AU2021218124A1 - Headgear for a face mask and method of securing same - Google Patents

Abstract

Headgear for adjustably strapping a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask over a wearer's nose and mouth, the mask having a frame configured with lateral straps 5 extending rearwardly therefrom toward the wearer's respective ears, the headgear comprising: a headband with an adjustable diameter, the headband being securable to respective rearward ends of the lateral straps such that, when worn, the headband encircles the user's head at a level of the wearer's forehead; and 10 an adjustable neck strap, opposed ends of which being releasably securable to respective sides of the mask such that, when worn, the neck strap is strapped around a back of the wearer's neck. 7/9 12 30 20 20 34a 112 18 18 16 26b 26a Figure 7

Description

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Figure 7

P10666.AU Specification final - 19/08/2021

Headgear for a face mask and method of securing same

Field of the invention

Disclosed herein is headgear for use with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) face mask.

Background

Figures 1 and 2 show existing CPAP mask assembly 2 worn during sleep by those who have obstructive sleep apnea or other conditions requiring CPAP intervention. The assembly 2 comprises: an elbow 4, a mask frame 6, a cushion 8, and headgear 10 for securing the assembly 2 to a wearer's head and face.

Existing headgear 10 can be relatively difficult and cumbersome to wear and remove, and often requires manipulation with both hands. Such headgear 10 can be particularly difficult to use if one does not have full use of both hands, including those who have some degree of paralysis (e.g., as a result of stroke).

Removing existing headgear 10 can be finicky, particularly if one has just woken from sleep. This can be all the more problematic if one needs to suddenly use the bathroom or vomit, especially if one has just woken in the middle of the night.

CPAP mask assemblies 2 are often worn for extended periods so it is important that the headgear 10 is comfortable and does not significantly disturb one's sleep. However, it has been found that the prior art headgear 10 can be uncomfortable and even painful for some individuals given the way the headgear 10 straps over or proximate one's occipital bone and on top of one's skull.

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There is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided headgear for adjustably strapping a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask over a wearer's nose and mouth, the mask having a frame configured with lateral straps extending rearwardly therefrom toward the wearer's respective ears, the headgear comprising: a headband with an adjustable diameter, the headband being securable to respective rearward ends of the lateral straps such that, when worn, the headband encircles the user's head at a level of the wearer's forehead; and an adjustable neck strap, opposed ends of which being releasably securable to respective sides of the mask such that, when worn, the neck strap is strapped around a back of the wearer's neck.

In embodiments of the invention, the headgear further comprises support means extending downwardly from the headband and configured for releasably securing to and supporting the mask against the user's face.

In embodiments of the invention, the opposed ends of the neck strap are magnetically securable to respective sides of the mask.

In embodiments of the invention, the headband comprises a strap that is adjustably securable to itself to form the headband.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CPAP mask fitted with headgear according to a first aspect of the present invention.

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According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a CPAP mask according to a second aspect of the present invention to oneself, comprising: strapping the headband around one's head such that the mask is generally held over one's mouth and nose; and securing a first end of the neck strap to a first side of the mask, strapping the neck strap around a back of one's neck and securing a second end of the neck strap to a second side of the mask.

Brief description of the drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art CPAP mask assembly; Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of prior art headgear; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of headgear according to embodiments of the present invention and a prior art mask to which the present headgear can be fitted; Figure 5 is a top perspective view of a headband component of the headgear of Figure 6 secured to the prior art mask; Figure 6 is a front view of the headgear and mask of Figure 4 partially secured to a wearer's head; Figure 7 is a front view of the headgear and mask of Figure 4 in use; Figure 8 is a side view of the headgear and mask of Figure 4 in use; Figure 9 is a rear view of the headgear of Figure 4 in use.

Detailed description

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Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the present headgear 12, along with the prior art mask frame 6 to which it is securable. The headgear 12 comprises two main components: a headband 14 and a neck strap 16, both of which are adjustably and releasably securable to the prior art mask frame 6.

Advantageously, the present headgear 12 may utilise adjustable and releasable securing mechanisms provided with the prior art headgear 10. In the depicted embodiment, the present headgear 12 is substantially formed from the prior art headgear 10. As such, it is useful to first consider the prior art headgear 10.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, the prior art mask assembly 2 comprises a mask frame 6 via which the prior art headgear 10 and the present headgear 12 are securable. To this end, upper lateral sides of the frame 6 are provided with respective lateral straps 18 configured to extend rearwardly and upwardly towards the wearer's ears. A rearward end of each lateral strap 18 is fitted with a securing element, such as a plastic loop 20, via which headgear 10, 12 can be secured.

Positioned generally beneath the locations where the lateral straps 18 secure to the mask frame 6 are respective magnetic components 22 which provide further points via which the prior art headgear 10 and the present headgear 12 can be releasably secured to the mask frame 6. To this end, the prior art headgear 10 comprises side straps 24 fed through a magnetic loop component 26, which component 26 is magnetically securable to a respective magnetic component or magnet 22 on the mask frame 6. Each side strap 24 terminates in a hook-and-loop end 27 that allows the straps 24 to be releasably securable to themselves 24 to effect adjustment of the side straps 24.

