Combined nasal and mouth ventilation mask

Abstract

A gas ventilation mask includes an anesthesia nasal mask and a mouth mask defining respectively a nasal chamber and an oral chamber, detachably connected to one another so that the nasal mask and the mouth mask may be used either separately as a nasal mask or as a mouth mask, or as a combination nasal-mouth mask. Also provided is a mask anchor for holding a face mask on a patient, includes a head support for engaging a back of a patient's head, a posterior head strap that originates from behind the patient's head, in contact with the patient's head and attaches either directly or indirectly to the mask when the mask is on the patient's face, wherein the strap can be tightened to create a seal to allow for positive pressure ventilation or left loose and for providing supplement oxygen. Also provided is an anesthesia mask strap system having a first expandable strap portion having the ability to extend; second and third non-expandable strap sections fixed to ends of the first expandable strap section; and an adhesion section for fixing a length of the strap system when the second and third non-expandable strap sections are pulled to tension the expandable strap section.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A gas ventilation mask comprising a nasal mask and a mouth mask defining respectively a nasal chamber and an oral chamber, detachably connected to one another so that the nasal mask may be used separately as a nasal mask, or combined with the mouth mask, wherein the nasal and oral chambers are connected to one another through a self-closing septum or valve. 
     
     
         22 . The mask as claimed in  claim 21 , characterized by one or more of the following features:
 (a) further including at least one ventilation or oxygen port communicating with the nasal chamber, wherein at least one of the ventilation port or the oxygen port is offset to a side of the nasal chamber;   (b) comprising both a ventilation port and an oxygen port communicating with the nasal chamber, wherein at least one of the ventilation port or the oxygen port is offset to a side of the nasal chamber, and further comprising a removable stopper or cap for at least one of the ports;   (c) wherein the mask is formed at least in part of a transparent material to permit visualization of condensation or aspiration,   (d) further comprising a multi-lobed preferably Y-shaped seal adapted to interface with the patient's face and, when the nasal and oral chambers are connected, with the oral chamber;   (e) further comprising a J-shaped seal, connected to the oral chamber for sealing the oral chamber and nasal chamber interface when the oral chamber and nasal chamber are engaged;   (f) further comprising a multi-lobed, preferably Y-shaped seal on the nasal chamber that over-laps a J-shaped seal of the oral chamber, when oral chamber and the nasal chamber are pressured;   (g) further comprising a mask strap anchor pair that has one closed side and an open side, or two open sides, for accommodating a strap, wherein the open side or sides are adapted to allow a care provider to attach the strap to a patient, wherein the open side or sides preferably is/are oriented so that when strap tension force is applied, the force is resisted by a bottom portion of the strap anchor so that the strap does not slide off the anchor;   (h) further comprising grip indents on left and right surfaces of the oral chamber adapted for providing a grip for a care provider in placing the mask onto a patient's face; and   (i) wherein the nasal chamber and the oral chamber, when connected to one another, have an ability to translate or rotate relative to one another.   
     
     
         23 . The mask as claimed in  claim 21 , said mask comprising a nasal mask having a nasal cushion including a nasal bridge region, a cheek region, an upper lip region, and an oral mask having a mouth cushion including a lower lip region, a cheek region, and an upper lip region; and further wherein said nasal mask has one or more of the following features: a first nasal membrane or seal comprising a substantially triangularly shaped frame of resilient material having a first molded inwardly curved rim of said first nasal membrane or seal; a second nasal membrane or seal of resilient material, said second nasal membrane or seal having a second molded inwardly curved rim, said second nasal membrane or seal curved rim spaced a first distance from said first nasal membrane or seal curved rim in said cheek region and said second nasal membrane or seal curved rim spaced a second distance from said first nasal membrane or seal curved rim in said nasal bridge region, said first and second distances being measured when the mask is not in use, a portion of said second membrane or seal curved rim forming a face contacting seal. 
     
     
         24 . The mask as claimed in  claim 23 , characterized by one or more of the following features:
 (a) wherein said second molded rim and said first molded rim have a co-located notch adapted to accommodate a bridge of a wearer's nose, wherein said first nasal membrane or seal molded rim and said second nasal membrane or seal molded rim preferably are substantially saddle- or Y-shaped, wherein said second nasal membrane or seal preferably is shaped so that said seal portion, in use, is adapted to contact at least a wearer's nose, and wherein said seal portion, in use, is adapted to contact facial tissue around the sides and over the bridge of a wearer's nose, and between the base of a wearer's nose and a wearer's top lip;   (b) wherein said second rim and seal portion are adapted to generally match facial contours in a region of facial tissue around sides and over a bridge of a wearer's nose, and between a base of a wearer's nose and an upper lip of a wearer; and   (c) wherein the first and second nasal membranes or seals comprise an unitary piece.   
     
