초록 ▼

A universal headgear is easy to use and creates an effective seal between a patient interface device, such as gas delivery mask, and a patient. The headgear of the present invention includes a halo-like headband formed from an elastomeric material. The headband includes contoured panels that allow t

A universal headgear is easy to use and creates an effective seal between a patient interface device, such as gas delivery mask, and a patient. The headgear of the present invention includes a halo-like headband formed from an elastomeric material. The headband includes contoured panels that allow the device to fit most people without circumference length adjustment. The halo headband is designed to maintain a substantially frusto-conical shape when worn. The present invention preferably includes an adjustable crossover strap on the top connecting the contoured panels that is adapted to hold the halo headband in position. The headpiece further includes connecting straps to adjustably connect the headgear to a patient interface device. The present headgear fits a wide range of head sizes and shapes, is easy to use, and provides increased stability.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A headgear for a patient interface device comprising: (a) a headpiece, wherein the headpiece comprises: (1) contoured panels, each panel including an upper edge having a length and a lower edge having a length, the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lo

What is claimed is: 1. A headgear for a patient interface device comprising: (a) a headpiece, wherein the headpiece comprises: (1) contoured panels, each panel including an upper edge having a length and a lower edge having a length, the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge, (2) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head, and (3) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein each of the contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece; (b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted for releasably connecting the headgear to the patient interface device; and (c) a crossover strap extending from one of the contoured panels and adapted to extend to another one of the contoured panels. 2. The headgear of claim 1, wherein the connecting strap is an upper connecting strap attached to the front joining piece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 3. The headgear of claim 2, further comprising a lower connecting strap attached to the rear joining piece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 4. The headgear of claim 3, wherein the upper and the lower connecting straps include hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the headgear to the patient interface device. 5. The headgear of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower connecting straps include a loop fastener portion on the exterior thereof and an end portion having a hook tab portion, wherein each hook tab portion is adapted for threading through a connecting element of the patient interface device and securing to the loop fastener portion. 6. The headgear of claim 1, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover. 7. The headgear of claim 1, wherein each of the contoured panels has an arch-shape having an upper edge having a concave curvature and a lower edge having a convex curvature. 8. The headgear of claim 1, wherein the headpiece is formed from an elastomeric material. 9. The headgear of claim 1, further comprising a stabilizer attached to the headpiece and adapted to stabilize a conduit connected to the patient interface device. 10. A headgear and patient interface device comprising: 1) a patient interface device adapted to fit over a portion of the face of a patient and having a connector element; and 2) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece; and b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element, wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) a plurality of contoured panels, each panel including an upper edge having a length, a lower edge having a length, an interior edge having a length, and an exterior edge having a length, wherein the interior edge is proximate to a top of a patient's head responsive to the headgear being worn by such a patient and the exterior edge is generally opposite the interior edge. wherein in each contoured panel the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge, wherein the interior edge is generally concave-shaped and the exterior edge is generally convex-shaped, and wherein contoured panels are arranged such that the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels face each other and are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels, (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head, wherein the lower edge of each contoured panel is connected to the rear joining piece, and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein the upper edge of each contoured panel is connected to the front joining piece, wherein the connecting strap extends from either the rear joining piece or the front joining piece. 11. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 10, wherein the connecting strap is an upper connecting strap attached to the front joining piece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 12. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 11, further comprising a lower connecting strap attached to the rear joining piece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 13. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 12, wherein the upper and the lower connecting straps include hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the headgear to the patient interface device. 14. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 13, wherein the upper and the lower connecting straps include a loop fastener portion on the exterior thereof and an end portion having a hook tab portion, and wherein each hook tab portion is threaded through the connecting element of the patient interface device and secured to the loop fastener portion. 15. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 10, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels has an arch-shape having an upper edge having a concave curvature and a lower edge having a convex curvature. 16. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 10, further comprising a stabilizer attached to the headpiece and adapted to stabilize a conduit connected to the patient interface device. 17. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 10, wherein the patient interface device is a nasal mask, a nasal/oral mask, or a full face mask. 18. A headgear and patient interface device comprising: 1) a patient interface device adapted to fit over a portion of the face of a patient and having a connector element; and 2) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece, wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) contoured panels, each panel including an upper edge having a length and a lower edge having a length, the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge; (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head; and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein each of the contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece; b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element; and c) a crossover strap extending from one of the contoured panels and adapted to extend to another one of the contoured panels. 19. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 18, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover strap. 20. A headgear and patient interface device comprising: 1) a patient interface device adapted to fit over a portion of the face of a patient and having a connector element; and 2) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece formed from an elastomeric material, wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) contoured panels, each panel including an upper edge having a length, a lower edge having a length, an interior edge having a length, and an exterior edge having a length, wherein the interior edge is proximate to a top of a patient's head responsive to the headgear being worn by such a patient and the exterior edge is generally opposite the interior edge, wherein the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge, wherein the interior edge is generally concave-shaped and the exterior edge is generally convex-shaped, and wherein contoured panels are arranged such that the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels face each other and are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels; (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head; and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein each of the contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece; and b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element. 21. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: 1) a gas flow generating device that produces a flow of gas; 2) a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; 3) a patient interface device coupled to the second end portion of the conduit, the patient interface device having a connector element; and 4) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece; and b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element; wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head; (ii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head; and (iii) a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece, each of the first and second contoured panels including an upper edge having a length, a lower edge having a length, an interior edge having a length, and an exterior edge having a length, wherein the interior edge is proximate to a top of a patient's head responsive to the headgear being worn by such a patient and the exterior edge is generally opposite the interior edge, wherein in each of the first and second contoured panels the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge, wherein each lower edge is connected to the rear joining panel and each upper edge is connected to the front joining panel, wherein the connecting strap extends from either the rear joining piece or the front joining piece, wherein the interior edge is generally concave-shaped and the exterior edge is generally convex-shaped, and wherein contoured panels are arranged such that the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels face each other and are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the connecting strap is an upper connecting strap attached to the front joining piece adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a lower connecting strap attached to the rear joining piece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the patient interface device. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the upper and the lower connecting straps include hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the headgear to the patient interface device. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the upper and the lower connecting straps include a loop fastener portion on the exterior thereof and an end portion having a hook tab portion, and wherein each hook tab portion is threaded through the connecting element of the patient interface device and secured to the loop fastener portion. 26. The system of claim 21, further comprising a stabilizer attached to the headpiece and adapted to stabilize a conduit connected to the patient interface device. 27. The system of claim 21, wherein the patient interface device is a nasal mask, a nasal/oral mask, or a full face mask. 28. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: 1) a gas flow generating device that produces a flow of gas; 2) a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; 3) a patient interface device coupled to the second end portion of the conduit, the patient interface device having a connector element; and 4) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece, wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head; (ii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head; and (iii) a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece, each of the first and second contoured panels including an upper edge having a length and a lower edge having a length, wherein in each of the first and second contoured panels the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge; b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element; and c) a crossover strap extending from one of contoured panels and adapted to extend to another one of the contoured panels. 29. The system of claim 28, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover strap. 30. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: 1) a gas flow generating device that produces a flow of gas; 2) a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; 3) a patient interface device coupled to the second end portion of the conduit, the patient interface device having a connector element; and 4) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece formed form an elastomeric material, wherein the headpiece comprises: (i) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head; (ii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head; and (iii) a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece, each of the first and second contoured panels including an upper edge having a length, a lower edge having a length, an interior edge having a length, and an exterior edge having a length, wherein the interior edge is proximate to a top of a patient's head responsive to the headgear being worn by such a patient and the exterior edge is generally opposite the interior edge, wherein in each of the first and second contoured panels the length of the upper edge is shorter than the length of the lower edge, wherein the interior edge is generally concave-shaped and the exterior edge is generally convex-shaped, and wherein contoured panels are arranged such that the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels face each other and are spaced apart from each other such that a gap is defined between the interior edges of adjacent contoured panels; and b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element. 31. A headgear for a patient interface device comprising: (a) a headpiece having: (i) a substantially frusto-conical shape defined by a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece, (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head, and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head; (b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted for releasably connecting the headgear to such a patient interface device; and (c) a crossover strap extending from one of the first or the second contoured panel and adapted to extend to a remaining other one of the first or the second contoured panel. 32. The headgear of claim 31, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover strap to the first or the second contoured panel. 33. A headgear and patient interface device comprising: 1) a patient interface device adapted to fit over a portion of the face of a patient and having a connector element; and 2) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece having: (i) a substantially frusto-conical shape defined by a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head, and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece, b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element, and c) a crossover strap extending from one of the first or the second contoured panel and adapted to extend to a remaining other one of the first or the second contoured panel. 34. The headgear and patient interface device of claim 33, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover strap to the first or the second contoured panel. 35. A system for delivering a breathing gas to a patient comprising: 1) a gas flow generating device that produces a flow of gas; 2) a conduit having a first end portion operatively coupled to the gas flow generating device and a second end portion, wherein the conduit carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the system; 3) a patient interface device coupled to the second end portion of the conduit, the patient interface device having a connector element; 4) a headgear comprising: a) a headpiece having (i) a substantially frusto-conical shape defined by a first contoured panel and a second contoured panel, (ii) a rear joining piece positionable along a rear portion of a patient's head, and (iii) a front joining piece positionable along a front portion of such a patient's head, wherein each of the first and the second contoured panels extend from the rear joining piece to the front joining piece; b) a connecting strap attached to the headpiece and adapted to releasably connect the headgear to the connector element; and c) a crossover strap extending from one of the first or the second contoured panel and adapted to extend to a remaining other one of the first or the second contoured panel. 36. The system of claim 35, wherein the crossover strap includes hook and loop components for adjustably connecting the crossover strap to the first or the second contoured panel.