Patent ID: 7669599

Claim:
A mask frame for a respiratory mask, the mask frame having a wall defining a mask cavity adapted for communication with a patient's airways and including a gas inlet oriented in a first plane and adapted for connection to a supply of breathable gas, further including at least one port formed in a lowermost portion of the mask frame, wherein the at least one port is defined by portions of the wall that form a substantially cylindrical bore, wherein the at least one port communicates with the mask cavity via a port aperture, wherein the port is oriented in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, the mask frame having a front wall, a base wall and an apex opposite the base wall, wherein the at least one port is formed in the base wall, and wherein the port is structured to provide supplemental breathable gas to the mask cavity, independent of the delivery of breathable gas to the mask cavity via the gas inlet.