HEADBAND FOR A PATIENT INTERFACE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a headgear for a patient interface, wherein the headgear is formed from at least one strand of material, wherein the strand of material has a reinforcement area at least in some regions.

[0002] From document US 2017 189 636 A1, a headgear for a breathing mask is known, comprising a strap assembly with front strap portions that can be placed over the cheeks of a patient, the front ends of which are configured for attachment to an airway interface portion. The front strap portions have thin stiffening devices configured to stiffen, stabilize, position, and / or curve the front strap portions. The stiffening devices help to maintain the headgear in an open shape when not in use to facilitate a patient's donning of the mask. The stiffening devices are arranged externally on the front strap portions.

[0003] US 2015 / 0283348 A1 describes an elastic headgear for a patient interface with a strap element comprising a base element with a reinforcement section on its upper side and four reinforced arm sections made of an inelastic material. The patient interface can include a nasal or oral mask. The headgear can also be held in position without a forehead support.

[0004] Further examples of headgear are described in US 2010 / 0000544 A1 and WO 2010 / 066004 A1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a harness which enables at least partial stabilization of the head harness and at the same time offers a high level of wearing comfort for a patient.

[0006] This object is achieved by a head harness according to claim 1.

[0007] Further developments and advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features emerge from the general description and the description of the exemplary embodiments.

[0008] The present invention relates to a headgear for a patient interface, wherein the headgear is formed from at least one strand of material, wherein the strand of material has a reinforcement area at least in some regions.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a head harness for a patient interface, wherein the fabric strand has a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the width is always greater than the thickness.

[0010] The present invention also relates to a head harness for a patient interface, wherein the fabric strand has a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the reinforcement region provides reinforcement such that the fabric strand is less mobile in the width direction than in the thickness direction.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a head harness for a patient interface, wherein the fabric strand has a width, a length and a thickness, wherein the reinforcement region is formed in particular along the width and / or length.

[0012] A headgear for a patient interface is disclosed, wherein the headgear is formed from at least one strand of fabric and has a first side portion, a second side portion and a base portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the headgear are each formed for connection to the patient interface and the base portion connects the first side portion and the second side portion to one another.

[0013] A headgear for a patient interface comprising a mask having a mask body and a mask bead is disclosed, wherein the headgear is formed from at least one fabric strand and has a first side portion, a second side portion, and a base portion, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion of the headgear each extend from the mask and the base portion connects the first side portion and the second side portion to one another. The first side portion and the second side portion can each comprise a single fabric strand. In an alternative embodiment, the first side portion and the second side portion can each comprise at least two fabric strands.The first side section and the second side section are generally arranged between the base section and the mask body of the patient interface, wherein the first side section and the second side section are each configured to be attachable to the patient interface or the mask body of the patient interface. The base section is generally configured to accommodate a rear region of a patient's head. "Accommodating" means that the base section or the fabric strand in the region of the base section is configured such that it can be adapted to a patient's head shape. Optionally, the headgear comprises at least two, generally three, fabric strands.This offers the advantage that, for example, the base section comprises one strand of fabric, the first side section comprises at least one strand of fabric, optionally two strands of fabric, and the second side section also comprises at least one strand of fabric, optionally two strands of fabric.

[0014] In a further development, the fabric strand has, at least in some regions, a material composition which comprises at least a first fabric layer and a second fabric layer, wherein an intermediate layer is formed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer, wherein the intermediate layer is in the form of a foam layer. As a rule, the foam layer is covered or encased by the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer. The first fabric layer generally has different properties than the second fabric layer. As a rule, at least one of the first or the second fabric layer is made of a skin-friendly material. Optionally, the other fabric layer is made of a material which is suitable for implementing a hook and loop fastener. The foam layer generally has a layer thickness of between 1 mm and 5 mm, in particular between 2 mm and 4 mm.

[0015] In one embodiment, the foam layer comprises at least partially short fibers and / or long fibers, wherein the short fibers form at least one plane in the foam layer or are distributed across the entire foam layer, wherein the short fibers and / or long fibers are formed in a composite structure. Short fibers have a length of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. Long fibers have a length of 1 mm to 50 mm. The short fibers and / or long fibers can be arranged in an ordered or random manner in the foam layer. Optionally, the long fibers can be broken or shredded into smaller pieces.

