FR2899115A1 - DEVICE AND METHOD FOR A MODULAR SYSTEM IN THE FIELD OF MASKS - Google Patents

Abstract

The breathing mask and the method of manufacturing the breathing mask according to the invention aims to facilitate the production, manufacture and handling thereof. This goal is achieved by proposing a modular mask based on a system of basic elements. It is thus possible to prepare an integral mask or a nasal mask with a certain number of identical pieces chosen from a basic set.

Description

Apparatus and method for a modular system in the field of

masks.

  The invention relates to a breathing device which is particularly designed as a breathing mask. The invention further relates to a method of structuring a mask and a method of making a breathing mask.

  Masks are used in the field of breathing and sleep therapy, that is, wherever a patient is to be supplied with respiratory gas from a source of flow or pressure. In doing so, the mask represents, with the breathing tube, the connecting element between the patient and the apparatus. Often, these masks are provided with bulges or other cushion-like elements and bands that press the mask onto the patient's face and provide as good a seal as possible between the mask and the face or parts of the patient's face. . The shape of the masks can vary greatly. Thus, there are various forms of masks, mask materials, and types of masks. However, these are redeveloped for each mask so that some individual components of different masks can not be replaced by each other. This has the consequence that a large number of different elements for masks must be made. This is very expensive, both in terms of cost and time.

  The object of the present invention is therefore to improve a device of the kind mentioned at the beginning so as to simplify the development and implementation of masks.

  The solution provided to the problem by the invention lies in the fact that the mask is of modular structure, forming a system composed of different elements that are constituent parts of the mask.

  Another object of the present invention is to improve a method of the kind mentioned at the beginning so as to improve the development and implementation of the mask.

  The solution provided to the problem by the invention lies in the fact that the mask is of modular structure, forming a system composed of different elements that are constituent parts of the mask.

  This invention discloses a device as well as a method that minimizes the number of different elements in the manufacture and development of masks. Only the basic elements are newly developed during the creation of a new mask, these being targeted directly on the geometry of the human anatomy and the purpose of use of the masks. The elements, present in different forms in each mask and which can be reused, are developed so that they can also be used for other types of masks, that is to say that these elements are developed only once and can be adapted to each other mask, basically basic body of masks.

  For example, basic mask bodies and mask bulges should be designed differently for nasal masks, cushion nasal masks and full-face masks: The basic body serves as the start for the bulge that seals against the face respectively to the patient's nose during breathing. The nasal mask may therefore have a smaller mask base body than an integral mask, because it must only seal against the nasal region of the patient by means of the bulge. In addition, it also offers starting points for other elements.

  However, the two masks (nasal and integral) have components of the same kind, such as support for the forehead, bulge for the forehead, ball joints, safety element for the ball joints, angles, sealing elements for tubing. measuring pressure or other openings, head straps, chin supports, different kinds of bulges, nasal, cushions, straps, fixation clips, brackets for forehead support, 4 2899115 angles, breathing tube, system expiration and others.

  The method associated with the device as a modular system thus makes it possible to use existing elements to form other variants of masks. This represents a saving in development costs and environmental care, the patient can still use old components in case of change of mask type.

  The points of contact between two component parts, such as, for example, between the ball joint, the ball joint housing, the ball joint and the safety element for the ball joint, must be exactly matched to one another. For a perfectly adjusted embodiment of the component parts, several correction loops are often necessary, if necessary in the tool 20 as well. For the manufacture of tools, the invention has another advantage. According to the invention, in the manufacture of new tools, intended to be used for producing new variants of masks, the known geometries of the existing contact points 25 serving for the reception of secondary components, such as, for example, articulation spherical, support for the forehead, bulge, clip, can be significantly taken into account.

  In accordance with the invention, it is intended to make the receiving points of secondary elements substantially identically in the nasal mask and integral mask bodies. This promotes the interchangeability of the secondary elements. When the patient finds that the nasal mask used is inappropriate because said patient breathes through the mouth, he can, when changing in favor of an integral mask, continue to use all the secondary elements of the old mask nasal. Only the bulge and the mask body should be replaced.

