An interface includes a mask. The mask includes a frame and a seal supported by the frame. Headgear is connected to the mask. The interface includes at least one of (i) an adjustment mechanism that can be set to a use length for a loop defined by the mask and the headgear; and (2) a break-fit assembly that can selectively lengthen the loop defined by the mask and the headgear and return to the use length.

A patient interface device (8) structured to engage a patient's sub-nasal area is provided and includes a body (22), a cushion (50) and a custom cushion support assembly (100). Patient interface device body includes a sidewall (27) with an upper side (32) including a number of passages (40).Cushion includes a resilient body (52). Cushion body is disposed on patient interface device body. Patient interface device cushion body includes an engagement portion (60) structured to engage a patient's sub-nasal area, and a pocket (70) disposed under cushion body engagement portion. Custom cushion support assembly includes a body (102) with an upper surface (104) including a custom contour (110). Custom cushion support assembly body is disposed in patient interface device cushion body pocket. In this configuration, custom contour deforms patient interface device cushion body engagement portion to correspond to patient's sub-nasal area.

A seal device or gasket assembly usable with respiration or ventilation mask systems and that is preferably at least one of adhesive or deformable. The gasket is disposed between the mask and the wearer and reduces the escape of respiration gases between the perimeter edge interface of the mask with the anatomy of the wearer and limits exposure of the epidermis located within the perimeter of the mask and between the mask and the wearer to the respiration gas flows. The mask system is particularly useful for improving communication of the respiration gases for those wearers having facial hair, abnormal dontia, and/or other abnormal facial features.

A shroud (1020) for a mask system includes a retaining portion structured to retain a frame (1040), a pair of upper headgear connectors (1024) each including an elongated arm (1026) and a slot (1027) at the free end of the arm adapted to receive a headgear strap, and a pair of lower headgear connectors (1025) each adapted to attach to a headgear strap. The retaining portion, the upper headgear connectors, and the lower headgear connectors are integrally formed as a one piece structure.

A method and apparatus can be used in the selection of correctly sized respiratory interfaces. The method includes the use of light beams to project sizing markers onto a patient's face, which enables the size of the patient's facial features to be measured relative to a set of interface sizes. A sizing apparatus can include a light source and beam splitters that will refract and project the light source into a series of beams that can be aligned on a patient's face in order to measure the features of the patient.

A patient interface and a patient interface system comprise a responsive material and a method for preventing the formation of red marks due to wearing a patient interface that is pressing against the skin of a patient for a longer time and/or for reducing air leakages of the patient interface that may result from an unintended shift of the patient interface on the patient's face. The responsive material is configured for alternating the pressure exerted by the cushion element on the patient and/or the area on the patient where the pressure is exerted by the cushion element in response to a physical quantity acting on the responsive material. The formation of red marks and of air leakages can be reduced or even avoided by means of the responsive material.

A system for providing ventilation support to a patient may include a ventilator, a control unit, a gas delivery circuit with a proximal end in fluid communication with the ventilator and a distal end in fluid communication with a nasal interface, and a nasal interface. The nasal interface may include at least one jet nozzle at the distal end of the gas delivery circuit; and at least one spontaneous respiration sensor for detecting respiration in communication with the control unit. The system may be open to ambient. The control unit may receive signals from the at least one spontaneous respiration sensor and determine gas delivery requirements. The ventilator may deliver gas at a velocity to entrain ambient air and increase lung volume or lung pressure above spontaneously breathing levels to assist in work of breathing, and deliver ventilation gas in a cyclical delivery pattern synchronized with a spontaneous breathing pattern.

A mask is disclosed that has a gas outlet which is quiet and provides for a diffused outlet flow of gases. The outlet is preferably a slot formed between a hollow body and cover over said hollow body. The mask also preferably extends and seals under a user's chin in use.

A conduit for delivering a supply of gas under a positive pressure includes a conduit wall having a first conduit end and a second conduit end. The first conduit end is adapted to be attached to the supply of gas. The conduit wall is deformable between (a) an open condition in which the conduit wall defines a conduit passage along which the supply of gas can travel between the first conduit end to the second conduit end, and (b) a collapsed condition in which the conduit wall substantially collapses the conduit passage.

A system (2) including a geometric fit score database (360) configured to store a plurality of 3-D models of faces and a pre-calculated geometric fit score for each of one or more patient interface devices for each of one or more of the faces, and a first processing unit (380) including a match finding unit (382) configured to match the 3-D model of the patient's face with one or more of the stored 3-D models of faces and to use the pre-calculated geometric fit score for each of the one or more of the patient interface devices for the one or more matched faces to determine the geometric fit score for each of the one or more patient interface devices for the patient's face.