Patient Interface Brace Structures for Stable Nasal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy masks are often uncomfortable, poorly fitting, and difficult to use, leading to reduced patient compliance and ineffective treatment of respiratory disorders due to their obtrusive design and inability to accommodate varying facial shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a cushion module and brace system that includes a deformable nasal portion and a positioning and stabilizing structure, which adjusts to the patient's face to maintain a seal and provide therapeutic pressure effectively, while being easy to use and clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid mask structure is used to maintain seal integrity, then sealing performance is improved, but comfort and ease of use deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into a rigid frame structure and a separate flexible cushion assembly. The cushion can be detached and replaced, allowing the rigid seal-maintaining frame to be kept while using softer, more comfortable cushion inserts that can be swapped based on patient needs.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible cushion made of soft material is positioned within the rigid mask frame. This cushion contacts the patient's face and provides comfort while the rigid frame maintains the seal integrity and structural stability required for effective respiratory therapy delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a custom-fitted mask is used to accommodate varying facial shapes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is designed with a specific curvature that matches the typical contour of a human face, particularly the nasal bridge and cheek areas. This localized geometric optimization allows the single cushion design to adapt to varying facial shapes without requiring custom manufacturing for each patient.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed as a universal component that can be used across multiple mask frames and patient types. Its standardized design allows it to serve various functions: providing comfort, maintaining seal integrity, and accommodating different facial geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.
3Ease of repair
If the cushion is made detachable for easy cleaning, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion assembly is segmented into a main cushion body and a separate frame attachment system. The cushion can be easily detached from the frame by simply removing the frame from the cushion's receiving structure, enabling simple cleaning and maintenance without requiring disassembly of complex mechanical components.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the nasal portion is made deformable to fit patient anatomy, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal portion is constructed from a flexible material that can deform to conform to the patient's nasal anatomy. This flexibility is built into the material properties and structural design, allowing the nasal portion to adapt to individual patients without requiring post-manufacturing adjustment or extremely tight manufacturing tolerances on the rigid components.
Data Source
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AI summary
Forms of the technology provide a patient interface for supplying a flow of air at a therapeutic pressure to a patient's airways. The patient interface may comprise a cushion module comprising a cushion, wherein the cushion is constructed and configured to be substantially flexible, and may further comprise a brace. The brace may be configured to mount to a nasal portion of the cushion and, in use, to brace against movement of portions of the seal-forming structure in sealing engagement with regions of the patient's face proximate the patient's nares. Additionally, or alternatively, when the brace is mounted to a nasal portion of the cushion module, the nasal portion may be deformed relative to a natural shape of the nasal portion.