CPAP Mask Air Switch for Reduced Exhalation Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CPAP masks cause discomfort during exhalation, leading to non-compliance in CPAP therapy due to the feeling of incomplete breathing, which results in reduced quality of life and increased health issues for users with obstructive sleep apnea.
Innovation Solution
A CPAP mask design featuring an air switch and exhalation valve that diverts air from the CPAP machine during inhalation and blocks or diverts air during exhalation, minimizing air resistance and allowing unobstructed exhalation, using a voice coil actuated air switch and electronic control circuit to manage airflow based on pressure sensor signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional CPAP mask delivers continuous positive air pressure to the user's nose or mouth, then the airway remains open during inhalation, but the user experiences discomfort and difficulty exhaling due to air resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The air switch dynamically changes the airflow path based on the user's breathing cycle. During inhalation, it directs pressurized air from the CPAP machine through the nasal interface to keep the airway open. During exhalation, it switches to allow exhaled air to escape through the exhalation valve, creating a dynamic system that adapts to different breathing phases rather than maintaining a fixed airflow path
Solution Approach 2:
The air switch acts as an intermediary component between the CPAP machine and the nasal interface. It receives pressurized air from the CPAP machine and selectively directs it either to the nasal interface during inhalation or allows exhaled air to pass through the exhalation valve during exhalation, mediating the interaction between the continuous pressure source and the user's intermittent breathing pattern
2Ease of operation
If an air switch and exhalation valve are added to manage airflow during exhalation, then user comfort and compliance improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breathing system is segmented into distinct functional components: the air switch that controls airflow direction, the exhalation valve that manages exhaled air escape, and the nasal interface that delivers pressurized air. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, with the air switch and exhalation valve working together to create separate pathways for inhalation and exhalation
Solution Approach 2:
The air switch uses a voice coil actuator, which is an electromagnetic device, to control the mechanical movement of the plunger that opens or closes airflow paths. This replaces purely mechanical control systems with an electromagnetic actuation mechanism, allowing for more precise and responsive control of the airflow switching based on electrical signals from the control circuit
3Reliability
If the CPAP machine is positioned next to the user's bed to deliver therapy, then effective treatment is provided, but the hose restricts user movement and causes discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The exhalation valve and associated exhalation pathway are extracted as a separate functional unit from the main CPAP machine-hose-nasal interface pathway. This allows exhaled air to be vented locally at the mask rather than requiring the exhaled air to travel back through the hose to the CPAP machine, effectively removing the movement restriction caused by the hose's position next to the bed
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 design significantly reduces discomfort during exhalation, increasing user compliance with CPAP therapy and minimizing health issues associated with untreated obstructive sleep apnea by ensuring easy breathing both during inhalation and exhalation.
Implementation Method 1
a coil that causes the bulb portion to move into a passage in the first gasket to block air through the voice coil actuated air switch in a first mode
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor that senses onset of a change in air pressure, the pressure sensor receiving air from a bi-directional port of the exhalation valve and producing in response a pressure signal
Data Source
AI summary
A positive air way pressure mask includes a mask body having an inlet and an outlet, a nasal interface supported on the body, the nasal interface having air passages, with the nasal interface coupling a user's nose to the outlet of the continuous positive air way pressure mask body, and an air switch device having an input port, an output port, and a diversion port, with the input port receiving air from a continuous positive airway pressure machine and delivering the received air to the output port during an inhalation, and that switches the air from the positive airway pressure machine from the inlet to the diversion port to expel diverted air to ambient during an exhalation. Also disclosed is an alternative voice coil actuated air switch device having an input port and an output port, with the input port receiving air from a continuous positive airway pressure machine and delivering the received air to the output port during an inhalation, and that inhibits the air from the positive airway pressure machine from entering the voice coil actuated air switch during an exhalation.