Low Dead Space Non-Rebreather Mask with Segmented Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-rebreather face masks are inefficient and uncomfortable for patients due to their design, which leads to suboptimal oxygen delivery and increased CO2 retention, resulting in lower oxygen purity and reduced comfort.
Innovation Solution
A variable stiffness facemask with a cup-shaped design that closely conforms to the face, featuring a nose bridge rim, cheek rims, and a chin rim, an angled inlet tube for nasal-directed oxygen flow, and a low force deflection band for improved sealing and comfort, along with a reduced dead space design to enhance oxygen efficiency and purity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a typical NRB facemask is constrained to the patient's face with an elastic strap attached to the perimeter, then the mask can be secured to the patient, but the mask creates uncomfortable pressure points and poor sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The facemask is divided into multiple rigid peripheral portions (nose bridge rim, cheek rims, chin rim) that are spaced apart and connected by a flexible band. This segmentation allows each rigid portion to contact specific facial landmarks for reliable sealing while the flexible band distributes pressure comfortably across the face, avoiding concentrated pressure points at the perimeter.
2Reliability
If the facemask uses a uniform rigid structure, then the mask provides stable shape and good sealing, but the mask becomes uncomfortable and difficult to conform to different face shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The facemask employs rigid portions at strategic locations (nose bridge, cheeks, chin) to ensure reliable sealing at these critical areas, while the connecting band remains flexible to adapt to various face shapes and sizes. This local differentiation of rigidity provides both stable sealing where needed and adaptability where required.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible band connecting the rigid portions can dynamically adjust its configuration to match different face geometries, allowing the mask to conform to various patient faces while maintaining rigid contact points for reliable sealing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the facemask has large cup volume, then the mask can accommodate different face sizes, but the mask increases dead space and reduces oxygen purity
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the mask into spaced rigid portions connected by a flexible band, the design creates a low-volume configuration that minimizes dead space while still accommodating different face sizes through the adjustability of the flexible band and positioning of the rigid contact points.
4Ease of manufacture
If the inlet tube extends vertically from the facemask, then the tube is simple to manufacture, but the tube does not direct oxygen flow optimally into the nasal passage
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is positioned asymmetrically relative to the facemask centerline and extends at an angled orientation (between 10-30 degrees from vertical) to align with the nasal passage anatomy. This asymmetric positioning optimizes oxygen flow direction into the nasal cavity while remaining manufacturable.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are embodiments describing nonrebreather facemasks for efficiently and comfortably delivering oxygen to patients. One embodiment describes a cup-shaped pliable facemask that is suited to cover and seal a patient’s nose, mouth, and cheeks within the cup-shaped facemask. Certain other embodiments describe an inlet tube outwardly extending from the facemask at an angle in line with the pathway of a patient’s nostrils to better provide oxygen directly into a patient’s nose. Other embodiments envision varying facemask’s stiffness for improved comfort and sealing against the patient’s face. While other embodiments envision a reduction in dead space of a facemask when worn by a patient to improve oxygen efficiency used by the patient.