Respiratory Mask Frame and Yoke for Stable Airtight CPAP Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory masks struggle to maintain a stable, airtight seal during use, leading to interruptions in breathing and suboptimal delivery of continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory mask system with a frame and yoke design featuring a gas inlet angled at 10 to 45° from vertical, a seal assembly with a separator, and a headgear assembly that includes a yoke with a stretchable textile covering and adjustable features to enhance stability and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the headgear provides strong support to hold the mask interface in a stable position, then the mask stability is improved, but the comfort and ease of operation deteriorates due to excessive pressure and discomfort on the patient's face
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is designed with different regions having different support characteristics - harder materials or structures in areas requiring stability (e.g., forehead rest, mask frame) and softer, more compliant materials in areas contacting the skin (e.g., headbands, cushion interfaces). This localized variation in material properties allows the headgear to provide strong support where needed while maintaining comfort in patient-contact areas, resolving the contradiction between mask stability and comfort.
2Reliability
If the seal is made airtight to prevent leakage, then the therapy effectiveness is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in donning and adjusting the mask
Solution Approach 1:
The seal assembly incorporates dynamic elements such as flexible cushions, adjustable straps, and movable sealing surfaces that can adapt during the donning process. The seal may include compliant materials that deform to match the patient's facial contours, or adjustable mechanisms that allow the user to progressively tighten and position the seal for optimal fit. This dynamic adaptability enables both easy donning and maintenance of reliable airtight seal.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask design includes preliminary positioning features such as pre-shaped cushions, alignment guides, or progressive adjustment mechanisms that facilitate proper seal placement before final tightening. These preliminary actions guide the user through the donning process, ensuring the seal is correctly positioned to achieve an airtight seal while making the overall process easier and more intuitive.
3Productivity
If the gas inlet is positioned at an angle to improve gas flow distribution, then the therapy delivery is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional structural requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The angled gas inlet design integrates the gas delivery function with the existing mask frame structure rather than adding separate components. The gas inlet channels are formed as integral parts of the frame or cushion assembly, combining structural support and gas flow distribution functions into a unified design. This merging approach achieves improved therapy delivery through optimized gas flow angles while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask system comprising a mask interface comprising a frame for a headgear assembly. The frame comprises a body comprising a first surface and a substantially opposing second surface. The body further comprises a gas inlet and optionally an outlet vent. The gas inlet may be substantially elliptical in shape. The frame may comprise a recessed region for receiving a yoke of a headgear assembly to attach the headgear to the mask interface. The respiratory mask system may also comprise a yoke for attaching to the frame.