Patent ID: 6584977
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: A61M

Abstract:
A patient interface and exhaust assembly comprising:(1) a patient interface assembly comprising: (a) a faceplate having a first opening defined in a first end and a second opening defined in a second end thereof, and (b) a seal associated with the second opening for contacting a surface of a patient, wherein at least one of the faceplate and the seal define an interior of the patient interface assembly; (2) a patient circuit operatively coupled to the first opening to communicate a supply of breathing gas with the interior of the patient interface assembly; and (3) an exhaust assembly defined at an interconnection of the faceplate and patient circuit, wherein the exhaust assembly includes: (a) an exhaust path defined generally between the faceplate and the patient circuit so as to communicate the interior of the patient interface assembly with ambient atmosphere, and (b) a flow regulating member associated with the exhaust path to control a rate of flow of exhaust gas passing to atmosphere through the exhaust path by deforming the flow regulating member into the exhaust path, wherein a degree of deformation of the flow regulating member into the exhaust path increases as a pressure in the interior of the patient interface assembly increases relative to ambient atmospheric pressure.