Patent ID: 6895965
Filing Date: 2005-05-24
Classification: A61M,A62B

Abstract:
1. A method of interfacing a patient with an external device, comprising: providing an external device to be interfaced with a patient; providing a seal having a first surface operatively coupled to the external device and a second surface adapted for confronting engagement with an external surface of a patient to form an interface therewith, wherein the seal includes a selectively formable portion having a first pattern that is adapted to be molded into a second pattern and to retain the second pattern responsive to being so molded, and wherein the selectively formable portion includes a combination of a gel substance and a selectively formable stiffening agent; and applying the seal to such an external surface of a patient by applying a compressive force on the formable portion of the seal so that the formable portion takes on the second pattern generally conforming to contours of a portion of such a patient underlying the seal, wherein the formable portion retains the second pattern even after the compressive force is removed from the formable portion.