[0016] Typically, the short fibers and / or long fibers are formed together in a composite structure in the foam layer. The composite structure can, for example, consist of a base material, in particular a polyurethane base, into which short fibers or long fibers or a combination of short and long fibers are incorporated. Typically, the composite structure is produced in a single manufacturing step together with the foam layer. For example, during production of the foam layer, short fibers and / or long fibers can be mixed with the base material via a mixing head and then incorporated directly into the foam layer. By directly incorporating the short fibers and / or long fibers in the composite structure into the foam layer, the foam layer is reinforced. Such a reinforced region of the material strand can be referred to as a reinforcement region or stiffening region.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the fabric strand comprises at least one structural mat. The structural mat is designed as a reinforcement mat or as a separating mat. Optionally, the structural mat is configured to separate at least one fabric layer from the foam layer, at least in some areas. A fabric strand with at least one structural mat forms a reinforcement area. Optionally, the fabric strand comprises at least one structural mat in some areas. This offers the advantage that reinforcement of the headgear can optionally be implemented only in the areas where reinforcement is required.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment, the at least one structural mat is integrated into the intermediate layer. "Integrated" can mean, for example, that the structural mat is completely surrounded by the intermediate layer or the foam layer.

[0019] For example, the structural mat can be positioned centrally relative to the thickness of the intermediate layer. This design offers the advantage that the structural mat can be integrated into the intermediate layer during the manufacturing process and is securely connected to the intermediate layer.

[0020] In a further development, the foam layer is applied to the structural mat. The structural mat can be configured and designed as a base for the foam layer. During production of the foam layer, the foam of the foam layer can be applied both to the structural mat and through the structure of the structural mat, or can be incorporated into the structure of the structural mat. This integrates the structural mat into the foam layer during production.

[0021] In an alternative development, the at least one structural mat is arranged between the intermediate layer and the first material layer and / or between the intermediate layer and the second material layer. The intermediate layer or foam layer has a first side and a second side, with the first side facing the first material layer and the second side facing the second material layer. During production of the foam layer, the structural mat can thus be applied to the first side of the foam layer and / or the second side of the foam layer directly in a further step after the formation of the foam layer.

[0022] In one development, at least two different structural mats are arranged in or on the intermediate layer. In one embodiment, at least one structural mat is formed on the first side of the foam layer and at least one structural mat is formed on the second side of the foam layer. Optionally, the structural mat formed on the first side of the foam layer and the structural mat formed on the second side of the foam layer are different. Different means that the structural mats can comprise different materials, have different structures, have been produced using different manufacturing processes, and / or have different thicknesses.

[0023] In one embodiment, the structural mat is designed as a woven mat, warp-knitted fabric, knitted fabric, or braided fabric. Typically, when the fabric strand is designed with two structural mats, each structural mat has a different structure than the other. For example, a first structural mat can be a woven fabric, while a second structural mat can be a braided or knitted fabric.

[0024] In a further embodiment, the fabric strand comprises short fibers and / or long fibers and at least one structural mat. This embodiment offers the advantage of combining two reinforcement options and forming a strong reinforcement region. Firstly, the short fibers and / or long fibers can be incorporated into the foam layer for reinforcement. Secondly, the fabric strand can be additionally reinforced by at least one structural mat. The structural mat can be integrated into the foam layer or formed between the first fabric layer and the foam layer or between the second fabric layer and the foam layer.

[0025] In a further development, the fabric strand has a different composition in the area of ​​the base section than in the area of ​​the side sections. Thus, the fabric strand can be reinforced in some areas by short fibers and / or long fibers or by at least one structural mat. For example, the fabric strand can have a reinforcement area in the area of ​​the base section, while the side sections have no reinforcement areas. Alternatively, the side sections can have reinforcement areas, while the base section has no reinforcement area. As a rule, both the base area and the side sections have reinforcement areas at least in some areas.

[0026] In one embodiment, the short fibers and / or long fibers and / or the at least one structural mat are or comprise inorganic or organic reinforcing fibers. Inorganic reinforcing fibers can be basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, silica fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, and steel fibers.

