Light Projection Respiratory Interface Sizing Tool

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional sizing guides for respiratory interfaces are often unhygienic, cumbersome, and inaccessible, leading to ineffective sizing processes that result in slow selection of appropriate interface sizes, discomfort for patients, and waste due to trial and error approaches.

Innovation Solution

A pen-like tool with a light source that projects markers onto a patient's face to measure facial features for selecting the appropriate respiratory interface size, addressing hygiene concerns and accessibility issues by being reusable and non-contact, thus reducing storage space and improving ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional cardboard or plastic sizing guides are used to measure patient's face, then interface size selection can be performed, but hygiene concerns arise and the guides become unaccessible after packaging is discarded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of sizing guideVSAvoidhygiene of sizing guide

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical cardboard or plastic sizing guide with a light-based projection system. The sizing tool projects light markers onto the patient's face to indicate measurement points, eliminating the need for physical contact between the sizing guide and the patient's face. This substitution resolves the hygiene concern while maintaining accessibility, as the digital tool can be reused without contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional sizing guides are made large to provide comprehensive measurements, then more facial features can be measured, but the guide becomes cumbersome to store and handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement coverage of sizing guideVSAvoidease of storage and handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional physical sizing guide to a three-dimensional light projection system. The sizing tool projects light markers onto the patient's face in three-dimensional space, allowing comprehensive measurement coverage without requiring a large physical guide. This dimensional transformation enables the tool to be compact and easy to store while maintaining full measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If traditional sizing guides are made flexible to conform to facial contours, then better fit can be achieved, but the guide becomes difficult to hold and achieve accurate measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of facial measurementVSAvoidease of holding and positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the flexible physical sizing guide with a light-based projection system. The light markers are projected onto the patient's face to indicate precise measurement points without requiring the guide to conform to facial contours. This substitution maintains measurement precision while eliminating the handling difficulties associated with flexible materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If trial and error approach is used to select interface size, then interface selection can be performed, but the process becomes slow and results in waste due to sterilization or disposal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface size selection capabilityVSAvoidspeed of sizing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the sizing measurement beforehand using the light projection tool to determine the appropriate interface size before the actual interface is applied. This preliminary action eliminates the need for trial and error, as the correct size is identified in advance. The tool provides clear visual guidance on where to position the interface, ensuring accurate size selection on the first attempt and preventing waste from sterilization or disposal of unsuitable interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 tool allows for accurate and efficient selection of the correct interface size, reducing waste, improving patient comfort and treatment efficacy, and minimizing storage requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a focused light source to project markers onto a patient's face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

one or more beam splitters are used to project a beam of light from the light source onto the patient's face

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam splitting:

Data Source

PatentUS11318265B2Interface sizing tool and method

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

A method and apparatus can be used in the selection of correctly sized respiratory interfaces. The method includes the use of light beams to project sizing markers onto a patient's face, which enables the size of the patient's facial features to be measured relative to a set of interface sizes. A sizing apparatus can include a light source and beam splitters that will refract and project the light source into a series of beams that can be aligned on a patient's face in order to measure the features of the patient.