초록 ▼

The present invention provides a vent assembly suitable for use with a respiratory mask of the type used in CPAP treatment. In one embodiment the vent is made of a thin air permeable membrane. Generally, the membrane is thinner than 0.5 mm. The membrane can be made of a hydrophobic material such as

The present invention provides a vent assembly suitable for use with a respiratory mask of the type used in CPAP treatment. In one embodiment the vent is made of a thin air permeable membrane. Generally, the membrane is thinner than 0.5 mm. The membrane can be made of a hydrophobic material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The membrane can also be fabricated from expanded PTFE. The expanded PTFE membrane is mounted on a polypropylene scrim. The pores of the membrane have a reference pore size of 10 to 15 microns. In an alternative embodiment, the vent assembly includes a vent constructed from stainless steel. In another embodiment the membrane has a superficial cross-sectional area of approximately 500 mm2. In another embodiment the vent assembly comprises a membrane attached to a vent frame, the vent assembly forming an insert which can be removably attached to a mask frame.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface structured for conmuinication with a patient's airways in use; a gas inlet to supply pressurized breathable gas in the range of 3-20 cm H2O to the patient interface; and a gas washout vent portion having a plurality of holes therein, s

We claim: 1. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface structured for conmuinication with a patient's airways in use; a gas inlet to supply pressurized breathable gas in the range of 3-20 cm H2O to the patient interface; and a gas washout vent portion having a plurality of holes therein, said holes having a diameter selected to allow adequate CO2 washout at a lowest end of the pressure range, a total open area of a superficial surface area of the vent portion being about 5%, wherein the patient interface includes a mask frame and a cushion provided to the mask frame, the holes in the vent portion have a length of about 0.45 mm. 2. A respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of each of the holes is less than about 0.2 mm. 3. A respiratory mask according to claim 2, wherein the diameter is about 0.1 mm. 4. A respiratory mask according to claim 2, wherein the holes are tapered. 5. A respiratory mask according to claim 2, wherein the total area of the vent portion is about 322 mm2. 6. A respiratory mask according to claim 2, wherein the holes are laser cut. 7. A respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the vent area is provided to the gas inlet. 8. A respiratory mask according to claim 7, wherein the gas inlet is formed on a swivel elbow. 9. A respiratory mask according to claim 7, wherein the gas inlet includes an in-line vent provided with the vent portion. 10. A respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein the patient interface includes a nose mask, a nose-mouth mask, a full-face mask, nasal prongs or nasal pillows. 11. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface; a breathable gas inlet to provide pressurized gas to the patient interface when the mask is in use; and a gas washout vent including an air permeable portion to allow gas to exit from the patient interface, wherein the portion has a surface area, a thickness, and a plurality of holes each having a length, a diameter, and a total open area due to the presence of the holes that are selected to help eliminate or reduce noise while maintaining sufficient CO2 washout during patient breathing, wherein the thickness of the portion is less than 3 mm and the total open area is about 5% or greater. 12. The respiratory mask according to claim 11, wherein the thickness is about 0.5 mm or less. 13. The respiratory mask according to claim 11, wherein the total open area is 20% or greater. 14. A respiratory mask according to claim 11, wherein a diameter of each of the holes is about 0.2 mm or less. 15. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface; a breathable gas inlet to provide pressurized gas to a breathing cavity formed at least in part by the patient interface when the mask is in use; and a gas washout vent portion having a plurality of holes extending therethrough, each said hole having a diameter selected to allow gas to quietly exit from the breathing cavity, wherein: the vent portion has a thickness of less than about 3 mm, and the vent portion is made of a hydrophobic material. 16. A respiratory mask according to claim 15, wherein the diameter is about 0.2 mm or less. 17. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface structured for communication with a patient's airways in use, the patient interface including a mask frame and a nasal cushion provided to the mask frame; a gas inlet to supply pressurized breathable gas in the range of 3-20 cm H2O to the patient interface; and a gas washout vent portion provided to the mask frame and having a plurality of holes therein, said holes having a diameter selected to allow adequate CO2 washout at a lowest end of the pressure range, wherein said plurality of holes is arranged in a plurality of rows, each said row having at least 3 of said holes, and wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside surface of the mask, a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and a tapered portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second end. 18. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein plurality of rows includes at least 3 rows. 19. