Mask-Integrated Blower Structure for CPAP Comfort and Stable Air Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional CPAP systems face issues with patient interfaces that can interfere with sleep due to hanging conduits and applied pressure, leading to discomfort and potential dislodgment, which can disrupt treatment effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface design where the blower is integrated within the mask body, eliminating the need for external conduits and reducing pressure on the face by mounting the blower within the mask, thus minimizing interference and enhancing comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the blower is mounted externally with conduits connecting to the mask, then the pressurized air can be delivered to the patient, but the conduits interfere with sleep and apply pressure to the face causing discomfort and potential dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is integrated directly into the mask body, merging the air generation function with the delivery interface. This eliminates the need for separate conduits and mounting structures, allowing the pressurized air to be delivered directly at the mask without external connections that would interfere with sleep or apply pressure to the face.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful element (external conduits and separate blower mounting) is removed from the system. By integrating the blower within the mask body, the patent extracts the source of discomfort and interference, leaving only the essential function of delivering pressurized air through the mask interface.
2Ease of operation
If the blower is integrated within the mask body, then patient comfort is improved by eliminating conduits, but the mask structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The blower housing is integrated with the mask body as a unified structure. The mask body serves dual functions as both the interface structure and the housing for the blower, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture despite adding functionality to the mask.
3Ease of operation
If the blower is mounted within the mask body, then external conduits are eliminated improving comfort, but the blower must be compact increasing manufacturing difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The blower is nested within the mask body structure. The blower housing fits inside or as part of the mask body, with the impeller and motor components contained within the compact blower housing. This nesting approach allows the blower to be integrated without significantly increasing the external dimensions of the mask.
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
This design improves patient comfort and treatment efficacy by reducing disruptions during sleep and preventing interface dislodgment, ensuring consistent delivery of pressurized air without external conduits, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of CPAP therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a blower comprising an impeller, a motor for driving rotation of the impeller
Implementation Method 2
The heating element 13 may be used to heat the humidifying agent in the reservoir 14 to encourage agent vaporization and/or entrainment in the gas flow
Implementation Method 3
the heater encourages the evaporation of the water, which in turn partially or fully imbues the stream of air with moisture and/or heat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
A patient interface comprising: a blower comprising: an impeller, a motor for driving rotation of the impeller, the motor comprising a stator and a rotor coupled to the impeller, a blower housing comprising an impeller space for housing the impeller, a blower inlet, and a blower outlet; a cushion for contacting a user's face; and a mask body and/or a frame for supporting the cushion on a user's face, the cushion and/or the mask body or frame defining an interior space for receiving a flow of gases from the blower; and wherein the blower further comprises at least one vibration isolation member between the impeller and the stator and/or between the stator and the blower housing.