US 12,011,542 B2
Flexible mask coupling
Andrew Paul Maxwell Salmon, Auckland (NZ); and Brett John Huddart, Auckland (NZ)
Assigned to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed on Jul. 17, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/932,163.
Application 16/932,163 is a continuation of application No. 14/783,624, granted, now 10,751,499, previously published as PCT/NZ2014/000057, filed on Apr. 4, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/811,017, filed on Apr. 11, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2020/0353199 A1, Nov. 12, 2020
Int. Cl. A61M 16/08 (2006.01); A61M 16/06 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 16/0825 (2014.02) [A61M 16/0616 (2014.02); A61M 16/0683 (2013.01); A61M 16/0816 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mask interface comprising:
a mask seal comprising a cushion configured to surround a nose of a face of a user, at least a portion of the mask seal tapering from a larger cross-sectional shape configured to be positioned closer to the face of the user to a smaller cross-sectional shape configured to be positioned farther from the face of the user, the cushion of the mask seal adapted to contact the face of the user, the mask seal comprising a seal inlet comprising a seal inlet perimeter surrounding a seal inlet opening, the mask seal configured to create a gases pathway for a flow of gases to the nose of the face of the user;
a frame comprising a frame inlet comprising a frame inlet perimeter surrounding a frame inlet opening, the frame comprising a frame outlet comprising a frame outlet perimeter surrounding a frame outlet opening, the frame comprising a frame extension configured to extend upward in use;
an elbow connector comprising a first end comprising a first end opening and a second end comprising a second end opening, the first end opening and the second end opening in fluid communication to allow the flow of gases, the first end received by the frame inlet and rotatably coupled with the frame inlet, the second end configured to be coupled with a breathing conduit in fluid communication with a gas delivery system, the frame and the elbow connector configured to create a gases pathway for the flow of gases from the gas delivery system toward the mask seal; and
a coupling member comprising a rubber, textile, or plastic material, the coupling member extending between a seal location spaced away from the seal inlet of the mask seal and a frame location spaced away from the frame outlet in use, the frame location of the coupling member being located on the frame extension, the coupling member configured to allow relative movement between the mask seal and the frame in use, the coupling member irremovably attached to the frame and removably attached to the mask seal to provide a suspension mechanism between the mask seal and the frame.