Patent attributes
A patient interface assembly includes an elastomeric piece configured to receive a flow of pressurized respiratory gas and sealingly engage the patient's face. The elastomeric piece forms a plenum and includes a mouth sealing portion, a nasal sealing portion, and an anterior surface with an air inlet opening configured to be coupled to a connector and/or an air delivery tube. The patient interface assembly also includes a stiffening structure that is attached to the anterior surface of the elastomeric piece. The stiffening structure comprises a central aperture that is sized so that the air inlet opening and a portion of the anterior surface surrounding the air inlet opening remain exposed through the central aperture. The stiffening structure is configured so that the entirety of the stiffening structure is inferior to the patient's nose in use.
