Forehead-Free Respiratory Mask Cushion for Adaptive Nasal Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mask systems for treating Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) often suffer from poor comfort and fit, leading to sores and air leaks, particularly due to variations in facial features, especially in the nasal-bridge region, and are obtrusive, affecting therapy efficacy and patient compliance.
Innovation Solution
A mask system with a cushion that includes a nasal bridge region with a thin elastic sealing flap supported at its ends, providing stability and a wide fit range, and a sealing structure with adjustable tension to accommodate various facial shapes, along with a frame that supports the cushion without a forehead strap, enhancing comfort and sealability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a traditional mask system with forehead support is used, then stability may be improved, but comfort and patient compliance deteriorate due to obtrusiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the forehead support component from the mask system entirely. The cushion is redesigned to provide all necessary stabilization functions through its own structural features, including lateral portions that extend toward the ears and a contoured shape that adapts to facial geometry, eliminating the need for the separate forehead support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing functions previously performed by the separate forehead support are integrated directly into the cushion structure. The cushion now combines both sealing and stabilization functions in a single unified component, with lateral portions and contoured surfaces that provide inherent stability without requiring additional external support elements.
2Ease of operation
If a cushion is designed to fit one facial group, then comfort for that group is improved, but fit for other facial groups deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion incorporates regions with different material properties and structural characteristics tailored to specific facial zones. The nasal bridge region features a thin elastic sealing flap for precise contouring, while lateral portions extend toward the ears for stability on varied facial widths. The contoured shape includes specific curvature radii that adapt to different nasal and facial geometries, providing localized optimization across multiple facial regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion design incorporates variable geometric parameters including different curvature radii, thickness variations, and extended lateral portions that can accommodate a spectrum of facial dimensions. The elastic sealing flap in the nasal bridge region can stretch and conform to different nasal bridge heights and shapes, while the overall cushion geometry provides adaptation across various facial widths and contours.
3Reliability
If sealing force is increased to improve seal, then air leaks are reduced, but skin irritation and sores increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion employs differentiated material properties and structural features in specific regions to optimize sealing while minimizing harmful effects. The thin elastic sealing flap in the nasal bridge region provides gentle conforming contact, while lateral portions extend toward the ears to provide stabilization without excessive force. The contoured shape distributes sealing forces across optimized contact areas, reducing pressure concentration on sensitive skin regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion structure itself provides the sealing mechanism through its contoured shape and elastic properties rather than relying on high external compression forces. The thin elastic sealing flap naturally conforms to the nasal bridge geometry through its own elasticity, and the lateral portions self-adjust to stabilize the cushion position, creating an effective seal through geometric adaptation rather than forceful compression.
4Ease of operation
If mask system components are reduced for comfort, then patient compliance improves, but stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing functions previously performed by the separate forehead support are integrated directly into the cushion structure. The cushion now combines both sealing and stabilization functions in a single unified component, with lateral portions and contoured surfaces that provide inherent stability without requiring additional external support elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion incorporates regions with different material properties and structural characteristics tailored to specific facial zones. The nasal bridge region features a thin elastic sealing flap for precise contouring, while lateral portions extend toward the ears and a contoured shape adapts to facial geometry, providing localized stabilization functions that replace the removed forehead support.
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 mask system provides improved comfort, stability, and reduced air leaks, accommodating a wide range of facial shapes, thereby enhancing therapy efficacy and compliance by minimizing skin irritation and obtrusiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the cushion in the nasal bridge region comprises a length of thin elastic sealing flap which is supported at its ends in use so as to stretch and be held in tension over the nasal bridge of a person to effect a seal
Implementation Method 2
another preferred aspect of a cushion in the nasal bridge region is that it has a surface which increases friction to improve its sealing qualities
Data Source
Figure 1-1
Figure 1-2
Figure 1-3~1-4
AI summary
The invention relates to a mask system for providing respiratory therapy to the airways of a person. The mask system is constructed and arranged to be in surrounding sealing relationship with the nose and mouth of the person in use. The mask system is further constructed and arranged to be used on the person without requiring a forehead support. The mask system comprises a frame including upper headgear connectors and lower headgear connectors, wherein the upper headgear connectors comprise stabilizing portions or rigidisers configured to be located in use on the cheeks below the eyes, a sealing arrangement releasably connectable to the frame, the sealing arrangement defining a breathing chamber and being adapted to form a seal with the patient's face, an elbow provided to the sealing arrangement and adapted to be connected to an air delivery tube that delivers breathable gas to the patient, and a headgear being attached to the upper and lower headgear connectors and configured to maintain the mask system in a desired position on the patient's face, the headgear including upper side straps configured to be routed over the ears and lower side straps configured to be routed under the ears.