Gas Storing Mask With Permeable Sheets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional oxygen-delivering masks cause discomfort to patients with mild to moderate respiratory diseases due to their rigid structure and permeability, leading to inefficiencies in oxygen delivery and increased patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A gas storing mask with a first sheet having high oxygen permeability near the user's mouth and a second sheet with lower oxygen permeability outside, connected by an oxygen supply port, forming a gas storing part between them to maintain suitable humidity and reduce discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mask shell is used to maintain mask shape and structure, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and fit to patient's face deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mask shell is made of flexible material (woven or non-woven fabric) that can conform to the patient's face shape, replacing the rigid shell structure. This flexible shell maintains sufficient structural integrity while adapting to individual facial contours, thereby improving patient comfort and fit.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask combines flexible fabric material with an impermeable coating layer to create a composite structure. The fabric provides flexibility and conformability to the face, while the coating layer maintains gas impermeability and structural stability, resolving the contradiction between flexibility and structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the mask shell is made permeable to allow moisture discharge, then patient comfort is improved, but oxygen delivery efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mask shell has different permeability properties in different regions: the main body allows moisture discharge for comfort, while the coating layer on critical areas maintains gas impermeability to ensure oxygen delivery efficiency. This localized differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between permeability and oxygen delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of permeable fabric material with an impermeable coating creates a composite structure where the fabric allows moisture vapor transmission for comfort, while the coating prevents oxygen leakage, simultaneously achieving both patient comfort and oxygen delivery efficiency.
3Productivity
If a reservoir bag is added to provide concentrated oxygen, then oxygen delivery efficiency is improved, but device complexity and patient discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir bag function is integrated directly into the mask structure by forming a gas storing chamber between the inner and outer mask shells. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate reservoir bag, reducing device complexity while maintaining oxygen delivery efficiency through the stored concentrated oxygen.
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 maintains comfortable humidity levels, allowing patients to wear it for extended periods without discomfort, ensuring efficient oxygen delivery and effective therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a first sheet (2) having oxygen permeability
Implementation Method 2
maintains suitable humidity and reduce discomfort
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
Figure 4(a)~4(c)
AI summary
Provided is a gas storing mask which, with a simple configuration, allows a reduction in feeling of discomfort given to a patient. An oxygen delivering mask (1a) includes a first sheet (2) and a second sheet (3), oxygen supplied from outside the oxygen delivering mask (1a) being stored in a gas storing part (4) formed between the first sheet (2) and the second sheet (3).