Nasal Mask Headgear with Ear Loops for Visual Field Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mask assemblies for treating sleep disordered breathing with positive airway pressure often compromise patient comfort due to inadequate fit, visual impact, and obstruction of the field of view, and fail to accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A mask assembly and headgear system that includes a nasal interface with a seal portion and a headgear with adjustable straps that loop around the ears, providing a secure fit and comfort by distributing pressure evenly, with options for different strap configurations and nasal interfaces to minimize discomfort and improve compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional headgear arrangements are used to support the mask, then the mask can be secured to the patient's face, but patient comfort is compromised and the field of view is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is divided into separate functional components: a minimal front portion that contacts the mask and distributes pressure, and separate ear loops that go behind the ears. This segmentation allows the pressure-bearing elements to be positioned away from the visual field while maintaining secure mask support.
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear design moves the primary support structure from the front (in the patient's field of view) to the rear (behind the ears), utilizing the third dimension of space. The ear loops extend backward and around the ears, positioning the bulk of the headgear structure outside the visual field while maintaining functional contact with the mask.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional headgear designs are used, then mask support is provided, but the design does not accommodate a wide range of head shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear incorporates adjustable elements including elastic portions that can stretch and flex to accommodate different head shapes and sizes. The ear loops are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing the same basic structure to fit various anatomical configurations while maintaining reliable mask support through elastic tension.
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear design uses universal components such as elastic ear loops and adjustable straps that can adapt to different head types. The minimal front portion combined with rear ear loops creates a universal fitting mechanism that works across diverse head shapes and sizes while maintaining consistent mask support functionality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If headgear with extensive front contact is used to secure the mask, then stable support is achieved, but visual impact increases and comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design extracts the primary support function from the front portion of the headgear and relocates it to the ear loops at the rear. The minimal front portion serves only as a connection point for the mask, while the actual support and stabilization forces are generated by the ear loops behind the ears, reducing front contact and improving comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic ear loops act as counterbalancing elements that distribute the weight and force of the mask support around the ears and back of the head, rather than concentrating it at the front. This counterweight distribution improves comfort while maintaining stable mask support through elastic tension.
Data Source
AI summary
A mask assembly includes nasal interface, e.g., in the form of a pair of nozzles, at least one joining portion provided to each side of the nasal interface, and a headgear coupled or otherwise provided to or extending from the joining portion, that is looped around the patient's ears. The joining portion is small and compact and may be readily affixed to an existing nasal arrangement, i.e., retrofitted. The joining portion and the headgear can be formed in separate components, or they can be formed as an integral or one-piece arrangement.