WO2000020072A9

WO2000020072A9 - Customizable seal, mask with customizable seal and method of using such a seal

Info

Publication number: WO2000020072A9
Application number: PCT/US1999/022493
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugene N Scarberry; Ronald E White; Benedict R Mcelroy
Original assignee: Respironics Inc
Priority date: 1998-10-05
Filing date: 1999-09-28
Publication date: 2000-09-28
Also published as: AU6271999A; EP1124615A1; US20060076018A1; US20020100479A1; CA2345252C; US8485190B2; US20110088698A1; WO2000020072A1; EP1124615A4; JP5033536B2; JP2002526180A; JP2007307408A; US6895965B2; US6397847B1; US7870859B2; CA2345252A1; EP1124615B1

Abstract

This invention is a seal and a mask having a seal (18) adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form an interface therewith. The seal includes a first portion defined by a gel substance and a second portion (16) associated with the first portion. The second portion includes a selectively formable substance adapted to be molded from a first pattern into a second pattern, and to retain the second pattern responsive to being so molded. The seal mask (12) having the seal is tailored to a patient by causing the formable portion of the seal to be placed in a malleable state, and causing the formable portion to be placed in a fixed state to retain a shape generally conforming to the portion of the patient underlying the seal.

Description

CUSTOMIZABLE SEAL, MASK WITH CUSTOMIZABLE SEAL AND METHOD OF USING SUCH A SEAL

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a customizable seal that contacts a

portion of a patient to provide a comfortable and customizable interface between an

external device, such as a respiratory mask, and the patient. The present invention also

pertains to a respiratory mask having such a customizable seal and to a method of interfacing a patient with an external device, such as a respiratory mask, using such a

seal.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of respiratory masks are known having a flexible seal that

covers the areas surrounding the nose and or mouth of a human user and that are

designed to create a continuous seal against the user's face. Because of the sealing

effect created, gases can be provided at a positive pressure within the mask for

consumption by the user. The uses for such masks range from high altitude breathing

(aviation applications), swimming, mining and fire fighting applications and various

medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

One requisite of many of these masks, particularly medical respiratory

masks is that they provide an effective seal against the user's face to prevent leakage of

the gas being supplied. Commonly, in conventional mask configurations, a good mask-

to-face seal has been attained in many instances only with considerable discomfort for the user. This problem is most crucial in those applications, especially medical

applications, which require the user to wear the mask continuously for hours or perhaps

even days. In such situations, the user will not tolerate the mask for long durations and

optimum therapeutic or diagnostic objectives will not be achieved, or will be achieved

with great difficulty and considerable user discomfort.

Several types of respiratory masks for the types of applications

mentioned above are known. Perhaps the most common type of mask incorporates a

smooth sealing surface extending around the periphery of the mask and exhibiting a

generally uniform, i.e., predetermined or fixed, seal surface contour that is intended to

be effective to seal against the user's face when force is applied to the mask with the

sealing surface in confronting engagement with the user's face. The sealing surface

typically consists of an air or fluid filled cushion, or it may simply be a molded or

formed surface of a resilient seal element made of an elastomer such as plastic, rubber,

silicone, vinyl or foam.

Such masks have performed well when the fit is good between the

contours of the seal surface and the corresponding contours of the user's face. This may

occur, for example, if the contours of the user's face happen to match well with the

predetermined contours of the seal. However, if the seal fit is not good, there will be

gaps in the seal-to-face interface resulting in gas leaking from the mask at the gaps.

Excessive force will be required to compress the seal member to close the gaps and

attain a satisfactory seal in those areas where the gaps occur. Such excessive force is

unacceptable because it produces high pressure points elsewhere on the face of the user

where the mask seal contour is forcibly deformed against the face to conform to the user's facial contours. This will produce considerable user discomfort and possible skin

irritation and breakdown anywhere the applied force exceeds the local perfusion

pressure, which is the pressure that is sufficient to cut off surface blood flow. Ideally,

contact forces should be limited between the mask and the user's face to avoid

exceeding the local perfusion pressure, even at points where the mask seal must deform

considerably.

The problem of seal contact force exceeding desirable limits is even

more pronounced when the positive pressure of the gas being supplied is relatively high

or is cyclical to relatively high levels. Because the mask seals by virtue of confronting

contact between the mask seal and the user's face, the mask must be held against the

face with a force sufficient to seal against leakage of the peak pressure of the supplied

gas. Thus, for conventional masks, when the supply pressure is high, headstraps or

other mask restraints must be relatively tightly fastened. This produces high localized

pressure on the face, not only in the zone of the mask seal, but at various locations along

the extent of the retention straps as well. This, too, will result in discomfort for the user

after only a brief time. Even in the absence of excessive localized pressure points, the

tight mask and headstraps may become extremely uncomfortable, and user discomfort

may well cause discontinued cooperation with the treatment regimen. Examples of

respiratory masks possessing continuous cushion sealing characteristics of the type just

described are provided in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,254,854 and 2,931 ,356.

U.S. Patent No. 5,181,506 describes a protective gas mask for military

applications. The mask includes a three-layer face piece, the central layer of which is a

thick layer of relatively stiff material having preformed V-shaped channels. The channels are "overfilled" with a gel or both gel and compressed air to create bulges in an

inner face-contacting layer that are adapted to seal against the contours of a user's face.

The inherent stiffness of the central layer in combination with the structural rigidity

provided by the N-shaped channels, especially when overfilled with gel/air, results in a

comparatively unyielding facial seal. Indeed, the mask is deployed in combination with

a tightly fitting hood in order to draw the face piece firmly against the user's head to

generate the desired facial seal. As will be appreciated, the comfort afforded such a

construction is quite limited and certainly not appropriate for those applications, such as

respiratory therapy situations, where a user must occasionally wear a mask for

prolonged periods of time.

Several classes of cushion materials, including gels and foams, were

analyzed in a study by S.F.C. Stewart, N. Palmieri and GN.B. Cochran, Arch. Phys.

Med. Rehabi Vol. 61, (May 1980). That study compared the relative advantages and

disadvantages of such cushion materials when used as wheelchair cushions, specifically

the effects of such materials on skin temperature, heat flux and relative humidity at the

skin-cushion interface. Each of these factors, along with applied pressure in excess of

local perfusion pressure, has been identified as a contributor to breakdown of skin tissue

at the skin-cushion interface.

In that study, foam cushions were reported to increase skin temperatures

by several degrees after a few hours of use. This was suggested to be a result of the

comparatively low heat flux characteristics of foam materials. That is, the foam

materials and the air entrapped within them tend to be poor conductors of heat.

