Respiratory mask with cheek supports
A respiratory mask can have a frame supporting a sealing arrangement. Various features of the frame and sealing arrangement can improve comfort and reduce the occurrence of pressure sores. The frame can include cheek supports that have a large surface area configured to spread loads over a greater area of the patient's face and therefore reduce the forces applied to the face and the occurrence of point loads. The seal can have a main body that includes a spring with a silicone skin, wherein the spring applies a substantially constant force to the face and/or nares of the patient.
1. A respiratory mask, comprising:
a sealing arrangement;
a frame;
a headgear having a first side strap, a second side strap, a crown strap, and a rear strap;
wherein the first and second side straps are inelastic;
wherein the sealing arrangement comprises a pair of nasal prongs, each comprising a main body and a sealing surface that defines an outlet, wherein the main body comprises an elongated tube having a wall structure comprising a constant-force spring configured to bias the sealing surface towards a nare of a patient, wherein the constant-force spring permits the nasal prong to accommodate patients of varying head circumferences and facial geometry by automatically adjusting in length while applying a constant force to the nare of the patient within an adjustment range.
2. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein the frame is configured to be supported on a face of the patient by the headgear.
3. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a bridge portion configured to support the sealing arrangement.
4. The respiratory mask of claim 3 , wherein the bridge portion is configured to be supported off a lip of the patient.
5. The respiratory mask of claim 3 , wherein the bridge portion comprises a plenum chamber.
6. The respiratory mask of claim 5 , wherein the plenum chamber comprises a bias flow vent.
7. The respiratory mask of claim 6 , wherein the bias flow vent comprises a plurality of laser-drilled holes.
8. The respiratory mask of claim 5 , wherein the plenum chamber is configured to receive a flow of pressurized air.
9. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein the pair of nasal prongs are angled towards each other.
10. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein at least the first and second side straps are constructed of a moulded plastic material with an integrally formed fabric covering.
11. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the crown strap or rear strap comprise an adjustment mechanism to adjust a length of the at least one crown strap or rear strap.
12. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , further comprising a tube housing configured to secure an air supply tube to the frame.
13. The respiratory mask of claim 12 , wherein the tube housing is configured to be connected to the frame such that the air supply tube is connected to either of a first or second side of the frame.
14. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein the pair of nasal prongs are configured to sealingly engage with the nares of the patient.
15. The respiratory mask of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the crown strap or rear strap is adjustable in length.