Non-rebreather Mask with Angled Inlet and Variable Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-rebreather face masks are inefficient and uncomfortable for patients due to their design, which leads to suboptimal oxygen delivery and increased CO2 retention, resulting in lower oxygen purity and reduced comfort.
Innovation Solution
A variable stiffness facemask with a cup-shaped design that closely conforms to the face, featuring a nose bridge rim, cheek rims, and a chin rim, an angled inlet tube for nasal-directed oxygen flow, and a low force deflection band for improved sealing and comfort, along with a reduced dead space to enhance oxygen efficiency and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical facemask covers both nose and mouth with elastic strap attachment at perimeter, then the mask can be secured to patient's face, but oxygen delivery efficiency is reduced and CO2 retention increases
Solution Approach 1:
The facemask is divided into distinct functional zones: a nose covering region with dedicated oxygen delivery, a mouth covering region for exhalation, and cheek covering regions for sealing. This segmentation allows optimized airflow paths that deliver oxygen efficiently to the nose while directing CO2 away from the inhalation path.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the facemask have different stiffness properties. The mouth covering region and cheek covering regions are more pliable to conform to facial contours and seal properly, while the nose covering region has different mechanical properties to maintain structural integrity for oxygen delivery. This local quality variation improves both sealing and oxygen delivery efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If facemask uses uniform stiffness material throughout, then manufacturing is simplified, but comfort and sealing effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The facemask incorporates regions with different stiffness characteristics. The mouth covering region and cheek covering regions are designed to be more pliable to adapt to various facial geometries and provide comfortable sealing, while maintaining overall structural integrity through the unified cup shape design.
Solution Approach 2:
The facemask utilizes variations in material properties across different regions, specifically changing the stiffness parameter to optimize both comfort and sealing effectiveness. This allows the mask to conform to diverse facial shapes while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a unified construction approach.
3Productivity
If inlet tube extends at steep angle from facemask, then oxygen flow path is shortened, but nasal-directed flow and patient comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is designed with an optimal angle between 30° and 60° from horizontal, creating a dynamic balance between flow efficiency and comfort. This angular configuration directs oxygen flow effectively toward the nose aperture while maintaining patient comfort during neutral facial positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments describing nonrebreather facemasks for efficiently and comfortably delivering oxygen to patients. One embodiment describes a cup-shaped pliable facemask that is suited to cover and seal a patient's nose, mouth, and cheeks within the cup-shaped facemask. Certain other embodiments describe an inlet tube outwardly extending from the facemask at an angle in line with the pathway of a patient's nostrils to better provide oxygen directly into a patient's nose. Other embodiments envision varying facemask's stiffness for improved comfort and sealing against the patient's face. While other embodiments envision a reduction in dead space of a facemask when worn by a patient to improve oxygen efficiency used by the patient.