Conversely, gel pads, as a group, showed a considerably higher heat flux than foam, sufficient, in fact, to maintain skin temperatures relatively constant after several hours of

use. The sole benefit of foam versus gel reported in the study was that foams produced

lesser relative humidity than gels at the skin-cushion interface. This was attributed to

the open cell structure of the foams which provide a pathway through which moisture

can diffuse. This seeming advantage is somewhat problematic, however, in that open

cell foam tends to promote bacteria growth when exposed to perspiration. Bacteria, in

turn, contaminates the foam thereby considerably hindering its useful service life.

These and other detrimental characteristics have been observed as well in

the foam-type respiratory mask seals discussed above. Hence, apart from generally

failing to provide optimum sealing with respect to a user's face, the inherent qualities of

foam mask seals have been linked to skin irritation and breakdown, particularly at some

of the more prominent facial contours, such as the cheek bones and bridge of the nose.

Moreover, whether air, fluid or, in the case of U.S. Patent No. 5,181,506,

gel filled, or whether formed as an elastomer such as foam, plastic, rubber, silicone and

the like, the resiliency or recoil characteristics of presently available cushion type

respiratory mask seals have not been well suited to form an effective seal with the

topography of the user's face in the absence of considerable headstrap tensile forces.

One method to reduce the existence of gaps at the mask-to-face interface

is to customize the seal so that it conforms to the fine contours of the patient's face.

This can be thought of as a micro-customization of the seal because the goal of the

customization is to match the seal to the specific external features of the user's face, i.e.,

the contours created by the soft tissue of the patient. For example, if the user has an

unusually deep crease in his or her face, a micro-customized mask has a user interface surface that matches this deep crease, thereby preventing a gap from existing at the

crease. In short, a micro-customized seal is tailored to conform to the contours of the

soft surface tissue of the patient.

Various techniques have been proposed for micro-customizing a seal,

such as the seal on a face mask. It is known, for example, to provide a micro-

customized seal by making an impression or cast of the patient's face. The cast is then

used as a form to produce a fully customized mask specifically tailored to match that

patient's face. This technique, however, is time consuming and costly, and, therefore, is

not well suited for conventional, large-scale manufacturing processes.

The present inventor also discovered that, contrary to expected results, a

satisfactory seal may not result from a micro-customized mask. It is believed that a

relatively detailed micro-customized mask, closely matching the detailed contours of the

soft tissue at the surface of a patient, does not provide a satisfactory seal because

changes in seal position and/or changes in the soft tissue of the patient may result in new

gaps being created between the seal and the patient. For this reason, a mask that has a

micro-customized seal made from the above-described casting process, because it is

specifically designed to match the contours in the soft tissue of the patient's face at the

time the cast was made, typically does not have the ability, or has only a limited ability,

to change its shape in the event of changes in the patient's shape or shifts in the mask

position. This disadvantage is especially pronounced if the mask having such a micro-

customized seal is used in situations where the patient is likely to move and/or in

situations where the mask is likely to be jostled, such as during sleep. It is also known to contour the patient-contacting surface of the mask to

match the general facial contours of the patient. This can be thought of as a macro-

customization because the goal of customization is not to match the seal to the detailed

external features of the user defined by the external soft tissues, but to match the seal to

the general shape of the user, such as the underlying bone structure. Macro-

customization provides an advantage over micro-customization in that there is less of a

chance that changes in the patient's soft tissue or slight shifts in the seal will result in

gaps being created. Also, a macro-customized seal provides a more effective seal than a

micro-customized seal in situations where there may be differences between the

contours of the underlying bone structure and the overlying soft tissue. For example, if

there is a protruding bone that is not apparent because the protrusion is masked by soft

tissue, a macro-customized seal will conform to the protruding bone structure, thereby

minimizing the chances of leaks existing at a site near the protruding bone.

One technique for providing a macro-customized seal on a respiratory

mask is to provide a variety of different masks having a variety of differently shaped

seals. The user would use the mask having the seal that most closely matches the facial

structure of that user. For example, several masks having different sized nose bridge

arches can be made available to the user, with the user selecting the mask having the

nose bridge arch size that most closely matches his or her nose. This type of mask

provides some degree of customization, as opposed, for example, to a flat surface, for

the mask-to-patient interface. However, because this macro-customized, i.e., off the

shelf, mask is not specifically customized to match the facial features of a specific user,

it often does not permit a sufficient degree of customization to account for facial contours specific to each patient. For example, for patients with unusual facial features,

off the shelf macro-customized masks typically do not provide a satisfactory seal and

can result in pressure points being created as the patient attempts to close these gaps

with increased strapping force.

Macro-customization of a respiratory mask facial seal can also be

accomplished by measuring the general facial features of the patient and producing a

seal that matches these general features. This macro-customization process, however,

suffers from the same disadvantages discussed above with respect to the micro-

customization process. Namely, it is time consuming, uneconomical and inefficient to

attempt to mass produce such specifically tailored macro-customized masks.

Macro-customization also suffers from a disadvantage in that leaks

resulting from the physical characteristics of the soft tissue of the patient are not

minimized. For example, if there is a deep crease in the soft tissue, a macro-customized

seal is generally not as prone to reducing leaks at the crease as a micro-customized seal.

Instead, the user will typically attempt to minimize such leaks by increasing the

strapping force, thereby creating the problems of high localized pressure on the surface

of the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a

customizable seal adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form

a sealed interface therewith that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional seal

techniques. This object is achieved, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by providing a seal having a first portion defined by a gel substance and a

second portion associated with the first portion and including a selectively formable

substance adapted to be molded from a first pattern into a second pattern and to retain

the second pattern responsive to being so molded. The first portion of the seal has the

effect of providing a micro-customization of the seal in that the seal readily conforms

to match the external contours of the user, such as those features defined in a patient's

soft tissues. The second portion of the seal has the effect of providing a macro-

customization in that it can be molded to match the general features, such as the

underlying bone structure, of the patient.

The present inventor discovered that headstrap tensile forces and,

therefore, the compressive forces exerted by the mask against a user's face, can be

reduced substantially with respect to existing cushion-type respiratory masks when the

first portion of the seal in a respiratory facial mask is fabricated from materials, such as a

gel substance, having recoil characteristics analogous to that of human fat. The first

portion of the seal behaves much like natural biological tissue and tends to conform

naturally to the detailed contours of the user's face under the influence of very low

headstrap forces. Therefore, the first portion of the seal provides the advantages

associated with micro-customization in that the seal can conform to the detailed features

of the user's skin.

