Integrated Capnography Port Mask for Accurate CO2 Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sidestream capnography systems face issues with inadequate gas sampling due to complex and poorly positioned capnography ports, leading to diluted and flattened CO2 monitoring graphs, and conventional capnography masks suffer from discomfort and inadequate sealability, often requiring adhesives for proper fit.
Innovation Solution
A capnography mask with an integrated capnography port closer to the exhalation source and a structural arrangement that distributes load away from the alar fibrofatty tissue, improving comfort and sealability without the need for adhesives by using external ribs and angled tube segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the capnography port is positioned far from the mask (three feet away), then the connection is simpler, but the CO2 sampling accuracy deteriorates due to diluted and flattened graphs
Solution Approach 1:
The capnography port is integrated directly into the mask body structure, merging the capnography sampling function with the mask structure. This eliminates the need for separate long vacuum tubes and complex connections, while positioning the sampling port at the optimal location near the exhalation source for accurate CO2 measurement.
2Measurement precision
If the capnography port is positioned close to the mask, then the CO2 sampling accuracy improves, but the connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capnography port is formed as an integral part of the mask body through unitary formation, combining the mask structure and capnography sampling system into a single component. This eliminates complex separate connections while maintaining the port's proximity to the exhalation source for accurate sampling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides patient coverage, creates the breathing cavity, and integrates the capnography port for CO2 sampling. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall system while maintaining measurement precision.
3Reliability
If adhesives are used to improve sealability, then the mask seal improves, but the cost and potential skin issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is designed to achieve adequate sealability through its own structural features and load distribution mechanism, without relying on external adhesives. The load distribution feature allows the mask to self-adjust and maintain proper sealing through mechanical means alone, avoiding skin contact issues with adhesives.
4Reliability
If load is applied to the alar fibrofatty tissue for sealing, then the mask seal improves, but patient comfort deteriorates due to pinching and airway reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The load distribution feature modifies the local mechanical properties and load application points on the patient's face. By distributing load away from the alar fibrofatty tissue to other facial regions, the mask maintains adequate sealing pressure in critical areas while avoiding excessive pressure on sensitive nasal structures, thus preserving patient comfort.
Data Source
AI summary
A capnography mask includes a mask body having a cover portion configured to cover at least the nostrils of a patient's nose and forms a breathing cavity for inhalation of inflow gas and exhalation of expired gas. The mask also includes an inflow port fluidly connected to the breathing cavity for delivering the inflow gas to the breathing cavity, an outflow port fluidly connected to the breathing cavity for delivering the expired gas out of the breathing cavity, and a capnography port fluidly connected to the breathing cavity for delivering a sample of the expired gas to a capnography machine. The inflow, outflow and capnography ports may be unitarily formed by respective portions of the mask body to form a unitary mask structure. The ports may include respective tube segments that may cooperate with respective ribs to distribute load away from the alar fibrofatty tissue of the patient's nose, thereby improving comfort.