DEVICE FOR SUPPORTING A RESPIRATORY MASK WITH INTEGRAL FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a forehead support for supporting a respiratory mask having a forehead support stem and a forehead rest, wherein the forehead rest comprises a guide bar which can be guided over a resilient element, wherein the resilient element is integrally formed in the forehead support stem, and to such a forehead support in which the forehead support stem is forked with a first stem portion and a second stem portion.

Claims

1.-22. (canceled)

23. A forehead support for supporting a respiratory mask, wherein the forehead support comprises a stem and a forehead rest, the forehead rest comprising a guide bar which (i) is connected to the forehead support stem and comprises a resilient element or (ii) can be guided over a resilient element which is integrally formed in the forehead support stem.

24. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the resilient element is in the form of a spring.

25. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the forehead support stem is forked with a first stem portion and a second stem portion, the resilient element being formed between the first stem portion and the second stem portion.

26. The forehead support of claim 25, wherein the first stem portion and/or the second stem portion comprises at least one locking pin.

27. The forehead support of claim 25, wherein the first stem portion and/or the second stem portion comprises at least one guide projection, at least one locking pin being formed on the at least one guide projection.

28. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the guide bar lies on the resilient element, the resilient element supporting and limiting the guide bar.

29. The forehead support of claim 25, wherein the first stem portion and the second stem portion each comprise at least one bearing face for supporting the resilient element.

30. The forehead support of claim 25, wherein the first stem portion and the second stem portion are configured and formed as an operating element.

31. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the resilient element comprises at least one limiting projection which is adapted to limit a guiding of the guide bar.

32. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the guide bar comprises recesses.

33. The forehead support of claim 32, wherein locking pins comprised in a first stem portion and/or a second stem portion of a forked forehead support stem are adapted to engage into the recesses of the guide bar, to delimit the guide bar laterally and to center the guide bar on the resilient element.

34. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the forehead rest is movably connected to the guide bar.

35. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the forehead rest is flexibly adjustable, a tilting movement of the forehead rest relative to the longitudinal axis of the guide bar being adjustable in an angle between 1 and 30.

36. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein a connection between the forehead rest and the guide bar is formed of a resilient material (the resilient element).

37. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein a connection between the forehead rest and the guide bar comprises a ball joint or a pivot joint.

38. The forehead support of claim 23, wherein the resilient element comprises a groove which is adapted to guide the resilient element in the guide bar.

39. A forehead support for supporting a respiratory mask, wherein the forehead support comprises a forehead support stem and a forehead rest which comprises a guide bar, the forehead support stem being forked with a first stem portion and a second stem portion.

40. The forehead support of claim 39, wherein the forehead support stem is adapted to receive a resilient element.

41. A forehead support for supporting a respiratory mask, wherein the forehead support comprises a forehead support stem and a forehead rest which comprises a guide bar which (i) is connected to the forehead support stem and comprises a resilient element which forms a connection between the forehead rest and the guide bar, the guide bar being unmovable and/or in one piece with the forehead support stem or (ii) can be guided over a resilient element which is formed in the forehead support stem, the guide bar being movably and lockably arranged in the forehead support stem.

42. A respiratory mask, wherein the respiratory mask comprises the forehead support of claim 23.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained hereinbelow by means of highly simplified schematic representations, in which:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of an embodiment of a forehead support having a resilient element integrated into a forehead support stem, wherein the resilient element is in the form of a spring,

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a further perspective representation of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1of the forehead support with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0041] FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2of the forehead support with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0042] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead supportshown in FIGS. 1 to 3with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0043] FIG. 5 is a front view of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead supportshown in FIGS. 1 to 4with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0044] FIG. 6 is a top view of a respiratory mask 11 comprising a forehead supportshown in FIGS. 1 to 5,

[0045] FIG. 7 is a side view of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead supportshown in FIGS. 1 to 6with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0046] FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-section of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 7with the spring integrated into the forehead support stem,

[0047] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the forehead restshown in FIGS. 4 to 8comprising the guide bar,

[0048] FIG. 10 is a further perspective view of the embodiment of the forehead restshown in FIGS. 4 to 9comprising the guide bar,

[0049] FIG. 11 is a detail view of the embodiment of the forehead restshown in FIGS. 4 to 10,

[0050] FIG. 12 is a detail view of the forehead restshown in FIGS. 4 to 11comprising the guide bar.