The present inventor also discovered that, in addition to their other

aforementioned advantages, gel substances can be produced that simulate the recoil

properties of human fat tissue. In one embodiment, the gel substance is, for example, a

viscoelastic polyurethane polymer possessing a resiliency characteristic corresponding to that of human fat tissue yet having a recoil property such that the seal returns back to

substantially its original shape after being stressed. In a further embodiment, a

protective covering is provided over an exterior surface of the gel substance. In the

absence of such a covering, the inherent tacky quality of the gel substance serves to

enhance adhesion of the facial seal to the user's skin. Alternatively, if tackiness is not

desired, the surface of the annular member may be covered with a coating of powdered

talc, silicone or similar biocompatible material. Most preferably, however, an exposed

portion of the gel substance is encapsulated in a thin, pliable, membranous covering to

enhance the durability and washability of the facial seal.

Because the portion of the facial seal that contacts the user simulates

the recoil characteristics of human fat tissue, the user experiences the sensation of a

natural substance against his or her skin when an external device, such as a mask,

having such a seal is donned. Furthermore, because the seal includes a second portion

that can be molded from a first pattern into a second pattern and, thereafter, retains the

second pattern, a respiratory mask having such a seal can be customized to match the

general facial characteristics of the user. The second portion of the seal provides the

advantages associated with macro-customization in that the seal conforms to the

general features of the user. Consequently, an external device, such as a mask,

provided with such a customizable seal can be comfortably urged into continuous

sealing engagement with a user's face with less headstrap tension than other masks

heretofore known in the art. Furthermore, the fat-like qualities of the gel substance in

the first portion of the seal allow the gel to effectively fill gaps on the surface of the

user and mold to other facial contours, thereby minimizing leakage of pressurized gas supplied to the mask. The gel substance also serves to efficiently dissipate heat while

resisting the bacteria growth associated with foam type mask seals.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a respiratory

mask using a customizable seal described above. This object is achieved by providing

a respiratory mask that includes a relatively rigid mask body having a first opening

and a second opening defined therein. A seal is operatively connected to the mask

body and adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form a sealed

interface therewith. As discussed above, the seal includes a first portion defined by a

gel substance and a second portion associated with the first portion that includes a

selectively formable substance adapted to be molded from a first pattern into a second

pattern and to retain the second pattern responsive to being so molded.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of

interfacing a patient with an external device using the customizable seal described

above. This object is achieved by providing a method that includes the steps of: (1)

providing an external device having a seal adapted for confronting engagement with a

surface of the patient to form a sealed interface therewith, the seal including a

selectively formable portion having a malleable state and a fixed state, (2) causing the

formable portion of the seal to be placed in the malleable state, (3) applying the seal to

the surface of the patient while the formable portion is in the malleable state so that

the formable portion takes on a shape generally conforming to the contour of a portion

of the patient underlying the seal, and (4) causing the formable portion to be placed in

the fixed state to retain the shape generally conforming to the contour of the portion of

the patient underlying the seal. These and other objects, features and characteristics of the present

invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of

structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become

more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended

claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this

specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the

various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for

the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of

the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a respiratory mask including a first

embodiment of a seal according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the respiratory mask of Fig. 1 in

confronting, sealing engagement with a user's face, the respiratory mask being

schematically depicted in communication with a source of respiratory gas;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the respiratory mask taken along line

m-m of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the respiratory mask taken along line

IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view of a respiratory mask similar

to the view illustrated in Fig. 3 illustrating a seal according to another embodiment of

the present invention; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a respiratory mask similar to the view

illustrated in Fig. 3 illustrating a seal according to a still further embodiment of the

present invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of a seal according to other

embodiments of the present invention;

Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a respiratory mask and seal according to a

further embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a respiratory mask similar to the view

illustrated in Fig. 3 illustrating a retaining member used in customizing the seal to the

patient in a further embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 11 is a front elevation view of the respiratory mask and retaining

member shown in Fig. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figs. 1-4, there is generally indicated at 10, a respiratory

mask including a shell or body 12 having an open side 14 that defines a generally

annular surface 16 to which is sealingly affixed a seal 18 constructed according to a first

embodiment of the instant invention. Mask body 12 is preferably, although not

necessarily, a generally rigid shell, whereas facial seal 18, in the illustrated embodiment,

is a flexible, resilient unitary member that will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Mask body 12 also defines an opening 20 to which, in the illustrated

embodiment, there is attached a fluid coupling device, such as a swivel coupling 21 for

carrying fluid, such as a breathing gas, between the chamber within the mask and the external gas source. It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates a

variety of fluid coupling devices be attachable, either permanently or selectively, to

opening 20 to carry fluid to or from the chamber defined by mask 10. In the illustrated

embodiment, opening 20 and intervening coupling 21 connect mask 10 via a conduit,

which is represented by dashed line 22, to a source of gas 24, e.g., a blower or other

suitable device, for providing a flow of pressurized breathing gas, for example, for

administration of the gas to a user 26.

The mask shown is a nasal mask that accommodates the nasal regions of

the user's face. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention also

contemplates a full face or an oral/nasal mask that accommodates both the mouth and

nose of a user or a total face mask that accommodates substantially the entire facial area

of the patient. As is conventional, mask body 12 also preferably includes fastening

devices, such as tabs 25 or the like, that connect to suitable adjustable retention straps

(not illustrated) for retaining the mask with respect to the user's face. Although three

such devices are illustrated in the Figs. 1-4 and are generally arrayed at the corners of

mask 10, it is to be understood that other configurations, arrangements, numbers and

locations of fastening device can be provided without deviation from the principles of

the present invention. Although not illustrated, the present invention contemplates

providing one or more exhaust ports or other venting mechanisms at a location or

locations, such as in seal 18, mask body 12, conduit 21 or at a junction between these

components, to exhaust gas expired by the user to atmosphere.

Seal 18 in the illustrated embodiments includes a solid, yet highly

resilient and self-sustaining compressible, generally annular member 27 comprising a peripheral wall portion 28 having a generally annular base or inner end 30 configured so

as to substantially match surface 16 of shell 12 to which it is attached. Peripheral wall

portion 28 further establishes an outer end 32 generally opposite inner end 30. Outer

end 32 defines a generally annular contoured sealing surface 34 adapted for confronting,

sealing engagement with a user's face. As will be more fully developed later herein, in

the illustrated embodiment, the contour of sealing surface 34 is preformed to closely

approximate the surface contour of a user's facial structure, especially in the areas of the

bridge of the nose, the cheeks adjacent the nose, the space intermediate the nose and

upper lip, and the intervening areas contiguous to these. It can be appreciated that a

variety of different contours of sealing surface 34 can be provided, with the user

selecting the seal having a contour that most closely matches his or her facial structure,

so that the present mask and seal offers the general macro-customized features discussed

above.

