Cushion element for a patient interface

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cushion element ( 14 ) for a patient interface ( 10 ) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a patient ( 12 ), wherein the cushion element ( 14 ) comprises a face-contacting layer ( 32 ) for contacting a face of the patient ( 12 ) during use of the cushion element ( 14 ) and a responsive layer ( 34 ) which is covered by the face-contacting layer ( 32 ). The responsive layer ( 34 ) comprises a plurality of active and passive zones ( 38, 40 ) that are arranged alternately side by side to one another. Each of the active zones ( 38 ) comprises at least one actuator ( 42 ) for moving the face-contacting layer ( 32 ), and wherein each of the passive zones ( 40 ) comprises a cushion material that is arranged between the actuators ( 42 ). The face-contacting layer ( 32 ) forms a corrugated or undulating surface ( 46 ) covering both the active and the passive zones ( 38, 40 ), wherein first parts ( 48 ) of said surface ( 46 ) covering the active zones ( 38 ) project beyond or are recessed relative to second parts ( 50 ) of said surface ( 46 ) covering the passive zones ( 40 ).

1 . A cushion element for a patient interface for providing a flow of breathable gas to a patient, wherein the cushion element comprises:
 a face-contacting layer for contacting a face of the patient during use of the cushion element; and   a responsive layer which is covered by the face-contacting layer;   wherein the responsive layer comprises a plurality of active and passive zones that are arranged alternately side by side to one another,   wherein each of the active zones comprises at least one actuator for moving the face-contacting layer, and wherein each of the passive zones comprises a cushion material that is arranged between the actuators,   wherein the face-contacting layer forms a corrugated or undulating surface covering both the active and the passive zones, wherein first parts of said surface covering the active zones project beyond or are recessed relative to second parts of said surface covering the passive zones.   
     
     
         2 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuators are configured to move the first parts of said surface relative to the second parts of said surface by expanding the active zones in a first direction towards the face of the patient and/or by contracting the active zones in a direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The cushion element according to  claim 2 , wherein the active zones are configured to communicate with the passive zones via the cushion material that is integrated in the responsive layer, such that an expansion of the active zones causes a contraction of the passive zones, and a contraction of the active zones causes an expansion of the passive zones. 
     
     
         4 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the active and passive zones are arranged in columns next to one another, wherein columns forming the active zones and columns forming the passive zones are arranged alternately side by side to one another. 
     
     
         5 . The cushion element according to  claim 2 , wherein the columns forming the active zones and the columns forming the passive zones are arranged parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a support layer for providing mechanical stability to the responsive layer, wherein the support layer is arranged on a first side of the responsive layer, and wherein the face-contacting layer is arranged on a second side opposite the first side of the responsive layer. 
     
     
         7 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator of each active zone comprises an electroactive polymer and an electrode for activating the electroactive polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the active zones comprises a plurality of actuators. 
     
     
         9 . The cushion element according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of actuators comprises an electroactive polymer and an electrode that is arranged transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         10 . The cushion element according to  claim 2 , wherein each of the active zones has a width (w) of 100 μm≦w≦100 mm, said width (w) being measured in a second direction transverse to the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of active zones are arranged in concentric closed loops. 
     
     
         12 . The cushion element according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushion element is one of a nose cushion, a mouth cushion and a forehead cushion. 
     
     
         13 . A patient interface for providing a flow of breathable gas to a patient, wherein the patient interface comprises a cushion element according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         14 . The patient interface according to  claim 13 , further comprising a voltage source which is connected to the at least one actuator of each active zone. 
     
     
         15 . A pressure support system, comprising:
 a pressure generator for generating a flow of breathable gas; and   a patient interface for providing the flow of breathable gas to a patient, wherein the patient interface comprises a cushion element according to  claim 1 .