Mask system

Abstract

A mask assembly for a patient includes a frame having a lateral flange portion with at least a first hole therethrough. The mask assembly further includes a cushion having a lateral flange portion with at least a second hole therethrough. In addition, the mask assembly includes a cushion clip having a lateral flange with at least one rod that passes through the first and second holes, the rod having a distal end that is secured to the frame when the rod passes through the first and second holes, to thereby sandwich the cushion flange between the flanges of the frame and the cushion clip.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A mask assembly configured to deliver positively pressurized breathable gas to a patient, the mask assembly comprising:
 a cushion configured to sealingly engage the patient's face;   a frame removably secured to the cushion so that the cushion and the frame at least partly form a breathing chamber, the frame comprising a projection that becomes embedded within the cushion when the cushion is attached to the frame to at least partly form the breathing chamber to maintain a seal between the cushion and the frame; and   an outrigger assembly attached to the frame and including a clip receptacle, the outrigger assembly being configured to resiliently flex around two intersecting axes so that the clip receptacle has two degrees of freedom relative to the frame and returns to a neutral position in the absence of a force acting on the clip receptacle.   
     
     
         3 . The mask assembly of  claim 2 , wherein one of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the outrigger assembly is resiliently flexed around said one of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the anterior and posterior directions. 
     
     
         4 . The mask assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the other of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the outrigger assembly is resiliently flexible around said other of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the superior and posterior directions. 
     
     
         5 . The mask assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the frame includes a centrally located upper extension configured to engage the patient's forehead when the cushion engages the patient's face. 
     
     
         6 . The mask assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the centrally located upper extension comprises a headgear strap receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The mask assembly of  claim 2  further comprising a rotatable elbow attached to the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The mask assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable elbow comprises a swivel connection configured to connect to an air delivery tube. 
     
     
         9 . The mask assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the rotatable elbow comprises an anti-asphyxiation assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The mask assembly of  claim 2  further comprising a gas washout vent. 
     
     
         11 . The mask assembly of  claim 2  further comprising headgear with a headgear clip configured to be received by the clip receptacle to attach the headgear to the frame. 
     
     
         12 . The mask assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a gas washout vent;   headgear with a headgear clip configured to be received by the clip receptacle to attach the headgear to the frame; and   a rotatable elbow attached to the frame,   wherein the rotatable elbow comprises a swivel connection configured to connect to an air delivery tube,   wherein the rotatable elbow comprises an anti-asphyxiation assembly,   wherein one of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the outrigger is resiliently flexed around said one of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the anterior and posterior directions, and   wherein the other of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the outrigger is resiliently flexible around said other of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the superior and posterior directions,   wherein the frame includes a centrally located upper extension configured to engage the patient's forehead when the cushion engages the patient's face, and   wherein the centrally located upper extension comprises a headgear strap receptacle configured to receive a headgear strap of the headgear.   
     
     
         13 . A mask assembly configured to deliver positively pressurized breathable gas to a patient, the mask assembly comprising:
 a cushion configured to sealingly engage the patient's face;   a frame removably secured to the cushion so that the cushion and the frame form a breathing chamber, the frame comprising a projection that becomes embedded within the cushion when the cushion is attached to the frame to form the breathing chamber to maintain a seal between the cushion and the frame; and   an outrigger assembly comprising a pair of legs attached to the frame and terminating at a clip receptacle, each of the pair of legs being configured to resiliently flex around two intersecting axes so that the clip receptacle has two degrees of freedom relative to the frame and returns to a neutral position in the absence of a force acting on the clip receptacle.   
     
     
         14 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , wherein one of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the pair of legs are resiliently flexed around said one of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the anterior and posterior directions. 
     
     
         15 . The mask assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the other of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the pair of legs are resiliently flexible around said other of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the superior and posterior directions. 
     
     
         16 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of legs are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         17 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of legs are resiliently flexible relative to the clip receptacle. 
     
     
         18 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the pair of legs are resiliently flexible relative to the frame. 
     
     
         19 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the frame includes a centrally located upper extension configured to engage the patient's forehead when the cushion engages the patient's face, the centrally located upper extension comprising a headgear strap receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The mask assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a rotatable elbow attached to the frame, the rotatable elbow comprising a swivel connection configured to connect to an air delivery tube and comprising an anti-asphyxiation assembly. 
     
     
         21 . The mask assembly of  claim 13  further comprising a gas washout vent. 
     
     
         22 . The mask assembly of  claim 13  further comprising headgear with a headgear clip configured to be received by the clip receptacle to attach the headgear to the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The mask assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a gas washout vent;   headgear with a headgear clip configured to be received by the clip receptacle to attach the headgear to the frame; and   a rotatable elbow attached to the frame, the rotatable elbow comprising a swivel connection configured to connect to an air delivery tube and comprising an anti-asphyxiation assembly,   wherein one of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the pair of legs are resiliently flexed around said one of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the anterior and posterior directions,   wherein the other of the two intersecting axes is oriented so that when the pair of legs are resiliently flexible around said other of the two intersecting axes, the clip receptacle moves in the superior and posterior directions,   wherein the pair of legs are parallel to each other,   wherein the pair of legs are resiliently flexible relative to the clip receptacle,   wherein the pair of legs are resiliently flexible relative to the frame,   the frame includes a centrally located upper extension configured to engage the patient's forehead when the cushion engages the patient's face, the centrally located upper extension comprising a headgear strap receptacle configured to receive a headgear strap of the headgear.