It is to be understood that the contour of sealing surface 34 can have

alternative configurations depending on the type of mask to which the seal is attached.

For a full face mask, for example (not illustrated), sealing surface 34 is contoured to

accommodate the user's chin in lieu of the area intermediate the nose and upper lip. In

either case, variation in the user's facial structure, especially in the area of the bridge of

the nose, for example, makes considerable seal flexibility necessary to accommodate the

many different facial contours likely to be encountered. This is so despite that fact that a

variety of different contours of sealing surface 34 can be provided, bearing in mind that

it is only practical to provide a limited number of different contours for sealing surface

34 to facilitate the efficient mass production of seal 18. In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in

Figs. 3 and 4, the entirety of annular member 27 is formed from a gel substance, such as

a viscoelastic polyurethane polymer, possessing resilience or recoil characteristics

corresponding substantially to those of human fat tissue. More specifically, seal 18

preferably has a resiliency as defined by durometer measured on the Shore 00 scale,

which is used to gauge the resiliency of very soft resilient materials, of about 10 or

softer and, most preferably, about 0. Such resiliency corresponds substantially to that of

human fat tissue, which also exhibits a durometer reading of 0 on a Shore 00 scale.

With respect to the embodiment of seal 18 illustrated in Figs. 1-4, the durometer of seal

18 corresponds to the resultant durometers of annular member 27 and the later described

protective covering (whose durometer is essentially negligible because of the thinness

and pliability of the covering). As for the seal illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the annular

member 27 has no protective covering, the durometer of the facial seal is that of the

annular member.

Although inherently capable of filling spatial voids, human fat tissue has

negligible structural integrity and may not be self-sustaining. Consequently, any seal

possessing structural characteristics essentially identical to fat would be impractical

from a usage standpoint. That is, if a seal were fabricated from a material structurally

indistinguishable from human fat tissue in terms of resiliency, it may tend to sag into an

amorphous shape under the influence of gravity and, thus, would not effectively

conform to the contours of a user's face even if the headstrap tension was quite high. It

will be appreciated, therefore, that a properly designed seal must substantially, but not

identically, mimic human fat tissue from a structural, particularly resiliency, perspective. Stated differently, the seal must exhibit some measurable recoil "memory" whereby it is

structurally self-sustaining, capable of gently conforming to the topography of a user's

face under the influence of low headstrap tensile forces, resistant to distorting

gravitational effects and self-restorable to its original configuration when removed from

contact with the user's face. It must also be resistant to distortion due to positive gas

pressure supplied to the mask.

To simultaneously achieve these and other beneficial properties, annular

member 27 according to the present invention is preferably formed from a gel substance

that, while virtually indistinguishable from human fat tissue when measured on the

Shore 00 scale, exhibits a resiliency or durometer on the Shore 000 scale (which scale is

used to measure the resiliency of extremely soft resilient materials) of from about 20 to

about 45. By comparison, human fat tissue registers a durometer of about 10 on the

Shore 000 scale.

Annular member 27 is fabricated using conventional molding

techniques. For example, liquid polyurethane polymer, including any plasticizers and

other modifiers necessary to achieve desired finished product properties, is poured or

injected into an appropriately configured mold. The polymer is then permitted to cure,

either with or without the application of heat depending upon the specific composition

and setting characteristics of the polymer, until the product achieves its desired solid gel

form.

Because the polymer of the annular member does not have sufficient

structural integrity to reliably adhere directly to the body portion 12 of the mask, seal 18

also preferably comprises attachment mechanism 36 that, in one embodiment of the present invention, may be integrally molded into the inner end 30 of the annular member

during its formation. Attachment mechanism 36 is desirably constructed as a

substantially rigid annular ring having a shape corresponding to that of the inner end 30

and a wall thickness less than or equal to that of the wall thickness of the peripheral wall

portion 28. At a minimum, however, attachment mechanism 36 comprises a member

less resilient than the gel substance of the annular member. To enhance bonding of

attachment mechanism 36 to the annular member 27, the attachment mechanism

desirably includes an anchorage device 38. The anchorage device, in the illustrated

embodiment, comprises spaced apart formations of the attachment mechanism defining

openings or similar structures into or around which the fluid polymer may flow and

ultimately cure during formation of the annular member. It is to be understood,

however, that a variety of techniques are contemplated from attachment mechanism 36.

Any attachment technique, such as screws, tacks, adhesive, or tongue and groove

assembly, can be used to secure seal 18 to mask body 12.

In the illustrated embodiment, annular member 27 includes a plurality of

integral bosses 42 that are preferably molded into the peripheral wall portion 28 during

formation of the annular member and extend from the inner end 30 toward the outer end

32. Bosses 42 provide structural support to the annular member and promote uniform

compression of the annular member when such member is in contact with a user's face.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the bosses are symmetrically disposed

about the peripheral wall portion and preferably correspond in number and location to

the anchorage mechanisms 38. As shown in Fig. 3, a presently preferred construction

envisions five such bosses 42 corresponding to five anchorage means 38. It is to be understood, however, that the number and positions of bosses 42 can be varied

depending on the desired structural characteristics to be achieved.

As previously mentioned, one embodiment of seal 18 contemplates that

the annular member 27 be covered by a protective covering 40. The covering increases

the durability of the annular member while also permitting easy cleaning of seal 18.

Covering 40 must satisfy several physical criteria. It must, inter alia: (1) resist tearing

and puncturing, (2) tightly conform to annular member 27 without changing or

deforming the contours thereof, (3) be chemically compatible with the annual member,

(4) be biocompatible and non-irritating to a user's skin, and (5) be sufficiently thin and

supple such that its presence has a negligible impact on the resultant durometer of facial

seal 18. In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention contemplates

that covering 40 comprise a thin (approximately 2 to 10 mils thick) flexible plastic film.

Urethane has been found to be preferable for this particular purpose as such material

meets not only the objectives of the present invention but is also comparatively

inexpensive and easy to apply to the surface of annular member 27.

Covering 40 may be applied to the annular member by any suitable

process. For instance, liquid urethane may be applied by spraying or dipping and then

permitted to cure. Preferably, however, the urethane is prefabricated by vacuum

forming so as to produce a skin of controllable and uniform thickness that is

subsequently vacuum formed to the annular member using conventional techniques.

Once seal 18 is fully assembled, it is, in one embodiment of the present

invention, attached to mask body 12 by coating inner end 30 of the facial seal and/or

annular seating surface 16 of the mask body 12 with a suitable adhesive and then pressing inner end 30 into abutment with seating surface 16 whereupon the adhesive is

allowed to cure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the seal of the present

invention, which is identified herein by reference numeral 118. Seal 118 differs from

seal 18 essentially in that the annular member 27 thereof has no protective covering on

its outer surface. In all other material respects, seal 118 is constructed and functions

substantially identically to seal 18.

