Respiratory Mask Cushion Segmentation for Skin Cooling and CO2 Flushing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional respiratory masks cause discomfort due to skin irritation, heat, and moisture buildup, leading to reduced therapy compliance, as they fail to effectively cool the skin and flush out CO2, resulting in higher CO2 concentrations and humidity inside the mask.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a user interface device with a cushion and shell member configuration that allows for a continuous flow of gas to flush CO2 and cool the skin, featuring orifices and textured surfaces to enhance gas exchange, ensuring at least 85% of CO2 is removed and the skin is cooled effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a respiratory mask provides an effective seal against the user's face, then gas delivery to the airway is improved, but skin discomfort and heat buildup occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal effectivenessVSAvoidskin discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is divided into multiple zones with different properties: a sealing zone for creating the seal and a cooling zone with increased porosity for gas flow and skin cooling. This segmentation allows the mask to simultaneously achieve effective sealing and skin comfort by directing different functions to different regions of the cushion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cushion incorporates a cooling zone with specifically engineered porosity (greater than 10%) in regions adjacent to the skin, while other regions maintain different porosity characteristics for sealing. This local variation in porosity enables targeted cooling where needed while preserving seal integrity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Duration of action of moving object

If the mask is worn for extended periods to provide continuous therapy, then therapeutic benefit is improved, but skin irritation and moisture buildup increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapy durationVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling zone enables continuous gas flow through the cushion during extended wear, providing ongoing skin cooling and moisture removal. This continuous action prevents the accumulation of heat and moisture that would otherwise occur during prolonged mask wear, allowing patients to tolerate extended therapy periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling zone is constructed with porous material having porosity greater than 10%, which allows breathable gas to pass through and contact the skin continuously. This porous structure facilitates ongoing evaporation of moisture and heat dissipation, preventing skin irritation even during extended wear periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If the cushion material is made less porous to improve seal integrity, then gas leakage is reduced, but skin cooling and CO2 flushing are diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidskin cooling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The cushion is segmented into a sealing region with lower porosity for maintaining seal integrity and a cooling region with higher porosity (greater than 10%) for gas flow and skin cooling. This spatial segmentation allows the mask to simultaneously achieve both objectives without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different porosity characteristics are applied to different regions of the cushion: the sealing zone has optimized porosity for creating and maintaining the seal, while the cooling zone has increased porosity specifically for enabling gas flow and thermal exchange with the skin.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If the mask design is simplified to reduce manufacturing cost, then production efficiency is improved, but cooling and CO2 flushing performance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidCO2 buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling zone serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the skin through gas flow, flushes CO2 from the mask interior, and removes excess moisture. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single structural feature (increased porosity in specific regions) rather than requiring separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 configuration significantly reduces skin discomfort, enhances therapy compliance by maintaining a cooler, drier environment, and minimizes CO2 re-inhalation, providing a more comfortable and effective respiratory therapy experience.

Implementation Method 1

the second flow of gas: (i) flows over and cools a skin surface of the user

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the second flow of gas: (ii) flushes at least 85% of any CO2 present in an interior of the user interface element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdvection: Advection

Data Source

PatentUS10028859B2User interface device providing for improved cooling of the skin

Publication Date: 2018.07.24 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

A number of user interface device embodiments are disclosed that provide for increased cooling of the skin covered by the mask and/or increased flushing of gasses, including CO2, from the mask.