Medical mask abstract
A medical mask assembly includes a medical mask and a comfort ring
releasably mated to the mask. The mask includes a interior surface
and an exterior surface and a mating edge where the two meet. The
comfort ring includes a strip of cloth and two elastic members secured
to the cloth, and is formed in the shape of an annular ring with
a central aperture therethrough. When mated to the mask, the comfort
ring is disposed so as to cover substantially all of the mating
edge with one elastic member proximate the interior surface of the
medical mask and the other elastic member proximate the exterior
surface of the medical mask. As such, the surface touching the patient's
face is the outer surface of the comfort ring rather than the interior
surface and/or rim edge of the mask. Thus, the patient experiences
a surface that is more comfortable.
Medical mask claims
What is claimed is:
1. A medical mask assembly, comprising: a medical mask adapted
to be applied to a patient's face proximate a mating edge and having
an interior surface and an exterior surface; a comfort ring comprising:
cloth formed in the shape of an annular ring with a central aperture
therethrough, the cloth having an inner surface and a soft outer
surface; said inner and outer surfaces meeting at first and second
inner edges that generally bound said aperture; a first elastic
member secured to said cloth proximate said first inner edge; a
second elastic member secured to said cloth proximate said second
inner edge; said comfort ring removably mated to said medical mask
and disposed so as to cover substantially all of said mating edge
with said first elastic member proximate said interior surface of
said medical mask and said second elastic member proximate said
exterior surface of said medical mask.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said aperture of said comfort
ring allows substantially free access to an interior space of said
medical mask.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second elastic
members comprise elastic bands.
4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein said cloth includes pockets
disposed proximate said first and second inner edges, and wherein
said first and second elastic members extend through respective
said pockets.
5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said pockets extend along substantially
all of said first and second inner edges.
6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cloth is felt.
7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first elastic member extends
substantially the entire length of said first inner edge, and wherein
said second elastic member extends substantially the entire length
of said second inner edge.
8. The assembly of claim 1 wherein: said aperture of said comfort
ring allows substantially free access to an interior space of said
medical mask; said cloth includes pockets disposed proximate said
first and second inner edges; said first elastic member comprises
a first elastic band extending substantially the entire length of
said first inner edge and extending through at least one of said
pockets; and said second elastic member comprises a second elastic
band extending substantially the entire length of said second inner
edge and extending through at least another of said pockets.
9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said cloth is felt.
10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said cloth further has a trough
cross-section.
11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cloth further has a trough
cross-section.
12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said cloth further has a trough
cross-section, wherein said first elastic member extends substantially
the entire length of said first inner edge, and wherein said second
elastic member extends substantially the entire length of said second
inner edge.
13. A method of using medical mask assembly, comprising: providing
a medical mask adapted to be applied to a patient's face proximate
a mating edge and having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
providing a comfort ring comprising: cloth formed in and annular
shape with a central aperture therethrough, the strip of cloth having
an inner surface and a soft outer surface; said inner and outer
surfaces meeting at first and second inner edges that generally
bound said aperture; a first elastic member secured to said cloth
proximate said first inner edge; a second elastic member secured
to said cloth proximate said second inner edge; removably mating
said comfort ring to said medical mask such that said comfort ring
substantially covers all of said mating edge with said first elastic
member proximate said interior surface of said medical mask and
said second elastic member proximate said exterior surface of said
medical mask.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein with said aperture of said comfort
ring allows substantially free access to an interior space of said
medical mask when mated thereto.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein said first and second elastic
members comprise elastic bands.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said first and second elastic
members comprise elastic bands substantially captured within respective
pockets of said cloth.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein said first elastic member extends
substantially the entire length of said first inner edge, and wherein
said second elastic member extends substantially the entire length
of said second inner edge.
18. The method of claim 13 further comprising placing said medical
mask with said comfort ring mated thereto on a patient's face such
that said cloth provides facial insulation from said medical mask
to the patient.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein: said cloth includes pockets
disposed proximate said first and second inner edges; said first
elastic member comprises a first elastic band extending substantially
the entire length of said first inner edge and extending through
at least one of said pockets; said second elastic member comprises
a second elastic band extending substantially the entire length
of said second inner edge and extending through at least another
of said pockets; and said aperture of said comfort ring allows substantially
free access to an interior space of said medical mask when said
comfort ring is mated to said medical mask.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said cloth further has a trough
cross-section, and wherein removably mating said comfort ring to
said medical mask such that said comfort ring substantially covers
all of said mating edge comprises removably mating said comfort
ring to said medical mask such that said mating edge is disposed
in said trough.