When manufactured according to a preferred embodiment of the present

invention, the exposed surface of annular member 27 is tacky. As such, the inherent

tackiness of contoured sealing surface 34 of the annular member may, thus, be used to

the user's advantage by enhancing adhesion of the seal to the user's face. In the

alternative, if tackiness is not desired, the surface of annular member 27 of seal 118 may

be covered with a coating of powdered talc, silicone or similar biocompatible material.

As presently contemplated, the wall thickness of peripheral wall portion

28 of annular seal member 27 of seals 18 and 118, excluding bosses 42, preferably

ranges from about 0.2 to 0.3 inches. The weight of the seals 18 and 118, depending on

the size of mask bodies 12 with which they are used, ranges from about 1 to 2 ounces, a

weight that has been discovered to be virtually unnoticeable to patients who have worn

masks constructed according to the present invention in clinical tests. Furthermore, the

fat-like resiliency qualities of the gel substance that forms annular member 27 creates in

the wearer a comparatively cool and natural tactile sensation when the facial seal is in

contact with the user's face. Also, much like human fat tissue performs, seals 18 and

118 effectively fill gaps and mold to the user's facial topography thereby minimizing leakage of gas supplied to the mask. Thus, seals 18 and 118 provide the beneficial

aspects of micro-customization as discussed above. Indeed, experimental testing has

shown that respiratory masks fitted with facial seals in accordance with the present

invention exhibit minimal gas leaks with headstrap tensile forces of 3 pounds or less, a

value substantially less than related masks presently known in the art. The facial seals

described herein thus enable respiratory masks to be worn by users for prolonged

periods with little or no measurable discomfort. This phenomenon is especially

important to users who must wear respiratory masks for extended periods, such as

patients undergoing respiratory therapy. Such individuals find that because of the

comfort afforded by the facial seals 18, 118, their compliance with the respiratory

treatment increases and the therapeutic benefits of the treatment are more fully realized.

As an alternative to the embodiments discussed above, it is also

contemplated that a respiratory mask of the present invention may be constructed as a

one-piece member rather than as a separate seal joined to a mask body. In such case, the

respiratory mask may be fabricated as a unitary member formed from substances of

increasingly softer durometers, as considered in a direction from that portion of the

mask corresponding to the mask body toward that portion corresponding to the facial

seal, such that the softest materials, comprising the previously discussed gel substance

and possessing the resiliency characteristics described hereinabove, constitute the seal or

face-contacting portion of the annular member.

As yet another alternative embodiment, the present invention also

contemplates that annular member 27, rather than the entire mask, can be defined by

substances of increasingly softer durometers in a direction toward sealing surface 34, such that the softest materials, comprising the previously discussed gel substance and

possessing the resiliency characteristics described hereinabove, would constitute the seal

or face-contacting portion of the annular member, i.e., the portions of seal 18 at sealing

surface 34.

A further embodiment of a seal of the present invention is illustrated in

Fig. 6. The primary difference between the seal of this embodiment, identified by

numeral 218, and seals 18 and 118 in the previous embodiments, is that seal 218

includes a first portion 50 defined by the gel substance discussed above and a second

portion 52 defined by a selectively formable substance so that the general shape of

seal 218 can be customized to enable seal 218 to fit more comfortably on the patient.

The remaining portions of the mask illustrated in Fig. 6 are identical to the associated

portions in the previous embodiments.

The selectively formable substance in second portion 52 of seal 218 is

capable of being placed in a malleable state so that it molds from a first pattern into a

second pattern. The formable substance is also capable of being placed in a fixed

state so that it retains the second pattern after being so molded. Dashed line 54 in Fig.

6 represents the interface between first portion 50 and second portion 52 when second

portion 52 is in its original, first pattern, i.e., prior to being molded to match the

contours of the patient. Dashed line 56, on the other hand, represents the interface

between first portion 50 and second portion 52 once second portion 52 has been

molded into its second pattern to match the contours of the patient. It can be

appreciated that second portion 52, in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, upon being

molded into its second pattern, has decreased the distance between inner end 30 and the interface 54, 56 between first portion 50 and second portion 52 at the top and

bottom of the seal as a result of being so molded. This may occur, for example, due to

the protrusion of the bridge of the nose and the chin.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the formable

substance in second portion 52 of seal 218 is heat activated so that it transitions from

the fixed state to the malleable state upon being heated to a certain level. It also

transitions from the malleable state to the fixed state upon being cooled to certain

level. In one embodiment of the present invention, the formable substance defining

second portion 52 is a combination of the above-described gel substance and a

stiffening agent, such as ethyl vinyl acetate. Although a range of mixture ratios are

possible to achieve a variety of stiffnesses for second portion 52, in a preferred

embodiment of the present invention, the second portion is a uniform mixture of

approximately 60% gel substance and 40% stiffening agent.

This embodiment of the present invention provides a customizable seal

for interfacing an external device, such as the mask illustrated in Fig. 6, with a portion

of the patient, such as the area surrounding the patient's nose or the area surrounding the

nose and mouth. More specifically, by providing a formable substance as second

portion 52 of seal 218, the seal can be macro-customized to match the general contours

of the patient, such as the bone structure underlying the portions of the patient's face

over which the mask is to be placed. In addition, first portion 50 of seal 218, being a gel

substance as described above with respect to Figs. 1-5, provides the beneficial effects of

micro-customization in that the gel readily conforms to the external features of the

patient's face and does not suffer from the disadvantages of micro-customization because the gel need not be patterned to match the specific features of the user. Instead,

the consistency of the gel allows the first portion to fill in the gaps on the surface of the

user once the seal is applied to the user. Thus, a single seal 218 provides the benefits of

micro-customization and macro-customization.

Furthermore, the formable substance in second portion 52 can be

reshaped, as needed, merely by causing the formable substance to transition again to the

malleable state, which, in the above embodiment, is accomplished by reheating the

second portion. Thus, seal 218 can be re-customized if, for example, the patient is

unsatisfied with a previous attempt to customize the seal. Still further, because the gel

substance of first portion 50 provides the effect of micro-customization without having

to perform the time-consuming and typically permanent micro-customization process

discussed above and because the second portion can be customized to match the general

contours of a patient, a commonly configured seal having first and second portions 50

and 52 can be adapted for use with a wide variety of patients, thereby maximizing the

efficiency of the manufacturing process. This feature also makes it possible to minimize

the number of different off-the-shelf variations in the seal shape and size that must be

made available in order to provide a seal suitable for each patient from a group of

patients having a wide range of different physical characteristics.

