Elastomeric Headgear with Textured Straps for Stable Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory mask systems often cause discomfort due to rigid components, high noise levels, and difficulty in adjusting to patient movement, leading to reduced therapy compliance in treating sleep disordered breathing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface system featuring a flexible headgear assembly made from elastomers like liquid silicone rubber, with textured surfaces and increased strap radii for comfort, and a decoupling system that isolates tube drag forces from the seal, allowing for reduced tension and improved stability without a rigid frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid frame structure is used to maintain mask stability, then structural strength is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to discomfort and facial marking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid frame structure with a flexible headgear assembly made from elastomeric material that can conform to the patient's head shape and movement, eliminating discomfort and facial marking while maintaining mask stability through flexibility rather than rigidity
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear assembly uses composite construction combining elastomeric material for the flexible strap with rigid connectors for structural support, creating a hybrid system that provides both comfort and stability
2Reliability
If high tension is applied to maintain seal during patient movement, then seal reliability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear assembly incorporates dynamic elements including flexible straps and adjustable connectors that allow the mask to adapt to patient movement and facial changes, maintaining seal reliability through movement accommodation rather than high tension
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows adjustment of tension parameters through adjustable connectors and flexible material properties, enabling optimization of seal reliability while minimizing comfort impact by finding the optimal tension range
3Device complexity
If tube drag forces are directly coupled to the mask structure, then connection simplicity is improved, but mask stability deteriorates due to difficulty in adjusting to patient movement
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear assembly is segmented into multiple independent components including flexible straps, connectors, and attachment points, allowing each component to move and adjust independently to accommodate patient movement while maintaining overall mask stability
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible headgear assembly acts as an intermediary between the rigid mask structure and the patient's head, absorbing and accommodating movement differences to maintain stable connection without direct rigid coupling
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 provides a comfortable, stable, and effective interface that maintains a seal despite patient movement, reducing discomfort and improving therapy compliance by decoupling tube drag forces and eliminating the need for high tension, thus enhancing patient comfort and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible headgear assembly made from elastomers like liquid silicone rubber
Data Source
AI summary
A headgear for use with a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes at least a strap adapted to position the patient interface in sealing engagement with the patient’s airways. The strap is constructed from an elastomer and a first side of the strap includes a first region on a portion of its surface that is textured to reduce friction with objects contacting the strap. A textured surface coating for a portion of an elastomer strap included in a headgear system is adapted to contact the skin of a patient, when in use, and the coating has a Ra value greater than zero. A vent for use with a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas to a patient includes a plurality of rises and runs in a stepped arrangement; and a plurality of holes in the stepped arrangement for the venting of gas.