Restoring the seal of an anatomical face mask.

The face mask is a device to facilitate the delivery of gases from a breathing system to a patient by creating an airtight seal around the face. Of the many types of face masks available, the anatomical face mask is most commonly used for anaesthesia. With repeated usage, the seal of the anatomical face mask becomes flattened due to the loss of air in the cushion, leading to a poor fit on the patient's face. This results in air dilution during spontaneous respiration and inadequate gas exchange during controlled ventilation. A simple solution to restore this seal has been provided.