The process by which seal 218 is customized to match, in general, the

facial features of the patient begins with selecting a seal that generally matches the

user. For example, the size of seal 218 must be generally compatible with the size of

the area of the user that the seal must cover. This is accomplished, for example, by

making a variety of sizes of seal 218 available to the user. After an appropriately sized seal is selected, the formable portion of the seal 218 is caused to transition to a

malleable state. This is accomplished, according to a preferred embodiment of the

present invention, by heating at least second portion 52 of seal 218 to a temperature

sufficient to activate the thermally activated material (stiffening agent) to cause it to

transition to the malleable state.

Heating the second portion of the seal can be performed in a variety of

ways. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, seal 218 is placed in a

heated liquid, such as boiling water, for a period of time sufficient to cause second

portion 52 to transition to the malleable state. Typically, four (4) or more minutes is

sufficient. Heating the second portion can also be performed, for example, by using

an oven, microwaving the seal, or applying a heat source to the seal.

After the seal has been heated to a degree sufficient to cause the

formable portion to transition to the malleable state, the exposed portion of seal 218,

preferably the patient contacting portion 32, is cooled so that the seal can be applied to

a human without substantial discomfort or damage to the patient's tissue. Cooling can

be accomplished, for example, by removing the seal from the heated liquid and

allowing it to cool in the ambient air or in a chilled chamber, such as a refrigerator.

However, in a preferred embodiment, cooling is accomplished by quenching, which

involves placing the seal for a brief period of time, which is typically shorter than the

period of time it is placed in the boiling water, in a liquid, such as water, having a

temperature less than that used to cause the seal to transition to the malleable state.

The relatively high thermal resistance of the seal prevents the brief

cooling of its exterior, such as from quenching, from significantly affecting the malleability of the second portion. That is, the degree of cooling that takes place in

the cooling step should not be sufficient to cause the formable portion of the seal to

transition or begin to transition to the fixed state due to the ability of the interior of the

seal to retain heat and due to the relatively short quenching time. Quenching can be

done to the entire seal or, preferably, quenching is limited to distal surface 32 that

contacts the user. It can be appreciated that the quenching time will vary from patient

to patient depending on the patient's sensitivity to heat. It will also depend on the

location of the body where the seal is being applied, because some parts of the body

are more sensitive to heat than others.

Once the exterior of the seal has been reduced to a temperature that can

be tolerated by the user, the seal is applied to the surface of the user or vice versa.

This can be done by manually holding the seal against the user or, in the case where

the seal is part of a mask, by strapping the mask on the user. Preferably, a sufficient

force is applied on the seal so as to cause second portion 52 to take on a shape

generally conforming to contours of a portion of the patient underlying the seal. As

the second portion of the seal cools while the seal is applied to the user, the second

portion transitions from the malleable state to the fixed state, thereby retaining a shape

generally conforming to the contour of the portion of the user underlying the seal. As

noted above, dashed line 56 in Fig. 6 illustrates an example of the shape of second

portion 52 following the above customization procedure. In this manner, the formable

second portion of the seal provides a degree of macro-customization so that the seal

conforms more closely to the general contours of the user, thereby reducing pressure

points and enhancing the comfort of the external device to which the seal is attached. The above steps of causing the seal to be placed in a malleable state,

placing the seal on the user to cause it to assume a pattern corresponding to the

general contour of the user, and causing the seal to be placed in a fixed state after it

has assumed the new pattern can be repeated as necessary to reshape the seal. Thus,

the present invention provides a very high degree of flexibility in matching the shape

of the seal to the structure of the user. Providing a repeatable customization also

makes it possible for the same seal to be used on a variety of patients, assuming, of

course, that the appropriate cleaning and/or sterilization is done. Also, the same seal

can be used on the same patient even if the patient's general facial contours change.

In the embodiment of seal 218 illustrated in Fig. 6, first portion 50 and

second portion 52 are generally integral with one another with the junction between

the two portions being defined by a generally planar interface 54. This is

accomplished, for example, by providing the gel substance defining first portion 50 in

a mold having a shape corresponding to seal 218, and, thereafter, providing the

formable substance defining the second portion 52 to the mold on top of the first

portion. The molding process can be performed such that two layers fuse together or

the manufacturing process can include affixing the two layers to one another through

the use of a bonding mechanism, such as an adhesive.

Although Fig. 6 illustrates a substantially planar interface between first

portion 50 and second portion 52, it is to be understood, however, that the interface

between first portion 50 and second portion 52 need not be planar. On the contrary,

the interface between first portion 50 and second portion 52 can vary in three

dimensions depending on the desired structural characteristics of the seal. Fig. 7, for example, illustrates a seal 220 in which an interface 62 between first portion 50a and a

second portion 52a is generally planar throughout an area 64. However, at area 58,

the distance from interface 62 to inner end 30 decreases so that more of first portion

50a, which contains only the gel substance, is provided next to the bridge of the nose.

Fig. 7, like Fig. 3, also illustrates a thin membrane 66 protective

covering an exposed surface of seal 220. In Fig. 7, membrane 66 overlies both first

portion 50a and second portion 52a. It is to be understood, however, the membrane

66 can be provided over only one of these portions or over selected areas of the seal

depending on the characteristic desired by the user.

Although Fig. 6 illustrates a relatively distinct separation between first

portion 50 and second portion 52, it is to be understood, however, that there need not

be such a distinct separation of these portions. On the contrary, seal 218 can be

constructed and arranged so that the mixture ratio of gel to stiffening agent gradually

changes in the direction from inner end 30 to outer end 32. For example, in one

embodiment of the present invention, the mixture ratio of gel to stiffening agent

increases in the direction from inner end 30 to outer end 32 so that first portion 50 of

seal 218, which is substantially 100% gel substance, is disposed at outer end 32, with

no specifically defined transition from second portion 52, which is proximate to inner

end 30, to first portion 50.

Providing a seal in which the mixture ratio of gel to stiffening agent

gradually changes in the direction from inner end 30 to outer end 32 can be

accomplished, for example, by filling a mold entirely with the formable substance,

which is a combination of the above-described gel substance and a stiffening agent at a certain mixture ratio. The separate layers, or, more precisely, the change in mixture

ratio from inner end 30 to outer end 32, is achieved by placing the mold on a

centrifuge so that the heavier stiffening agent is drawn toward inner end 30. The

change in mixture ratio in the direction from inner end 30 to outer end 32 is controlled

based on the time spent on the centrifuge and/or the speed of the centrifuge.

