Magnetic Fastener Patient Interface Strap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current respiratory therapy devices and interfaces for treating disorders such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease face challenges with comfort, compliance, and effectiveness due to issues with mask design, fit, and stability, leading to reduced patient compliance and therapy efficacy.

Innovation Solution

A patient interface system with a positioning and stabilizing structure featuring magnetic fastener components and a multi-layer strap construction for improved fit and comfort, allowing for secure attachment and reduced bulk, enabling effective delivery of pressurized breathable gas during sleep.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mask designs are used to deliver pressurized breathable gas, then therapy delivery is achieved, but patient comfort and compliance deteriorate due to mask discomfort and instability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy effectivenessVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mask assembly is divided into separate components including a mask body, positioning structure with multiple straps, and magnetic fastener components that can be independently adjusted and replaced, allowing optimization of each component for both therapy delivery and patient comfort

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Traditional mechanical fasteners (buckles, clips, or ties) are replaced with magnetic fastener components that use magnetic attraction forces to secure the mask, providing more consistent and comfortable pressure distribution while maintaining secure attachment during sleep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional fastening mechanisms are used to secure the mask, then attachment is achieved, but device complexity and bulk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask attachment securityVSAvoidfastening mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Complex mechanical fastening systems with multiple moving parts are replaced by magnetic fastener components that utilize magnetic field forces, significantly simplifying the attachment mechanism while maintaining secure mask positioning throughout the therapy period

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening function is extracted as a separate magnetic component system that can be independently optimized, allowing the main mask body to remain simple while the positioning structure provides the necessary attachment functionality through magnetic attraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enhances patient compliance and therapy effectiveness by providing a comfortable, secure, and adjustable interface that maintains positive pressure delivery, addressing previous issues of mask discomfort and instability.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic fastener components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS20220031990A1Patient interface system and components therefor

Publication Date: 2022.02.03 RESMED ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A patient interface system which includes a magnetic fastener arrangement to connect a positioning and stabilising structure to a patient interface, a positioning and stabilising structure having at least one strap and a magnetic fattener component provided to the strap. The magnetic fastener component is provided between a distal end of the strap and an anterior portion of the positioning and stabilising structure, and can be formed to the strap.Methods of manufacturing a positioning and stabilising structure which has at least one strap, where the methods attach or provide a magnetic fastener component to the strap. In forms, the magnetic fastener component is formed to the strap e.g. when forming the strap.