Forehead supports for facial masks

Abstract

A face mask assembly (FMA) for supplying breathable gas to a wearer. The face mask assembly (FMA) includes a mask frame including a support, a facial cushion attached to the mask frame, and a forehead support. The forehead support includes a forehead cushion assembly and an adjustment knob operatively coupled to the forehead cushion assembly. The adjustment knob is threadably engaged with the forehead cushion assembly such that turning movement of the adjustment knob causes the mask frame to be moved between retracted and extended positions with respect to the forehead cushion assembly.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is the US national phase of international application PCT / AU2006 / 000037, filed 12 Jan. 2006, which designated the U.S. and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60 / 643,113, filed Jan. 12, 2005, 60 / 696,502, filed Jul. 6, 2005, 60 / 715,173, filed Sep. 9, 2005, and 60 / 735,823, filed Nov. 14, 2005, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of forehead supports for facial masks used to supply breathable gas to a wearer's airways. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Facial masks are well known for use in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment of various respiratory ailments and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), such as, for example, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and / or other ventilatory assistance treatments such as noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV). See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a forehead support for a face mask assembly that is more versatile and can fit a wider range of patients compared to conventional forehead supports. The forehead support has a receiver attached to the mask frame and a slider bar that can be extended and retracted to adjust the fit of the mask. The forehead support can also include a cushion assembly with adjustable cushion supports and a detent button for positioning the forehead cushion. The invention also provides a forehead cushion support with a resilient central tongue member, a push button, and a fixed pawl for slidably moving the slider bar. The forehead cushion support can also include a concave cushion flange and elongate foot pads for better fit and comfort. Overall, the invention provides a more customizable and comfortable face mask assembly for patients.

Problems solved by technology

One problem that arises with existing masks used for CPAP treatments is that tightening of the mask straps results in compression of the mask against the wearer's face which may therefore apply undue force against certain of the wearer's facial features, such as the wearer's nose.

A poorly fitting mask can leak when pressurized which encourages a patient to tighten the headgear straps excessively which, in turn leads to discomfort, marks on the face and in some cases facial sores.

A problem with conventional forehead supports for masks, however, is that the range of adjustment is relatively limited which therefore does not in fact provide a universal fit for a relatively large number of wearers.

That is, due to the anthropometric features of a particular user's head, the adjustability of conventional forehead supports may not be sufficient to allow for a comfortable fit.

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