Gel Filling for Patient Interface with Variable Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interfaces, such as ventilator masks, often cause allergic and irritative reactions due to polyurethane materials, and their hardness is not universally suitable for all users, leading to discomfort and reduced compliance.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a gel covering that has a cavity filled with a gel of varying consistency and elasticity, produced using elastic plastic, allowing for precise adaptation of wall thickness and stiffness, and optionally sealed with a stopper or adhesive bonding, to provide a comfortable and cost-effective solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If polyurethane gel is used as filling material, then structural support is provided, but allergic and irritative reactions occur due to residual monomers and additives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from polyurethane gel to silicone gel, which has different chemical composition and properties. Silicone gel eliminates the harmful residual monomers and additives found in polyurethane while maintaining the necessary structural support properties through its viscoelastic characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining silicone gel filling material with a flexible covering made of elastic plastic. This composite approach allows the silicone gel to provide structural support without the harmful chemical properties of polyurethane, while the flexible covering provides additional comfort and adaptability.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform wall thickness is used in gel covering, then manufacturing is simplified, but wearing comfort is reduced due to inability to adapt stiffness to different user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements variable wall thickness in the flexible covering, where different regions have different thicknesses to provide locally adapted stiffness. Thinner regions provide more compliance for comfort, while thicker regions provide structural support where needed, allowing the interface to adapt to different user needs and facial geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible covering with variable thickness creates a dynamic interface that can adapt its stiffness characteristics based on the distribution of wall thickness. This allows the patient interface to dynamically adjust to different users and wearing conditions, improving both comfort and functionality.
3Ease of operation
If gel filling is used to improve comfort, then material cost increases, but production cost can be reduced through integrated design
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the gel filling and flexible covering into an integrated assembly, where the silicone gel is enclosed within the elastic plastic covering in a single constructed unit. This integration allows for more efficient production processes and reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the higher material cost through manufacturing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a gel covering of a patient interface. This gel covering has a mask connection area by which its side that faces away from the patient is joined with a mask body. The patient interface can be designed, for example, as a respiratory mask. On its side that faces the patient's face, the respiratory mask has thin, inwardly formed, peripheral contact lips. The respiratory mask has accessories that allow it to be fastened on the patient's head as well as a hose connection for supplying air. At least one region formed from a filler is placed in or on the walls of the gel covering. The method is used to produce the gel covering of the invention.