US 12,076,486 B2
Breathing assistance apparatus
Alastair Edwin McAuley, Auckland (NZ); Gregory James Olsen, Auckland (NZ); and Kamman Law, Auckland (NZ)
Assigned to FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED, Auckland (NZ)
Filed by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed on Sep. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/934,041.
Application 17/934,041 is a continuation of application No. 17/714,781, filed on Apr. 6, 2022, granted, now 11,541,197.
Application 17/714,781 is a continuation of application No. 17/303,892, filed on Jun. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,660,413.
Application 17/303,892 is a continuation of application No. 14/792,399, filed on Jul. 6, 2015, abandoned.
Application 14/792,399 is a continuation of application No. 12/502,528, filed on Jul. 14, 2009, granted, now 9,072,852, issued on Jul. 7, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/082,007, filed on Jul. 18, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/082,974, filed on Jul. 23, 2008.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/083,554, filed on Jul. 25, 2008.
Prior Publication US 2023/0084024 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61M 16/06 (2006.01); A61M 16/00 (2006.01); A61M 16/08 (2006.01); A61M 16/10 (2006.01); A61M 16/16 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 16/0616 (2014.02) [A61M 16/0069 (2014.02); A61M 16/024 (2017.08); A61M 16/06 (2013.01); A61M 16/0622 (2014.02); A61M 16/0633 (2014.02); A61M 16/0683 (2013.01); A61M 16/0825 (2014.02); A61M 16/10 (2013.01); A61M 16/1075 (2013.01); A61M 16/109 (2014.02); A61M 16/16 (2013.01); A61M 2016/0027 (2013.01); A61M 16/0816 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A respiratory gas mask assembly including a mask body and a mask clip designed to provide for automatic correction of angular misalignment during assembly, the respiratory gas mask assembly comprising:
a flexible seal comprising a first flexible material and a first profiled shape with a first plurality of contours configured to seal, respectively, with a plurality of facial contours around at least a nasal respiratory orifice of a user, in use, such that gas at positive pressure can be provided to the user, in use, the first plurality of contours comprising:
a first contour configured to approximately follow a first user contour above the nasal respiratory orifice, in use;
a second contour configured to approximately follow a second user contour adjacent a first lateral side of the nasal respiratory orifice, in use;
a third contour configured to approximately follow a third user contour adjacent a second lateral side of the nasal respiratory orifice, opposite the first lateral side, in use; and
a fourth contour configured to approximately follow a fourth user contour below the nasal respiratory orifice, in use;
a rigid mask clip comprising a second material relatively more rigid than a first material and being connected to the flexible seal, the rigid mask clip further comprising:
an inwardly facing surface facing in a radially inward direction relative to an interior of the respiratory gas mask assembly;
a mask clip connector portion comprising a first protrusion positioned on the inwardly facing surface and protruding radially inwardly from the inwardly facing surface; and
a second profiled shape including a second plurality of contours corresponding to at least a plurality of the first plurality of contours, respectively, the second profiled shape including a first angled portion at a first position and a second angled portion at a second position diametrically opposite the first position; and
a mask body configured to be connectable to the rigid mask clip and comprising:
an outwardly facing surface portion facing in a radially outward direction relative to an interior of the respiratory gas mask assembly;
an inlet configured to receive gases, in use;
an elbow connector having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to be connectable to an inspiratory conduit connected and the second end being connectable to the inlet so as to provide inspiratory gasses from the second end to the inlet, in use;
a mask body connector portion at the outwardly facing surface portion and configured to provide a positive snap engagement with the mask clip connector portion, during assembly of the rigid mask clip to the mask body; and
a third profiled shape comprising a third plurality of contours configured to correspond to at least a plurality of the second plurality of contours, respectively, the third profiled shape including a third angled portion at a third position and a fourth angled portion at a fourth position diametrically opposite the third position;
wherein the second profiled shape, third profiled shape, the first angled portion, the second angled portion, the third angled portion, and the fourth angled portion are configured such that when the rigid mask clip and the mask body are moved together in an angularly misaligned orientation during assembly, the first angled portion, and the second angled portion make initial contact with the third angled portion and fourth angled portion, respectively, before the mask clip connector portion contacts the mask body connector portion, and cause the mask clip and the mask body to slide into alignment until the mask clip connector portion and the mask body connector portion snap together.