Textile Air Delivery Conduit With Anisotropic Stretch for Stable PAP Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air delivery conduits for Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) systems are often uncomfortable, intrusive, and prone to twisting, which can disrupt the mask seal and reduce treatment effectiveness for patients with Sleep Disordered Breathing conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
Innovation Solution
The development of an air delivery conduit made from a textile material with specific elastic properties in different directions, incorporating a reinforcing structure and a smooth inner surface, designed to minimize torque and drag, while maintaining a stable seal and reducing the need for additional components like swivel components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air delivery conduits are used, then they can deliver pressurized air, but they are uncomfortable, intrusive and prone to twisting which disrupts mask seal
Solution Approach 1:
The air delivery conduit uses a textile fabric construction that provides flexibility and comfort while maintaining structural integrity. The fabric material allows the conduit to conform to patient movements without twisting or disrupting the mask seal, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit combines textile fabric with elastic properties in different directions, creating a composite structure that provides both comfort and stability. The anisotropic elastic properties allow the material to stretch appropriately in certain directions while resisting twist in others, maintaining mask seal stability while enhancing patient comfort.
2Ease of operation
If the air delivery conduit is made from textile material, then comfort and visual appeal are enhanced, but additional components like swivel components may be needed
Solution Approach 1:
The textile conduit is designed to perform multiple functions including providing comfort, preventing twisting, and eliminating the need for separate swivel components. The fabric construction with specific elastic properties integrates these functions into a single component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining patient comfort.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the textile warp and weft are arranged to maximize stretch, then conduit extensibility is improved, but torque in perpendicular direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The textile is designed with anisotropic elastic properties where the warp and weft arrangements are optimized to provide specific stretch characteristics in different directions. By carefully controlling the textile parameters, the conduit achieves adequate extensibility while minimizing torque, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability.
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 textile air delivery conduit enhances patient comfort, reduces conduit drag, and improves mask seal stability, leading to more effective treatment and increased compliance by minimizing twisting and maintaining a secure seal during use.
Implementation Method 1
Another aspect of the disclosed technology relates to an air delivery conduit including a textile that has a first elasticity in a first direction and a second elasticity in a second direction
Data Source
AI summary
A mask system and an air delivery conduit for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The air delivery conduit may comprise a textile having an airtight arrangement. A support structure may be provided to the conduit to provide form.