Chin strap

Abstract

A chin strap includes a chin cup, side straps, and rear straps. The chin strap is used to urge the patient's jaw upwards and substantially close the patient's mouth while pressurized breathable gas is delivered to the patient's nose by the mask system.

1 . A chin strap, comprising:
 a chin cup;   a side strap; and   a rear strap,   wherein the chin cup is preformed to a shape that closely matches a patient's chin shape and has an integrally attached connector for receiving a side strap.   
     
     
         2 . A chin strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the side strap is upwardly adjustable. 
     
     
         3 . A chin strap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the side strap is substantially inextensible. 
     
     
         4 . A chin strap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the rear strap is substantially inextensible. 
     
     
         5 . A chin strap according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the side strap and rear strap are substantially inextensible. 
     
     
         6 . A chin strap according to  claim 1 , wherein the chin cup is thermoformed. 
     
     
         7 . A chin strap according to  claim 3 , wherein the side strap is thermoformed. 
     
     
         8 . A chin strap according to  claim 4 , wherein the rear strap is thermoformed. 
     
     
         9 . A chin strap, comprising:
 a chin cup;   side straps provided to respective sides of the chin cup;   a rear strap; and   a strap connecting member to interconnect the side straps and the rear strap, the strap connecting portion including a portion adapted to extend over the top of the patient's head, first connectors for attaching respective side straps, and second connectors for attaching the rear strap.   
     
     
         10 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A mask arrangement, comprising:
 a chin strap arrangement including a chin engaging portion and headgear to support the chin engaging portion in position on the patient's head in use, the chin engaging portion being preformed to a shape that closely matches a patient's chin shape; and   a mask system structured to deliver pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways, the mask system including a sealing interface adapted to form a seal with the patient's nose and/or mouth and mask headgear straps provided to the sealing interface,   wherein the mask headgear straps are structured to releasably engage side straps of the headgear to support the mask system in position on the patient's face in use.   
     
     
         15 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the mask headgear straps are removably engaged with the sealing interface. 
     
     
         16 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the mask headgear straps are formed in one piece with the sealing interface. 
     
     
         17 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the sealing interface includes a nozzle assembly including nozzles adapted to form a seal with the patient's nares. 
     
     
         18 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the sealing interface includes a sealing portion including an under the nose sealing configuration. 
     
     
         19 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the mask headgear straps are releasably engagable with the side straps of the headgear by a hook and loop arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . A mask arrangement according to  claim 14 , wherein the releasable engagement of the mask headgear straps allows adjustment of the sealing vector.