Adjustable Interface Device Frame for Patient Sizing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interface devices for delivering treatment gas to patients with sleep disordered breathing are economically burdensome for DMEs, cumbersome for RTs to change sizes, and difficult to manufacture, often resulting in improper sizing for patients.
Innovation Solution
A frame for an interface device with a sealing assembly that integrates a single inlet conduit for the treatment gas flow, allowing for adjustable sizing through a removable hub member and adjustable frame components, such as strap mechanisms and telescoping couplings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the frame is made as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simplified, but adjusting the size requires replacing the entire frame which is cumbersome and economically burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is divided into multiple separable components including a headgear component, a mask component, and a hub component that can be independently adjusted or replaced. This segmentation allows the frame to be reconfigured for different patient sizes without requiring replacement of the entire frame assembly, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame incorporates adjustable elements such as telescoping couplings and removable hub members that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the frame size. This enables the frame to adapt to different patient head sizes and shapes, providing ease of operation for size adjustment while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each modular component.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple size frames are manufactured, then proper sizing for patients is improved, but manufacturing costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal frame design incorporates multiple adjustable components that can be configured to fit various patient sizes. The hub component with adjustable coupling mechanisms serves multiple sizing requirements, eliminating the need to manufacture and stock multiple different frame sizes. This approach maintains sizing accuracy while reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame utilizes adjustable parameters such as telescoping tube lengths and repositionable coupling points that can be modified to accommodate different patient dimensions. By changing these parameters through adjustment mechanisms rather than manufacturing different frames, the system achieves proper sizing accuracy without the manufacturing cost and complexity of producing multiple fixed-size frames.
3Ease of operation
If the frame components are made adjustable, then ease of use and proper fit are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable frame is segmented into modular components with standardized coupling interfaces. This segmentation allows for simplicity in each individual component while providing adjustability at the system level. The headgear, mask, and hub components can be independently manufactured and adjusted, reducing overall complexity compared to a monolithic adjustable structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame employs a nested structure where adjustable components are housed within or attached to larger structural elements. For example, telescoping couplings are integrated into the frame tubes, and removable hub members can be attached to or removed from the frame assembly. This nesting approach provides adjustability while maintaining a relatively simple external appearance and reducing structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A frame (40) for use in an interface device (36) for delivering a flow of treatment gas to the airway of a patient includes a first and second frame members (42, 52), each having a first end (42a, 52a) structured to be coupled to a conduit (34) supplying the flow of treatment gas and an opposite second end (42b, 52b) structured to be coupled to a sealing assembly (38). Each frame member has a passage defined therein which extends between the first end and the second end thereof. The first frame member is disposed on a first side of a reference plane (P) which passes through the sealing assembly and the second frame member is disposed on a second side of the reference plane opposite the first side. At least one of the first frame member and the second frame member is biased toward the other of the first frame member and the second frame member. A frame (100) for use in an interface device having a sealing assembly for delivering a flow of treatment gas to the airway of a patient, the frame comprising: a generally hollow central hub member (101) having an inlet (101a) structure to be coupled to a conduit providing the flow of treatment gas and a pair of opposing outlets (101b, 101c), each of the outlets being disposed at the end of a respective reduced portion (104a, 104b) of central hub member which extend generally outward from the inlet; and a pair of generally hollow arm members (102, 103) each having a first end (102a, 103a) and an opposite second end (103a, 103b), the opposite second end of each arm member being structured to be coupled to the sealing assembly, wherein the first end of each arm member is slidingly engaged with a respective one of the reduced portions of the central hub member.