Respiratory patient interfaces

Abstract

Various embodiments of respiratory patient interfaces that may be used to treat a variety of disorders involving upper airway obstruction, such as, without limitation, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), obstructive sleep hypopnea, and upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS). A number of the embodiments employ a nasal pillow assembly including a frame that supports a nasal pillow sleeve and a clip that is slid over a flange of the fame to couple the nasal pillow sleeve to the frame.

1 . A patient interface device, comprising:
 an interface assembly structured to deliver a gas to an airway of a patient, said interface assembly having an elongated axis and an end portion defining an opening at one end of the elongated axis; and   a tube assembly for delivering said gas to said interface assembly, said tube assembly being coupled to said interface assembly though said opening and including an exhaust portion structured to permit exhaled gasses to flow therethrough to the ambient atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein said exhaust portion includes a plurality of vent holes. 
     
     
         3 . The interface device according to  claim 2 , wherein said tube assembly includes a post portion received within said opening, an elbow portion and a delivery tube, said elbow portion comprising said exhaust portion. 
     
     
         4 . A patient interface device, comprising:
 a nasal pillow assembly having a frame and a flexible pillow sleeve coupled to said frame, said nasal pillow assembly being structured to deliver gas to an airway of a patient;   a headgear coupled to said nasal pillow assembly, said headgear having a first side yoke coupled to a first side of said frame and a second side yoke coupled to a second side of said frame; and   a first cheek stabilizer attached to an interior of said first side yoke and a second cheek stabilizer attached to an interior of said second side yoke.   
     
     
         5 . The patient interface device according to  claim 4 , wherein said first cheek stabilizer and said second cheek stabilizer each comprise a gel pad. 
     
     
         6 . The patient interface device according to  claim 5 , wherein the gel pad is one of a silicone gel pad and a polyurethane gel pad. 
     
     
         7 . The patient interface device according to  claim 4 , wherein said first cheek stabilizer and said second cheek stabilizer each have either a circular or oblong disc shape. 
     
     
         8 . A patient interface device, comprising:
 a nasal pillow assembly having a frame and a flexible pillow sleeve coupled to said frame, said nasal pillow assembly being structured to deliver a gas to an airway of a patient, said flexible pillow sleeve having a first nasal prong, a second nasal prong, and a stabilizer provided between said first nasal prong and said second nasal prong, said stabilizer being structured to engage said patient's face at a location above said patient's upper lip and below said patient's nose.   
     
     
         9 . The patient interface device according to  claim 8 , wherein said stabilizer is provided below said first nasal prong and said second nasal prong. 
     
     
         10 . The patient interface device according to  claim 9 , wherein said stabilizer comprises a gel pad. 
     
     
         11 . The patient interface device according to  claim 10 , wherein the gel pad is one of a silicone gel pad and a polyurethane gel pad.