Patent ID: 8074645

Claim:
Apparatus for providing positive airway pressure for the treatment of sleep apnea, chronic pulmonary obstruction and snoring, the apparatus comprising: a flow generator configured to provide air at a pressure of 4-20 cm of water at an outlet; a user interface comprising support bands configured to retain the user interface on the head of a user, an interface passage in fluid communication with the flow generator outlet and having a lumen, and a mask having a chamber and connected to the interface passage so that pressurized air may be delivered from the lumen into the chamber of the mask, the mask being configured to be positioned in communication with an airway of the user to provide a generally sealed connection to the user for the delivery of the pressurized air for inhalation, the interface passage having at least one vent therein; and a humidifier configured to introduce water into the interface passage at a position distal to the flow generator, and distal the at least one vent.