Patent ID: 7762258

Claim:
An infant nasal interface mask for use with a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) system, the mask comprising: a mask body forming a cavity and defined by a leading portion, an intermediate shell portion, and a trailing portion, wherein: the leading portion terminates in a leading edge forming an aperture open to the cavity and having a generally triangular shape for placement over a patient's nose, and the trailing portion includes a bellows segment characterized by an increased flexibility as compared to a flexibility of the intermediate shell portion, the mask body includes a side wall forming at least the leading and intermediate shell portions, and further wherein a nominal thickness of the side wall along at least a segment of the leading portion is less than a nominal thickness of the side wall along at least a segment of the intermediate shell portion; and a base extending from the trailing portion opposite the leading portion, the base forming at least one passage extending longitudinally through a thickness of the base from an opening in a rear face of the base and permanently fluidly open to the aperture, wherein an axis of the opening intersects the aperture; wherein the intermediate shell portion is longitudinally moveable and laterally pivotable relative to the base via the bellows segment.