[0051] In the figures, the same structural elements have the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0052] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show details of the present invention in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present invention, the description in combination with the drawings making apparent to those of skill in the art how the several forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.

[0053] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of an embodiment of a forehead support 10 having a resilient element 15 integrated into a forehead support stem 12 of the forehead support 10, wherein the resilient element 15 in the present embodiment is in the form of a spring 15.

[0054] An upper region of the forehead support 10 is shown. The forehead support stem 12 is forked and comprises a first forehead support portion 12a and a second forehead support portion 12b. The first forehead support portion 12a and the second forehead support portion 12b each have a guide projection 16a, 16b. On each of the guide projections 16a, 16b there is formed a locking pin 17a, 17b. Between the first forehead support portion 12a and the second forehead support portion 12b, the spring 15 is formed integrated into the forehead support stem 12. The spring 15 is S-shaped and comprises retaining elements 21 which lie on bearing surfaces 20 which are formed on the first forehead support portion 12a and on the second forehead support portion 12b. The spring 15 comprises a limiting projection 19.

[0055] The forked forehead support stem 12 is constructed as a guiding element, as an operating element and as a locking element. The forehead support stem 12 thus combines a plurality of functionalities in one device. The forehead support 10 configured as an operating element offers the advantage that, via the forehead support 10 constructed according to the invention, the forehead support can easily be operated/adjusted on a patient's face with one hand, both by the patient and by a carer. The forehead support 10 configured as a guiding element offers the advantage that the forehead support 10 autonomously realizes the guiding and movability of the guide bar 14 by means of the integrated spring 15 and thereby determines vertical movability of the forehead rest 13. The forehead support 10 configured as a locking element offers the advantage that the position of the guide bar 14 on the spring 15 set by the patient or carer is retained by the locking pins 17a, 17b. Horizontal and vertical movability is maintained owing to the guide bar 14 supported on the spring 15. The contributes to improving contact of the forehead rest 13 on the face and to an increased feeling of comfort for the patient.

[0056] FIG. 2 shows a further perspective representation of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1of the forehead support 10 with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. In FIG. 2, the S-shaped form of the spring 15 can be seen, as can the integrated arrangement of the spring 15 in the forehead support stem 12. The spring 15 is mounted between the first stem portion 12a and the second stem portion 12b. In the embodiment of the spring 15 shown in FIG. 2, the spring 15 comprises at least three folds, wherein two folds point toward the patient and one fold points away from the patient. This embodiment of the spring 15 offers the advantage that, as a result of the double fold of the spring 15 toward the patient, greater stability of the forehead rest 13 and of the guide bar 14 is achieved.

[0057] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 and 2of the forehead support 10 with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. In FIG. 3, the bearing surfaces 20, which are arranged on the first stem portion 12a and the second stem portion 12b, are shown. A limiting projection 19 is additionally shown. The limiting projection 19 is arranged on the spring 15. The limiting projection 19 is thereby arranged at the end of the spring 15 that faces away from the patient. The limiting projection 19 serves to limit the guiding of the guide bar 14. Thus, when the guide bar 14 is guided over the spring 15, the guide 14 can be guided only as far as the limiting projection 19. This offers the advantage that the guide bar 14 cannot easily be uncoupled from the spring 15 by the patient. The guide bar 14 can generally be guided over the limiting projection 19 only with increased force application. Thus, a patient cannot unintentionally detach the forehead rest 13 with the guide bar 14 from the respiratory mask 11.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a perspective representation of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 4with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. In FIG. 4, the forehead rest 13 is shown. In the present exemplary embodiment, the forehead rest 13 is in the form of a base plate which is adapted to lie against a patient's forehead. The base plate of the forehead rest 13 is adapted to receive a support cushion. The support cushion can be formed of a silicone or of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). Alternatively, the support cushion can be formed of a gel or a rigid plastics material.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows a front view of a respiratory mask comprising the forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 4with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. The spring 15 is thereby arranged integrated between the first stem portion 12a and the second stem portion 12b. The first stem portion 12a and the second stem portion 12b each comprise a guide projection 16a, 16b. Also shown are the forehead rest 13, the guide bar 14, the bearing surfaces 20 and the retaining elements 21.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows a top view of a respiratory mask 11 comprising a forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 5. A top view of the guide bar 14 with the recesses 18, the first stem portion 12a, the second stem portion 12b, the guide projections 16a, 16b and the forehead rest 13 is shown.

