Face mask strap system

1. A strap system for use with an anesthesia/respiratory face mask having an axially extending gas port connector having a first diameter, the strap system comprising

a strap member having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion connecting the first end portion and the second end portion, and

a collar including an axially extending portion having a second diameter, the second diameter being sized, relative to the first diameter of the gas port connector, to define a gap between the axially extending portion of the collar and the axially extending gas port connector, the first and second end portions of the strap passing through the gap, and the gap being sized for snugly receiving the strap member.

2. The strap system of claim 1 wherein the axially extending portion of the collar includes at least two slots for receiving the strap member to fix the position of the strap member in the gap.

3. The strap system of claim 1 wherein the strap member has a width substantially greater than its thickness.

4. The strap system of claim 1 wherein the strap member has a rest length and is comprised of an elastic material that has sufficient elasticity to enable the length of the strap member to be increased by at least fifty percent from its rest length.

5. The strap system of claim 1 where the collar includes a radially extending portion placeable against the face mask.

6. The strap system of claim 4 wherein the strap member has a shoe string-like size and shape.

7. The strap system of claim 1 wherein the difference between the first diameter and the second diameter is between about 1.4 and 2.0 millimeters.

8. The strap system of claim 7 wherein the strap member has a width substantially greater than its thickness.

9. The strap system of claim 8 wherein the axially extending portion of the collar includes at least two slots for receiving the strap member in the gap.

10. The strap system of claim 9 wherein the at least two slots have a length of between about 6.0 and 9.0 millimeters, and a width of between about 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters.

11. The strap system of claim 1 further including a gasket member, the gasket member being coupled to the face mask and engagable and conformable to a face of a patient, wherein the gasket member comprises an air bladder having an air valve for adjusting air pressure within the air bladder.

12. A strap system for use with an anesthesia/respiratory face mask having an axially extending gas port connector having a first diameter and a gasket member engagable with and conformable to a face of a patient, the strap system comprising:

a strap member having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion; and

a collar including a radially extending portion and having at least a first and a second slot through which the first and second end portions of the strap member can pass, the first and second slots being sized for adjustably receiving and fixedly positioning the first and second end portions of the strap member,

wherein the radially extending portion includes first and second radially outwardly extending tab members, the at least first and second slots being disposed on the respective first and second tab members,

wherein the strap member includes a plurality of apertures, and the collar further includes at least two radially extending arms, the at least two radially extending arms sized and positioned for receiving at least two of the plurality of apertures to adjustably receive and fixedly position the strap member to the collar, and

wherein the collar further includes an axially extending portion having a second diameter, the second diameter being sized relative to the first diameter of the gas port connector to define a gap between the axially extending portion of the collar and the axially extending portion of the gas port connector, the gap being sized for snugly receiving the strap member.

13. A strap system for use with an anesthesia/respiratory face mask having an axially extending gas port connector having a first diameter, and a gasket member engageable with and conformable to a face of a patient, the strap system comprising

a strap having a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion, the strap having a width substantially greater than its thickness, and a rest length, the strap being comprised of an elastic material that has sufficient elasticity to enable the length of the strap to be increased by at least ten percent from its rest length and

a collar including a radially extending portion and an axially extending portion, the axially extending portion having a second diameter sized for internally receiving the gas port connector, the second diameter being sized, relative to the first diameter to define a gap between the axially extending portion of the collar and the axially extending portion of gas port connector, the gap being sized for snugly receiving the strap between the collar and the gas port connector, the radially extending portion of the collar including at least a first and a second radially outwardly extending tab member, the first and second tab members defining respectively, a first and a second T-shaped slot capable of receiving and fixedly positioning the strap therein, and

at least two radially extending arms sized and positioned for being capable of receiving apertures of an aperture containing strap member.