Headgear assemblies and interface assemblies with headgear
A headgear system and/or an interface assembly incorporating a headgear system that, in some configurations, is configured to transform from elasticated or “stretchy” behavior to “inelastic” behavior at least in response to normal or expected forces encountered during the intended therapy. In some configurations, upon fitment to the head of a user, the system automatically adjusts toward or to an appropriate size. A headgear portion or assembly for use in combination with a breathing apparatus in some configurations is at least substantially inelastic and is three dimensional in shape. The headgear portion or assembly can comprise a plastic core and a textile casing. The headgear, or part thereof, may also have integrally moulded labels, connectors, adjustment mechanisms and/or grips.
1 . A patient interface assembly comprising:
an interface;
a headgear assembly comprising:
a rear headgear portion; and
an interface coupling portion removably attachable to the interface; and
a length or circumference adjusting portion interposed between the rear headgear portion and the interface coupling portion, the length or circumference adjusting portion comprising a pair of adjustment elements, the pair of adjustment elements being positioned with one adjusting element on each lateral side of the headgear assembly, each one of the pair of adjustment elements being coupled at one end to the rear headgear portion and at another end to the interface coupling portion;
wherein, a pair of directional locks are associated with each one of the pair of adjustment elements,
wherein the interface coupling portion connects at least two of the adjustment elements that are positioned on each side of the headgear assembly, and
wherein the length or circumference adjusting portion exhibits an elastic force tending to contract a headgear length or a circumference length and wherein the length or circumference adjusting portion also exhibits a non-elastic lock force tending to inhibit elongation of the headgear length or the circumference length.
2 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein each pair of directional locks comprise one or more lock elements; the one or more lock elements interacting with a core member:
to automatically adjust in response to movement of the core member;
to selectively allow retraction of the headgear assembly; and
to lock the headgear assembly in a particular circumference to inhibit or prevent extension of the headgear assembly.
3 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface coupling portion comprises at a least a portion of each pair of directional locks.
4 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment elements comprise an elastic element and/or a braided element.
5 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface coupling portion comprises two coupling portions, and wherein each of the two coupling portions removably attach to the interface at separate positions on the interface.
6 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface is a nasal mask, a nasal pillows/prongs mask or a full face mask.
7 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear headgear portion comprises a top strap portion and a rear strap portion.
8 . The patient interface assembly of claim 7 , wherein the top strap portion and rear strap portion are coupled by an intermediate connecting portion.
9 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface coupling portion is relatively rigid.
10 . The patient interface assembly of claim 2 , wherein the core member associated with each of the directional locks, extends through each of the pair of adjustment elements and a housing of each of the directional locks, and into a collection space.
11 . The patient interface assembly of claim 10 , wherein the collection space is a collection tube or conduit, which is incorporated into the interface coupling portion.
12 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein the interface coupling portion is curved.
13 . The patient interface assembly of claim 11 , wherein the collection space is curved along with the interface coupling portion.
14 . The patient interface assembly of claim 5 , wherein a bridge portion extends between and connects the interface coupling portion.
15 . The patient interface assembly of claim 7 , wherein one of each pair of adjustment elements on each side of the headgear assembly is coupled to the rear headgear portion at or near a portion of the top strap portion and another of each pair of the adjustment elements on each side of the headgear assembly is coupled to the rear headgear portion at or near a portion of the rear strap portion.
16 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the directional locks is configured to provide a first resistance force in response to a force applied in a direction to elongate the headgear length or the circumference length and a second resistance force in response to a force applied in a direction tending to contract the headgear length or the circumference length, wherein the first resistance force is different than the second resistance force.
17 . The patient interface assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second resistance force is less than the first resistance force.
18 . The patient interface assembly of claim 10 , wherein the collection space is located outside of the housing.
19 . The patient interface assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the directional locks is configured to selectively allow retraction of the headgear assembly or to lock the headgear assembly in a particular circumference and inhibit or prevent extension of the headgear assembly without manual interaction by a user.
20 . The patient interface assembly of claim 3 , wherein the interface coupling portion is configured to be removably attachable to the interface by a snap-fit arrangement located at a central portion of the interface coupling portion.
21 . A patient interface assembly comprising:
an interface;
a headgear assembly comprising:
a rear headgear portion; and
an interface coupling portion removably attachable to the interface; and
a length or circumference adjusting portion interposed between the rear headgear portion and the interface coupling portion, the length or circumference adjusting portion comprising a pair of adjustment elements on each side of the headgear assembly, the pair of adjustment elements being coupled at one end to the rear headgear portion and at another end to the interface coupling portion;
the interface coupling portion extending between at least two of the adjustment elements, and the length or circumference adjusting portion exhibiting an elastic force tending to contract a headgear length or a circumference length and a non-elastic lock force tending to inhibit elongation of the headgear length or the circumference length, and
a pair of directional locks being associated with each one of the pair of adjustment elements, each of the directional locks being configured to provide a first resistance force in response to a force applied in a direction to elongate the headgear length or the circumference length and a second resistance force in response to a force applied in a direction tending to contract the headgear length or the circumference length, wherein the first resistance force is different from the second resistance force.
22 . A patient interface assembly comprising:
an interface;
a headgear assembly comprising:
a rear headgear portion; and
an interface coupling portion removably attachable to the interface; and
a length or circumference adjusting portion interposed between the rear headgear portion and the interface coupling portion, the length or circumference adjusting portion comprising a pair of adjustment elements on each side of the headgear assembly, the pair of adjustment elements being coupled at one end to the rear headgear portion and at another end to the interface coupling portion;
the interface coupling portion extending between at least two of the adjustment elements, and the length or circumference adjusting portion exhibiting an elastic force tending to contract a headgear length or a circumference length and a non-elastic lock force tending to inhibit elongation of the headgear length or the circumference length and
a pair of directional locks being associated with each one of the pair of adjustment elements, each of the directional locks being configured to selectively allow retraction of the headgear assembly or to lock the headgear assembly in a particular circumference and inhibit or prevent extension of the headgear assembly without manual interaction by a user.