Figure 3 shows another view of the prior art headgear 10. The headgear 10 comprises a main band 28 having an upper portion 30 which, in use, straps over a wearer's skull, and a rearward portion 32 which straps against the back of a wearer's head, over or proximate to the occipital bone. Extending forwardly from the band 28 are two lateral straps 34 having hook-and-loop ends 36. These straps 34 are configured to be

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fed through the plastic loops 20 of respective lateral straps 18 of the mask frame 6 and then adjustably secured to themselves 34 via their hook-and-loop fastening ends 36.

By comparing Figure 3 with Figure 4, it can be seen that the depicted headgear 12 of embodiments of the present invention can be formed substantially from the prior art headgear 10. In this regard, to form the present neck strap 16, the inventor has cut the side straps 24a, 24b from the band 28 along the lines X-X. The cut ends of the side straps 24a, 24b have then been secured to one another (e.g., sewn) to form the neck strap 16.

The inventor has also cut along the lines Y-Y to separate the lateral straps 34a, 34b from the band 28. The cut end of one of the lateral two straps 34a can then be attached (e.g., sewn) to the upper portion 30 of the band 28 to form a mask support means 34a extending downwardly from the headband 14 (see Figure 7). To this end, the mask frame 6 may be fitted with a hook-and-loop fastener 38 for releasably receiving the corresponding hook-and-loop end 36a of the cut lateral strap 34a.

The band 28 itself can be cut open along one of the two lines marked Z-Z to substantially form the headband 14 of the present headgear 12. To give the headband 14 a more consistent width, the band 28 may also be cut along the line C-C. Finally, the cut end of the other of the two lateral straps 34b can be secured (e.g., sewn) to one of the free cut ends C-C of the band 28. Like reference numerals are used between the Figures to indicate how the prior art headgear 10 (e.g. Figure 3) has been modified to form the present headgear 12 (e.g. Figure 4).

Referring to Figure 5, the present headgear 12 can be easily secured to the mask frame 6. First, the headband 14 can be fed through the plastic loop ends 20 of the lateral straps 18 of the mask frame 6. The free ends 32, 36b (Figure 4) of the headband 14 can then be adjustably and releasably secured to one another. As such, the diameter of the headband 14 can be adjusted. The strap 34a extending downwardly from the headband 14 can also be secured to a front of the mask frame 6. This securing strap 34a helps

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support the mask in a generally vertical direction and helps retain the mask to the wearer's face against the nose.

Next, one of the magnetic ends 26b of the neck strap 16 can be magnetically secured to the mask frame 6. With reference to Figure 6, the present headgear 12 and mask can then be applied to one's head and face by simply pulling a rear 32 of the headband 14 over one's head so that the headband 14 encircles one's head at a level of the forehead. Finally, the free magnetic end 26a of the neck strap 16 can be brought around the back of one's neck (Figure 8) and secured to the other side of the mask frame 6, as shown in Figure 7.

Advantageously, the present headgear 12 enables the securing of a mask to oneself to be accomplished using a single hand. As such, the present headgear 12 better enables those who do not have full function of both hands to apply the mask, such as those who have suffered a stroke and may be partially paralysed. Additionally, children can more readily apply the headgear 12 independently. In essence, the present headgear 12 provides an easier and less cumbersome method for applying and removing a mask from one's face.

Many modifications of the above embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the present headgear 12 need not be formed from the prior art headgear 10. The various adjustable and releasable securing mechanisms can also be varied. For example, rather than employ magnetic means to secure the neck strap 16, other releasable securing means, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, may be utilised. Similarly, the supporting strap 34a can be magnetically secured to the mask frame 6, rather than via hook-and-loop fasteners.

While the present headgear 12 has been described with reference to a CPAP mask, it is of course envisaged that the present headgear 12 can be adapted for a range of other masks configured to be worn over a wearer's mouth and/or nose.

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Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims (6)

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1. Headgear for adjustably strapping a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask over a wearer's nose and mouth, the mask having a frame configured with lateral straps extending rearwardly therefrom toward the wearer's respective ears, the headgear comprising: a headband with an adjustable diameter, the headband being securable to respective rearward ends of the lateral straps such that, when worn, the headband encircles the user's head at a level of the wearer's forehead; and an adjustable neck strap, opposed ends of which being releasably securable to respective sides of the mask such that, when worn, the neck strap is strapped around a back of the wearer's neck.

2. The headgear of claim 1, further comprising support means extending downwardly from the headband and configured for releasably securing to and supporting the mask against the user's face.

3. The headgear of claim 1 or 2, wherein the opposed ends of the neck strap are magnetically securable to respective sides of the mask.

4. The headgear of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the headband comprises a strap that is adjustably securable to itself to form the headband.

5. A CPAP mask fitted with the headgear of any one of the preceding claims.

6. A method of securing the CPAP mask of claim 5 to oneself, comprising: strapping the headband around one's head such that the mask is generally held over one's mouth and nose; and securing a first end of the neck strap to a first side of the mask, strapping the neck strap around a back of one's neck and securing a second end of the neck strap to a second side of the mask.