Humidification Interface Locking Collar for Secure Air Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy devices and interfaces are often uncomfortable, difficult to use, and lead to reduced patient compliance due to poor fit, aesthetics, and complexity, which affects the efficacy of treatments for respiratory disorders.
Innovation Solution
A CPAP system with an integrated humidifier and a patient interface, featuring a water reservoir dock and an air delivery tube with a locking mechanism, allowing easy and secure connection, and a heating and sensing arrangement, to enhance comfort and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing respiratory therapy devices and interfaces are used, then treatment coverage is provided, but patient compliance is reduced due to discomfort, difficulty of use, and poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is divided into separate modular components including a headgear assembly, mask assembly, and cushion assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for comfort and ease of use while maintaining overall system reliability and patient compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear assembly incorporates adjustable and flexible components that can adapt to different patient anatomies and preferences. The dynamic adjustment capabilities enable patients to achieve optimal fit and comfort, thereby improving ease of operation and maintaining compliance with therapy.
2Ease of operation
If existing respiratory therapy devices are used, then treatment is delivered, but devices are uncomfortable and aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the patient interface are designed with locally optimized properties. The cushion assembly uses soft, comfortable materials for direct skin contact, while the headgear provides structural support with adjustable aesthetic elements. This local quality differentiation achieves both comfort and acceptable aesthetics without excessive overall complexity.
3Ease of operation
If water reservoir dock and air delivery tube connection is simplified, then ease of use is improved, but connection security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the air delivery tube and water reservoir dock replaces complex mechanical fastening systems with a simplified interface that uses elastic engagement and sealed fitting. This substitution maintains connection security through elastic retention forces while dramatically improving ease of connection and disconnection for patients.
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
Improves patient compliance and comfort by simplifying the connection process and ensuring a secure, reliable delivery of humidified air, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of respiratory therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element positioned within the water reservoir and configured to heat the liquid in the water reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a flow of humidified air from the water reservoir to the patient interface
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for generating and providing a pressurized breathable gas to a patient's airways includes a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) device having an engagement port pneumatically and electrically coupled to the RPT device, and an air delivery tube configured to engage the engagement port so as to pass a flow of breathable gas to a patient interface. The air delivery tube includes electric contacts associated with a heating and/or a sensing arrangement. The air delivery tube includes a locking collar rotatably movable between (1) an unlocked position to allow connection/disconnection of the air delivery tube to/from the engagement port, and (2) a locked position to releasably lock the air delivery tube to the engagement port. The air delivery tube is structured and arranged to, when the locking collar is rotated into the locked position, pneumatically connect to the engagement port and define an operational configuration of the apparatus.