Respiratory mask sealing interface

Abstract

A sealing interface forms part of an apparatus for supplying a flow of respiratory gases to a user. The sealing interface comprises a foam or gel inner cushion and a thin resilient rubber outer sheath. A face side of the inner cushion resiliently supports the outer sheath. The inner cushion has a toothed profile formed on the face side of the inner cushion. The toothed profile consists of at least one tooth having an apex on the perimeter of the inner cushion. The apex is positioned between two valleys in the perimeter of the inner cushion. In use the apex of each tooth of the toothed profile is in supporting contact with the outer sheath.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A sealing interface for use as part of an apparatus for supplying a flow of respiratory gases to a user, the sealing interface comprising:
 a resilient rubber outer sheath and an inner cushion comprising foam or gel, the outer sheath and the inner cushion adapted to be independently mounted to a mask body of a mask assembly, in use the outer sheath covering the inner cushion, the outer sheath having a sheath first side, the sheath first side substantially sealing against a user's face, a face side of the inner cushion resiliently supporting at least a portion of the sheath first side, and   the inner cushion comprising a series of teeth protruding from the face side of the inner cushion, the series of teeth comprising a gap between each tooth.   
     
     
         3 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a width of each tooth is approximately equal to a width of each gap between each tooth. 
     
     
         4 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a width of each tooth is wider than a width of each gap between each tooth. 
     
     
         5 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a width of each gap between each tooth is wider than a width of each tooth. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a width of a tooth in a first section of the inner cushion may vary from a width of a tooth in a second section of the inner cushion. 
     
     
         7 . The sealing interface of  claim 6 , wherein the variation in width results in the first section of the inner cushion being more easily compressed than the second section of the inner cushion. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a width of a gap in a first section of the inner cushion may vary from a width of a gap in a second section of the inner cushion. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein a number of gaps in a first section of the inner cushion is more than a number of gaps in a second section of the inner cushion. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein the series of teeth are present in a section of the inner cushion that, in use, conforms against a chin of the user. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein the series of teeth are present in a section of the inner cushion that, in use, conforms against a cheek of the user. 
     
     
         12 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein the series of teeth are present in a section of the inner cushion that, in use, conforms against a nasal bridge region of the user. 
     
     
         13 . The sealing interface of  claim 2 , wherein each tooth comprises a width configured to allow buckling of each tooth under normal compression forces during use. 
     
     
         14 . The sealing interface of  claim 13 , wherein the buckling of each tooth reduces the support to the sheath first side.