CPAP pressurized gas permeable mask cushion
A patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user is being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use. The patient-contacting element includes an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas, at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet, and a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user. The air-tight material has at least one opening therein.
1. A patient-contacting element for a patient interface for delivering a flow of gas to a user, said patient-contacting element being configured to provide a substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use and comprises:
an inlet for receiving at least part of the flow of gas,
at least one gas-permeable element that is disposed within the patient-contacting element and arranged in fluidic communication with the inlet,
a first layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas permeable element and an inner space of the patient-contacting element for receiving a nose and/or a mouth of the user, wherein the air-tight material has a plurality of openings therein for allowing the passage of the gas directly between the inner space and the at least one gas-permeable element, and
a second layer of an air-tight material that is arranged between the at least one gas-permeable element and an outer space of the patient-contacting element which is not in fluidic communication with the flow of gas during use, wherein the at least one gas-permeable element is in direct contact with the first layer of the air-tight material on a side of the layer of the air-tight material that is opposite the inner space.
2. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , comprising at least one further layer of an air-tight material covering at least a portion of the at least one gas-permeable element.
3. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet opens out directly into the at least one gas-permeable element in order to provide at least part of the flow of gas directly to the at least one gas-permeable element.
4. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein the patient-contacting element is a cushion.
5. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one gas-permeable element comprises a foam and/or a stack of spacer fabrics.
6. The patient-contacting element according to claim 5 , wherein the foam is an open cell foam.
7. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein a shape of the at least one gas-permeable element is adapted to contour of a user's face or head.
8. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein properties of the at least one gas-permeable element vary along the at least one gas permeable element.
9. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , wherein the patient-contacting element comprises a plurality of gas permeable elements.
10. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , comprising a third layer which covers at least a portion of the patient-contacting element and provides the substantially air-tight seal with the user's skin during use, wherein the third layer is not directly connected to the at least one gas-permeable element.
11. The patient-contacting element according to claim 10 , wherein the third layer comprises a polymer film, a polymer membrane, a closed cell foam and/or a coated textile fabric.
12. The patient-contacting element according to claim 11 , wherein the polymer film is a polyurethane film or silicone film.
13. The patient-contacting element according to claim 1 , further comprising one or more of a forehead pad, a headgear and a cheek-mounted support.