MASK ASSEMBLY
A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A headgear assembly to maintain a nasal mask in a desired adjusted position on a patient's face during use to deliver a supply of breathable gas pressurized at positive pressure from a flow generator to the patient's airways to treat sleep disordered breathing, the headgear assembly comprising:
a flow generator connector having a conduit connector configured to be connected to a gas supply conduit to receive the supply of breathable gas from the flow generator, the conduit connector having a swivel to allow relative movement between the flow generator connector and the gas supply conduit during use;
a pair of inlet conduits connected to the flow generator connector to receive the supply of breathable gas, and in use, each of the pair of inlet conduits configured to be positioned along a corresponding lateral side of the patient's head, from the top of the patient's head to proximal to the patient's nose, and between the patient's corresponding eye and ear;
a pair of connector portions, each of the pair of connector portions connected to an end of a corresponding one of the pair of inlet conduits opposite the flow generator connector, each of the pair of connector portions configured to be removably coupled to the nasal mask; and
an adjustable rear strap connecting each of the pair of inlet conduits, and configured to pass around the rear portion of the patient's head in use.
22 . The headgear assembly of claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of connector portions includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion.
23 . The headgear assembly of claim 22 , wherein the front portion includes a plurality of resiliently flexible arms that are structured to flex inwardly and outwardly.
24 . The headgear assembly of claim 23 , wherein a free end of each of the plurality of resiliently flexible arms includes a rib portion.
25 . The headgear assembly of claim 24 , wherein the rib portion is adapted to engage a recess of a nasal mask connector portion to couple each of the pair of inlet conduits to the nasal mask.
26 . The headgear assembly of claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of inlet conduits provides one air flow channel.
27 . The headgear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the pair of inlet conduits are constructed from silicone.
28 . The headgear assembly of claim 21 , wherein the adjustable rear strap is constructed from a flexible composite material.
29 . The headgear assembly of claim 28 , wherein the flexible composite material includes a fabric material and a polymeric material.
30 . The headgear assembly of claim 21 , wherein:
each of the pair of connector portions includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion,
the front portion includes a plurality of resiliently flexible arms that are structured to flex inwardly and outwardly,
a free end of each of the plurality of resiliently flexible arms includes a rib portion,
the rib portion is adapted to engage a recess of a nasal mask connector portion to couple each of the pair of inlet conduits to the nasal mask,
each of the pair of inlet conduits provides one air flow channel,
the pair of inlet conduits are constructed from silicone, and
the adjustable rear strap is constructed from a flexible composite material.
31 . A mask assembly to deliver a supply of breathable gas pressurized at positive pressure from a flow generator to a patient's airways to treat sleep disordered breathing, the mask assembly comprising:
a nasal mask;
a flow generator connector having a conduit connector configured to be connected to a gas supply conduit to receive the supply of breathable gas from the flow generator, the conduit connector having a swivel to allow relative movement between the flow generator connector and the gas supply conduit during use;
a pair of inlet conduits connected to the flow generator connector to receive the supply of breathable gas, and in use, each of the pair of inlet conduits configured to be positioned along a corresponding lateral side of the patient's head, from the top of the patient's head to proximal to the patient's nose, and between the patient's corresponding eye and ear;
a pair of connector portions, each of the pair of connector portions connected to an end of a corresponding one of the pair of inlet conduits opposite the flow generator connector, each of the pair of connector portions configured to be removably coupled to the nasal mask; and
an adjustable rear strap connecting each of the pair of inlet conduits, and configured to pass around the rear portion of the patient's head in use.
32 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein each of the pair of connector portions includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion.
33 . The mask assembly of claim 32 , wherein the front portion includes a plurality of resiliently flexible arms that are structured to flex inwardly and outwardly.
34 . The mask assembly of claim 33 , wherein a free end of each of the plurality of resiliently flexible arms includes a rib portion.
35 . The mask assembly of claim 34 , wherein the nasal mask includes a pair of nasal mask connector portions, each of the pair of nasal mask connector portions having a recess, and
wherein the rib portion is adapted to engage a corresponding recess to couple each of the pair of inlet conduits to the nasal mask.
36 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein each of the pair of inlet conduits provides one air flow channel.
37 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , further comprising a series of openings for CO 2 washout.
38 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein the nasal mask further comprises a gusset portion.
39 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein the pair of inlet conduits are constructed from silicone.
40 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein the adjustable rear strap is constructed from a flexible composite material.
41 . The mask assembly of claim 40 , wherein the flexible composite material includes a fabric material and a polymeric material.
42 . The mask assembly of claim 31 , wherein:
each of the pair of connector portions includes a main body having a front portion and a rear portion,
the front portion includes a plurality of resiliently flexible arms that are structured to flex inwardly and outwardly,
a free end of each of the plurality of resiliently flexible arms includes a rib portion,
the nasal mask includes a pair of nasal mask connector portions, each of the pair of nasal mask connector portions having a recess,
the rib portion is adapted to engage a corresponding recess to couple each of the pair of inlet conduits to the nasal mask,
each of the pair of inlet conduits provides one air flow channel,
the mask assembly further comprises a series of openings for CO 2 washout,
the nasal mask further comprises a gusset portion,
the pair of inlet conduits are constructed from silicone, and
the adjustable rear strap is constructed from a flexible composite material.