초록 ▼

A mask for directing air to the facial area of a patient includes a mask body in the form of a conduit, a seal connected to an outlet end of the mask body for contacting the patient's face in a sealing relationship, the seal being soft and pliable for patient comfort, and a vent tube connected to an

A mask for directing air to the facial area of a patient includes a mask body in the form of a conduit, a seal connected to an outlet end of the mask body for contacting the patient's face in a sealing relationship, the seal being soft and pliable for patient comfort, and a vent tube connected to an inlet end of the mask body to supply air to the mask body. The mask body is relatively flexible compared with the vent tube so that lateral stresses on the mask body are initially accommodated by distortion of the mask body rather than on breaking the sealing relationship between the seal and the patient's face. A frame is mounted for movement along the mask body to press the seal against the patient's face. The frame includes a nose bridge portion, an upper jaw portion, and two lateral portions, and the two lateral portions of the frame are contoured to conform to the shape of the seal so that gentle contact between the frame and the seal causes only the two lateral portions of the frame to touch the seal. A spacer is positioned between the frame and the seal, where the spacer is adjustable to vary the contact between the frame and the seal, thereby enabling the frame to selectively press against the seal so that the shape of the seal can be modified to conform to the shape of the patient's face. The vent tube can be connected to the mask body with a ball and socket connection and an exit air vent which directs exhaled air away from the patient's face.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mask for directing air to the facial area of a patient comprising: a mask body in the form of a conduit, a seal connected to an outlet end of said mask body for contacting such patient's face in a sealing relationship, said seal being soft and pliable for patient comfor

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A mask for directing air to the facial area of a patient comprising: a mask body in the form of a conduit, a seal connected to an outlet end of said mask body for contacting such patient's face in a sealing relationship, said seal being soft and pliable for patient comfort, and a vent tube connected to an inlet end of said mask body to supply air to said mask body, wherein said mask body is relatively flexible compared with said vent tube so that lateral stresses on said mask body are initially accommodated by distortion of said mask body rather than on breaking the sealing relationship between the seal and such patient's face, and a frame mounted for movement along said mask body, said frame having an opening through which said mask body extends, where movement of said frame toward said outlet end of said mask body and into contact with said seal causes said frame to press said seal against such patient's face.