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Abstract

A mask for supplying gas under pressure to an airway of a human including: a flexible manifold shell, being made of a flexible material, the manifold including means for connection to a gas delivery pipe. There are at least two side walls which are at least partially formed by portions of the manifold shell; a flexible face contacting element defining an orifice to accommodate the nose of the human; a first connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to a mask retaining strap; and a second connecting strap having a first end connected to the mask and a second end connectable to the mask retaining strap. The first strap and the second strap engage respective side walls of the mask for distributing opposing distortional forces to a substantial portion of the respective side walls when the mask is in use. The connection of the straps to the mask allow forces exerted by the first and second straps are capable of deforming the manifold at least along X and Y axes to create a variety of different mask/orifice shapes. The manifold of the mask has a manifold height and a centroid. The first and second straps engage the mask along a connecting length thereby joining the first and second straps to respective side walls of the mask so that an axis through the centroid normal to the Y axis, intersects with at least part of each strap.

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First Claim