Patent ID: 7823589

Claim:
A mask apparatus for use in a breathing assistance system, the mask apparatus comprising: a housing configured to support a cushion configured to provide a seal against a patient's face, the housing having a first side and a second side, the first side defining a first housing opening, and the second side configured to face the cushion and defining a second housing opening, the housing defining one or more housing exhaust passageways; a ball member positioned in the first housing opening, the ball member having a ball member opening defining a gas delivery passageway for communicating gas though the first housing opening; and a mounting system configured to secure the ball member in the first housing opening such that the housing, the ball member, and the mounting system define a ball joint allowing the ball member to rotate about multiple axes relative to the housing and the mounting system; wherein the mounting system includes one or more securing elements configured to be manually moved between a first position for securing the mounting system to the housing and a second position for releasing the mounting system from the housing; wherein the mounting system includes one or more mounting system exhaust passageways configured to cooperate with the one or more housing exhaust passageways for communicating exhaust gas away from the patient, the one or more housing exhaust passageways being separate from the gas delivery passageway defined by the ball member opening.