[0027] Organic reinforcing fibers can be aramid fibers, carbon fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) (PBO) fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers, or polymethyl methacrylate fibers. Organic reinforcing fibers can also be natural fibers such as flax fibers, hemp fibers, wood fibers, or sisal fibers. Typically, the short fibers and / or long fibers are natural fibers. Alternatively, the short fibers and / or long fibers are synthetic fibers.

[0028] The invention further relates to a patient interface comprising a headgear as described above. The patient interface typically comprises a mask with a mask body, a mask bead, and the headgear. The patient interface according to the invention offers the advantage that the mask can be held in position without a forehead support. Due to the headgear according to the invention, which at least partially comprises a strand of fabric as described above, the headgear has a reinforcement at least partially, which can support and hold the mask on the patient's face or head.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below using highly simplified schematic representations. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective top view of a fabric strand of a head harness according to the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the structure of the - in Fig. 1 - shown strand of fabric, Fig. 3 a side view of a structure of a fabric strand of the headgear according to the invention with an intermediate layer with short fibers, Fig. 4 a side view of a structure of the fabric strand of the headband according to the invention with an intermediate layer with long fibers, Fig. 5 a side view of a structure of the fabric strand of the headgear according to the invention with an intermediate layer and a structural mat between a first fabric layer and the intermediate layer, Fig. 6 a side view of a structure of the fabric strand of the head harness according to the invention with an intermediate layer and a structural mat integrated into the intermediate layer, Fig. 7 an embodiment of a patient interface with a head harness in the attached state, Fig. 8 another embodiment of the patient interface with a headgear according to the invention in the attached state, Fig. 9another embodiment of the patient interface with a head harness in the attached state, Fig. 10 another embodiment of the patient interface with a head harness in the attached state, Fig. 11 a design of the headgear with a reinforcement area.

[0030] In the figures, the same structural elements have the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 1shows a perspective top view of a fabric strand 12 of a head harness 10 according to the invention. The fabric strand 12 has a width (B), a length (L) and a thickness (S). Typically, the width (B) is always greater than the thickness (S). The length is usually greater than the width. The fabric strand 12 has, for example, a reinforcement region. Shown here are a first fabric layer 15a and a second fabric layer 15b, with an intermediate layer 16 being formed between the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b. The intermediate layer 16 makes up, for example, a large part of the thickness (S). The intermediate layer 16 is generally formed, for example, as a foam layer 17.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a side view of the structure of the - in Figure 1shown - fabric strand 12. Shown are the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b, with the intermediate layer 16, the foam layer 17, formed between the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b. The fabric strand 12 has a width (B), a length (L), and a thickness (S). Typically, the width (B) is always greater than the thickness (S). The length is usually greater than the width. The fabric strand 12 has, for example, a reinforcement region.

[0033] Figure 3shows a side view of an embodiment of a structure of a fabric strand 12 of the headgear 10 according to the invention with an intermediate layer 16 with short fibers 18. Shown are the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b, with the intermediate layer 16, for example, as a foam layer 17, being formed between the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b. The short fibers 18 are arranged in the intermediate layer 16.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the short fibers 18 are arranged randomly throughout the foam layer 17. In an alternative embodiment, the short fibers 18 can be arranged in an orderly manner in the foam layer 17. In particular, the short fibers 18 can be arranged in the direction of the width B and / or in the direction of the length L. The short fibers 18 are generally formed in a composite structure 20. The composite structure 20 generally comprises a base material into which the short fibers 18 are introduced. The composite structure 20 is generally introduced into the foam layer 17 during the production of the foam layer 17. In an alternative embodiment, the short fibers 18 can only be formed in certain regions on or in the foam layer 17. The short fibers 18 can also be formed as long fibers 21. The foam layer 17 and the short fibers 18 in the composite structure 20 form a reinforcement region 23.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a structure of the fabric strand 12 of the headband 10 according to the invention with an intermediate layer 16 with long fibers 21. Shown are the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b, wherein the intermediate layer 16, the foam layer 17, is formed between the first fabric layer 15a and the second fabric layer 15b. The long fibers 21 are arranged in the foam layer 17. In the present embodiment, the long fibers 21 are arranged in an orderly manner over the entire surface of the foam layer 17. Alternatively, the long fibers 21 can be arranged randomly in the foam layer 17. In particular, the fibers can be arranged in the direction of the width B and / or in the direction of the length L.

