Cushion for mask system
View Patent ↗A mouth cushion for a mask system includes a side wall, a membrane extending from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, and at least one support strut or rib provided to the side wall. The at least one support strut or rib is at least partially determinative of a deflection characteristic of the mouth cushion.
1. A cushion assembly for a mask system, the cushion assembly comprising:
a mouth cushion comprising:
a side wall;
a membrane extending from the side wall and adapted to form a continuous seal around an exterior of a patient's mouth in use, the membrane including an upper lip section configured to seal with the patient's upper lip and a lower lip section configured to seal the patient's lower lip;
a pair of spaced-apart prong support structures positioned on the side wall of the mouth cushion, each of the spaced-apart prong support structures comprising an alignment indicator, and the alignment indicator further comprising spaced-apart tabs or protrusions; and
at least one support strut or rib provided to the side wall, the at least one support strut or rib modifying a deflection characteristic of the mouth cushion; and
a pair of nasal prongs, each of the nasal prongs being removably attached a corresponding one of the spaced-apart prong support structures of the mouth cushion, each of the pair of nasal prongs configured to engage a corresponding one of the patient's nares, and each of the nasal prongs including a tab configured to engage the spaced-apart tabs or protrusions of the alignment indicator to aid in assembly of the cushion assembly.
2. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the spaced-apart prong support structures further comprise annular recesses adapted to support respective nasal prongs.
3. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising an undercushion extending away from the side wall, wherein the membrane is structured to substantially surround the undercushion.
4. The cushion assembly according to claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the undercushion includes a question-mark or sickle-shape configuration.
5. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the support strut or rib is provided to each lateral side of the mouth cushion.
6. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support strut or rib extends generally horizontally.
7. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support strut or rib extends along an exterior surface of the side wall.
8. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support strut or rib is positioned exterior of a breathing chamber of the mouth cushion.
9. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one support strut or rib includes a uniform thickness along its length.
10. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the support strut or rib is only provided to each lateral side of the mouth cushion.
11. A mask system for use between a patient and a device to deliver a breathable gas to the patient, the mask system comprising:
a frame; and
a cushion assembly according to claim 1 attached to the frame.
12. The cushion assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the side wall further comprises a sealing lip extending from an end thereof.
13. The mask system according to claim 11 , wherein the cushion assembly is removably attached to the frame.
14. The mask system according to claim 11 , wherein the frame is substantially rigid.