Patient interface stabilization device

Abstract

A headgear assembly includes a first arm member and a second arm member each having a first end and a second, opposing end. The first end of the first arm member has a structure sized and configured to engage a first rotation-resistant coupling of a frame in a manner which prohibits rotation of the first arm member with respect to the frame in a first plane in which the first arm member is located. The first end of the second arm member has a structure sized and configured to engage a second rotation-resistant coupling of the frame in a manner which prohibits rotation of the second arm member with respect to the frame in a second plane in which the second arm member is located. The assembly further includes a strap member coupled to the first and second arm members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A patient interface device for an airway pressure support system, the airway pressure support system comprising a hose and a gas flow generator configured to generate a flow of breathing gas, the patient interface device comprising:
 a cushion configured to receive the flow of breathing gas and deliver the flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient;   a frame member coupled to the cushion;   a coupling member coupled to the frame member and structured to be coupled to the hose in order to communicate the flow of breathing gas from the gas flow generator to the frame member, the coupling member being fluidly coupled to and disposed opposite and distal the cushion; and   a headgear assembly comprising:
 a first arm member and a second arm member each comprising a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, each respective first end being directly coupled to the frame member, and 
 a strap member coupled to the first arm member and the second arm member and extending therebetween, wherein each respective first end is disposed closer to the coupling member than each respective second end and the strap member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first arm member is spaced a first distance from the cushion and a second distance from the coupling member; wherein the second end of the second arm member is spaced a third distance from the cushion and a fourth distance from the coupling member;
 wherein the first distance is the same as the third distance; and wherein the second distance is the same as the fourth distance.   
     
     
         3 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein each respective first end is removably coupled to the frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein each respective first end is fixedly coupled to the frame member. 
     
     
         5 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein the first arm member and the second arm member are each generally fixed with respect to the frame member. 
     
     
         6 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushion has a first end portion and a second end portion disposed opposite and distal the first end portion; wherein the first and second end portions of the cushion, and the second ends of the first arm member and the second arm member are substantially disposed in a plane, and wherein the coupling member is disposed opposite and distal the plane. 
     
     
         7 . The patient interface device according to  claim 1 , wherein the strap member is structured to be positioned below an occipital bone of a head of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . An airway pressure support system comprising:
 (a) a hose;   (b) a gas flow generator configured to generate a flow of breathing gas; and   (c) a patient interface device comprising:
 (1) a cushion configured to receive the flow of breathing gas and deliver the flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient, 
 (2) a frame member coupled to the cushion, 
 (3) a coupling member coupled to the frame member and structured to be coupled to the hose in order to communicate the flow of breathing gas from the gas flow generator to the frame member, the coupling member being fluidly coupled to and disposed opposite and distal the cushion, and 
 (4) a headgear assembly comprising:
 (i) a first arm member and a second arm member each comprising a first end and a second end disposed opposite the first end, each respective first end being directly coupled to the frame member, and 
 (ii) a strap member coupled to the first arm member and the second arm member and extending therebetween, wherein each respective first end is disposed closer to the coupling member than each respective second end and the strap member. 
 
   
     
     
         9 . The airway pressure support system according to  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the first arm member is spaced a distance (D) from the second end of the second arm member; and wherein the strap member has a length (L) generally the same as the distance.