Nasal prongs for mask system

Abstract

A nasal prong ( 230 ) for sealing with a nasal passage of a patient includes a head portion ( 235 ) structured to seal and/or sealingly communicate with the patient's nasal passage and a column or stalk structured to interconnect the head portion with a base. The head portion ( 235 ) is configured to direct gas in use away from the septum and/or posteriorly relative to the nasal passage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal prong for sealing with a nasal passage of a patient, comprising:
 a head portion structured to seal and/or sealingly communicate with the patient's nasal passage, the head portion having a dual-wall configuration including an inner wall and an outer wall that surrounds the inner wall; and   a column or stalk structured to mount the head portion to a base,   wherein an orifice of the inner wall and/or outer wall includes a series of contours or lobes.   
     
     
         2 . The nasal prong according to  claim 1 , wherein the orifice of the inner wall includes the series of contours or lobes. 
     
     
         3 . The nasal prong according to  claim 1 , wherein the series of contours or lobes includes 5-15 contours or lobes. 
     
     
         4 . The nasal prong according to  claim 1 , wherein the series of contours or lobes extend within a plane of the orifice. 
     
     
         5 . A mask system comprising:
 a frame;   a nasal prong assembly provided to the frame, the nasal prong assembly including a base and a pair of nasal prongs provided to the base; and   a dispersion cartridge adapted to extend through the base to create turbulence and/or disperse gas flow.   
     
     
         6 . A mask system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge includes a mesh-like cylinder that provides a plurality of openings or pores therethrough. 
     
     
         7 . A mask system according to  claim 6 , wherein the mesh-like cylinder is made of metal or plastic mesh material. 
     
     
         8 . A mask system according to  claim 6 , wherein the mesh-like cylinder is made of fabric or textile material. 
     
     
         9 . A mask system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge includes a thin-wall plastic or ceramic cylinder with a plurality of perforated holes therethrough. 
     
     
         10 . A mask system according to  claim 9 , wherein the cylinder includes 1-600 holes or more. 
     
     
         11 . A mask system according to  claim 10 , wherein the cylinder includes 1-30 rows each having 1-20 holes. 
     
     
         12 . A mask system according to  claim 11 , wherein the cylinder includes 20-25 rows each having 15-20 holes. 
     
     
         13 . A mask system according to  claim 5 , wherein one end the cartridge is provided to an end plug that is attached to one end of the frame. 
     
     
         14 . A mask system according to  claim 13 , wherein the cartridge extends through a proximal side frame member of the frame and towards an opposite side frame member of the frame when the end plug is attached to the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A mask system according to  claim 13 , wherein the cartridge includes a distal end that extends towards an elbow attached to an opposite end of the frame. 
     
     
         16 . A mask system according to  claim 15 , wherein the distal end engages the elbow and/or a side frame member of the frame. 
     
     
         17 . A mask system according to  claim 15 , wherein the elbow is adapted to direct gas into the cartridge which is adapted to create turbulence and/or disperse gas flow before it enters the nasal prongs in use. 
     
     
         18 . A mask system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cartridge is disposable or re-useable. 
     
     
         19 . A method for forming a dispersion cartridge adapted to create turbulence and/or disperse gas flow in a mask system, the method comprising:
 providing a flat piece of material that provides a plurality of openings or pores;   rolling the material into cylindrical form; and   inserting the cylinder into a frame, elbow, and/or end plug of the mask system to create turbulence and/or disperse gas flow.