21. The method of claim 13 wherein said first elastic member extends
substantially the entire length of said first inner edge, wherein
said second elastic member extends substantially the entire length
of said second inner edge, wherein said cloth further has a trough
cross-section, and wherein removably mating said comfort ring to
said medical mask such that said comfort ring substantially covers
all of said mating edge comprises removably mating said comfort
ring to said medical mask such that said mating edge is disposed
in said trough.
Medical mask description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of patient
medical masks, such as oxygen masks, and more particularly to an
adapter for patient medical masks that helps cushion and/or insulate
the mask against the patient's face to reduce discomfort.
Medical masks, such as oxygen masks, anesthesia masks, respiratory
therapy masks, and the like, have long been known in the art. Such
masks are typically either made from a somewhat pliable material
and/or include a rim of soft rubber-like material. While such masks
have proven medically useful, they have also proven to be uncomfortable
to some patients, particularly for long-term use. This is particularly
true as many potential measures that could be taken to increase
patient comfort may be seen as impeding the critically important
operational aspects of the medical mask related to its medical function(s).
As such, there remains a need to improve the comfort level of patient
medical masks, particularly for long-term use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A medical mask assembly of the present invention includes a medical
mask and a comfort ring. The medical mask includes an interior surface
and an exterior surface and a mating edge where the two meet. The
mask is adapted to be applied to a patient's face proximate the
mating edge. The comfort ring includes a portion of cloth material
and two elastic members secured to the cloth material. The cloth
is formed in the shape of an annular ring with a central aperture
therethrough. The cloth includes an inner surface and a preferably
soft outer surface, with the inner and outer surfaces meeting at
first and second inner edges that generally bound the aperture.
One elastic member is secured to the cloth proximate the first inner
edge and extends substantially the entire length of the first inner
edge. The other elastic member is secured to the cloth proximate
the second inner edge and extends substantially the entire length
of the second inner edge. The comfort ring is removably mated to
the medical mask; and, when mated to the mask, is disposed so as
to cover substantially all of the mating edge with one elastic member
proximate the interior surface of the medical mask and the other
elastic member proximate the exterior surface of the medical mask.
As such, the surface touching, the patient's face is the outer surface
of the comfort ring rather than the interior surface and/or rim
edge of the mask. Thus, the patient experiences a surface that is
softer and/or insulated from the medical mask, and therefore more
comfortable.
The reliance on elastic members to mate the comfort ring to the
mask allows for the comfort ring to be readily removed therefrom,
such as for cleaning and/or replacement. Further, the shape of the
comfort ring means that the operations of the medical mask are unaffected
by having the comfort ring attached. As such, the medical functions
of the mask will be unaffected even when highly untrained personnel,
such as family members, add or remove the comfort ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the medical mask assembly of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded view of the medical mask assembly
of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows a partial section of the comfort ring shown in FIG.
1 partially cut away to show the elastic members.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One embodiment of a medical mask assembly 10 according to the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The medical mask assembly 10 includes
a medical mask 20 and a comfort ring 30 removably attached thereto.
The medical mask 20 may take any form known in the art that allows
for a desired gas to be supplied to the mask 20 and for exhaled
gases to be exhausted from the mask 20. Examples of commercially
available masks suitable for the present invention include without
limitation, model 1083 oxygen/aerosol masks from Hudson RCI of Temecula,
Calif. Generically, the mask 20 includes an exterior surface 22
an interior space 25 bounded by an interior surface 24 a mating
(or rim) edge 26 at the boundary between the exterior surface 22
and the interior surface 24 and a plurality of ports 28 providing
inputs to and/or exhausts from the interior space 25. The mask 20
may advantageously be made from a clear, pliable material. As is
known in the art, the mask 20 is designed to be placed over the
patient's face, with the interior space 25 facing the patient, with
a slightly air-tight seal formed between the interior surface 24
proximate the rim edge 26 and the patient's face. The mask 20 may
simply be placed on the patient's face, or may be held in place
with the aid of one or more suitable straps 29. Various gases (e.g.,
oxygen, respiratory therapy mists, etc.) are then supplied to the
patient via one or more of the ports 28 typically inhaled by the
patient, with the exhaled gases exhausting though one or more other
ports 28.
The present invention improves on prior art medical masks by, inter
alia, adding a cushioning ring 30 that overlays the rim edge 26
of the mask 20 and provides a better surface for direct contact
with the patient's face, without interfering with the medical functions
of the mask 20. Further, this comfort ring 30 is advantageously
removably attached to the medical mask 20 as is discussed further
below. The better surface provided by the comfort ring 30 may be
"better" in that it is softer than the material of the
medical mask 30 or it may be "better" in that is more
insulating (and therefore feels warmer) than the material of the
medical mask 30 or both.
The comfort ring 30 includes a plurality of elastic members 6264
and a cloth material 40 extending between the elastic members 6264.
