Foam respiratory mask

Abstract

A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a foam interfacing portion adapted to provide a nasal interface to contact under and around the patient's nose in use and including an orifice adapted to surround both the patient's nares in use, and a positioning and stabilizing structure to support the foam interfacing portion in an operative position on the patient's face. The positioning and stabilizing structure is structured to provide a range of rotational, axial, and/or lateral movement to the foam interfacing portion while maintaining a sufficient interface and resisting the application of tube drag and/or headgear tension to the foam interfacing portion.

1 . A patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient, the patient interface comprising:
 a foam interfacing portion adapted to provide a nasal interface to contact under and around the patient's nose in use, and the foam interfacing portion including an orifice adapted to surround both the patient's nares in use; and   a positioning and stabilizing structure to support the foam interfacing portion in an operative position on the patient's face, wherein the positioning and stabilizing structure is structured to provide a range of rotational, axial, and/or lateral movement to the foam interfacing portion while maintaining a sufficient interface and resisting the application of tube drag and/or headgear tension to the foam interfacing portion.   
     
     
         2 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the positioning and stabilizing structure includes a decoupling element, a frame, and/or headgear. 
     
     
         3 . A patient interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the foam interfacing portion is provided to an exterior surface of the decoupling element. 
     
     
         4 . A patient interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the foam interfacing portion is wrapped around the frame and the decoupling element. 
     
     
         5 . A patient interface according to  claim 4 , wherein the foam interfacing portion is secured in its wrapped position by one or more connectors. 
     
     
         6 . A patient interface according to  claim 5 , wherein the connectors includes a male connector and a female connector. 
     
     
         7 . A patient interface according to  claim 6 , wherein the foam interfacing portion includes the male connector and the frame and/or decoupling element includes the female connector. 
     
     
         8 . A patient interface according to  claim 5 , wherein the connectors includes a hook and loop arrangement. 
     
     
         9 . A patient interface according to  claim 5 , wherein the connectors includes a press stud arrangement. 
     
     
         10 . A patient interface according to  claim 5 , wherein the connectors includes a hook and loop material. 
     
     
         11 . A patient interface according to  claim 5 , wherein the connectors includes a clip arrangement. 
     
     
         12 . A patient interface according to  claim 2 ,  wherein the decoupling element is formed from silicone. 
     
     
         13 . A patient interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the foam interfacing portion is secured in position using existing structure on the decoupling element, frame, and/or headgear. 
     
     
         14 . A patient interface according to  claim 2 , wherein the orifice is structured to align with an orifice provided to the frame and/or decoupling element. 
     
     
         15 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice of the foam interfacing portion is D-shaped. 
     
     
         16 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice of the foam interfacing portion includes a width of about 15-50 mm. 
     
     
         17 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice of the foam interfacing portion includes a height of about 5-30 mm. 
     
     
         18 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam interfacing portion includes a thickness of about 0.5-50 mm. 
     
     
         19 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam interfacing portion includes a length of about 10-200 mm and a width of about 10-100 mm. 
     
     
         20 . A patient interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the foam interfacing portion is structured to form a seal with the patient's nares.