     
         25 . The mask as claimed in  claim 21 , said mask comprising a nasal mask having a nasal cushion including a nasal bridge region, a cheek region, an upper lip region, and an oral mask having a lower lip region, a cheek region, and an upper lip region, and further wherein said oral mask has one or more of the following features: a first mouth membrane or seal comprising a substantially oval shaped frame of resilient material having a first molded inwardly curved rim of said first mouth membrane or seal; a second mouth membrane or seal of resilient material, said second mouth membrane or seal having a second molded inwardly curved rim, said second mouth membrane or seal curved rim spaced a third distance from said first mouth membrane or seal curved rim in said cheek region and said second mouth membrane or seal curved rim spaced a fourth distance from said first mouth membrane or seal curved rim in said mouth region, said third and fourth distances being measured when the mask is not in use, a portion of said second membrane seal curved rim forming a face contacting seal. 
     
     
         26 . The mask as claimed in  claim 21 , comprising a mask body for connection with a supply of breathable gas; and one or more of the following features: a nasal cushion secured to said mask body, the mask body and the cushion forming a nose-receiving cavity, said cushion including: a nasal bridge region, a cheek region and an upper lip region; a substantially triangularly-shaped first nasal membrane or seal of resilient material having a first molded inwardly curved rim adapted to surround wearer's nose; a second nasal membrane or seal formed of resilient material, said second membrane or seal being relatively more flexible than said first nasal membrane or seal, said second nasal membrane or seal having a second molded inwardly curved rim, said second molded rim being of the same general shape as said first molded rim and fixed to and extending away from said first nasal membrane or seal so as to have a second nasal membrane or seal inner surface spaced a first distance from an outer surface of said first molded rim in said cheek region and said second membrane or seal inner surface spaced a second distance from said first nasal membrane or seal outer surface of said first molded rim in said nasal bridge region, said first and second distances measured when the mask is not in use, a portion of said second molded rim forming a face contacting seal; and wherein said portion is substantially coterminous with respect to said second molded rim and is resiliently deformable towards said first nasal membrane or seal. 
     
     
         27 . The mask as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized by one or more of the following features:
 (a) wherein said second membrane or molded rim and said first nasal membrane or molded rim preferably each have a co-located notch adapted to accommodate a bridge of a wearer's nose, wherein said first and second molded rims are substantially saddle-shaped, wherein said second nasal membrane or seal is shaped so that said seal portion, in use, is adapted to contact at least a wearer's nose, and wherein said seal portion, in use, is adapted to contact facial tissue around sides and over a bridge of a wearer's nose, between a base of the nose and an upper lip of the wearer; and   (b) wherein said rim and said seal portion are adapted to generally match facial contours in a region of facial tissue around the sides and over a bridge of the wearer's nose, between a base of the nose and an upper lip of a wearer.   
     
     
         28 . A method of ventilating a patient, comprising:
 applying a mask over at least one of the patient's nose and mouth the mask having at least one opening therein having a septum or valve the closing of which is actuated by pressure within the mask.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the opening is sized to receive a fluid passage of an accessory device, further comprising the step of inserting the fluid passage into the opening, thereby causing the valve to open and to allow fluid communication between the fluid passage and the mask. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the mask is a nasal mask and the accessory device is one of an oral mask, a gas scavenger, a gas collector, a nebulizer port, a PEEP valve port, an expiratory port and/or valve, and a pressure relief valve. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising applying another mask having a fluid passage to the other of the patient's nose and mouth by inserting the fluid passage into the opening. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the valve is a flexible duckbill valve. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the fluid passage comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         34 . A ventilation mask comprising,
 a mask portion;   a flexible seal surrounding a periphery of the mask portion; and   at least one opening in the mask portion, the opening configured to receive a fluid passage of an external device and including a self-closing septum or valve, the self-closing septum or valve configured to be actuated by pressure within the mask and to form a seal around a fluid passage therein.   
     
     
         35 . The mask of  claim 34 , wherein the at least one opening is adapted to lie proximate an upper lip of a patient in use. 
     
     
         36 . The mask of  claim 23 , wherein the second nasal membrane or seal is thinner, as thin, or thicker than said first nasal membrane or seal. 
     
     
         37 . The mask of  claim 24 , wherein the first molded inwardly curved rim of said first nasal membrane or seal is as thick, less thick, or thicker than the second nasal membrane or seal; and wherein the second molded inwardly curved rim of the second nasal membrane or seal is as thick, less thick, or thicker than the first nasal membrane or seal.