Respiratory mask

Abstract

A respiratory mask is reduced in size to better fit patients with smaller faces by folding accordion folds of the mask. An adjustment member allows for selective folding of the accordion folds, thereby determining the size of the mask. The respiratory mask can thus be adjusted to fit both larger and smaller persons.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10 / 766,413, filed Jan. 28, 2004, entitled “RESPIRATORY MASK”, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10 / 041,523, entitled “SIZE-ADJUSTABLE RESPIRATORY MASK” and filed Jan. 8, 2002, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,851,428, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to respiratory masks used to administer treating gases or medications to patients. A representative treating gas is oxygen, and a representative medication is an aerosol for asthma treatment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Hospitals and respiratory therapists administer treating gases to individual patients by placing a respiratory mask over the patient's nose and mouth. The masks are supplied in standard sizes intended for adults and children. However, many adult patients have smaller facial dimensions such that the standard...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] A size-adjustable respiratory mask has a plurality of accordion folds formed between upper portion and a lower portion of the mask. The accordion folds have an open position which is most suited when the mask is to be used for an average or larger size adult, and a folded position most suited for when the mask is to be used for a smaller person. An adjustment member is used to adjust the length of the mask by folding the accordion folds.

[0006] The accordion fold may be formed by one or more ribs connected by a flexible material, or by one or more tubes connected by a flexible material. In the most preferred embodiment, the accordion fold is formed integrally with the lower portio

Problems solved by technology

However, many adult patients have smaller facial dimensions such that the standard sizes do not fit properly, at best making the mask uncomfortable and at worst leading to ineffective administration of treating gases.

In addition, many children have smaller facial dimensions such that the standard mask sizes provided for children do not fit them.

The separate extension portion is awkward, and size adjustments cannot effectively be made while the mask is in place over a patient's face.

Most patient discomfort is caused when a too large size mask covers their eyes and / or forehead, making the bottom portion size adjustment in this prior patent less helpful when trying to solve the problems associated with over-sized respiratory masks.

Moreover, the separate extension portion is more apt to be disconnected or lost before or during use.

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