WO2023144717A1 - Continuous positive pressure ventilation mask - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a continuous positive pressure ventilation mask comprising: - a flexible portion (1); - a stiffening element (2); - at least one air inlet (3) and one air outlet (4); the flexible portion (1) being configured so as to cover at least the nostrils of the user; characterised in that: - the stiffening element (2) is attached to the flexible portion (1); - the mask comprises elements for attaching the stiffening element (2) to the user (5, 12, 13, 14).

Description

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Mask

Field of invention

The invention relates to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) ventilation masks, also called CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) masks.

State of the art

State-of-the-art CPAP masks generally consist of a rigid plastic shell which covers the user's nose and on the edge of which is attached a flexible silicone bead. The shell also includes an air inlet and adjustment strap attachment elements.

Examples of state-of-the-art masks include the Resmed AirFit F20 and the Philips Dreamwear Full Face.

However, these masks have many drawbacks, in particular a lack of comfort. This inconvenience is a frequent cause of mask-wearing abandonment by patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

In addition, the adjustment strap fasteners take up considerable space on the mask. To this must be added the air inlets which in turn occupy a large space. Such masks are invasive. Because of their relatively large size, they can cause discomfort such as painful pressure on the nasal septum and/or unbearable stretching on the skin, to the point of causing premature aging of the latter. State-of-the-art masks can also be the source of tensions with the person who shares the room of the mask wearer, in particular because of the noise generated by air leaks which can occur if the mask is not is not perfectly adapted to the wearer's face.

There is therefore a need to improve the masks of the state of the art. General description of the invention

The mask according to the present invention considerably reduces, or even totally eliminates, all the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, it relates to a continuous positive pressure ventilation mask comprising:

- a flexible part,

- a stiffening element,

- at least one air inlet and outlet; the flexible part being configured to cover at least the nostrils of a user.

The mask according to the invention is characterized by the fact:

- that the stiffening element is attached to the flexible part,

- that the mask includes elements for fixing the stiffening element to the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element is at least partially integrated into the flexible part,

According to other variants, the stiffening element:

- is located inside the mask, on the user side and/or

- includes an air inlet and/or

- includes an air outlet and/or

- includes adjustment strap attachment areas.

Preferably, the stiffening element is semi-tubular in shape.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element comprises a rigid part and two opposite flexible V-shaped portions.

Advantageously, the adjustment strap attachment zones are located in said flexible portions, at the base of the V.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element is a closed loop. According to another embodiment of the invention, the flexible part is configured so as to also cover the mouth of the user.

Advantageously, the mask according to the invention may comprise tubular straps communicating with said air inlet.

According to another embodiment of the invention, one or more openings are made in the flexible part.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the fixing of the mask to the user is carried out by means of two dental gutters, fixed to the stiffening element together with a tubular air inlet element. This attachment is ensured by attachment parts, side hooks and a washer.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention is described in more detail in this chapter, in particular by means of non-limiting examples and figures which are briefly summarized as follows:

Figure 1: ^1st example of mask according to the invention (front view)

Figure 2: Side view of the mask in Figure 1

Figure 3: Presentation of the main elements of the mask of figure 1

Figure 4: Adjusting the straps (front view)

Figure 5: Adjusting the straps (side view)

Figure 6: Inside view of the mask

Figure 7: ^2nd example of mask according to the invention

Figure 8: ^3rd example of mask according to the invention

Figure 9: ^4th example of mask according to the invention (rear view)

Figure 10: ^4th example (front view)

Figure 11: ^4th example (left side view)

Figure 12: ^4th example (perspective view - left side)

Figure 13: ^4th example (perspective view - rear)

Figure 14: ^4th example (exploded view)

Figure 15: ^4th example - side hooking mechanism (left side view) Numerical references used in the figures

1 . flexible part

2. Stiffening element

3. Air inlet

4. Air outlet

5. Adjustment strap attachment area

6. Flexible Portion

7. Tubular top strap

8. Lower retaining strap

9. Front tube

10. Opening

11. Belt-shaped top strap

12. Fixing piece

13. Washer

14. Side hook

15. Dental tray

16. Mouthpiece

17.Clip

18. Ring

19. Intermediate piece

The mask illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 comprises a flexible part 1, for example made of silicone, the upper part of which contacts the base of the user's nose and covers his nostrils.

