CPAP Humidifier Dock Sealing for Comfortable Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapies, such as CPAP and non-invasive ventilation, face challenges related to patient compliance due to discomfort, difficulty of use, high cost, and inadequate humidification, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes for respiratory disorders like OSA, CSR, OHS, COPD, NMD, and chest wall disorders.
Innovation Solution
A portable CPAP system integrated with a humidifier that includes a water reservoir and heating element, designed for easy cleaning and use, with a patient interface that enhances comfort and compliance, and features for efficient humidification and data management to improve therapy adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing respiratory therapies are provided without adequate humidification, then the treatment can be delivered, but patient comfort deteriorates leading to reduced compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the respiratory therapy device with an integrated humidifier system into a single unified device. The humidifier includes a water reservoir, heating element, and airflow path that merges with the CPAP airflow, allowing simultaneous delivery of pressurized breathable gas and humidification without requiring separate equipment, thereby improving patient comfort and compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a humidification chamber as an intermediary component between the gas source and patient interface. Breathable gas flows through this chamber where it contacts water surfaces and absorbs moisture, acting as a mediator that transfers humidity from the water reservoir to the breathable gas, thereby eliminating discomfort from dry air without compromising therapy delivery
2Ease of operation
If a humidifier is integrated with the RPT device, then patient comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated device performs multiple functions within a single system: it provides respiratory pressure therapy, humidification, heating, and data management capabilities. The control system coordinates all these functions through a unified interface, allowing the device to adapt to different patient needs and environmental conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized control architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the humidifier components (water reservoir, heating element, humidification chamber) are integrated within the RPT device housing. The humidification system is nested within the airflow path of the CPAP device, and the control electronics are nested within the same chassis, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that reduces overall system complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If the water reservoir is made with a thin film for efficient thermal transfer, then heating efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir incorporates a composite structure combining a thin thermally conductive film (for efficient heat transfer) with a rigid support framework (for structural integrity). This composite design allows the thin film to be supported by the rigid structure during manufacturing and use, reducing the precision requirements for film thickness while maintaining high thermal efficiency for heating the breathable gas
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 system improves patient comfort and compliance by providing effective humidification and ease of use, enhancing the efficacy of respiratory therapy for various disorders, including OSA, CSR, OHS, COPD, and NMD, while facilitating data-driven management for better treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, a temperature sensor, and a controller to control the heating element
Implementation Method 2
the container being configured to direct the flow of air so that water vapour may transfer from the body of water to the flow of air in use to increase the absolute humidity of the flow of air
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention is defined by an apparatus for humidifying a flow of breathable gas, comprising: a water reservoir including a cavity structured to hold a volume of water, the water reservoir including an inlet for receiving a flow of breathable gas and an outlet for delivering a humidified flow of breathable gas to an air delivery tube configured to pass the flow of breathable gas that has been humidified in the water reservoir to a patient interface, the inlet comprising an inlet seal; a water reservoir dock structured and arranged to receive the water reservoir in an operative position, the reservoir dock comprising a dock inlet structured and arranged to receive a pressurized flow of breathable gas from an outlet of a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device for delivery to the water reservoir, the water reservoir dock further including a dock outlet; the inlet seal being structured and arranged to provide a face seal with the dock inlet, and an intermediate component for connecting the water reservoir outlet to the air delivery tube, the dock outlet being structured and arranged to connect with the intermediate component, wherein the intermediate component comprises an inlet seal for engaging the outlet of the water reservoir.