Breathing assistance apparatus

Abstract

A CPAP system for supplying humidified gases to a user. Various interfaces are described for delivering the gases. A mask cushion including a deformable cushion and thin sheath is described. A forehead rest with a horizontal pivot is attached to the mask. An outlet vent to reduce the noise from exhausted carbon dioxide is described. A mouthpiece is also described with an outlet diffuser including Heat Moisture Exchanger Material.

1 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user from a breathing assistance apparatus comprising: 
 a patient interface engaging with said user and thereby supplying said gases to said user.    a connector adapted to fluidically communicate said patient interface with said breathing assisting apparatus, including a plurality of outlet vents formed in a flexible portion thereof, said outlet vents adapted to pass a substantial portion of the expired gases of said user.    
     
     
         2 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said patient interface is a mouthpiece.  
     
     
         3 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said patient interface is a nasal mask.  
     
     
         4 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said mouthpiece comprises: 
 a vestibular shield having an inner surface and an outer surface, said vestibular shield having a predetermined height which will overlap said user's teeth and gums when positioned in the mouth vestibule of said user;  
 gases passageway means extending from said outer surface of said vestibular shield to said inner surface of said vestibular shield for allowing the passage of said gases through said mouthpiece; and  
 extra-oral sealing means associated with said gases passageway which may be adjusted into one of two configurations, a first condition when said mouthpiece is inserted into said user's mouth being substantially unengaged with said user's face, and a second condition when correctly positioned in said user's mouth being substantially engaged with said user's face and under compression thereupon.  
 
     
     
         5 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said nasal mask comprises restraining means attached to or around the head of said user, a hard body portion having an inlet receiving said supply of gases and an open section, sealing means attached to said body portion substantially contoured to the facial contours of said user and a receiving means attached to said hard body which in use engages with said restraining means.  
     
     
         6 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein said flexible portion of said connector comprises a sleeve including said plurality of outlet vents, said sleeve adapted to attach over said connector.  
     
     
         7 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said sleeve composed of a substantially flexible material, said connector having a plurality outlet apertures adapted to match up with said plurality of outlet vents thereby in use passing a substantial portion of the expired gases of said user.  
     
     
         8 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein said connector is either integral or in fluid communication with said patient interface, said outlet means being composed substantially of a single material.  
     
     
         9 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said flexible portion comprising a portion of said connector in which the thickness of said material is substantially less than, and therefore substantially more flexible than, the remainder of said connector, and said plurality of outlet vents located in said thin portion.  
     
     
         10 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising: 
 a mask; having a frame and a substantial seal to the face of said user, adapted to be in fluid communication with said supply of gases,    first engagement means adapted to engage said nasal mask to the head of a user, and    second engagement means adapted to pivotally engage said frame to the head of a user, said second engagement means having at least one configuration, a first configuration such that in use said engagement means may freely pivot with respect to said frame.    
     
     
         11 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said second engagement comprises a bridge member with a proximal end pivotally engaged to said frame and a distal end; and a deformable resilient member engaged with said distal end adapted to in use provide a comfortable rest on the forehead of a user.  
     
     
         12 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 11  wherein said pivoting engagement allows movement of said bridge member relative to said frame on a horizontal axis, said axis in use substantially parallel to the head of a user.  
     
     
         13 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 12  wherein said horizontal axis of movement allows accommodation of users with different sized noses.  
     
     
         14 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user comprising: 
 a hollow body including a gases inlet and gases delivery aperture, said gases inlet in use in fluid communication with said supply of gases,    resilient sealing means adapted to engage around or adjacent to the periphery of said gases delivery aperture, and    flexible sealing means adapted to engage around or adjacent to the periphery of said gases delivery aperture between said resilient sealing means and a user, and significantly higher in density than said resilient sealing means,    wherein said resilient sealing means and said flexible sealing means including at least a portion shaped to approximate the facial contour of a user.    
     
     
         15 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said first resilient sealing means is adapted to deform substantially independently of said second flexible sealing means.  
     
     
         16 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in claims  14  or  15  wherein said first resilient sealing means is a foam cushion.  
     
     
         17 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said second flexible sealing means is a sealing membrane substantially covering, and substantially thinner than, said cushion.  
     
     
         18 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in any one of  claims 14  to  17  wherein said hollow body having a flange at least partially around the interior of said hollow body, said flange and said interior forming a cavity adapted to house in use a part of said first resilient sealing means.  
     
     
         19 . A device for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the periphery of said gases delivery aperture having engagement means and said second resilient sealing means having matching engaging means, whereby in use said second resilient sealing means is adapted to fit at least partially over the periphery of said hollow body said engaging means and said matching engaging means thereby in use holding said second resilient sealing means substantially in position to seal against the facial contours of a use.  
     
     
         20 . A mouthpiece for delivering a supply of gases to a user from a breathing assistance apparatus comprising: 
 engagement means adapted to in use juxtapose said mouthpiece in or about the oral cavity of a user and substantially seal thereabouts,    a conduit adapted to fluidically communicate a breathing assistance apparatus with the oral cavity of a user, and    diffusing means adapted to be in fluid communication with said conduit and located substantially within, and delivering said supply of gases in a substantially diffused manner to, the oral cavity of a user.    
     
     
         21 . A mouthpiece for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 20  wherein said conduit includes an inlet, in use fluid communication with said supply of gases, and an outlet in fluid communication with said inlet, said diffusing means including a diffusing material engaged over said outlet in use through which said gases pass and are thereby discharged in a diffused manner.  
     
     
         22 . A mouthpiece for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said diffusing material comprises a portion of porous material in use through which said gases pass.  
     
     
         23 . A mouthpiece for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 22  wherein said porous material is material chosen from those known to have heat and moisture exchanging properties.  
     
     
         24 . A mouthpiece for delivering a supply of gases to a user as claimed in  claim 23  wherein said material substantially allows moisture to pass inwardly from said conduit to, but prevents egress outwardly from, the oral cavity of a user.  
     
     
         25 . A nasal mask for delivering respiratory gases substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         26 . A mouthpiece for delivering respiratory gases substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         27 . A mask cushion for a respiratory nasal mask substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         28 . An outlet vent for a patient interface for delivering respiratory gases substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         29 . A forehead rest for a patient interface for delivery respiratory gases substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.  
     
     
         30 . A CPAP system substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.