Nasal interface and removable pad therefor

Abstract

A nasal interface includes a base and a flexible, unitary pad connected to the base. The base defines at least one gas inlet and the pad includes a pair of wing portions positioned at an angle relative to each other. Each wing portion has an upper surface devoid of any protrusion and defines at least one hole through which a gas entering the wing portion from the base exits the wing portion. The pad also includes a connecting portion that interconnects the two wing portions and is interposed between the holes of the wing portions. The flexibility of the pad permits joint and independent movement of the upper surfaces of the wing portions relative to the base. In one embodiment, the pad is removably connected to the base. In another embodiment, the pad includes a bellows portion to provide the pad's flexibility.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A nasal interface comprising:
 a base defining at least one gas inlet; and   a flexible, unitary pad connected to the base, the pad including a pair of wing portions positioned at an angle relative to each other and a connecting portion interconnecting the wing portions, each wing portion having an upper surface devoid of any protrusion and defining at least one hole through which a gas entering the wing portion from the base exits the wing portion, the connecting portion being interposed between the holes of the wing portions, wherein flexibility of the pad permits joint and independent movement of the upper surfaces of the wing portions relative to the base.   
     
     
         2 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is removably connected to the base. 
     
     
         3 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is softer than the base. 
     
     
         4 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the angle at which the wing portions are positioned relative to each other is in the range of about 45° to about 180°. 
     
     
         5 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad further includes:
 a lower border connected to the base; and   a bellows portion connecting the lower border to the wing portions, wherein flexibility of the bellows portion permits the joint and independent movement of the upper surfaces of the wing portions relative to the base.   
     
     
         6 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hole in a first wing portion of the pair is physically separate from the at least one hole in a second wing portion of the pair. 
     
     
         7 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion of the pad is devoid of any aperture. 
     
     
         8 . A nasal interface according to  claim 1 , wherein the pad is sloped downward across a width thereof from a higher, first position to a lower, second position. 
     
     
         9 . A flexible, unitary, removable pad for use in a nasal interface that includes a base having at least one gas inlet, the pad comprising:
 a lower border connectable to the base;   a pair of wing portions positioned at an angle relative to each other, each wing portion having an upper surface devoid of any protrusion and defining at least one hole through which a gas entering the wing portion from the base exits the wing portion;   a connecting portion interconnecting the wing portions and being interposed between the holes of the wing portions; and   a bellows portion connecting the lower border to the wing portions, wherein flexibility of the bellows portion permits joint and independent movement of the upper surfaces of the wing portions relative to the base.   
     
     
         10 . A pad for a nasal interface according to  claim 9 , wherein the pad is softer than the base. 
     
     
         11 . A pad for a nasal interface according to  claim 9 , wherein the angle at which the wing portions are positioned relative to each other is in the range of about 45° to about 180°. 
     
     
         12 . A pad for a nasal interface according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one hole in a first wing portion of the pair is physically separate from the at least one hole in a second wing portion of the pair. 
     
     
         13 . A pad for a nasal interface according to  claim 9 , wherein the connecting portion is devoid of any aperture. 
     
     
         14 . A pad for a nasal interface according to  claim 9 , wherein the pad is sloped downward across a width thereof from a higher, first position to a lower, second position.