The present invention also contemplates that the mixture ratio can vary

in three dimensions. For example, the mixture ratio of gel to stiffening agent can be

lower near inside surface 68 than near outer surface 70 or vice versa. Also, the rate of

change in the mixture ratio from one portion to another in seal 218 need not be

constant, i.e., linear. Instead, the rate of change in mixture ratios can vary depending

on the desired characteristics for seal 218. Furthermore, the physical location of the

areas of changing mixture ratios in the seal can vary depending on the needs of the

user.

For example, second portion 50a of the seal corresponding to the

bridge of the nose, identified as area 58 in Fig. 7, can be a mixture whose gel to

stiffening agent mixture ratio is a 2:1 throughout the entire second portion thereof,

and, thereafter, changes abruptly to the first portion having the gel substance alone.

However, in another part of the seal, such as at a portion 72 extending between the

sides of the nose and the sides of the mouth, the mixture ratio of the second portion

can range from approximately 40% gel substance and 60% stiffening agent at inner

end 30 to approximately 60% gel substance and 40 % stiffening agent at the junction

between first portion 50a and second portion 52a, at which point the composition of

the seal is substantially 100% gel substance through first portion 50a, i.e., from interface 62 to outer end 32. In short, the present invention contemplates that the

mixture ratio, the rate of change of the mixture ratio, and the location of the mixture

ratio can vary in three dimensions throughout the seal so long as the seal remains

capable of performing the micro-customization and macro-customization functions

discussed above.

Furthermore, the present invention contemplates that there may be

multiple layers of first portion 50 and/or second portion 52 defining the seal. For

example, in an exemplary, non-illustrated embodiment of the present invention, a first

layer of formable substance (second portion 52) is disposed at or near inner end 30

followed by a second layer of gel substance (first portion 50). A third layer of formable

substance (second portion 52) is disposed on the second layer, and a fourth layer of gel

substance (first portion 50) is disposed on the third layer and defines outer end 32.

Fig. 8 illustrates another example of a seal 222 having a first portion

50b and a selectively formable second portion 52b. In this embodiment, second

portion 52b is disposed within the gel substance of the first portion such that the gel

substance having no stiffening agent is between second portion 52b and inside surface

68 and between the second portion and outside surface 70. This embodiment

simplifies the manufacturing process in that second portion 52b is inserted into the

first portion during the molding process, thereby eliminating the difficult process of

forming multiple layers of differing substances adjacent one another during the

manufacturing process. In addition, the shape of the insert for second portion 52b can

be easily controlled to simplify the manner in which the shape of the formable

portion, second portion 52b, is determined. Furthermore, providing second portion 52b as an insert into first portion 50b maximizes the surface area and, hence, area of

contact between these two portions, thereby increasing the bonding strength

therebetween.

Referring again to Fig. 6, as with the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-

5, an attaching mechanism 36, which, in a preferred embodiment of the present

invention includes an anchorage device 38, attaches the seal, such as seal 218, 220 or

222, to an external member. In the illustrated embodiment, the external member is

mask body 12. It is to be understood, however, that the seals of the present invention,

i.e., seals 18, 118, 218, 220 and 222, need not be relatively permanently affixed to the

external member, such as the mask body. Quite the contrary, the seals of the present

invention can be associated with the external member without any significant, i.e.,

relatively permanent, attachment between the seal and the external member. For

example, Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which seal 318

is an annular member that is applied to an exposed surface 80 of a mask 82, which is

any conventional respiratory mask, and includes a mask body 84 and a cushion 86.

Seal 318 has the characteristics of any of the seals discussed above.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the exposed surface of

seal 318 in Fig. 9 is tacky, and the inherent tackiness of the seal facilitates the

attachment of the seal to exposed surface 80 of cushion 86 and to the user. The

present invention contemplates, however, that at least a portion of seal 318 can be

provided with a membrane, such as membrane 66, or with a coating of powdered talc,

silicone or similar biocompatible material. If desired, a suitable bonding agent can be employed to augment or provide an attaching mechanism for affixing seal 318 to the

mask or to the patient.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment of a step for use in the

method by which the seal of the present invention is customized to match the general

features of the user. In this embodiment, a retaining member 80 is provided

proximate to seal 218 to prevent movement of the seal during the process in which the

second portion 52 changes shape from the first pattern to the second pattern.

Although seal 218 is illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, it is to be understood that the use

of a retaining member during this stage of the interfacing process is not limited to this

seal. On the contrary, retaining member 80 can be used in conjunction with any seal

having a portion that is molded from a first pattern to a second pattern, such as seal

220 or 222, to assist in retaining the shape of the seal as it is being applied to the

patient to customize to the physical features of that patient. The present invention

also contemplates using a retaining member in a finished seal of any of the type

discussed above to augment the support of the seal in use, i.e., to increase the stiffness

of the seal.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, retaining member 80

is provided proximate to seal 218 either before seal 218 is heated or after second

portion 52 of seal 218 has been heated to a level sufficient to cause the second portion

to transition from the fixed state to the malleable state. Retaining member 80, being

disposed proximate to the outer surface 70 periphery of seal 218, minimizes outward

expansion of seal 218 so that the act of compressing the seal on the user does not tend to flatten the seal, but enhances the ability of second portion 52 to mold to the general

shape of the patient.

It is to be understood that the retaining member can be provided at a

variety of locations, or a plurality of locations, depending on how the user wants to

support the seal, either during the customization process or while the seal is in use.

For example, the retaining member may be provided proximate to the inner surface 68

and/or outer surface 70. As illustrated by hidden line 82 in Fig. 10, which illustrates

the distal surface of retaining member 70, the retaining member can have a variety of

shapes depending on the pattern of support to be provided. It is to be further

understood that retaining member 80 need not be an annular member, but may be a

portion thereof and attachable to mask body 12, for example, to provide the desired

support function.

While the presently preferred embodiments of the seal, and, in

particular, the customizable seal, have been discussed above with respect to its use on

a respiratory facial mask as the external member, it is to be understood that there are a

wide variety of alternative uses for the seal of the present invention. For example, the

present invention contemplates using a seal having the features described above in

conjunction with a mask that is worn to protect the user's eye, such as goggles worn

by a swimmer. The present invention also contemplates that the external member is

an earphone or any such device that surrounds the user's ear. The external member

can also be a headpiece or helmet, with the seal providing a comfortable and

customizable interface between the user and the headpiece and/or helmet or helmet

straps. In addition, the external member can be a garment, such as a glove or boot, with the seal being used at the cuff of the glove, for example, to provide a seal at the

user's wrist, hand or arm. The present invention also contemplates that the external

member be a protective item, such as a shoulder pad, or a medical item, such as a cast

or brace, worn by the user. In addition, the present invention contemplates providing

the seal, and, in particular, the customizable seal in conjunction with larger external

devices, such as a chair or bed, with the seal serving as a seat cushion or as an insole

for a shoe, for example.

