Adhesive Patient Interface With Fold-Back Removal Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adhesive arrangements for patient interface devices used in sleep apnea treatment are difficult to remove and can cause skin irritation, requiring a balance between strong adhesion and easy removal.
Innovation Solution
An adhesive arrangement with semi-circular tabs that fold back onto the substrate material, surrounded by adhesive on one side and non-adhesive areas on the other, allowing for easy gripping and removal without damaging the skin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If adhesive material is applied to the entire substrate surface to maximize securing strength, then the patient interface device is firmly secured to the face, but removal becomes difficult and causes skin irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into adhesive regions and non-adhesive regions, with tabs having non-adhesive surfaces that allow for easy gripping and removal without skin contact. This segmentation enables the adhesive to be applied only where needed for securing while providing safe removal paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-adhesive tabs serve as intermediary elements between the adhesive arrangement and the user's fingers during removal. These tabs allow gripping and peeling without direct contact between adhesive material and skin, preventing irritation while maintaining secure attachment during use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive material is reduced to enable easy removal, then skin irritation is reduced, but the securing strength of the patient interface device is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the substrate have different adhesive properties - the main body portions have adhesive material for strong securing, while the tab portions have non-adhesive surfaces for easy removal. This local differentiation optimizes both securing strength and ease of removal without compromising either function.
3Ease of operation
If tabs are made with non-adhesive surfaces for easy gripping, then removal ease is improved, but the tabs require additional structural design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into distinct regions with tabs that have different surface properties. The tabs are simple extensions of the substrate with non-adhesive surfaces, providing easy gripping areas without requiring complex mechanical structures or additional components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adhesive arrangement effectively secures patient interface devices to the face while enabling easy and irritation-free removal, improving patient comfort and reducing skin irritation.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive material provided on a first planar surface portion of each tab and on a main body portion of the adhesive arrangement for adhering the adhesive arrangement to the skin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
An adhesive arrangement for use in securing a patient interface to the face of a patient includes a substrate material having a first surface that is structured to face the patient and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substrate material includes a number of tabs, each tab projecting outward from a main portion of the substrate material. The adhesive arrangement further includes an adhesive material disposed on the first surface of the substrate material. Each of the tabs is sized and configured to be folded back onto a corresponding portion of the main portion of the substrate material and coupled thereto by the adhesive material.