Forehead Support Clamping Sleeve for Patient Interface Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interfaces, such as nasal and full-face masks, face challenges in providing comfortable and secure fit due to complexity in adjustment mechanisms, leading to potential slipping, leaks, and discomfort, which can impair therapy.
Innovation Solution
A forehead support system with a clamping sleeve mechanism that allows for easy, one-handed adjustment of the forehead support, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit by allowing fine adjustment and secure locking of the forehead rest position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a forehead support with adjustment mechanism is added to the patient interface, then the positioning accuracy and stability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is nested within the forehead support structure itself. The connecting element is movable within the receptacle of the forehead support, and the clamping sleeve integrates the clamping function directly into the support structure, eliminating the need for separate adjustment devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping sleeve is designed to be operable by the patient themselves through rotational movement. The gripping surfaces on the clamping sleeve allow direct manual operation without requiring assistance from others, enabling self-adjustment of the forehead support position.
2Reliability
If a complicated adjustment device is used to ensure secure positioning, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element is designed to be movable within the receptacle during adjustment, allowing dynamic repositioning. The clamping sleeve provides dynamic clamping that can be easily engaged and disengaged through rotational movement, transitioning between locked and adjustable states.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment function is segmented into distinct components: the movable connecting element and the clamping sleeve with gripping surfaces. This segmentation allows the adjustment mechanism to be operated independently through simple rotational movement of the clamping sleeve, making it easy for patients to adjust.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the forehead support is made adjustable for better fit, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment functionality is merged directly into the forehead support structure. The connecting element and receptacle form an integrated movable joint, and the clamping sleeve combines the clamping and adjustment functions in a single component that is part of the forehead support assembly.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The adjusting device has a support body (6) with a connecting element. The connecting element is movable in a receptacle of the patient interface and is fixed over an actuating element by clamping. The actuating element sectionally surrounds the connecting element and the receptacle. The connecting element is partially immersed in the receptacle. The receptacle has two spring elements.