[0036] The long fibers 21 are generally formed in the composite structure 20. The composite structure 20 generally comprises the base material into which the long fibers 21 are incorporated. The composite structure 20 is generally incorporated into the foam layer 17 during the production of the foam layer 17. The foam layer 17 and the long fibers 18 in the composite structure 20 form the reinforcement region 23.

[0037] Figure 5shows a side view of an embodiment of a structure of the fabric strand 12 of the head harness 10 according to the invention with an intermediate layer 16 and a structural mat 19 between a first fabric layer 15a and the intermediate layer 16. It is shown that the structures 19 are formed in a plane between the intermediate layer 16 or the foam layer 17 and the first fabric layer 15a. Alternatively, the structural mat 19 can be arranged between the second fabric layer 15b and the intermediate layer 16 or the foam layer 17. In an alternative embodiment, at least one structural mat 19 can be arranged both between the first fabric layer 15a and the intermediate layer 17 and between the second fabric layer 15b and the intermediate layer 17. The foam layer 17 and the structural mat 19 on the foam layer 17 form the reinforcement region 23. The structural mat 19 extends, for example, along the length and / or the width.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a side view of a structure of the fabric strand 12 of the head harness 10 according to the invention with an intermediate layer 17 and a structural mat 19 integrated into the intermediate layer 17. It is shown that the structural mats 19 are arranged centrally integrated in the foam layer 16 or the intermediate layer 17. Alternatively, the structural mat 19 can be arranged at any position in the intermediate layer 17, the foam layer 16. In an alternative embodiment, at least two structural mats 19 can be arranged in the intermediate layer 17. The foam layer 17 and the structural mat 19 in the foam layer 17 form the reinforcement region 23. The structural mat 19 extends, for example, along the length and / or the width.

[0039] Figure 7shows an embodiment of a patient interface 11 with a mask 27 with a mask body 26 and a mask bead 22 and a headgear 10 in the applied state. The headgear 10 according to the invention is shown, comprising a first side section 13a and a base section 14, wherein the base section 14 comprises two fabric strands 12. The first side section 13a connects the patient interface 11, in particular the mask body 26 of the mask 27, with the base section 14 of the headgear 10. Both the first side section 13a and a - not shown - second side section 13b and the base section 14 can at least partially have a - in the Figures 1 to 6 described fabric strand 12, which comprises at least in some areas a reinforcement area.

[0040] Figure 8shows a further embodiment of the patient interface 11 with a mask 27 with a mask body 26 and a mask bead 22 and a headgear 10 according to the invention in the applied state. The headgear 10 according to the invention is shown, comprising the first side section 13a and the base section 14. The first side section 13a has a circular reinforcement area 23, wherein a first material strand 12 of the first side section 13a is guided to the mask body 26 of the patient interface 11 and a second material strand 12 is guided from the reinforcement area 23 to the base section 14. Alternatively, the reinforcement area 23 can be oval or square or have any geometric shape. The reinforcement area 23 thus comprises a - in the Figures 1 to 6 - described fabric strand 12. The reinforcement area 23 is designed as a stiffener.

[0041] Figure 9shows a further embodiment of the patient interface 11 with a mask 27 with a mask body 26 and a mask bead 22 and a headgear 10 in the applied state. Shown are the first side section 13a and the base section 14. The first side section 13a has a first part 24a and a second part 24b, wherein the second part 24b is arranged at an angle between 90° and 180°, in particular between 45° and 135°, to the first part 24a. The second side section 13b (not shown) generally has the same design. The first side section 13a generally has at least one reinforcement region 23, which is generally formed in a contact region of the first part 24a and the second part 24b.

[0042] The first side section 13a and the base section 14 are formed from the fabric strand 12 according to the invention, wherein the fabric strand 12 has the reinforcement region 23 at least in some areas, in particular in the area of ​​the first side section 13a and / or the second side section 13b. It is also shown that the first side section 13a is arranged on the mask body 26 of the patient interface 11. The second side section 13b connects the first side section 13a to the base section 14. The base section 14 is generally substantially circular and configured to at least partially accommodate a patient's head.

