Patient interface systems

Abstract

A headgear for positioning a patient interface structure for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airways of a patient includes at least one flexible strap loop which is attachable to the patient interface structure by a forked region of the at least one strap loop that is mountable on the patient interface structure. The at least one strap loop positions the patient interface structure on the face of the patient. The forked region includes two forks adapted to be attached to an upper and lower portion on the patient interface structure. The two forks are connected by a bridge so that the forked region is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region is mountable on the patient interface structure. An elbow for a patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a first portion having a first end configured to be connected to the patient interface system; and a second portion having a second end configured to be connected to a tube that delivers the flow of breathable gas. An outer circumferential wall includes a plurality of perpendicular steps formed therein and a plurality of vent holes are provided perpendicular to the plurality of perpendicular steps.

1 . A headgear for positioning a patient interface structure for delivering a pressurized flow of breathable gas to the airways of a patient, comprising:
 at least one flexible strap loop which is attachable to the patient interface structure by a forked region of the at least one strap loop that is mountable on the patient interface structure,   wherein   the at least one strap loop positions the patient interface structure on the face of the patient,   the forked region includes two forks adapted to be attached to an upper and lower portion on the patient interface structure,   the two forks are connected by a bridge so that the forked region is divided into a first region and a second region, and the first region is mountable on the patient interface structure.   
     
     
         2 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein differential lengths of the two forks apply differential force vectors onto the patient interface structure to hold it in position on the face. 
     
     
         3 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap loop comprises a first strap loop and a second strap loop, wherein the second strap loop engages the first strap loop. 
     
     
         4 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap loop is molded. 
     
     
         5 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap loop is elastic. 
     
     
         6 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap loop is made of a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the bridge is configured to engage the patient interface structure when the first region is mounted on the patient interface structure. 
     
     
         8 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the first region comprises sloped walls configured to engage sloped surfaces of the patient interface structure. 
     
     
         9 . A headgear according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap loop comprises a plurality of locking projections on an end opposite the forked region and the second strap loop comprises a locking connector configured to receive the opposite end of the first strap loop and engage at least one of the locking projections to connect the first strap loop to the second strap loop. 
     
     
         10 . A headgear according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of locking projections comprises a final locking projection having a different shape than the other locking projections. 
     
     
         11 . An elbow for a patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient, the elbow comprising:
 a first portion having a first end configured to be connected to the patient interface system; and   a second portion having a second end configured to be connected to a tube that delivers the flow of breathable gas, wherein an outer circumferential wall comprises a plurality of perpendicular steps formed therein and a plurality of vent holes are provided perpendicular to the plurality of perpendicular steps.   
     
     
         12 . An elbow according to  claim 11 , wherein the second portion of the elbow is at an angle to the first portion that is greater than about 90°. 
     
     
         13 . An elbow according to  claim 11 , wherein the vent holes in each step are displaced from the vent holes in a following and/or preceding step. 
     
     
         14 . An elbow according to  claim 11 , wherein the elbow comprises nine steps. 
     
     
         15 . An elbow according to  claim 14 , wherein the elbow comprises forty three vent holes. 
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing an elbow for a patient interface system for delivering a flow of breathable gas, the elbow comprising a first portion having a first end configured to be connected to the patient interface system and a second portion having a second end configured to be connected to a tube that delivers the flow of breathable gas, the method comprising:
 forming a plurality of perpendicular steps in an outer circumferential wall of the second portion; and   forming a plurality of vent holes perpendicular to the plurality of perpendicular steps.   
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein
 forming the plurality of perpendicular steps comprises pressing a plurality of blank offs against the circumferential wall of the second portion from a first side during molding of the elbow; and   forming the plurality of vent holes comprises inserting a plurality of pins from a second side opposite the first side into the circumferential wall during molding of the elbow.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 contacting a perpendicular surface of each blank off against perpendicular surfaces of the plurality of pins to prevent flashing around the vent holes.   
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein forming the plurality of perpendicular steps comprises forming nine steps. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein forming the plurality of vent holes comprises forming forty three vent holes.