Headgear for infant respiratory therapy interface
A patient interface assembly includes a patient interface configured to deliver breathing gases to the airway of a patient. A headgear is configured to support the patient interface on the head of a patient. The headgear can include a tab on each side configured to overlie the patient's cheek and forming a portion or an entirety of an attachment region for the patient interface. The tab can be angled relative to an adjacent portion of the headgear. In some configurations, the headgear includes a rear portion having a first degree of stretch and/or a front portion having a second degree of stretch. In some configurations, the headgear also includes a chinstrap having a third degree of stretch. In some configurations, the third degree of stretch is greater than the first degree of stretch and the second degree of stretch.
1 . A headgear for a respiratory interface, comprising:
a front portion comprising at least one strap, the at least one strap configured to be positioned in an anterior region of a patient's head, the front portion configured to extend from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of the patient's head;
a rear portion configured to extend around a posterior region of the patient's head from the first lateral side to the second lateral side of the patient's head, the rear portion comprising:
a central section; and
a side strap extending from the central section and configured to attach to the front portion;
a midline strap configured to extend from the rear portion over a top of the patient's head in a forward-rearward direction and attach to the front portion, the midline strap being unitary with the rear portion;
a junction between the midline strap and the rear portion, the junction comprising:
a first notch at a first side of the junction; and
a second notch at a second side of the junction, the second side being opposite from the first side,
wherein each of the first notch and the second notch comprises:
a first portion extending inwardly at an end of the midline strap to locally reduce a width of the end of the midline strap; and
a second portion extending into the rear portion.
2 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the front portion and/or the rear portion are substantially non-stretch.
3 . The headgear of claim 1 , further comprising a chin strap having a degree of stretch sufficient to allow a user to open his or her mouth.
4 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the front portion is flexible in torsion.
5 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein a length of the front portion is adjustable.
6 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap of the front portion comprises a first strap portion and a second strap portion configured to connect to one another along an overlapping portion, wherein a length of the overlapping portion is variable to permit adjustment of the length of the front portion.
7 . The headgear of claim 6 , wherein the first strap portion comprises an opening and the second strap portion passes through the opening.
8 . The headgear of claim 6 , wherein each of the first strap portion and the second strap portion comprises a buckle, wherein each of a first end and a second end of the rear portion passes through a respective one of the buckles, folds back on itself and attaches to itself.
9 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein a length of the rear portion is adjustable.
10 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion comprises an increased width central portion having a pattern of cutouts.
11 . The headgear of claim 10 , wherein the pattern of cutouts of the increased width central portion defines a first ellipse and a second ellipse within the first ellipse.
12 . The headgear of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment region configured to support the respiratory interface, wherein the attachment region comprises a first part of a releasable connection that is configured to connect to a second part of the releasable connection on the respiratory interface, wherein the releasable connection comprises one or more of: a hook and loop fastener, a magnetic fastener, a post and aperture connection, a releasable adhesive, or an interlocking buckle or clip.
13 . The headgear of claim 12 , wherein the attachment region comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion define an angle therebetween.
14 . The headgear of claim 13 , wherein the angle is between about 110-160 degrees.
15 . The headgear of claim 13 , wherein the second portion comprises an attachment tab.
16 . The headgear of claim 13 , wherein the second portion is configured to be located on a cheek region of the patient in use.
17 . The headgear of claim 1 , wherein:
an upper edge of the central section extends in opposite lateral directions from the midline strap at the junction;
wherein the first notch extends inwardly at an intersection of the upper edge of the central section and the midline strap at the first side of the junction; and
wherein the second notch extends inwardly at an intersection of the upper edge of the central section and the midline strap at the second side of the junction.
18 . A patient interface assembly, comprising:
a patient interface configured to deliver breathing gases to an airway of a patient;
a headgear configured to support the patient interface, comprising:
a front portion comprising at least one strap, the at least one strap configured to be positioned in an anterior region of a patient's head, the front portion configured to extend from a first lateral side to a second lateral side of the patient's head;
a rear portion configured to extend around a posterior region of the patient's head from the first lateral side to the second lateral side of the patient's head, the rear portion comprising:
a central section; and
a side strap extending from the central section and configured to attach to the front portion;
a midline strap configured to extend from the rear portion over a top of the patient's head in a forward-rearward direction and attach to the front portion, the midline strap being unitary with the rear portion;
a junction between the midline strap and the rear portion, the junction comprising:
a first notch at a first side of the junction; and
a second notch at a second side of the junction, wherein the second side is located opposite from the first side;
an interface securement system; and
a two-part connection; wherein a first part of the two-part connection is located on the front portion and a second part of the two-part connection is located on the patient interface; and
wherein each of the first notch and the second notch comprises:
a first portion extending inwardly at an end of the midline strap to locally reduce a width of the end of the midline strap; and
a second portion extending into the rear portion.
19 . The patient interface assembly of claim 18 , wherein the patient interface is a sealing interface configured to contact and create a seal with a face of the patient.
20 . The patient interface assembly of claim 18 , wherein the patient interface is a mask or a cannula.