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of rows includes at least 2 rows each having at least 5 of said holes. 20. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least 10 holes. 21. A respiratory mask according to claim 20, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least 20 holes. 22. A respiratory mask according to claim 21, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least 30 holes. 23. A respiratory mask according to claim 21, wherein said vent portion includes at least two discrete portions. 24. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein the vent portion is structured such that a total open area of a superficial surface area of the vent portion is about 5-25% or larger. 25. A respiratory mask according to claim 24, wherein the open area is about 5%-15%. 26. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein the open area is greater than 1%. 27. A respiratory mask according to claim 17, wherein each said hole has a length of about 0.5 mm. 28. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface structured for communication with a patient's airways in use, the patient interface, including a mask frame and a nasal cushion provided to the mask frame; a gas inlet to supply pressurized breathable gas in the range of 3-20 cm H2O to the patient interface; and a gas washout vent portion provided to the mask frame and having a plurality of holes therein, said holes having a diameter selected to allow adequate CO2 washout at a lowest end of the pressure range, wherein said plurality of holes is arranged in a plurality of rows, each said row having at least 3 of said holes, and wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside surface of the mask, a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and a tapered portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second end. 29. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface including a frame portion and a nasal mask; a breathable gas inlet to provide pressurized gas to the patient interface when the mask is in use; and a gas washout vent including an air permeable portion to allow gas to exit from the patient interface, wherein the portion has a surface area, a thickness, and a plurality of holes each having a length, a diameter, and a total open area due to the presence of the holes that are selected to help eliminate or reduce noise while maintaining sufficient CO2 washout during patient breathing, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least 10 holes that extend through the frame portion, and wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside surface of the mask, a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and a tapered portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second end. 30. A respiratory mask according to claim 29, wherein the total open area is about 5% or more. 31. The respiratory mask according to claim 30, wherein the total open area is less than 25%. 32. A respiratory mask according to claim 29, wherein each said hole has a length of about 0.5 mm. 33. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface including a frame portion and a nasal mask; a breathable gas inlet to provide pressurized gas to the patient interface when the mask is in use; and a gas washout vent including an air permeable portion to allow gas to exit from the patient interface, wherein the portion has a surface area, a thickness, and a plurality of holes each having a length, a diameter, and a total open area due to the presence of the holes that are selected to help eliminate or reduce noise while maintaining sufficient CO2 washout during patient breathing, wherein the plurality of holes includes at least 10 holes that extend through the frame portion, and wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside surface of the mask, a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and a tapered portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second end. 34. A respiratory mask comprising: a patient interface having a frame portion and a nasal cushion; a breathable gas inlet to provide pressurized gas to a breathing cavity formed at least in part by the patient interface when the mask is in use; and a gas washout vent portion provided on the frame and having a plurality of holes extending through the frame portion, said holes having a diameter and shape selected to allow gas to quietly exit from the breathing cavity, wherein: the vent portion has a thickness of less than about 3 mm, and the vent portion includes at least 20 of said holes, said holes being arranged in a plurality of rows. 35. A respiratory mask according to claim 34, wherein the plurality of rows includes at least 4 rows each including at least 3 of said holes. 36. A respiratory mask according to claim 35, wherein the plurality of rows includes at least 6 rows each including at least 3 of said holes. 37. A respiratory mask according to claim 36, wherein the plurality of rows includes at least 8 rows each including at least 3 of said holes. 38. A respiratory mask according to claim 34, wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside the mask and a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second end. 39. A respiratory mask according to claim 34, wherein each of the holes has a first end positioned on an inside surface of the mask, a second end positioned on an outer surface of the mask, and a tapered portion between the first and second ends, and wherein the first end has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the second end. 40. A respiratory mask according to claim 34, wherein each said hole has a length of about 0.5 mm.