Auto-adjusting mask stabilizer

Abstract

A forehead support for a facial mask is adapted to be moveable between a first position with respect to a frame of the mask and a second position with respect to the frame. The forehead support includes a biasing mechanism that urges the forehead support in the second position. A method of positioning a forehead support with respect to a frame of a patient interface includes positioning the forehead support and patient interface assembly on a face; disengaging a forehead support locking mechanism; allowing the forehead support to move from a first position to a second position; and engaging a forehead support locking mechanism.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A forehead support for a facial mask, the facial mask having a mask frame, the forehead support comprising:
 a frame extension provided on top of the mask frame, the frame extension having a cylindrical extension;   a cushion frame including a shaft received in a bore of the cylindrical extension, the cushion frame being adapted to be moveable between a first position with respect to the mask frame and a second position with respect to the mask frame, the second position being towards a wearer's forehead; and   a compressible biasing element provided inside the shaft, the compressible biasing element being configured to urge the forehead support towards the second position.   
     
     
         20 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , further comprising headgear configured to support the facial mask on a wearer's head. 
     
     
         21 . The forehead support according to  claim 20 , wherein the cushion frame further includes slotted connectors configured to be connected to ends of an upper head strap of the headgear. 
     
     
         22 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein the shaft is translatably supported in the cylindrical extension. 
     
     
         23 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein the compressible biasing element is configured to bias the shaft away from the cylindrical extension. 
     
     
         24 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one forehead pad supported by the cushion frame. 
     
     
         25 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein the compressible biasing element comprises a compression spring. 
     
     
         26 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein the compressible biasing element comprises an elastomeric spring element. 
     
     
         27 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein an inclination angle between the forehead support and the mask frame remains constant as the forehead support moves with respect to the mask frame. 
     
     
         28 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein the forehead support is configured to be adjacent and above a wearer's nose. 
     
     
         29 . The forehead support according to  claim 19 , wherein an axis of the cylindrical extension intersects the wearer's forehead. 
     
     
         30 . The forehead support according to  claim 19  further comprising a lock mechanism configured to lock the cushion frame in a position relative to the frame extension. 
     
     
         31 . The forehead support according to  claim 19  further comprising:
 headgear configured to support the facial mask on a wearer's head; 
 at least one forehead pad supported by the cushion frame; and 
 a lock mechanism configured to lock the cushion frame in a position relative to the frame extension, 
 wherein the cushion frame further includes slotted connectors configured to be connected to ends of an upper head strap of the headgear, 
 wherein the shaft is translatably supported in the cylindrical extension, 
 wherein the compressible biasing element is configured to bias the shaft away from the cylindrical extension, 
 wherein the compressible biasing element comprises a compression spring, 
 wherein the compressible biasing element comprises an elastomeric spring element, 
 wherein an inclination angle between the forehead support and the mask frame remains constant as the forehead support moves with respect to the mask frame 
 wherein the forehead support is configured to be adjacent and above a wearer's nose, and 
 wherein an axis of the cylindrical extension intersects the wearer's forehead. 
 
     
     
         32 . A mask for positive airway pressure therapy comprising:
 a frame; and   the forehead support of  claim 19 , the forehead support extending from the frame.   
     
     
         33 . A mask for positive airway pressure therapy comprising:
 a mask frame;   a frame extension provided on top of the mask frame, the frame extension having a cylindrical extension; and   a forehead support moveable between a first position with respect to the mask frame and a second position with respect to the mask frame, the second position being towards a wearer's forehead, the forehead support comprising:   a cushion frame including a shaft received in a bore of the cylindrical extension; and   a compressible biasing element provided inside the shaft, the compressible biasing element being configured to urge the forehead support towards the second position.   
     
     
         34 . The mask according to  claim 33 , wherein the mask further comprises:
 a mask cushion supported by the mask frame;   an angled connector with a distal end configured to connect to a gas supply hose and a proximal end configured to connect to the mask; and   headgear configured to secure the mask to a wearer's head.   
     
     
         35 . The mask according to  claim 34 , wherein the angled connector comprises a swivel elbow. 
     
     
         36 . The mask according to  claim 34 , wherein the mask frame includes a pair of connectors configured to connect to a lower strap of the headgear. 
     
     
         37 . A forehead support for a facial mask, the facial mask having a mask frame, the forehead support comprising:
 a frame extension with a proximal end adjacent the mask frame and a distal end opposite the proximal end;   a bore positioned at the distal end of the frame extension;   a shaft that is received through the bore and is movable through the bore, the shaft being oriented so that a longitudinal axis of the shaft is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame extension; and   a cushion frame positioned at an end of the shaft so that the cushion frame is movable with the shaft toward and away from the bore along the longitudinal axis of the shaft,   wherein the cushion frame is configured to be selectively fixed at a plurality of discrete distances from the bore.   
     
     
         38 . The forehead support according to  claim 37 , wherein the bore is oriented relative to the frame extension so that a longitudinal axis of the frame extension is transverse to a central axis of the bore. 
     
     
         39 . The forehead support according to  claim 37 , wherein the shaft is translatably supported in the bore. 
     
     
         40 . The forehead support according to  claim 37  further comprising at least one forehead pad supported by the cushion frame. 
     
     
         41 . The forehead support according to  claim 37 , wherein an inclination angle between the shaft and the mask frame remains constant as the shaft moves through the bore. 
     
     
         42 . The forehead support of  claim 37 , wherein the shaft is biased to urge the cushion frame away from the bore. 
     
     
         43 . The forehead support of  claim 38 , wherein the shaft is biased by a compressible biasing element inside the shaft. 
     
     
         44 . A mask for positive airway pressure therapy comprising:
 a cushion configured to sealingly engage a patient's face;   a frame that forms a chamber with the cushion;   the forehead support of  claim 37 , the forehead support extending from the frame; and   headgear that is attachable to the forehead support and the frame.   
     
     
         45 . The mask of  claim 44 , wherein posterior opening in the cushion and an anterior opening in the frame are coaxial along a longitudinal axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame extension of the forehead support.