REINFORCING MEMBER FOR A PATIENT INTERFACE
A patient interface includes a frame, a cushion having a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use, the face-contacting portion including a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall, and a reinforcing member provided to at least a portion of the side wall of the cushion. The reinforcing member includes a cut-out so that the reinforcing member provides reinforcement to selected regions of the cushion.
1 - 37 . (canceled)
38 . A patient interface comprising:
a frame;
a cushion having a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use, the face-contacting portion including a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall; and
a reinforcing member provided to at least a portion of the side wall of the cushion,
wherein the reinforcing member includes a cut-out so that the reinforcing member provides reinforcement to selected regions of the cushion.
39 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the reinforcing member is generally U-shaped.
40 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the cut-out is provided in a nasal bridge area.
41 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the cushion includes a gusset portion that interconnects the non-face-contacting portion and the face-contacting portion.
42 . The patient interface according to claim 41 , wherein the reinforcing member engages the cushion along the portion of the side wall between the face-contacting portion and the gusset portion.
43 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the reinforcing member includes two or more separate pieces.
44 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the reinforcing member is provided to an internal surface of the side wall.
45 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the reinforcing member is provided to an external surface of the side wall.
46 . The patient interface according to claim 38 , wherein the cushion is structured to sealingly engage around the patient's nose and mouth.
47 . A patient interface comprising:
a frame;
a cushion having a non-face-contacting portion connected to the frame and a face-contacting portion adapted to engage the patient's face in use, the face-contacting portion including a side wall and a flexible membrane extending from the side wall; and
a reinforcing member provided to at least a portion of the side wall of the cushion,
wherein the reinforcing member includes two or more inserts that are removably received within respective pockets provided to the cushion.
48 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein each of the inserts are constructed of a rigid plastic material.
49 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein the pockets are integrally molded with the cushion.
50 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein the cushion includes a gusset portion that interconnects the non-face-contacting portion and the face-contacting portion.
51 . The patient interface according to claim 50 , wherein the inserts engage the cushion along the portion of the side wall between the face-contacting portion and the gusset portion.
52 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein the inserts are provided to an internal surface of the side wall.
53 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein inserts are provided to an external surface of the side wall.
54 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein the reinforcing member includes two inserts provided to opposing sides of the cushion.
55 . The patient interface according to claim 47 , wherein the cushion is structured to sealingly engage around the patient's nose and mouth.