Respiratory mask

Abstract

A respiratory mask is reduced in size to better fit patients with smaller faces by folding accordion folds of the mask. An adjustment member allows for selective folding of the accordion folds, thereby determining the size of the mask. The respiratory mask can thus be adjusted to fit both larger and smaller persons.

1 . A respiratory mask, comprising: 
 an upper portion defining an upper mask edge;    a bottom portion defining a bottom mask edge, such that the mask has a first vertical length between the upper mask edge and bottom mask edge;    a plurality of accordion folds extending across a width of the mask between the upper portion and the bottom portion; and    an adjustment member attached at the bottom portion of the mask,    wherein the accordion folds are compressible from an open position of the first vertical length of the mask to a closed compressed position of a second vertical length of the mask that is reduced from the first vertical length by adjustment of the adjustment member that maintains the folds in the closed compressed position to reduce mask size.    
   
   
       2 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the accordion folds are adjustable from an open position for a first mask size to a closed position for a second mask size.  
   
   
       3 . The mask of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a deformable strap bridging the upper portion of the mask, wherein the deformable strap is formed of bendable material and is bendable to conform to the contours of a patient's nose to hold the mask in place.    
   
   
       4 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the accordion folds are formed by one or more ribs connected by a flexible material.  
   
   
       5 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the accordion folds are formed integrally with the upper and bottom portions of the mask.  
   
   
       6 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment member comprises: one of a button and snap arrangement, a hook and loop fastener arrangement, and a band adjustment arrangement.  
   
   
       7 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the mask is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic resins, polyurethane resins, poly(vinyl chloride), polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene.  
   
   
       8 . The mask of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one exhaust port or a plurality of apertures disposed in the upper portion of the mask.    
   
   
       9 . The mask of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a tubular inlet disposed at the bottom of the upper portion of the mask.    
   
   
       10 . The mask of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion, the bottom portion and the accordion folds comprise a continuous piece of material.  
   
   
       11 . The mask of  claim 11 , wherein the continuous piece of material forming the upper and bottom portions and the accordion folds is of substantially constant thickness.  
   
   
       12 . A method of adjusting a respiratory mask, comprising: 
 providing a mask comprising an upper portion defining an upper mask edge, a bottom portion defining a bottom mask edge, such that the mask has a first vertical length between the upper mask edge and bottom mask edge, and a plurality of accordion folds extending across a width of the mask between the upper portion and the bottom portion; and    adjusting an adjustment member to maintain the accordion folds in a desired unfolded or folded position so as to obtain a desired length along the vertical extent of the mask that is the first vertical length or a length reduced from the first vertical length.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein adjusting the adjustment member comprises: 
 adjusting one of a button and snap arrangement, a hook and loop fastener arrangement, and a band adjustment arrangement.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the accordion folds comprise one or more ribs connected by a flexible material.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the upper portion, the bottom portion and the accordion folds comprise a continuous piece of material of substantially constant thickness.