Patent ID: 8020276

Claim:
A method of forming a custom-oriented medical mask having a body and an orientation structure, comprising: transitioning a deformable material for the orientation structure of the medical mask from a first non-deformable state to a deformable state; positioning in a user's mouth an oral appliance having a post, such that the oral appliance receives the user's teeth and the post of the oral appliance projects out of the user's mouth; positioning the medical mask over the user's face, such that: the body of the medical mask covers portions of the user's face including at least the user's mouth and a portion of the user's nose surrounding the user's nostrils; the body of the medical mask contacts the user's face surrounding the covered portions of the user's face and substantially prevents gas from escaping between the body and the contacted portions of the user's face; and the post of the oral appliance is received in the orientation structure of the medical mask to establish a custom orientation between the medical mask and the post of the oral appliance; and while the post of the oral appliance is received in the orientation structure of the medical mask, allowing the deformable material to transition from the deformable state to a second non-deformable state, such that the custom orientation between the medical mask and the post of the oral appliance is maintained.