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Publication Number
US-8813749-B2
Publication Date
2014-08-26
Expiration Date
Abstract
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a cushion for a ventilation interface is disclosed. A ventilation mask can include a mask body adapted to matingly engage with the cushion. The cushion can be a double-membrane cushion having an outer sealing membrane and an inner membrane, both of which can extend from a frame. The outer sealing membrane can have a face-contacting portion. The inner membrane can be outwardly oriented from the frame.
Core Innovation
The document describes a ventilation interface, such as a ventilation mask for CPAP, BiPAP, or IPPV, that includes a cushion with a central passageway and a frame. The cushion uses a double-membrane arrangement including an outer sealing membrane and an inner membrane, and the outer sealing membrane includes a face-contacting sealing portion.
The outer sealing membrane and the inner membrane terminate differently with respect to the central passageway, with the inner membrane having a terminating end that extends away from the central passageway and beyond the outer surface of an upper portion of the frame in a first direction. The spacing and orientation between the membranes provide stopper functionality that limits inward deformation of the sealing membrane while maintaining comfort.
The membrane spacing and relative termination can form or trap a gas pocket, supporting the stopper effect. Exemplary cushion structures include a central passageway or breathing chamber and frame and cushion geometries such as triangular or oval frames, with optional configurations including separate versus integral membrane constructions.
Claims Coverage
The provided claims include three independent claims that cover a cushion/ventilation interface with a double-membrane structure relative to a frame and a central passageway. Across these independent claims, the inventive coverage focuses on differing terminating ends of an outer sealing membrane versus an inner membrane relative to the central passageway and the frame, and relative dimensional relationships between widths defined by the frame and membrane termination positions.
Differential membrane terminating ends relative to the central passageway
A ventilation interface having a cushion with a central passageway, a frame with an upper portion defining a first direction, an outer sealing membrane, and an inner membrane, wherein the outer sealing membrane has a first terminating end extending towards the central passageway and the inner membrane has a second terminating end extending away from the central passageway, and wherein at least one of the outer sealing membrane and the inner membrane extends from the upper portion of the frame and the second terminating end of the inner membrane extends beyond the outer surface of the upper portion of the frame in the first direction.
Inner membrane extending beyond the frame outer surface in the first direction
A cushion comprising a central passageway, a frame with an upper portion defining a first direction, an outer sealing membrane, and an inner membrane, wherein the outer sealing membrane has a first terminating end extending towards the central passageway, the inner membrane has a second terminating end extending away from the central passageway, and the second terminating end of the inner membrane extends beyond the outer surface of the upper portion of the frame in the first direction.
Second width greater than first width based on membrane and frame termination spacing
A ventilation interface comprising a cushion with a central passageway and a frame having a first upper portion and a second upper portion opposite the first upper portion, an outer sealing membrane with an outer membrane terminating end extending towards the central passageway, and an inner membrane with first and second inner membrane terminating ends extending away from the central passageway, wherein at least one of the outer sealing membrane and the inner membrane extends from the frame, the distance between the first upper portion and second upper portion defines a first width, the distance between the first inner membrane terminating end and the second inner membrane terminating defines a second width, and the second width is greater than the first width.
Overall, the independent claims cover a ventilation interface cushion with a central passageway and a frame in which an outer sealing membrane and an inner membrane terminate differently relative to the central passageway and the frame, including the inner membrane extending beyond the frame outer surface in a first direction, and, at least in one independent claim, dimensional spacing where a second width associated with the inner membrane terminating ends is greater than a first width associated with the frame upper portions.
Stated Advantages
Stopper functionality that limits inward deformation of the sealing membrane while maintaining comfort.
Formation or trapping of a gas pocket.
Documented Applications
Ventilation mask or ventilation interface for CPAP, BiPAP, and IPPV using a cushion with a central passageway and a double-membrane structure.
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