Patent ID: 11878124
Assignee: FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LIMITED
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 0:
1. A patient interface configured to be connected to a respiratory therapy system to deliver a flow of breathable gases to a user, the patient interface comprising:
a mask body;
a mask seal secured to the mask body and configured to form a seal with a face of the user, at least around a mouth of the user; the mask body and mask seal being arranged to define an interior breathing chamber of the patient interface;
an inlet to the breathing chamber configured to receive a flow of breathable gases into the breathing chamber; and
a user actuatable speech valve operable to selectively occlude and open a speech flow path from the breathing chamber to atmosphere when the user wishes to speak, wherein the speech valve comprises:
a vent comprising at least one vent opening configured to be in fluid communication with the breathing chamber and an ambient environment; and
a sealing member comprising a plunger slidably located in an elongate barrel which extends into the breathing chamber, wherein the at least one vent opening is formed in the barrel,
wherein at least one of the at least one vent opening and the sealing member is movable between a first position in which the sealing member sealingly occludes the at least one vent opening, and a second position wherein the sealing member at least partially opens the at least one vent opening, and wherein the first position and second position are substantially coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the barrel to allow the at least one vent opening to be selectively occluded by the sealing member.