CPAP Patient Interface Headgear With Switchable Hose Position

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory therapy devices and interfaces, such as CPAP masks, suffer from discomfort, poor fit, and reduced compliance due to obtrusiveness, cost, and complexity, leading to inadequate patient adherence to therapy.

Innovation Solution

A patient interface with interchangeable positioning and stabilizing structures, allowing the air circuit to connect superior or inferior to the otobasion superior, and featuring adjustable connection ports and vents, enhances comfort and flexibility, improving fit and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing respiratory therapy devices and interfaces are used, then the therapy can be delivered, but the devices are obtrusive and cause discomfort, leading to reduced patient compliance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient complianceVSAvoidcomfort and usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface is designed with interchangeable positioning and stabilizing structures that can be dynamically adjusted between superior and inferior connection ports relative to the otobasion superior. This dynamic reconfigurability allows the interface to adapt to different patient anatomies and comfort requirements, thereby improving compliance without sacrificing comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface is segmented into multiple configurable components including interchangeable positioning structures, adjustable connection ports, and modular stabilizing elements. This segmentation allows individual components to be optimized and reconfigured based on patient-specific needs, reducing obtrusiveness while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If existing patient interfaces are used, then the air circuit can be connected, but the interfaces have poor fit and reduced compliance due to obtrusiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoidinterface structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface incorporates universal positioning structures that can function with either superior or inferior connection port configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single interface design to serve multiple connection scenarios, maintaining therapy effectiveness across different anatomical variations without requiring multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface allows changing of key parameters including connection port location (superior vs. inferior to otobasion superior), positioning structure configuration, and stabilizing element arrangement. These parameter changes enable customization of the interface to achieve optimal fit and comfort while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If existing CPAP masks are used, then respiratory therapy can be delivered, but they suffer from discomfort and poor fit leading to inadequate patient adherence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepatient adherence to therapyVSAvoidcomfort and fit
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface employs dynamic reconfiguration capabilities with interchangeable positioning structures that can be adjusted between superior and inferior connection configurations. This allows real-time adaptation to patient comfort needs during therapy, thereby improving adherence without compromising comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface is designed to be easily reconfigured by the patient themselves through simple interchange of positioning structures and adjustment of connection ports. This self-service capability empowers patients to optimize their own comfort and fit, leading to improved adherence without requiring constant clinical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4417237B1Patient interface and headgear for use in same
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 RESMED PTY LTD
  • EP4417237B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4417237B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4417237B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

The present invention discloses a patient interface for delivery of a flow of pressurised air from an air circuit to an entrance of a patient's airways, the patient interface comprising: a plenum chamber; a seal-forming structure provided to the plenum chamber; one or more connection ports configured to receive the flow of air from the air circuit and to deliver the flow of air to the entrance of the patient's airways via the seal-forming structure; and one or more positioning and stabilising structures configured to provide a force to hold the seal-forming structure in a therapeutically effective position on a patient's head in use, wherein the patient interface is structured and arranged to be worn by the patient in a first use configuration and a second use configuration, wherein in the first use configuration, the air circuit is connected to a connection port of the one or more connection ports that is positioned superior to the patient's otobasion superior, and wherein in the second use configuration, the air circuit is connected to a connection port of the one or more connection ports that is positioned inferior to the patient's otobasion superior.