Patent ID: 8573217

Claim:
A mask assembly for providing a flow gas to a patient, comprising: (a) a mask body having an opening for receiving the flow of gas, the mask body including a seal structure for sealingly engaging with a face of such a patient and surrounding at least a nose and mouth of such a patient, the mask body having a connecting portion; and (b) a conduit releasably connected with the connecting portion of the mask body for delivering the flow of as to such a patient through the opening, the conduit comprising: (1) a first connector portion having an outer surface contacting an inner surface of the connecting portion, and (2) a second, connector portion fbr connecting with a tubing adapted to carry the flow of gas to the mask assembly, wherein the first connector portion comprises a plurality of grooves circumferentially spaced on the outer surface of the first connector portion, the grooves extending beneath the connecting portion and outwardly from a distal end of the connecting portion to thereby provide a path for allowing gas to escape from the mask body through the connecting portion and the grooves.