Respiration mask and seal therefor

Abstract

A respiration mask includes an upper portion connectible to a source of gas. A lower portion is connected to the upper portion. The lower portion is adapted to facilitate a leak resistant seal between the upper portion and a person's nose and mouth by surrounding the person's nose and mouth, when in use. The respiration mask also includes a deformation element incorporated into the lower portion. The deformation element establishes a plurality of sealing barriers between the lower portion and the person's nose and mouth. The upper portion encompasses a first material with a modulus of elasticity between 150 ksi and 200,000 ksi. The deformation element encompasses a second material exhibiting a hardness below one of 40 Shore A or 80 Shore OO and tear a resistance greater than 5 lbf/in. The plurality of sealing barriers establishes the leak resistant seal for a pressure up to 60 mm Hg.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A respiration mask, comprising:
 an upper portion connectible to a source of gas, wherein the source of gas is adapted to provide a gas;   a lower portion connected to the upper portion, wherein the lower portion is adapted to facilitate a leak resistant seal between the upper portion and a person's nose and mouth by surrounding the person's nose and mouth, when in use; and   a deformation element incorporated into the lower portion,   wherein the deformation element establishes a plurality of sealing barriers between the lower portion and the person's nose and mouth by surrounding the person's nose and mouth, when in use,   wherein the upper portion comprises a first material with a modulus of elasticity between 150 ksi and 200,000 ksi,   wherein the deformation element comprises second material exhibiting a hardness below one of 40 Shore A or 80 Shore OO and tear a resistance greater than 5 lbf/in, and   wherein the plurality of sealing barriers establishes the leak resistant seal for a pressure up to 60 mm Hg.   
     
     
         2 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the second material further exhibits an elongation of ≥110% between an initial condition and a break condition. 
     
     
         3 . The respiration mask of  claim 2 , wherein the second material is an elastomer. 
     
     
         4 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the first material is a plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the seal facilitates transfer of gas including at least one of air, oxygen, and an anesthesia inducing gas. 
     
     
         6 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises flexure elements to facilitate flexure of the upper portion, thereby assisting the lower portion to transfer gas to the person. 
     
     
         7 . The respiration mask of  claim 6 , wherein the flexure elements comprise slits cut into the upper portion. 
     
     
         8 . The respiration mask of  claim 6 , wherein the flexure elements comprise ribs incorporated into the upper portion. 
     
     
         9 . The respiration mask of  claim 7 , wherein the flexure elements also comprise ribs incorporated into the upper portion. 
     
     
         10 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sealing barriers is adapted to discourage egress of the gas between the lower portion and the person's face. 
     
     
         11 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation element comprises:
 a first sealing barrier disposed within the upper portion at a position above a bottom edge of the upper portion, and   a second sealing barrier disposed on the bottom edge of the upper portion.   
     
     
         12 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation element comprises:
 a flange portion connected to a bottom edge of the upper portion; and   three sealing barriers, separated by gaps, extending downwardly from the flange portion.   
     
     
         13 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the deformation element comprises:
 a flexible body with a triangular cross-section having an outer sloped surface and an inner sloped surface,   
     
     
         14 . The respiration mask of  claim 13 , wherein the deformation element further comprises an internal rib connected to a bottom edge of the upper portion. 
     
     
         15 . The respiration mask of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a flange connected at a proximal end to the bottom edge of the upper portion, extending downwardly and outwardly from the bottom edge of the upper portion to a distal end.   
     
     
         16 . The respiration mask of  claim 15 , wherein the flange comprises the first material. 
     
     
         17 . The respiration mask of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the internal rib connects to the bottom edge of the upper portion at a first end and extends to a second end,   the outer sloped surface extends from the second end to a third end,   the inner sloped surface extends from the second end to a fourth end, and   the third end connects to the distal end of the flange.   
     
     
         18 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sealing barriers establishes the leak resistant seal for a pressure up to 50 mm Hg. 
     
     
         19 . The respiration mask of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of sealing barriers establishes the leak resistant seal for a pressure up to 40 mm Hg.