Detachable Sealed Chassis for Respiratory Mask Pressure and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy masks for conditions like obstructive sleep apnea are often uncomfortable, difficult to use, and aesthetically unappealing, leading to reduced patient compliance due to poor fit and design issues, which can impact the effectiveness of treatment.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a plenum chamber, a flexible chassis, and a sealing lip that maintains therapeutic pressure, combined with a positioning and stabilizing structure to ensure a secure fit and comfort, allowing for continuous gas exhalation and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional respiratory therapy mask is used, then therapeutic pressure can be delivered, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate due to poor fit and design
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into separate functional components: a rigid headpiece structure, a flexible cushion assembly, and a sealing mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rigid headpiece provides structural stability for pressure delivery, while the flexible cushion adapts to patient anatomy for comfort, resolving the contradiction between reliable pressure delivery and patient comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing mechanism incorporates adjustable parameters including cushion firmness, headpiece positioning, and strap tension. These adjustable parameters enable customization to individual patient anatomy and comfort preferences, allowing reliable therapeutic pressure to be maintained while accommodating variations in patient comfort requirements, thereby improving compliance.
2Reliability
If a secure seal is formed to maintain therapeutic pressure, then treatment effectiveness improves, but patient comfort deteriorates due to tight fit
Solution Approach 1:
The mask design applies sealing force locally at specific contact points between the cushion and patient's face, rather than distributing pressure uniformly. This localized sealing approach maintains the necessary seal for treatment effectiveness while reducing pressure on sensitive areas, thereby improving patient comfort without compromising treatment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion assembly incorporates flexible, dynamic materials that can adapt their shape and pressure distribution in response to patient movement and breathing cycles. This dynamic adaptation maintains an effective seal for treatment reliability while accommodating patient comfort needs during different stages of wear, resolving the contradiction between secure sealing and comfort.
3Reliability
If a rigid structure is used to maintain shape and seal, then sealing effectiveness improves, but manufacturability and adaptability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into rigid and flexible portions, with the rigid headpiece providing structural stability for sealing effectiveness and the flexible cushion providing adaptability. This segmentation allows the rigid components to be manufactured with high precision for reliable sealing, while the flexible components can be produced using more adaptable manufacturing processes, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and manufacturability.
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 solution improves patient compliance and comfort by providing a secure, easy-to-use, and aesthetically acceptable mask that maintains therapeutic pressure and allows for effective gas exchange, enhancing the efficacy of respiratory therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing lip to seal between the plenum chamber and the chassis
Implementation Method 2
a chassis constructed from a flexible material, a second connection portion positioned on the chassis and configured to releasably connect to the first connection portion
Implementation Method 3
a positioning and stabilising structure
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface is disclosed that includes: a plenum chamber; a first connection portion; a seal-forming structure constructed and arranged to seal with a region of the patient's face; a chassis; a second connection portion positioned on the chassis and configured to releasably connect to the first connection portion; a sealing lip to seal between the plenum chamber and the chassis; a positioning and stabilising structure; and a vent structure.