Interchangeable Mask Assembly

Abstract

A system of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes at least first and second cushion components, e.g., full-face, nasal, nasal prongs, nose tip, and/or a combination of any of the above, including a nasal or full-face cushion and nasal prongs/nozzles combination, etc., that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and a common frame assembly configured to support each of the first and second cushion components. Various embodiments are directed to a full-face or nasal mask used with a frame having lateral connector portions having a stiffening member. The mask assembly may include a nose height adjustment device for the height of the cushion, or a cushion adjustment member by which the position of the cushion may be adjusted relative to the frame. The mask assembly may include a chin strap assembly.

1 . A system of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
 at least first and second cushion components that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and   a common frame assembly configured to support each of the first and second cushion components.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the common frame assembly includes a frame member having a main body and first and second lateral ends each provided with a connector portion. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an elbow provided to one of the connector portions and a plug provided to the other connector portion. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the positions of the plug and the elbow are interchangeable. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising first and second elbows provided to the first and second connector portions, respectively. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each said elbow is structured to deliver a supply of pressurized breathable gas to the common frame. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein each of the first and second lateral ends of the frame is provided with a seal portion to support each said elbow and/or said plug. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a headgear assembly having lateral strap portions, each said strap portion having a yoke, wherein each said seal portion includes a channel to support the yoke. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the frame member includes a channel portion provided adjacent each of the first and second ends, wherein each of the first and second cushion components includes a lateral edge that interfaces with the channel portion. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second cushion components includes a bisected lateral side that is wrapped around the frame. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a clip element to secure the bisected lateral sides of each of the cushion components to the frame. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second cushion components includes an aperture on each lateral side thereof, each said aperture being sized to be stretched over the connector portion and configured to form a seal with a portion of the common frame. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second component are selected from the group including a full-face cushion component, a nasal cushion component, a nose tip cushion component, a nasal prongs component, and a combination of a nasal prongs component and a nasal or full-face cushion component. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a common headgear assembly which interfaces with the common frame assembly and each of the first and second cushion components. 
   
   
       15 - 40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . A method of designing a series of breathing arrangements for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising:
 providing at least first and second cushion components that are different from one another in at least one aspect, and   providing a common frame assembly that is connectable with each of the first and second cushion components.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , further comprising providing a common headgear assembly which interfaces with the common frame assembly and each of the first and second cushion components.