Mask system

Abstract

A mask system for treating sleep disordered breathing. The mask system includes headgear and a combination shell and cushion. A plurality of ribs provide rigidity to the combination shell and cushion and are formed integrally with the combination shell and cushion. The mask system also includes a frame shaped and adapted to be removably mounted on the combination shell and cushion. The frame has a plurality of headgear anchor points. A retaining ring is positioned adjacent the front aperture. In addition, a rotatable elbow has a proximal end, a distal end and circumferentially equi-spaced diametrically opposed tongues with undercuts. The proximal end is adapted to pass through the retaining ring. The distal end is adapted to engage an air delivery tube, and the undercuts are adapted to engage the retaining ring. Also, a seal allows rotation of the rotatable elbow relative to the combination shell and cushion.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A mask system for treating sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
 headgear with a plurality of headgear straps;   a combination shell and cushion having a sealing structure and a support structure, the sealing structure having a face contacting side configured to create a seal with a face of a patient, the support structure including a front aperture and a series of vent orifices;   a plurality of ribs configured to provide rigidity to the combination shell and cushion, the plurality of ribs being formed integrally with the combination shell and cushion;   a frame shaped and adapted to be removably mounted on the combination shell and cushion, the frame comprising a plurality of headgear anchor points;   a retaining ring positioned adjacent the front aperture; and   a rotatable elbow with a proximal end, a distal end and circumferentially equi-spaced diametrically opposed tongues with undercuts, the proximal end being adapted to pass through the retaining ring, the distal end being adapted to engage an air delivery tube, and the undercuts being adapted to engage the retaining ring; and   a seal that allows rotation of the rotatable elbow relative to the combination shell and cushion.   
     
     
         22 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the combination shell and cushion has a dual wall construction. 
     
     
         23 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the face contacting side of the sealing structure has a shot blasted finish. 
     
     
         24 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a thickness of approximately 2-3 mm. 
     
     
         25 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the frame comprises four headgear anchor points. 
     
     
         26 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the plurality of headgear straps is configured to be threaded through a corresponding one of the headgear anchor points. 
     
     
         27 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the rotatable elbow has a swivel connection. 
     
     
         28 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the distal end of the rotatable elbow does not have a swivel connection. 
     
     
         29 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the rotatable elbow is removable from the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         30 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the frame is configured to be pushed into a fixed position on the combination shell and cushion from a front of the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         31 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the mask system does not comprise a forehead support. 
     
     
         32 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         33 . The mask system of  claim 21 , wherein the rotatable elbow comprises a braking system that permits the rotatable elbow to remain in a set position. 
     
     
         34 . The mask system of  claim 21  further comprising the air delivery tube. 
     
     
         35 . The mask system of  claim 21  comprising the air delivery tube,
 wherein the combination shell and cushion has a dual wall construction, 
 wherein the face contacting side of the sealing structure has a shot blasted finish, 
 wherein each of the plurality of ribs has a thickness of approximately 2-3 mm, 
 wherein the frame comprises four headgear anchor points, 
 wherein at least one of the plurality of headgear straps is configured to be threaded through a corresponding one of the headgear anchor points, 
 wherein the distal end of the rotatable elbow has a swivel connection, 
 wherein the distal end of the rotatable elbow does not have a swivel connection, 
 wherein the rotatable elbow is removable from the combination shell and cushion, 
 wherein the frame is configured to be pushed into a fixed position on the combination shell and cushion from a front of the combination shell and cushion, 
 wherein the mask system does not comprise a forehead support, 
 wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material, and 
 wherein the rotatable elbow comprises a braking system that permits the rotatable elbow to remain in a set position. 
 
     
     
         36 . A mask system for treating sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
 headgear with a plurality of headgear straps;   a combination shell and cushion having a sealing structure and a support structure, the sealing structure having a face contacting side configured to create a seal with a face of a patient, the support structure including a front aperture and a series of vent orifices;   a plurality of ribs configured to provide rigidity to the combination shell and cushion, the plurality of ribs being formed integrally with the combination shell and cushion;   a frame shaped and adapted to be removably mounted on the support structure of the combination shell and cushion, the frame comprising a plurality of headgear anchor points;   a retaining ring with a front flange and a rear flange defining a channel, the retaining ring being adapted to be positioned adjacent the front aperture on the support structure so that the rear flange engages the support structure; and   a rotatable elbow with a proximal end that extends through the retaining ring so that the proximal end passes through the front aperture in the support structure when the rotatable elbow is secured to the combination shell and cushion; and   a seal that allows rotation of the rotatable elbow relative to the combination shell and cushion.   
     
     
         37 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein a portion of the support structure is exposed through the frame. 
     
     
         38 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein the frame comprises four headgear anchor points. 
     
     
         39 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the plurality of headgear straps is configured to be threaded through a corresponding one of the headgear anchor points. 
     
     
         40 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein the rotatable elbow is removable from the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         41 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material and is configured to be pushed into a fixed position on the combination shell and cushion from a front of the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         42 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein the mask system does not comprise a forehead support. 
     
     
         43 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         44 . The mask system of  claim 36 , wherein a portion of the support structure is exposed through the frame,
 wherein the frame comprises four headgear anchor points,   wherein at least one of the plurality of headgear straps is configured to be threaded through a corresponding one of the headgear anchor points,   wherein the rotatable elbow is removable from the combination shell and cushion,   wherein the frame is configured to be pushed into a fixed position on the combination shell and cushion from a front of the combination shell and cushion,   wherein the mask system does not comprise a forehead support, and   wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material.   
     
     
         45 . A mask system for treating sleep disordered breathing, the mask system comprising:
 headgear with a plurality of headgear straps;   a combination shell and cushion having a sealing structure and a support structure, the sealing structure having a face contacting side configured to create a seal with a face of a patient, the support structure including a front aperture and an annular rim around the front aperture;   a frame shaped and adapted to be removably mounted on the support structure of the combination shell and cushion, the frame being configured so that the headgear is movable with the frame;   a retaining ring positioned adjacent the front aperture; and   a rotatable elbow with a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being adapted to pass through the retaining ring to engage the annular rim to form a seal that allows rotation of the rotatable elbow relative to the combination shell and cushion.   
     
     
         46 . The mask system of  claim 45 , wherein the face contacting side of the sealing structure has a shot blasted finish. 
     
     
         47 . The mask system of  claim 45 , wherein the distal end of the rotatable elbow does not have a swivel connection. 
     
     
         48 . The mask system of  claim 45 , wherein the rotatable elbow is removable from the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         49 . The mask system of  claim 45 , wherein the frame is made of polycarbonate material and is configured to be pushed into a fixed position on the combination shell and cushion from a front of the combination shell and cushion. 
     
     
         50 . The mask system of  claim 45 , wherein the mask system does not comprise a forehead support.