Breathable respiratory mask

Abstract

A patient interface is disclosed which is comfortable for the user to wear and includes at least in part a moisture permeable or breathable area in the body of the patient interface. In another embodiment the patient interface is a strapless mask that is moulded to fit the contours of a user's face and maximise the mask-to-skin seal. An adhesive material is bonded to the mask cushion and is stamped in place to form substantially the same shape as the cushion such that it fits the facial contours of the user.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A patient interface for delivering positive pressure respiratory therapy comprising:
 a rigid body comprising a surface that defines an opening;   a mask cushion attached to the rigid body and configured to contact a user's face and provide a seal against the user's face;   an inlet centrally positioned on the rigid body, the inlet defining a coupling for fluid connection to a gas delivery system;   wherein the rigid body comprises at least one cut-out area;   a moisture permeable layer configured to cover the at least one cut-out area and configured to allow water vapor to pass through.   
     
     
         3 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , the patient interface further comprising a rigid mesh structure connected to the rigid body, wherein the moisture permeable layer is attached to an inner surface of the rigid mesh structure. 
     
     
         4 . The patient interface of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid mesh structure extends across the opening and is positioned symmetrically about the inlet. 
     
     
         5 . The patient interface of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid mesh structure comprises a first width and a second width, wherein the first width and the second width are different. 
     
     
         6 . The patient interface of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid mesh structure comprises a maximum height that is larger than a maximum width. 
     
     
         7 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein each at least one cut-out area is a slot cut-out of the rigid body. 
     
     
         8 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the rigid body comprises a plurality of cut-out areas. 
     
     
         9 . The patient interface of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of cut-out areas comprises a plurality of slots of equal dimension equidistant in a vertical direction about a mid- line of the surface of the rigid body. 
     
     
         10 . The patient interface of  claim 8 , wherein the rigid body further comprises upper and lower connection points, wherein the plurality of cut-out areas is positioned between the upper and lower connection points. 
     
     
         11 . The patient interface of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cut-out areas is arranged symmetrically about a longitudinal axis of the rigid body. 
     
     
         12 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the at least one cut-out area is positioned vertically above the inlet. 
     
     
         13 . The patient interface of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cut-out areas is positioned vertically above the inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein an opening of the inlet is directed vertically downward of the rigid body. 
     
     
         15 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the inlet protrudes in a direction normal to the surface of the rigid body. 
     
     
         16 . The patient interface of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one cut-out area comprises a width and a height, wherein the width is different to the height. 
     
     
         17 . The patient interface of  claim 16 , wherein the width is varied. 
     
     
         18 . The patient interface of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of cut-out areas is arranged in at least two columns, wherein the at least two columns comprise an equal number of cut-out areas. 
     
     
         19 . The patient interface of  claim 18 , wherein a lateral distance between the at least two columns is constant. 
     
     
         20 . The patient interface of  claim 18 , wherein a lateral distance between the at least two columns is varied. 
     
     
         21 . The patient interface of  claim 20 , wherein the at least two columns comprise a lower portion and an upper portion, wherein the lateral distance at the lower portion is greater than the lateral distance at the upper portion.