Patent ID: 6581601
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A nasal mask, said nasal mask comprising:a shell portion, said shell portion defining a hollow enclosure with a rearwardly facing opening defined by edge portions of the shell portion, and wherein the shell portion is at least generally symmetrical about a median plane, said shell portion having two gas inlet orifices disposed one on each side of the median plane, a front of said shell portion having an exhalation orifice approximately centered on the median place and, adjacent said exhalation orifice, an outwardly extending tubular elbow formation defining a flow passage through said exhalation orifice; and a balloon exhalation valve comprising a hollow tubular casing having a lower end face with a central passage therethrough, an inlet tube securely attached to said lower end face of said casing and passing through said central passage, and a balloon disposed within said casing, a mouth of said balloon being in sealed communication with said inlet tube, wherein an upper end of said casing is removably connected to said outwardly extending tubular elbow formation, and wherein said casing has an outlet orifice disposed proximate said outwardly extending tubular elbow formation, said outlet orifice defining a flow passage from said exhalation orifice through said casing, and wherein said balloon seals said outlet orifice when said balloon is inflated.