Respiratory Mask Frame Stabilization via Multi-Point Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory mask assemblies for delivering breathable gas are unstable on the patient's face due to reliance on cushion stiffness and deformation, leading to potential dislodgment and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory mask assembly that uses a frame contacting multiple points on the forehead, temples, and cheeks, with straps to maintain a fully constrained position without relying on cushion stiffness, ensuring stability and secure fit even without the mask cushion or nasal pillows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the patient interface relies on cushion stiffness and deformation to maintain correct location on the patient's face, then the device can be simpler in structure, but the stability and reliability of the patient interface on the face deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is divided into two functionally independent parts: a rigid headgear assembly that provides structural support and positioning, and a separate cushion that provides sealing without bearing the primary stabilizing function. This segmentation allows the headgear to maintain stability through its rigid structure and multiple contact points, while the cushion focuses solely on sealing, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid frame structure acts as an intermediary between the headgear straps and the cushion, distributing and transmitting forces in a controlled manner. This intermediary structure ensures that the patient interface remains stable on the patient's face by providing a rigid framework that maintains geometric relationships between contact points, while allowing the cushion to remain soft and compliant for sealing purposes.
2Ease of operation
If the headgear uses straps applying forces to create a moment around a center of rotation, then the device can maintain contact with the patient's face, but the patient interface becomes unstable under certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear design transitions from a two-dimensional strap system to a three-dimensional rigid frame structure with multiple contact points distributed across the patient's face (cheeks, forehead, temples). This dimensional change creates a more stable spatial configuration that resists rotational and translational movements, preventing the instability that occurs with simple moment-based strap systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame structure acts as a counterweight to the destabilizing moments created by the straps. By providing a rigid framework with appropriate geometric configuration, the system counteracts the rotational tendencies and maintains stable contact between the patient interface and the patient's face, preventing the interface from becoming unstable under various conditions.
3Reliability
If the headgear is designed to maintain the patient interface in sealing contact, then the patient interface can be held securely, but the headgear has a tendency to pop off the patient's head when the patient interface is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a reusable rigid headgear assembly and a removable cushion. The headgear maintains its structural integrity and fitting configuration independently, while the cushion can be easily removed and reattached. This segmentation allows the headgear to remain stable on the patient's head even when the cushion is removed, eliminating the popping-off problem while maintaining ease of cushion replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame structure is designed to self-maintain its geometric configuration and contact point positions without relying on the cushion for structural support. This self-service capability ensures that the headgear remains stable and ready for cushion reattachment, preventing the popping-off issue while facilitating easy removal and reapplication operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering a flow of pressurized breathable gas to a patient includes a structure configured to contact a) at least one point on the patient's forehead, b) two points on the patient's temples, the two temple points being on opposite sides of the patient's face, and c) two points on the patient's cheek, the two cheek points being on opposite sides of the patient's face; a frame, being part of the structure, rigidly connected to other elements of the structure and configured to support a cushion in contact with the patient's face; and a plurality of straps connected to the other elements of the structure and configured to hold the frame against the at least one forehead point, the two temple points, and the two cheek points in a fully constrained manner.