Patent ID: 7341060

Claim:
A nasal pillows assembly for nasal CPAP therapy of a patient comprising: (i) a frame including a first alignment indicator, an aperture and a channel having an inner wall, an outer wall and a channel floor; (ii) silicone nasal pillows selectively and repeatedly attachable to and detachable from the frame, the seal having a face-contacting side and a non-face contacting side, the non-face contacting side being engagable between the inner and outer walls of the frame, the nasal pillows including a second alignment indicator on an outer surface of the nasal pillows adapted to align with the first alignment indicator on the frame as the cushion and frame are engaged with one another; (iii) a rotatable elbow adapted to engage the aperture provided in the frame including one or more vent openings open to atmosphere for gas washout of exhaled carbon dioxide, the elbow assembly being adapted to connect to a gas delivery tube in order to supply pressurized air to the entrance of the patient's airway; and (iv) a headgear assembly to provide added stability to the nasal pillows including a pair of front straps having a layered fabric and foam structure and having attached by stitching thereto at least one yoke portion, each said yoke portion being constructed of a somewhat rigid material and having a relative stiffness that helps to position the frame and nasal pillows in the correct position on the patient, each said yoke portion being narrower than each front strap so that when the yoke portion and strap are attached together the softer material of the front straps extends beyond the more rigid material of the yoke portion, thereby preventing or at least reducing the opportunity for contact between the patient and the more rigid material of the yoke portion, the yoke portion being further adapted to add to the rigidity of the straps in certain planes and directions to assist in stabilizing the nasal pillows assembly on the head of the patient during use, and when fitted the front end of the yoke portion is connected to the frame below the patient's eyes.