  According to the invention, it is also intended to replace only the mask bulge with an alternating mask bulge. In this case, the alternating mask bulge may, for example, consist of another material and / or have a damping filler and / or a slightly modified geometry in the contact zone. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide the patient with a modular system from which he can configure his mask himself. The patient may, for example, adapt to his mask secondary elements of certain colors and / or use a mask body and a mask bulge of certain colors. It is also intended to provide alternative alternative strap options, differing in shape and / or color and / or material. The drawings schematically show exemplary embodiments of the invention. They expose: Fig. 1 a representation of two different types of masks, a front view of two of different types of masks,

  a perspective view of a support for the dismounted front,

  a perspective view of a fastening strap for the head,

  two embodiments of connecting pipes, FIG. 6 a perspective view of a safety ring for the connection between a ball joint of the connecting pipe and the mask base body,

  Fig. 7 a representation of a coupling element for the connection between a mask strap and the mask, and

  Fig. 8 an exploded view of a breathing mask.

  FIG. 1 compares two mask base bodies with their bulges (1.1, 2.1): nasal mask (1) and integral mask (2).

  The two masks have a bulging recess 30 (3), a ball joint housing (4), at least one measuring pipe (5) which can be closed, at least one holding member for receiving at least one element of coupling (6), a support housing for the front (7).

  Fig. 2 Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. FIG. 2 shows another aspect of the comparison of two mask base bodies and their bulges Nasal mask (1) and integral mask (2).

  The two masks have a housing for the ball joint (4), at least one measuring pipe (5) that can be closed, at least one holding member for receiving at least one coupling element (6), an adjustable housing (7) for the forehead support (7), a ball joint (17) with a safety ring (14) and, for each, a connection pipe (18).

  Figure 3 shows a forehead support (8) that can be adjustably mounted to any mask base body of a modular system. It is further composed of a cushion (9) to be applied on the front and a depth adjustment (10) and a support lug for the front (16). FIG. 4 shows a head strap (11) which, in cooperation with unrepresented coupling elements, can be adjustably connected to a mask base body and an edge support. any modular system. FIG. 5 shows two connection pipes (18): one with an emergency exhalation device (12) and the other without, which is designed as part of a ball joint and which can to be mounted to a

  any basic mask body in a modular system.

  A security ring (14) is used to secure the link. Figure 6 shows the safety ring (14). Figure 7 shows the coupling element (15) which also serves as an assembly element between the mask strap and the mask.

  FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a mask which shows different components: integral mask base body (1), measuring pipe (5) which can be closed, coupling element (15), support for the front (8) with cushion (9) 15 tab (16) of said support for the forehead, emergency exhalation device (12), closure cap (19) for the measuring tubing, a connection tubing ( 18) and a safety ring (14).

Claims (12)

claims   1. Device for breathing and. for the economic development of a mask, characterized in that the mask is designed as a modular system, composed of different elements that are constituent parts of the mask.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one component of a mask can be reused for another mask of another type of manufacture.   3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one component of a mask to be redeveloped is redeveloped.   4. A method for respiration and for economic development of a mask, characterized in that the mask 20 is designed as a modular system, composed of different elements which are component parts of the mask.   5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that at least one mask element is reused for another mask of another type of manufacture.   6. Method according to the two preceding claims, characterized in that at least one component of a redeveloping mask is redeveloped.   7. Breathing mask having a mask base body, an elastic bulge bearing against the view of a patient, and at least one other secondary element, characterized in that the secondary element is identically designed and modular for at least two different types of masks, and in that the mask base body and the bulge are designed specifically for the mask and / or the patient, and can be modularly connected to the secondary element.   Apparatus for producing a breathing mask in which a mask base body is assembled with an elastic bulge as well as at least with another secondary element, characterized in that the secondary member is from a system modular and that similar secondary elements are associated with different types of masks, and that the mask base body and the bulge are designed specifically for the mask and / or the patient, and can be connected in a modular manner to the secondary element.   9. Process for the manufacture of the mask base body of an integral mask (breathing mask), in which, during the manufacture of the tools for the basic body of the integral mask, the known geometries of the contact points of an existing nasal mask, which serve to receive the secondary element, are substantially taken into account.   Mask base body for an integral mask, with at least one contact point for receiving secondary elements, characterized in that the geometry of at least one contact point of the integral mask substantially corresponds to the geometry of a corresponding contact point of a nasal mask, and that a secondary element can thus be mounted on the two masks.   11. Process for the manufacture of the mask base body of a nasal mask (breathing mask), wherein, in the manufacture of the tools for the nasal mask base body, the known geometries of the contact points of an existing integral mask, which serve to receive the secondary element, are substantially taken into account.   12. Mask base body for a nasal mask, with at least one contact point which serves to receive secondary elements, characterized in that the geometry of at least one contact point of the nasal mask substantially corresponds to the geometry of a corresponding contact point of an integral mask, and a secondary element can thus be mounted on the two masks.