[0061] FIG. 7 shows a side view of a respiratory mask 11 comprising the forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 6with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. The arrangement of the forehead rest 13 and of the guide bar 14 in the forehead support 12 is shown.

[0062] FIG. 8 shows a vertical cross-section of a respiratory mask 11 comprising the forehead support 10shown in FIGS. 1 to 7with the spring 15 integrated into the forehead support stem 12. The forehead rest 13 with the guide bar 14 is additionally shown. The forehead rest 13 is thereby arranged at an angle to the guide bar 14. The angle between the guide bar 14 and the forehead rest 13 is between 1 and 30, in particular between 5 and 15. In FIG. 8, a cross-section through the structure of the spring 15 is additionally shown. It will be seen that the spring 15 comprises two folds which point toward the patient, wherein a fold remote from the patient is formed between the two folds. Such folding of the spring 15 contributes to better introduction of the forehead rest 13 with the guide bar 14 into the forehead support stem 12. The spring 15 additionally contributes toward vertical movability of the guide bar 14.

[0063] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the forehead rest 13shown in FIGS. 4 to 8comprising the guide bar 14. The forehead rest 13 is connected to the guide bar 14 via a contact region 22. The contact region 22 can be formed by an elastomer. In FIG. 9, the contact region 22 is shown empty. The contact region 22 is thereby in the form of a recess 26 in the forehead rest 13. Contact surfaces 25 are shown, which contact surfaces are adapted to receive an elastomernot shownfor connecting the forehead rest 13 to the guide bar 14. The contact surfaces 25 are formed at an end of the guide bar 14 that is close to the patient and on at least two surfaces of the forehead rest 13, which form lateral surfaces of the recess 26 in the forehead rest 13.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows a further perspective view of the embodiment of the forehead rest 13shown in FIGS. 4 to 8comprising the guide bar 14. The underside of the guide bar 14, which comprises a running region 23 of the guide bar 14, is shown. A running surface 24 extends through the running region 23 along the longitudinal axis of the guide bar 14. In the present embodiment, the running surface is semicircular and closed on the side of the guide bar 14 that is remote from the patient. The running surface 24 receives the limiting projection 19, wherein the limiting projection 19 can be guided as far as the closed end of the running surface 24. By applying a pulling force, the limiting projection 19 can be pulled over the closed end of the running surface 24.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a detail view of the embodiment of the forehead rest 13shown in FIGS. 4 to 10. The running region 23 and the running surface 24 on the underside of the guide bar 14 are shown. The U-shaped form of the guide bar 14 is also shown.

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a detail view of the forehead rest 13shown in FIGS. 4 to 11comprising the guide bar 14. The guide bar 14 with the recesses 18 into which the locking pins 17a, 17bshown in FIGS. 1 to 3engage is shown. By pressing the first stem portion 12a and the second stem portion 12b together, a locking position of the locking pins 17a, 17b in the recesses 18 of the guide bar 14 can be adjusted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] 10 forehead support [0068] 11 respiratory mask [0069] 12 forehead support stem [0070] 12a first stem portion [0071] 12b second stem portion [0072] 13 forehead rest [0073] 14 guide bar [0074] 15 resilient element, spring [0075] 16a, 16b guide projection [0076] 17a, 17b locking pin [0077] 18 recesses [0078] 19 limiting projection [0079] bearing surface [0080] 21 retaining element [0081] 22 contact region [0082] 23 running region [0083] 24 running surface [0084] 25 contact surfaces [0085] 26 recess of the forehead rest