초록 ▼

A cushion for use with a patient interface device includes a first end portion, which typically contacts the patient's face when the patient interface device is worn, a second end and/or opposite the first end, which is typically coupled to a portion of the patient interface device, a chamber, which

A cushion for use with a patient interface device includes a first end portion, which typically contacts the patient's face when the patient interface device is worn, a second end and/or opposite the first end, which is typically coupled to a portion of the patient interface device, a chamber, which is typically disposed between the first and second end portions, and an orifice. The chamber is structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein; and the orifice, which is in operative communication with the chamber, controls the passage of the dampening medium into and/or out of the chamber. A patient interface device including a mask shell and the cushion is also described.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion structured to couple to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first e

What is claimed is: 1. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion structured to couple to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; a chamber disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the chamber structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein; an orifice in operative communication with the chamber, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium to and from the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user; an outer wall connecting a first edge of the first end portion to a first edge of the second end portion; and an inner wall connecting a second edge of the first end portion to a second edge of the second end portion, wherein the chamber is defined by the first end portion, the inner wall, the outer wall, and at least one of the second end portion and the portion of the patient interface device. 2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the chamber has a chamber gap width associated therewith, wherein the outer wall and the inner wall have a wall per side thickness associated therewith, and wherein the cushion is constructed of a material having a hardness selected according to a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio. 3. The cushion of claim 2, wherein a portion of the cushion has at least one of: a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to one and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 2 and 10; a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to four and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 10 and 25; or a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to five and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 26 and 30. 4. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir in operative communication with the chamber via the orifice, the reservoir structured to receive and store the dampening medium in response to the cushion being compressed when the cushion is donned by the user and enable the dampening medium to be passed to the chamber from the reservoir in response to the cushion being decompressed. 5. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the cushion is employed by the patient interface device as at least one of a mask cushion, a forehead cushion, a cheek cushion, and a chin cushion. 6. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion structured to couple to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; a chamber disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the chamber structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein; an orifice in operative communication with the chamber, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium to and from the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user; an outer wall connecting a first edge of the first end portion to a first edge of the second end portion; an inner wall connecting a second edge of the first end portion to a second edge of the second end portion; and an intermediate wall connecting the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the first end portion, the outer wall, the intermediate wall, and the inner wall form a first portion, wherein the outer wall, the intermediate portion, the inner wall, and at least one of the second end portion and the portion of the patient interface device form a second portion; and wherein the chamber is defined by the intermediate wall, the inner wall, the outer wall, and at least one of the second end portion and the portion of the patient interface device. 7. The cushion of claim 6, wherein the first portion comprises a foam, a silicone gel, a viscoelastic polyurethane polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a silicone, a rubber, a polyurethane, a gel, or a combination thereof. 8. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion structured to couple to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; a chamber disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the chamber structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein; an orifice in operative communication with the chamber, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium to and from the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user; and an intermediate wall substantially parallel with the first end portion and the second end portion, and an outer wall interconnecting the first end portion, the intermediate wall, and the second end portion, wherein the first end portion, the intermediate wall, and the outer wall form a first portion, wherein the intermediate wall, the outer wall, and at least one of the second end portion and a portion of the patient interface device form a second portion; and wherein the chamber is disposed within the second portion. 9. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion coupled to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; a dampening means disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the dampening means structured to provide passive position displacement, wherein the dampening means includes: a chamber structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein, and an orifice in operative communication with the chamber, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium into and out of the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user; an outer wall connecting a first edge of the first end portion to a first edge of the second end portion; an inner wall connecting a second edge of the first end portion to a second edge of the second end portion; and an intermediate wall connecting the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the first end portion, the outer wall, the intermediate wall, and the inner wall form a first portion; wherein the outer wall, the intermediate portion, the inner wall, and at least one of the second end portion and the portion of the patient interface device form a second portion; and wherein the dampening means is disposed within the second portion. 10. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion coupled to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; a dampening means disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, the dampening means structured to provide passive position displacement, wherein the dampening means includes: a chamber structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein, and an orifice in operative communication with the chamber, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium into and out of the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user; an intermediate wall between the first end and the second end; and an outer wall interconnecting the first end portion, the intermediate wall, and the second end portion; wherein the first end portion, the intermediate wall, and the outer wall form a first portion; wherein the intermediate wall, the outer wall, and at least one of the second end portion and a portion of the patient interface device form a second portion; and wherein the dampening means is disposed within the second portion. 11. A cushion for a patient interface device, the cushion comprising: a first end portion having a first end wall structured to contact a portion of a patient's face; a second end portion having a second end wall structured to be coupled to a portion of the patient interface device, the second end portion being opposite the first end portion; an outer wall connecting a first edge of the first end wall to a first edge of the second end wall; and an inner wall connecting a second edge of the first end wall to a second edge of the second end wall, wherein the first end portion, the second end portion, the inner wall, and the outer wall define a chamber therebetween; wherein the chamber is structured to receive and store a dampening medium therein and wherein the chamber is in operative communication with an orifice, the orifice not being selectively openable and closable by a user during use and being structured to allow the continuous passage of the dampening medium to and from the chamber when the patient interface device is donned by the user. 12. The cushion of claim 11, wherein the chamber has a gap width associated therewith; wherein the outer wall and the inner wall have a wall per side thickness associated therewith, and wherein the cushion is constructed of a material having a hardness selected according to a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio. 13. The cushion of claim 12, wherein a portion of the cushion has at least one of: a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to one and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 2 and 10; a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to four and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 10 and 25; or a wall per side thickness to chamber gap width ratio of approximately one to five and is constructed of a material having a Shore A hardness between approximately 26 and 30.