, and free of chemical adhesive.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a T-shaped rear portion having latitudinal and longitudinal legs, a T-shaped front portion having latitudinal and longitudinal legs, and a chin strap all made from a stretchable, breathable, laminated neoprene substitute having an inner surface of lycra and an outer surface of UBL loop material. The rear portion includes hook-and-loop fastening means at opposite lateral segments of its latitudinal leg for securing opposite ends of the chin strap to the outer surface of the latitudinal leg, and a hook pad on the inner surface at each lateral end of the latitudinal leg leg. The front portion includes a slot opening at each lateral end of its latitudinal leg sized for receiving a corresponding lateral end of the latitudinal leg of the rear portion, whereby the hook pads may be attached directly to the outer loop surface of the latitudinal leg of the front portion. The front portion also includes its own hook pad on its inner surface at a distal end of the longitudinal leg for connecting to the outer surface loop material of the longitudinal leg of the rear portion. At least one adjustable loop is positioned along the longitudinal leg of the front portion to secure an oxygen feeder tube in place. The assembled headgear is free of hook and/or loop pads contacting the skin.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4703879 (1987-11-01), Kastendieck et al.
patent: 4766610 (1988-08-01), Mattes
patent: 5542128 (1996-08-01), Lomas
patent: 5564128 (1996-10-01), Richardson

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