In this example, the flexible part 1 also covers the mouth.

A stiffening element 2 in the form of a loop is partially integrated into the flexible part 1 . The stiffening element 2 is arranged on the inside face of the flexible part 1, on the user side.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mask is attached to the user by means of upper straps 7 and lower straps 8. The length of the upper straps 7 is variable, so that when it is reduced, a traction, illustrated in Figure 1 by white arrows, is exerted on the stiffening element 2, at the level of strap attachment zones 5 which consists of two flexible portions 6 forming a V, the traction being exerted on the base of the V, which has the effect of bringing the flexible part 1 closer to the face of the user, and therefore of avoiding air leaks.

The flexible part 1 also has two air outlets 4 (Figure 3).

Figure 4 shows in particular the pressure exerted on the mask (white arrows) which results from the lateral traction exerted by the straps 7.

Figure 5 shows two positions of the stiffening element 2, the position in dashed lines corresponds to a higher traction than the position in solid lines.

In this example, the stiffening element 2 is of semi-tubular shape, the open part of which is located on the user's side, thus allowing circulation and distribution of air along the stiffening element 2. upper straps 7 are tubes that carry air to the user's nostrils, via the air inlet ports 3.

Figure 6 shows by means of arrows the air inlet (lateral arrows) as well as the circulation of air in the stiffening element 2.

In the example illustrated in Figure 7, the flexible part 1 comprises several openings 10 which provide an air passage between the inside and the outside of the mask. The support and stability of the mask are thus reinforced.

In the example of figure 8, the air supply is ensured by means of a front tube

9. In this variant, the upper straps 11 are straps. In the example of Figures 9 to 15, the mask is attached to the user via two dental gutters 15.

The fixing of the gutters 15 to the stiffening element 2 is done together with that of an end piece 16, by means of fixing parts 12, a washer 13 and lateral hooks 14.

The end piece 16 is a rigid tubular element to which an air supply pipe (not shown) attaches.

End piece 16 can be detached from the assembly by means of clips 17 arranged on the sides of end piece 16.

The washer 13 provides support between the tip 16, the flexible part 1, the stiffening element 2 and the gutters 15.

The side hooks 14 fix the gutters 15 to the end piece assembly 16.

The lateral fixing is carried out by means of two lateral hooks 14 (figure 15) which are each formed of two identical parts with the exception of the material. The bottom part is made of stretchable material (e.g. silicone) to allow movement of the user's jaw.

The space between the two parts allows relative movement of the user's jaws.

The distance of the mask from the user can be adjusted by rotating a ring 18 around an intermediate part 19 comprising a thread on its outer face.

In this last example, the mask therefore has no straps.

It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the examples illustrated.

Claims

Claims 1 . Continuous positive airway pressure mask including: - a flexible part (1), - a stiffening element (2), - at least one air inlet (3) and one air outlet (4); the flexible part (1) being configured so as to cover at least the nostrils of a user; characterized by the fact: - that the stiffening element (2) is fixed to the flexible part (1), - that the mask includes elements for fixing the stiffening element (2) to the user (5,12,13,14). 2. Mask according to the preceding claim wherein the stiffening element (2) is at least partially integrated into the flexible part (1). 3. Mask according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the stiffening element (2): - is located inside the mask, on the user side and/or - includes an air inlet (3) and/or - includes an air outlet (4) and/or - includes adjustment strap attachment areas (5). 4. Mask according to the preceding claim wherein the stiffening element (2) is of semi-tubular shape. 5. Mask according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stiffening element (2) comprises a rigid part and two flexible opposite portions (6) in the shape of a V. 6. Mask according to claim 5 comprising adjustment strap attachment zones (5) which are located in said flexible portions (6), at the base of the V. Mask according to any one of claims 3 to 6 comprising tubular straps (7) communicating with said air inlet (3). Assembly comprising a mask according to claim 1 or 2 and two dental gutters (15) fixed to the fixing elements (12,13,14). Mask according to claim 8 comprising a tip (16) fixed to the stiffening element (2) and to the dental gutters (15). Mask according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stiffening element (2) is a closed loop. Mask according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible part (1) is configured so as to also cover the user's mouth. Mask according to any one of the preceding claims comprising openings (10) made in the flexible part (1).