Patent ID: 6694973
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A nasal mask for use with a system for supplying air, with a therapeutic gas, to the airways of a patient, comprising:a mask shell adapted to be put over the nose of the patient using the nasal mask, the mask shell having an inside volume; an air inlet port that supplies air to the inside volume from an air source; an exhaust port, provided in the mask shell, for discharging the patient's exhalation gas to atmosphere; and a therapeutic gas inlet port, provided on the mask shell adjacent to the exhaust port, the therapeutic gas inlet port being fluidly connected to a therapeutic gas source that supplies a therapeutic gas to the inside volume of the mask shell at a constant flow rate, the therapeutic gas inlet port being oriented toward a portion of the inside volume of the nasal mask over the nose of the patient using the nasal mask; wherein the air inlet port, the exhaust port and the therapeutic gas inlet port are disposed in that order, in the direction of air flow through the air inlet port along the center line of the mask shell.