Mask with gusset
View Patent ↗A mask system for delivering air to a user includes a suspension mechanism to allow relative movement between a face-contacting cushion and a mask shell. The suspension mechanism also provides a predetermined force to the cushion that is a function of mask pressure, displacement of the cushion or both.
1. A respiratory mask for use in respiratory therapy, the respiratory mask comprising:
a shell; and
a cushion provided to the shell and adapted to receive at least a patient's nose, the shell and the cushion cooperating to define a cavity adapted to receive a supply of pressurized breathable gas,
the cushion including:
a face contacting portion adapted to engage a patient's face,
a non-face contacting portion provided to the shell, wherein the non-face contacting portion of the cushion includes an edge configured and arranged to attach to a periphery of the shell to define the cavity, and
a gusset portion between the face contacting portion and the non-face contacting portion,
wherein the gusset portion includes a hanging portion that, when seen in cross-section, hangs over an adjacent exterior surface of the cushion, and
wherein the cushion includes a molded, one-piece construction.
2. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion provides a decoupling joint between the face contacting portion and the shell.
3. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion includes only a single gusset.
4. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the face contacting portion includes a flexible membrane.
5. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the cushion is positioned exterior of the cavity.
6. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the shell includes an air delivery connection adapted to connect a pressurized air supply.
7. The respiratory mask according claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion includes a constant projected outer area under extension and compression.
8. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion includes an outer wall configured to fold over and outside of an inner wall of the gusset portion when the face contacting and non-face contacting portions are compressed towards one another.
9. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the face contacting portion, the non-face contacting portion, and the gusset portion form a substantially continuous surface.
10. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the non-face contacting portion of the cushion is completely open.
11. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion.
12. The respiratory mask according to claim 11 , wherein the distance extends along an axis, and the gusset portion includes inner and outer walls that extend substantially parallel to the axis.
13. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion includes a generally rounded cross-section when not exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas.
14. The respiratory mask according to claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion is constructed and arranged such that it can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion, an interior of the gusset portion being exposed to the supply of pressurized breathable gas and configured to have a projected area on the patient's face (A g ) which is greater than an area (A c ) of contact that the cushion is configured to make with the patient's face such that the supply of pressurized breathable gas acting on the area (A g ) provides a component of a contact force (F c ) of the cushion on the patient's face, and a ratio of (A g /A c ) is at least 1.30.
15. The respiratory mask as in claim 14 , wherein the ratio of (A g /A c ) is in a range of 1.50 to 5.00.
16. The respiratory mask as in claim 15 , wherein the ratio of (A g /A c ) is in a range of 2.00 to 4.00.
17. The respiratory mask as in claim 16 , wherein the ratio of (A g /A c ) is in a range of 2.25 to 3.50.
18. The respiratory mask as in claim 14 , wherein the shell further includes a baffle disposed in an interior of the shell between a mask gas intake and a mask exhaust vent to deflect gas from the intake from directly flowing to the exhaust vent.
19. The respiratory mask as in claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion can expand and contract to alter a distance between the shell and the cushion by at least 15 millimeters.
20. The respiratory mask as in claim 19 , wherein the gusset portion can expand and contract to alter the distance between the shell and the cushion by at least 20 millimeters.
21. The respiratory mask as in claim 1 , wherein the gusset portion includes a plurality of sequentially interconnected steps moving from larger to smaller in area between first and second sides of the gusset portion, respectively.