Articulating Forehead Pad Attachment for Patient Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional patient interface devices for non-invasive ventilation and PAP therapy lack multi-axis access, leading to difficulties in periodic access to the mouth and nose, such as eating or speaking, and suffer from hinge-torque issues that complicate locking mechanisms, requiring manual holding of the mask in the up-and-away position.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface device with a mask component, head support member, and coupling arm that allows the mask to be moved in multiple planes, including rotation up to 180 degrees parallel to the head support, using a ball-and-socket connection and locking mechanism to secure the mask without manual holding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single-axis hinge is used to allow mask movement, then the mask can be lifted away from the face, but the mask's orientation remains fixed in all but the plane of movement, limiting range of motion and requiring manual holding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-axis hinge to a multi-axis coupling mechanism that enables movement in multiple planes. The coupling arm assembly includes a first axis for lifting the mask away from the face and a second axis for rotating the mask, providing two-dimensional movement capability. This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction by allowing both easy access and versatile positioning without manual holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including a ball-and-socket joint that allows rotational movement and a telescopic arm that enables extension and retraction. These dynamic features permit the mask to achieve multiple orientations and positions, resolving the limitation of fixed orientation while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of operation
If the mask is lifted away from the face on a single-axis hinge, then oro-nasal access is provided, but the weight of the mask creates notable torque on the hinge, complicating locking solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling arm assembly is designed to counterbalance the mask weight through its mechanical configuration. The telescopic arm and ball-and-socket joint arrangement distributes the gravitational load, reducing the torque on the lifting axis. This counterbalancing effect enables easier operation and simplifies the locking mechanism requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling arm assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the mask and headgear, mediating the force transmission. The ball-and-socket joint and telescopic components serve as intermediate elements that reduce the direct torque transmission to the hinge, making the system easier to operate and lock.
3Ease of operation
If the mask is manually held in the up-and-away position, then access is maintained, but the system lacks automated positioning and requires continuous user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to maintain the mask in the up-and-away position through its own mechanical properties. The ball-and-socket joint and telescopic arm configuration provides inherent positioning stability, allowing the system to hold the mask position without continuous manual intervention. The design enables self-sustaining positioning that reduces the need for active user maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface device (8, 108) includes a mask component (16, 116) structured to engage a face of the patient, a head support member (22, 122) structured to rest on a head of the patient, and a coupling arm (24, 124) having a first end (40, 134) coupled to the mask component and a second end (42, 136) coupled to the head support member. The second end of the coupling arm is coupled to the head support member in a manner wherein the mask component is selectively moveable relative to the head support member in multiple planes such that the mask component can be rotated at least 180 degrees in a plane that is parallel to the patient's face.