Adaptive Buckling Support Member for Patient Interface Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Over-tightening of mask headgear in patient interface devices for non-invasive ventilation and PAP therapy leads to discomfort, facial red marks, pressure sores, and open wounds, reducing therapy compliance.
Innovation Solution
A wearable device with a support member featuring compression members that buckle when a predetermined pressure is reached, preventing over-tightening and ensuring a comfortable fit by distributing contact pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headgear straps are tightened to achieve a suitable seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but wearer comfort deteriorates and tissue damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The support member changes its mechanical parameter (rigidity to flexibility) through buckling when a predetermined force is reached. This allows the system to maintain a rigid structure for sealing at normal pressures, but become flexible to prevent tissue damage when excessive pressure is applied, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
The support member automatically regulates the force transmitted to the wearer's face through its buckling mechanism. When headgear straps are tightened, the support member buckles at a predetermined force threshold, self-regulating the pressure to prevent over-tightening and tissue damage without requiring external intervention or monitoring
2Object-affected harmful factors
If headgear straps are loosened to improve wearer comfort, then comfort is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member maintains rigid structural properties within the normal operating pressure range to ensure effective sealing, while only transitioning to a flexible buckled state when excessive force is applied. This selective parameter change ensures that comfort improvements through loosening do not compromise sealing, as the support member remains rigid at appropriate pressure levels
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to maintain device shape, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability to pressure changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support member transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that can change its mechanical properties. It remains rigid (stable) under normal operating conditions but can dynamically buckle and flex when subjected to excessive pressure, providing both structural stability and pressure adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The support member's physical parameter (rigidity) changes in response to applied pressure. At normal pressures, it maintains a rigid stable structure; when pressure exceeds the buckling threshold, it transitions to a flexible state, thus achieving both structural stability and adaptability to pressure changes
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 adaptive buckling mechanism prevents undesirable pressure points, enhancing wearer comfort and compliance with therapy by maintaining a suitable seal without causing discomfort or tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
each of the compression members is structured to buckle in response to a compression force having at least a first predetermined level being applied to the support member
Data Source
AI summary
A wearable device (8,60,70,86) structured to exert a contact pressure between the wearable device and a skin surface of a wearer, such as a patient interface device for delivering a flow of breathing gas to a patient, includes a first member (18,72,96), such as a faceplate member, structured to have a first pressure applied thereto, a contact member (14,74), such as a sealing cushion, structured to exert the contact pressure against the skin surface in response to the first pressure, and a support member (20,62,78) positioned between the first member and the contact member, the support member including a plurality of compression members (40,52,54,64,84), wherein each of the compression members is structured to buckle in response to a compression force having at least a first predetermined level being applied to the support member.