INTERFACE DEVICE FORMABLE BY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
FIG2 is a side view, partially in section, of an interface device in accordance with a second embodiment
An interface device 104 in accordance with a second embodiment is depicted generally in FIG2. Interface device 104 is similar to interface device 4 in that it includes a support 124, a deformable portion 128, and an interface portion 132 that are similar to that of interface device 4. However, interface portion 132 additionally includes a flap 150 that extends from a wall 148 of interface portion 132. While flap 150 is provided as a part of interface device 104, it is noted that flap 150 can be optional in other embodiments.
side view
154
pocket
248
wall
204
interface device
232
interface portion
104
interface device
224
support
132
interface portion
150
flap
124
support
['1. An interface device (304) structured to be connected in fluid communication with a source of pressurized breathing gas and to provide a flow of pressurized breathing gas to the airways of a patient (12), the interface device comprising: a support (324); a deformable portion (328) situated on the support, the deformable portion having at least one high pressure side situated in a high pressure side of the interface device configured, in use, to be in contact with the flow of pressurized breathing gas; and an interface portion (332) situated on the deformable portion and being structured to be engaged with the patient in the vicinity of the airways, the deformable portion comprising a plurality of deformable elements (336) that form a lattice structure and that are connected with the support at a plurality of spaced apart points of connection on the support, the deformable portion further comprising a plurality of interstices situated between the plurality of deformable elements; wherein at least some of the deformable elements of the plurality of deformable elements are mutually interconnected with one another; wherein the interface portion comprises a wall (348), the plurality of deformable elements being connected with the wall at a plurality of spaced apart additional points of connection on the wall; wherein the interface portion further comprises a barrier apparatus (356) that includes a barrier (360) that extends between the support and the wall and that is formed by providing material within the interstices between some of the plurality of deformable elements at the at least one high pressure side of the deformable portion and is thus structured to resist the flow of pressurized breathing gas from flowing into contact with the plurality of deformable elements and to resist the flow of pressurized breathing gas  from flowing into the interstices between the plurality of deformable elements; and wherein the barrier extends along the entirety of the exterior of the deformable portion and thus serves as a membrane that encapsulates the plurality of deformable elements and the plurality of interstices.', '4. The interface device of claim 3, wherein at least a portion of the flap is spaced from the wall to form a pocket (154) that is structured to receive against it the flow of breathing gas as positive fluid pressure that is structured to deform at least a portion of the flap into engagement with the face of the patient.']