Importance

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Abstract

A respirator mask assembly for use with intermittent positive pressure breathing treatments facilitates the formation and automatic intermittent adjustment of the seal between a patient's face and a facial unit of the respirator mask. The respirator mask assembly comprises a facial unit, an expandable piston adjacent the facial unit and a rigid support structure attached to one end of the piston, and an attachment mechanism for securing the mask assembly to a patient. During the inspiration portion of the ventilation cycle a positive pressure is developed within the mask assembly, causing the piston to expand. Because, the attachment mechanism and the support cooperate to resist significant expansion of the piston, a force is generated which presses the facial unit against the patient's face and maintains an air tight seal. When pressure within the masks unit decreases, the contact force on the facial unit is likewise decreased and the seal is eliminated.

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First Claim