Patient interface and respiratory support apparatus
A patient interface is provided for use with a respiratory support apparatus, and comprises: a. a cushion at least partially defining an internal cavity, the cushion comprising a pair of opposing cushion side walls and a sealing flange arranged to seal against the face of the patient; b. a gases inlet in fluid communication with the internal cavity; c. a tether; wherein the tether extends substantially laterally across the cushion inside the internal cavity between the pair of opposing cushion side walls, the tether being mounted to the cushion side walls. The tether is configured to allow the cushion to compress when subject to lateral forces, for example when a patient is side sleeping. The tether is configured to resist laterally outward deformation of the cushion.
1 . A patient interface for use with a respiratory support apparatus for delivering breathable gases to a patient, the patient interface comprising:
a cushion at least partially defining an internal cavity, the cushion comprising a pair of opposing cushion side walls and a sealing flange arranged to seal against a face of the patient;
a gases inlet in fluid communication with the internal cavity; and
a tether;
wherein the tether extends substantially laterally across the cushion inside the internal cavity between the pair of opposing cushion side walls, the tether being mounted to the pair of opposing cushion side walls;
wherein the tether is configured to resist laterally outward movement of the pair of opposing cushion side walls; and
wherein the tether and the pair of opposing cushion side walls are configured such that the tether extends across, but is spaced from, an upper lip region of the patient.
2 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is integral with the cushion.
3 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether and the cushion are separate components.
4 . The patient interface of claim 3 , further comprising a pair of laterally spaced mounts on the cushion, the tether being secured to the cushion by the pair of laterally spaced apart mounts.
5 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the pair of opposing cushion side walls are laterally spaced by a predetermined distance, the tether being configured to substantially maintain the predetermined distance.
6 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is configured to allow laterally inward movement of the pair of opposing cushion side walls.
7 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is inextensible under tensile forces.
8 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is collapsible under compressive forces.
9 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is inelastic.
10 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises a nasal bridge region and the tether is positioned below the nasal bridge region.
11 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the cushion comprises a pair of side of nose portions and the tether is positioned below the side of nose portions.
12 . The patient interface of claim 11 , wherein the side of nose portions are provided on, or comprise part of, the pair of opposing cushion side walls.
13 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is rigid, or at least comprises a rigid portion.
14 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises any one of:
a filament;
a wire;
one or more fibres;
a ribbon;
string; and
a braided element.
15 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether is formed from any one of:
plastic;
metal;
silicone;
a woven material;
a knitted material; and
a braided material.
16 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a circular or elliptical transverse cross section.
17 . The patient interface of claim 1 , wherein the tether comprises a non-circular transverse cross section.