Patient interface with volume reduction component

Abstract

A patient interface includes a liner assembly adapted to form a seal around a patient's nose and / or mouth, and a gas clearance vent configured to allow exhaled CO2 to flow to the outside of the patient interface to minimize the patient's rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide. The liner assembly defines an inflation chamber pressurized during use at a pressure higher than ambient pressure. At least one volume reduction member is disposed within the inflation chamber to reduce the effective internal volume of the chamber. The at least one volume reduction member is arranged to separate the main volume of the inflation chamber, which delivers therapeutic pressure, from a dead space volume provided at least above the entrance to the patient's nasal passage. The main volume is adapted to be in direct fluid communication with the patient's nose and / or mouth and the vent.

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