The cloth material preferably takes the form of a strip of cloth
40 formed in the shape of an annular ring and defining an annular
trough, with an aperture 50 in the center of the ring. For purposes
of description, the surface of the cloth 40 facing the aperture
50 is referred to as the inner surface 44 while the opposing surface
is the outer surface 42. It is preferred that the outer surface
42 of the cloth 40 have a soft-to-the-touch texture, such as a felt-like
texture. Of course, both surfaces 4244 of the cloth 40 may have
such a texture, but this is not required. As can be seen in the
Figures, the inner surface 44 meets the outer surface 42 at two
edges 5254 which are referred to herein as inner edges as they
help bound the aperture 50. The cloth 40 is preferably folded over
and stitched in place proximate these inner edges 5254 so as to
form respective pockets that help contain the elastic members 6264
(see FIG. 3). The elastic members 6264 may take the form of elastic
bands with their respective ends tied together to form a ring or
hoop.
Preferably, the cloth strip 40 between the elastic members 6264
has a free length slightly larger than the free length of the elastic
members 6264. As such, the elastic members 6264 pull against the
cloth 40 along the corresponding inner edge thereof, resulting in
a series of gatherings 48 along the inner edges 5254. In this arrangement,
the aperture 50 of the comfort ring 30 can be readily expanded slightly,
such as to size having a perimeter that matches the free length
of the cloth 40 and will naturally spring back to the shorter length
along the inner edges 5254 when released due to the action of the
elastic members 6264.
To form the mask assembly 10 the comfort ring 30 is slipped over
the rim edge 26 of the medical mask 20 so that one inner edge 52
is disposed proximate the inner surface 24 of the mask 20 and the
other inner edge 54 is disposed proximate the outer surface 22 of
the mask 20 and then released. The elastic members 6264 will cause
the inner edges 5254 of the comfort ring 30 to pull inwards against
the medical mask 20 thereby releasably mating the comfort ring
30 to the mask 20. The amount of overlap between the comfort ring
30 and the mask 20 is determined by the width of the ring 30--the
path length distance between the inner edges 5254 along the cloth
40. The greater the width, the greater the amount of overlap, with
a width of approximately 11/2 inches being particularly advantageous.
Whatever the width of the comfort ring 30 it should not extend
along the interior or exterior surfaces 2224 of the mask 20 so
far as to interfere with any of the ports 28 on the medical mask
20.
With the comfort ring 30 mated to the mask 20 the rim edge of
the mask 20 is covered by the comfort ring 30. As such, the surface
touching the patient's face is the outer surface 42 of the comfort
ring 30 rather than the interior surface 24 and/or rim edge 26 of
the mask 20. Thus, the patient experiences a surface that is softer
and/or insulated from the medical mask, and therefore more comfortable.
Note that relying on the elastic members 6264 to mate the comfort
ring 30 to the mask 20 allows for the comfort ring 30 to be readily
removed therefrom, such as for cleaning and/or replacement. Note
further that the attachment and removal of the comfort ring 30 to/from
the mask 20 can be easily accomplished without any risk of damage
to the mask 20 and that the operations of the mask 20 with the
comfort ring 30 attached are unaffected thereby. As such, the medical
functions of the mask 20 will be unaffected even when highly untrained
personnel, such as family members, add or remove the comfort ring
30.
The discussion above has described the shape of the comfort ring
30 as being annular. It should be noted that the term "annular"
is not meant to imply a exact circular ring shape, but instead a
generally round ring-like shape that may actually be an oval, an
ellipse, a loose rectangle, etc., or any rough approximation thereof,
provided there is a central passage 25 through the general center
thereof. Further, the term "annular," as used herein does
not require complete 360.degree. coverage; instead, a small gap
(e.g., less than 10.degree. of arc) may exist such as when the edges
of the cloth 40 are placed close together, but not sewn together.
The discussion above has described the primary material of the
comfort ring 30 as "cloth," however cloth in the traditional
sense is not required. Indeed, the primary material of the comfort
ring 30 may be cotton, rayon, felt, paper, or reinforced paper (e.g.,
TYVEK material), or any other flexible material without substantial
elastic properties (e.g., excluding neoprene, rubber, etc.). The
term "cloth" as used herein should be construed accordingly,
with the term "fabric" being used for traditional materials
such as cotton, rayon, etc. The choice of primary material for the
comfort ring 30 may depend on the desired application; for instance,
one-use disposable comfort rings 30 may be made from paper for lower
cost, while reusable single-patient comfort rings 30 may be made
from washable cotton or synthetic felt-like fabric.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail
in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered
as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood
that only some embodiments have been shown and described and that
all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and equivalency
range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein. |