Breathing mask and methods thereof

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a breathing mask for alleviating conditions causing sleep apnea and avoiding onset claustrophobia in a patient often caused by a breathing mask. In one embodiment of the present invention, a breathing mask comprises an overhead gear assembly comprising an overhead receptor and a hose attachment connected to the overhead receptor, and a patient interface coupled to a connector tubing and/or valve of the overhead gear assembly, wherein the hose attachment is positioned outside of a line of sight of a user, when the breathing mask is utilized by the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A breathing mask comprising:
 an overhead gear assembly comprising an overhead receptor and a hose attachment connected to the overhead receptor;   a patient interface; and   wherein the breathing bask comprises no structural elements that would contact a forehead of a user when in use; and   wherein the overhead receptor is adapted to be positioned in substantially the center of a top portion of the user's head.   
     
     
         2 . The breathing mask of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pillow surrounding at least a portion of the overhead receptor.   
     
     
         3 . The breathing mask of  claim 2 , wherein the pillow comprises a back section for supporting a user's neck and two side sections for supporting two opposing sides of the user's head. 
     
     
         4 . The breathing mask of  claim 3 , wherein each of the side sections comprising an internal groove for accepting a tubing. 
     
     
         5 . The breathing mask of  claim 4 , wherein the pillow further comprises a fastening mechanism to enclose the tubing within each of the grooves of the side sections. 
     
     
         6 . The breathing mask of  claim 4 , wherein each of the internal grooves are embedded in each of the side sections along the entire length of the side sections. 
     
     
         7 . The breathing mask of  claim 3 , wherein each of the side sections comprise an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface of the side sections is substantially flat and parallel to the inner surface. 
     
     
         8 . The breathing mask of  claim 1 , further comprising a hose retention mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The breathing mask of  claim 1 , wherein the patient interface comprises one of a full-face mask, a nasal mask, or a nasal pillow. 
     
     
         10 . The breathing mask of  claim 1 , further comprising an air source coupled to the hose attachment. 
     
     
         11 . A breathing mask comprising:
 an overhead gear assembly comprising an overhead receptor and a hose attachment connected to the overhead receptor;   a patient interface; and   a pillow surrounding at least a portion of the overhead receptor, the pillow comprising two side sections for supporting two opposing sides of a user's head, the side sections having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface of the side sections is substantially flat and parallel to the inner surface;   wherein the hose attachment is positioned proximate to the top of the user's head when worn by the user; and   wherein the breathing bask comprises no structural elements that would contact a forehead of a user when in use.   
     
     
         12 . The breathing mask of  claim 11 , wherein each of the side sections comprise an internal groove for accepting a tubing, the internal groove embedded in each of the side sections along the entire length of the side sections. 
     
     
         13 . The breathing mask of  claim 12 , wherein the pillow further comprises a fastening mechanism to enclose the tubing within each of the grooves of the side sections. 
     
     
         14 . The breathing mask of  claim 11 , wherein the patient interface comprises a full-face mask, a nasal mask, or a nasal pillow. 
     
     
         15 . The breathing mask of  claim 11 , further comprising an air source coupled to the hose attachment. 
     
     
         16 . The breathing mask of  claim 11  wherein the patient interface comprises an inflow air pathway and an outflow air pathway. 
     
     
         17 . A method of administering CPAP treatment to a patient comprising:
 supplying a continuous stream of pressurized air from an air source to the patient utilizing a breathing mask;   the breathing mask comprising:
 an overhead gear assembly comprising an overhead receptor and a hose attachment connected to the overhead receptor; 
 a patient interface; 
   wherein the breathing bask comprises no structural elements that would contact a forehead of a user when in use; and   wherein the overhead receptor is adapted to be positioned in substantially the center of a top portion of the user's head.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the breathing mask further comprises a hose retention mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the patient interface comprises one of a full-face mask, a nasal mask, or a nasal pillow. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising a pillow surrounding at least a portion of the overhead receptor.