[0043] Figure 10shows a further embodiment of the patient interface 11 with a mask 27 with a mask body 26 and a mask bead 22 and a headgear 10 in the worn state. Shown are the first side section 13a and the base section 14. The first side section 13a is formed from two fabric strands 12. An upper fabric strand 25a connects the mask body 26 of the patient interface 11 to the base section 14. The lower fabric strand 25b also connects the mask body 26 of the patient interface 11 to the base section 14, wherein the lower fabric strand 25b is formed separately from the upper fabric strand 25a. The upper fabric strand 25a has a curved shape, wherein the upper fabric strand 25a can have a reinforcement region 23 at least in some regions. The lower fabric strand 25b has a curved region 26.The curved region 26 is generally formed by the lower fabric strand 25b of the first side section 13a and the lower fabric strand 25b of the second side section 13b. Typically, the curved region 26 comprises one of the elements shown in FIGS. Figures 1 to 6 shown fabric strands 12, which forms a reinforcement area 23.

[0044] Figure 11 shows the - in the Figure 10shown - embodiment of the headgear 10 with the reinforcement region 23. The headgear 10 according to the invention comprises the fabric strand 12 with the composition according to the invention. The headgear 10 has the base section 14, as well as the first side section 13a and the second side section 13b. The lower fabric strand 25b has a reinforcement region 23 in the curved region 26. The reinforcement region 23 in the curved region 26 of the lower fabric strand 25b offers the advantage that when the headgear 10 is put on, in which the headgear 10 is pulled apart, the curved region 26 in the reinforcement region 23 is more rigid than the surrounding fabric strand 12. List of reference symbols

[0045] 10Headgear 11Patient interface 12Fabric strand 13aFirst side section 13bSecond side section 14Base section 15aFirst fabric layer 15bSecond fabric layer 16Intermediate layer 17Foam layer 18Short fibers 19Structural mat 20Composite structure 21Long fibers 22Mask bead 23Reinforcement area 24aFirst part 24hSecond part 25aUpper fabric strand 25bLower fabric strand 26Mask body 27Mask

Claims

1. A head harness (10) for a patient interface (11), comprising a mask (27) with a mask body (26) and a mask cushion (22), wherein the head harness (10) is formed from multiple fabric strands (12) and comprises a first lateral portion (13a), a second lateral portion (13b), and a base portion (14), wherein the first lateral portion (13a) and the second lateral portion (13b), in the applied state of the head harness (10), in each case extend proceeding from the mask (27) and the base portion (14) connects the first lateral portion (13a) and the second lateral portion (13b) to one another, wherein the first lateral portion (13a) and the second lateral portion (13b), in the applied state of the head harness (10), are also arranged between the base portion (14) and the mask body (26) and are in each case fastened to the patient interface (11) or mask body (26), characterized in that each lateral portion (13a, 13b) comprises a circular or oval reinforcing region (23) for surrounding an ear, wherein the reinforcing region (23) is designed as a stiffener and comprises one of the fabric strands (12), wherein, in the applied state of the head harness (10), a first fabric strand (12) of the relevant lateral portion (13a, 13b) is guided to the mask body (26) and a second fabric strand (12) of the relevant lateral portion (13a, 13b) is guided from the relevant reinforcing region (23) to the base portion (14), and wherein the base portion (14) also comprises a reinforcing region.

2. The head harness (10) according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing region (23) is fastened on the fabric strand (12).

3. The head harness (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcing region (23) is integrated in the fabric strand (12).

4. The head harness (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing region (23) comprises short fibers (18) and / or long fibers (21) and / or textured matting (19) and / or a composite structure (20).

5. The head harness (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric strand (12) has a width (B), a length (L), and a thickness (S), wherein the width (B) is always greater than the thickness (S).

6. The head harness (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric strand (12) has a width (B), a length (L), and a thickness (S), wherein the reinforcing region (23) has a reinforcing effect such that the fabric strand (12) is less movable in the direction of the width (B) than in the direction of the thickness (S).

7. The head harness (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric strand (12) has a width (B), a length (L), and a thickness (S), wherein the reinforcing region (23) is formed along the width (B) and / or the length (L).

8. The head harness (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base portion (14) is substantially circular and is designed to at least partially receive a patient's head.