US 12,083,279 B2
Breathing assistance apparatus
Alastair Edwin McAuley, Dallas, TX (US); Oliver Gleeson, Auckland (NZ); Evan Stuart Erstich, Auckland (NZ); Simon Eric Freeman, Auckland (NZ); Neil Glen Davies, Auckland (NZ); Stephen John Schoenberg, Auckland (NZ); Kamman Law, Auckland (NZ); and Craig Robert Prentice, Auckland (NZ)
Assigned to FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED, Auckland (NZ)
Filed by Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited, Auckland (NZ)
Filed on Nov. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/052,702.
Application 18/052,702 is a continuation of application No. 17/713,060, filed on Apr. 4, 2022.
Application 17/713,060 is a continuation of application No. 16/874,532, filed on May 14, 2020, granted, now 11,291,790, issued on Apr. 5, 2022.
Application 16/874,532 is a continuation of application No. 15/372,293, filed on Dec. 7, 2016, granted, now 11,357,944, issued on Jun. 14, 2022.
Application 15/372,293 is a continuation of application No. 15/088,628, filed on Apr. 1, 2016, granted, now 9,517,317, issued on Dec. 13, 2016.
Application 15/088,628 is a continuation of application No. 14/887,212, filed on Oct. 19, 2015, granted, now 9,320,866, issued on Apr. 26, 2016.
Application 14/887,212 is a continuation of application No. 14/812,167, filed on Jul. 29, 2015, granted, now 9,339,624, issued on May 17, 2016.
Application 14/812,167 is a continuation of application No. 12/633,135, filed on Dec. 8, 2009, granted, now 9,138,555, issued on Sep. 22, 2015.
Application 12/633,135 is a continuation of application No. 12/307,993, granted, now 8,443,807, issued on May 21, 2013, previously published as PCT/NZ2007/000185, filed on Jul. 13, 2007.
Claims priority of application No. 548575 (NZ), filed on Jul. 14, 2006; and application No. 551103 (NZ), filed on Nov. 6, 2006.
Prior Publication US 2023/0086085 A1, Mar. 23, 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 16/16 (2006.01)
CPC A61M 16/0666 (2013.01) [A61M 16/0057 (2013.01); A61M 16/024 (2017.08); A61M 16/06 (2013.01); A61M 16/0616 (2014.02); A61M 16/0622 (2014.02); A61M 16/0683 (2013.01); A61M 16/0816 (2013.01); A61M 16/0825 (2014.02); A61M 16/16 (2013.01); A61M 16/161 (2014.02); A61M 2016/0039 (2013.01); A61M 16/0611 (2014.02); A61M 2205/0216 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3368 (2013.01); A61M 2205/3653 (2013.01); A61M 2205/50 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0618 (2013.01); A61M 2210/0625 (2013.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mask assembly, comprising:
an interface assembly comprising:
a soft cushion portion comprising a first material that is substantially flexible, a user contacting portion, at least one nasal aperture, and at least one mouth aperture, the user contacting portion including a nasal sealing portion extending around the at least one nasal aperture and a mouth sealing portion extending around the at least one mouth aperture, the nasal sealing portion being adapted to rest in a sealed manner about a nasal respiratory orifice of a user, in use, and the mouth sealing portion being adapted to rest in a sealed manner about a mouth of the user, in use, wherein the nasal sealing portion extends upwardly from the mouth sealing portion, in use; and
a substantially rigid body portion comprising a second material that is substantially hard, a body proximal portion connected to the soft cushion portion, and a tubular inlet port, wherein the substantially rigid body portion has a height dimension, and a width dimension that is larger than the height dimension, wherein an upper edge of the substantially rigid body portion is configured to be positioned higher than the tubular inlet port and lower than the at least one nasal aperture, in use;
an integrally moulded curved and elongate headgear member comprising:
a central section comprising a substantially rigid material curving under and anchoring directly on the tubular inlet port to support the interface assembly with the user contacting portion of the soft cushion portion resting against the user, in use;
a first fastening portion including a first headgear extension integrally moulded with the central section and comprising:
a first distal portion extending proximally away from the central section and configured to extend along a first cheek of the user, in use;
a first bend portion extending proximally from the first distal portion;
a first proximal portion extending proximally away from the first bend portion and more upwardly relative to the first distal portion, so as to extend towards a first ear of the user, in use; and
a first weakened portion having increased flexibility relative to a first distal adjacent portions and a first proximally adjacent portion of the first headgear extension, both of which are adjacent to the first weakened portion;
a second fastening portion including a second headgear extension integrally moulded with the central section and comprising:
a second distal portion extending proximally away from the central section and configured to extend along a second cheek of the user, in use;
a second bend portion extending proximally from the second distal portion;
a second proximal portion extending proximally away from the second bend portion and more upwardly relative to the second distal portion, so as to extend towards a second ear of the user, in use; and
a second weakened portion having increased flexibility relative to a second distal adjacent portion and a second proximal adjacent portion of the second headgear extension, both of which are adjacent to the second weakened portion;
a headgear strap comprising a flexible material forming a central strap portion, a first side strap portion and a second side strap portion, the first side strap portion extending from a first side of the central strap portion and being connected to the first fastening portion, the second side strap portion extending from a second side of the central strap portion and being connected to the second fastening portion, the central strap portion extending around a back of a head of the user, in use; and
an elbow connector comprising an inlet connector portion configured to be connected to an inspiratory tube and an outlet connector portion configured to be fluidically connected to the tubular inlet port.