JP2003190308A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (27)

In the respiratory mask (10, 40, 60, 80, 90, 100)
Mask frame (12);
A cushion provided on the mask frame (12);
Breathable gas inlets (20, 62) for directing gas through the mask frame (12) into a breathing cavity formed between the mask frame and a user's face during use of the mask;
A gas exhaust vent,
The gas discharge vent has an air permeable membrane (28) which is formed is configured to have a plurality of holes, the diameter of each hole is about 0. 2 mm or less, an air permeable membrane (28) A respiratory mask characterized by being thinner than about 0.5 mm . The respiratory mask of claim 1, wherein the membrane has pores, the total open area of the pores being about 1-25% of the surface area of the membrane (28) . A respiratory mask according to claim 2 , wherein the total open area of the holes is about 5% of the surface area of the membrane (28) . Opening surface area of about 322 mm ^2, breathing mask according to claim 2 or claim 3. 5. A hole according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hole is tapered to provide a smaller opening directed to one side facing the atmosphere and a larger opening directed to one side facing the inside of the mask. The respiratory mask according to one item . 5. The hole according to claim 1, wherein the hole is tapered to provide a larger opening facing the atmosphere and a smaller opening directed to one side facing the inside of the mask (10). Respiratory mask as described in. The respiratory mask of claim 6 , wherein the thickness of the membrane is about 0.45 mm or less . The respiratory mask according to claim 1, wherein each hole has a diameter of about 0.1 mm . The respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the holes are regularly formed . The respiratory mask according to claim 1 or 7 , wherein the membrane (28) comprises a stretched polytetrafluoroethylene sheet . A respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1, 7 or 10, wherein the membrane (28) comprises a plurality of pores having a size in the range of about 10-15 microns . Air flow is about 0.37LPM / cm ² of the membrane (28), the respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1, 7 or 10. Said membrane a surface area of about 500 mm ^2, preferably respiratory mask according to claims 1, 7 or 10 is about 480 mm ² in any one of 12. 14. A respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1, 7 or 10 to 13, wherein the membrane (28) has a bubble point of at least about 0.02 bar . 15. A respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1 or 10 to 14, wherein the thickness of the membrane (28) is about 0.05 mm . Respirator according to any of claims 1, 7 or 10 to 15, wherein the membrane (28) is provided on a scrim . 17. Respirator according to any one of claims 1, 7 or 10 to 16, wherein the membrane (28) comprises a GORE-TEX (R) material . 18. Respirator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the membrane (28) is provided on a cylindrical part (86) having an enlarged locating flange (90) . 19. A respiratory mask according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is made of a hydrophobic material . Respirator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas exhaust vent (26, 28) is arranged in the mask frame (12 ) . Respirator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas exhaust vent is arranged in the gas inlet (20, 62) . The respirator according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the membrane is provided in a part of the in-tube ventilation device provided upstream of the gas inlet . The respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the mask frame includes an elbow, and the elbow is provided with the gas exhaust vent . 24. A respiratory mask according to any preceding claim, wherein the membrane is provided in an insert (82) that is selectively removable from the mask. 25. A respiratory mask according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mask frame is a mask shell and the thickness of the membrane (28) is less than the thickness of the mask shell (12) . 26. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the mask is provided with means for indicating the amount of air passing through the gas exhaust vent or the amount of time the gas exhaust vent is used so that the gas exhaust vent can be replaced in a timely manner. The respiratory mask according to one item . 27. A respiratory mask according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the mask is a mask selected from the group of a nasal mask, a nose mouth mask, a front mask, a nasal prong and a nasal pillow .