CPAP mask and system
View Patent ↗A continuous positive air pressure (“CPAP”) or ventilator system includes a mask and an air flow generator. The air flow generator is mounted or provided to the mask's wearer. In one embodiment, air flow generator is mounted on the mask.
1. A ventilator system configured to provide pressurized air to a patient, the ventilator system comprising:
a mask having
a shell;
a cushion provided to the shell to sealingly connect the mask to a wearer's face and thereby form a chamber between said shell and said wearer's face;
an inlet port in said shell to receive a flow of breathable gas;
a flow generator;
headgear with an airflow generator receiving portion configured to receive the flow generator; and
an air delivery tube sized to maintain a low profile adjacent the patient's head while fluidly connecting the flow generator to the inlet port, the flow generator being configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H 2 O in the chamber.
2. A ventilator system according to claim 1 , wherein the headgear system comprises at least one strap configured to retain the flow generator.
3. A ventilator system according to claim 2 , wherein the flow generator comprises a centrifugal, axial or radial fan.
4. A ventilator system according to claim 3 , further comprising:
a damping system configured to reduce vibration and noise transmitted between the flow generator and the patient's head.
5. A ventilator system according to claim 4 , wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.
6. A ventilator system according to claim 5 , wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.
7. The ventilator system of claim 1 , wherein said air delivery tube does not exceed 1 meter in length.
8. The ventilator system of claim 7 , wherein said air delivery tube does not exceed 0.5 meters in length.
9. The ventilator system of claim 8 , wherein the air delivery tube is kink resistant.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the mask and air delivery tube are constructed to avoid obstruction of the wearer's vision.
11. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:
a patient interface having an inlet port, the patient interface being configured to be placed over and sealingly connected to a wearer's face and the inlet port being configured to receive a pressurised breathable gas;
headgear configured to secure the patient interface to the wearer's head;
a motor assembly mounted on or in the headgear; and
tubing extending from the motor assembly to the inlet port, the tubing being no more than 0.5 meters long,
wherein the motor assembly is configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H 2 O in the chamber.
12. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11 , further comprising:
a damping system to reduce vibration and transmitted noise mounted between the flow generator and the wearer's head.
13. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 12 , wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.
14. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 13 , wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.
15. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11 , wherein the patient interface is structured to cover the wearer's nasal and oral region.
16. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 15 , wherein the patient interface is designed to have said inlet port located in proximity to the wearer's oral region.
17. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 16 , wherein said cushion comprises a silicone elastomer.
18. A positive airways pressure system, comprising:
a face engaging device having a shell and a cushion provided to the shell to sealingly connect the face engaging device to a wearer's face and form a chamber between said shell and said wearer's face;
a flow generator fluidly connected to the face engaging device and configured to be mounted on the wearer at a first location; and
a power supply connected to the flow generator and configured to be mounted on the wearer at a second location different from the first location,
wherein the connection between the flow generator and the face engaging device and the connection between the flow generator and the power supply are configured to be maintained at a low profile against the wearer's body, and
wherein the flow generator is configured to generate a pressure of about 2-40 cm H 2 O in the chamber.
19. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 18 , wherein the first location is on the wearer's head and the second location is below the wearer's head.
20. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 19 , wherein the connection between the flow generator and the face engaging device comprises kink-resistant tubing, and the connection between the flow generator and the power source comprises a power cord.
21. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 20 , wherein said power source is a battery pack.
22. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 21 , further comprising:
a damping system to reduce vibration and transmitted noise mounted between the flow generator and the wearer's head.
23. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 22 , wherein the damping system comprises a cushion.
24. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 23 , wherein the cushion is made of a visco-elastic foam or soft foam.
25. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 11 , wherein the patient interface is a mask.
26. A positive airways pressure system according to claim 18 , wherein the face engaging device is a mask.