Adjustable Forehead Support for Non-Invasive Ventilation Masks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interface assemblies for non-invasive ventilation often cause discomfort due to headgear force vectors cutting near the corners of the eyes, and current adjustment mechanisms, such as rotating knobs, are inconvenient and prone to noise and inaccuracy.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface assembly with a forehead support that includes a shaft and a hollow tube, allowing sliding adjustment and locking through relative rotation, enabling quick and comfortable positioning without full rotation of a control knob or lever, utilizing a wedging mechanism with polygonal shapes for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotating knob or lever mechanism is used for adjusting the forehead support position, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the operation becomes inconvenient, noisy, and inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rotating knob or lever mechanism with a sliding mechanism. The forehead support assembly slides along a guide rail or channel to adjust its position, eliminating the need for rotational components. This substitution provides smoother, quieter, and more precise adjustment while reducing mechanical complexity and the number of parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the adjustment parameter from rotational angle to linear displacement. Instead of rotating a knob through an angle to achieve position change, the mechanism now uses linear sliding movement along a rail. This parameter change enables more intuitive and accurate control of the forehead support position, improving ease of operation while reducing noise.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the headgear force vectors are concentrated to achieve a robust seal, then the seal stability is improved, but discomfort occurs near the corners of the eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force application points by introducing an adjustable forehead support that distributes the sealing force across multiple locations: the forehead support contacts the forehead area, while the mask body contacts the nasal and oral regions. This segmentation of force application prevents concentration of force at problematic areas like the corners of the eyes, reducing discomfort while maintaining seal stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the forehead support position adjustable, allowing dynamic adaptation to different user facial geometries. By enabling the forehead support to slide to different positions along the guide rail, the system can optimize the distribution of sealing forces for each user, preventing harmful force concentration while maintaining robust seal stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the forehead support position is fixed relative to the patient interface element, then the structure is simpler, but adaptability to different users is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the forehead support assembly is received within a housing or guide structure of the patient interface element. The forehead support can slide within the guide rail or channel, providing adjustable position while being contained within the overall mask structure. This nesting approach enables adjustability without significantly increasing external complexity.
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
This solution provides a simple, comfortable, and accurate adjustment mechanism for the forehead support, reducing discomfort and noise, allowing for a robust and stable seal while minimizing the number of components and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the shaft slidable within the tube to permit adjustment of the position of the forehead support relative to the patient interface element
Implementation Method 2
the shaft and hollow tube are rotatable relative to each other between a free configuration in which the shaft can be slid within the tube and a locked configuration in which the sliding of the shaft within the tube is blocked
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
The invention provides a patient interface (10) comprising a patient interface element (12, 14, 15) for delivering breathing gas to a patient, and a forehead support (30). One of the forehead support and the patient interface element comprises a shaft (50) and the other comprises a hollow tube (51) in which the shaft is received, with the shaft slidable within the tube to permit adjustment of the position of the forehead support relative to the patient interface. The shaft and hollow tube are rotatable between a free and locked configuration. This provides a simple to use adjustment mechanism with few components.