It is also not necessary for the seal of the present invention to be an

annular member as generally shown in the figures. On the contrary, the seal can be

formed in a variety of shapes depending on the intended use. For example, the seals

of the present invention can be provided at various locations on a firearm, such as at

the stock and/or butt, to provide a comfortable and customizable interface with the

user. In the office, the seal can be provided, for example, on a telephone headset, a

keyboard wrist support/rest pad, a mouse, and even as a grip on a writing instrument

to provide a comfortable and customizable interface with the user. The seal of the

present invention has a wide variety of uses in the medical devices. For example, the

seal can be provided at the earpiece of a stethoscope, in which case, it is particularly

advantageous to provide a customizable seal so that the earpiece can be tailored to fit

in the ear of each individual user.

It should be further understood that the above described alternative

embodiments of the present invention are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all of

the possible uses for the seal of the present invention. In general, the seal of the

present invention can be used in any situation where there is an interface between a user and an external device. It should be noted that the term "seal" is intended to

encompass any interface between a patient and an external device. The term "seal"

should not be construed narrowly, for example, to cover only those situations where

the seal prevents foreign matter, such as water or gas, from passing to the user, e.g., a

water-tight seal or an air-tight seal. It is not necessary in all embodiments of the

present invention that the seal prevent matter from passing to the user. For example,

if the seal of the present invention is used as an earpiece for a telephone receiver, it is

not necessary that the interface between the receiver and the user provided by the seal

be airtight or watertight. All that is required is that the seal of the present invention

provide a cushioned and customizable interface between the user and the external

device, such as the telephone receiver.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of

illustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that

variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the

spirit and scope of the invention except as it may be limited by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A seal adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user

to form an interface therewith, said seal comprising:

a first portion defined by a gel substance; and

a second portion associated with said first portion and including a

pattern and to retain said second pattern responsive to being so molded.

2. A seal according to claim 1, wherein said selectively formable

substance includes a combination of said gel substance and a stiffening agent.

3. A seal according to claim 2, wherein said stiffening agent is ethyl

vinyl acetate.

4. A seal according to claim 2, wherein said combination of said gel

substance and said stiffening agent is a uniform mixture of approximately 60 % said

gel substance and 40 % said stiffening agent.

5. A seal according to claim 2, wherein a mixture ratio of said gel

substance to said stiffening agent gradually changes over a dimension of said seal so

that said first portion is disposed at a surface of said seal.

6. A seal according to claim 1, wherein said gel substance has a

resiliency defined as a Shore 00 durometer of less than about 10 .

7. A seal according to claim 1 , wherein said gel substance has a

resiliency defined as a Shore 000 durometer of about 20 to about 45.

8. A seal according to claim 1, wherein said first pattern includes a

generally planar interface between said first portion and said second portion.

9. A seal according to claim 1, further comprising an attaching

mechanism associated with said second portion at a side thereof opposite a side

adjacent said first portion, said attaching mechanism adapted to attach said second

portion to an external member.

10. A seal according to claim 1, further comprising a protective

covering over an exposed portion of at least one of said first portion and said second

portion.

11. A seal according to claim 1 , wherein said second portion is

substantially integral with said first portion to define said seal as a unitary member.

12. A respiratory mask comprising: a mask body having a first opening and a second opening defined

therein; and

a seal operatively connected to said mask body at said first opening and

adapted for confronting engagement with a surface of a user to form a sealed interface

therewith, said seal comprising:

a first portion defined by a gel substance, and

a second portion substantially integrally associated with said

first portion and including a selectively formable substance adapted to be

molded from a first pattern into a second pattern and to retain said second

pattern responsive to being so molded.

13. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said selectively

formable substance includes a combination of said gel substance and a stiffening

agent.

14. A respiratory mask according to claim 13, wherein said stiffening

agent is ethyl vinyl acetate.

15. A respiratory mask according to claim 13, wherein said

combination of said gel substance and said stiffening agent is a uniform mixture of

approximately 60% said gel substance and 40% said stiffening agent.

16. A respiratory mask according to claim 13, wherein a mixture ratio

of said gel substance to said stiffening agent gradually changes over a dimension of

said seal so that said first portion is disposed at a surface of said seal.

17. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said gel

substance has a resiliency defined as a Shore 00 durometer of less than about 10.

18. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said gel

substance has a resiliency defined as a Shore 000 durometer of about 20 to about 45.

19. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said first

pattern includes a generally planar interface between said first portion and said second

portion.

20. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, further comprising a

protective covering over an exposed portion of at least one of said first portion and

said second portion.

21. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said second

portion is substantially integral with said first portion to define said seal as a unitary

member.

22. A respiratory mask according to claim 12, wherein said second

opening is generally opposite said first opening and provides an interconnection

between said mask body and an external member.

23. A method of interfacing a patient with an external device,

comprising:

providing an external device having a surface adapted for confronting

engagement with a surface of said patient to form an interface therewith, said seal

including a selectively formable portion having a malleable state and a fixed state;

causing said formable portion of said seal to be placed in said

malleable state;

applying said seal to said surface of said patient while said formable

portion is in said malleable state so that said formable portion takes on a shape

generally conforming to contours of a portion of said patient underlying said seal; and

causing said formable portion to be placed in said fixed state to retain

said shape generally conforming to said contour of said portion of said patient

underlying said seal.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said seal further

comprises a first portion defined by a gel substance substantially integrally associated

with said selectively formable portion, said first portion being arranged relative to said

selectively formable portion such that said first portion is disposed between said patient and said selectively formable portion responsive to said external device being

disposed on said patient.

25. A method according to claim 23, wherein said selectively formable

portion includes a combination of a gel substance and a selectively formable stiffening

agent.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein said selectively formable

stiffening agent is a thermally activated material, and wherein said step of causing

said formable portion of said seal to be placed in said malleable state includes heating

said seal to a temperature sufficient to activate said thermally activated material to

cause it to enter said malleable state.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein said heating step

includes placing said seal in a heated fluid for a first predetermined period of time

and, thereafter, quenching said seal in a reduced temperature fluid for second

predetermined period of time so that an exterior surface of said seal has a temperature

suitable to be applied to a human without substantial discomfort.

28. A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of applying

said seal to said surface of said patient includes applying a force on said seal so as to

urge said seal against said patient. WO 00/20072 . _. PCT/US99/22493

42

29. A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of causing said

formable portion to be placed in said fixed state includes retaining said seal on said

patient while said formable portion transitions from said malleable state to said fixed

state.

30. A method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of

providing a retaining member proximate to said seal to prevent movement of said seal.