Wear-out indicator for a patient interface

{
  "publication_number": "US2017216548A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Wear-out indicator for a patient interface",
  "abstract": "The present invention relates to a member (14, 24, 26) of a patient interface (10) for providing a flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient (12). The member (14, 24, 26) comprises a wear-out indicator (32) for indicating a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) to the patient (12). The wear-out indicator (32) comprises an elastic structure (34) that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to reversibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and returned to its unstressed condition again. The elastic structure (34) is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member (14, 24, 26) by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure (34) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A member of a patient interface for providing a flow of breathable gas to a patient, said member comprising a wear-out indicator for indicating a wear-out of the member to the patient, wherein said wear-out indicator comprises an elastic structure that appears in a first colour in an unstressed condition and is configured to reversibly change its apparent colour when being stretched and returned to its unstressed condition again, and wherein the elastic structure is configured to indicate a wear-out of the member by appearing in a second colour in its unstressed condition when the structure) has lost at least a part of its elasticity, wherein the second colour is different from the first colour. 2. The member according to claim 1, wherein the first and the second colour are primary or secondary colours in the visible colour spectrum. 3. The member according to claim 1, wherein the second colour is not a secondary colour of the first colour mixed with white. 4. The member according to claim 1, wherein the member comprises multiple wear-out indicators that are arranged in segments which are distributed over the member and spaced apart from each other. 5. The member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic structure comprises a photonic crystal material. 6. The member according to claim 5, wherein the elastic structure comprises an elastic base layer which is coated by the photonic crystal material. 7. The member according to claim 5, wherein the photonic crystal material is arranged within the elastic structure in a periodic or corrugated pattern. 8. The member according to claim 5, wherein the photonic crystal material is arranged within the elastic structure in a zigzag pattern. 9. The member according to claim 1, wherein the elastic structure comprises a knitted fabric, wherein neighbouring wales or courses have a different coloration. 10. The member according to claim 9, wherein neighbouring wales or courses are arranged in different layers. 11. The member according to claim 1, wherein the member is a headgear strap of a patient interface. 12. The member according to claim 1, wherein the member is a cushion element of a patient interface. 13. A patient interface for providing a flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient comprising a member according to claim 1. 14. A pressure support system, comprising: a pressure generator for generating a flow of breathable gas; and a patient interface for providing the flow of breathable gas to a self-ventilating patient, wherein the patient interface comprises a member according to claim 1."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "A61M 16/0683",
    "A61M 16/0057",
    "A61M 16/06",
    "A61M 16/0605",
    "A61M 16/0616",
    "A61M 16/0633",
    "A61M 2205/0227",
    "A61M 2205/584",
    "A61M 2210/04"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2015-07-08",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-03",
  "priority_date": "2014-07-10",
  "application_number": "US-201515324919-A",
  "family_id": "55063614"
}