Respiratory Mask Headgear Closed Loop Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory masks used for CPAP therapy and NIV often face issues with maintaining a stable seal due to reduced contact area with the user's face, leading to potential leaks and discomfort, especially with sub-nasal masks which can roll or rotate, compromising therapy delivery.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory mask system featuring a headgear with an integrally formed closed loop design, including a yoke, side arms, and a top strap that forms a rigid, semi-rigid structure to secure the patient interface, combined with a frame that provides a stable connection and reduces pressure drop through optimized inlet and outlet collar designs, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a sub-nasal mask design is used to reduce contact area with the user's face, then user comfort is improved, but seal stability deteriorates causing the mask to roll or rotate
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is designed as an integrally formed closed loop structure that dynamically adapts to the user's head shape and movements. The continuous closed loop configuration allows the headgear to flex and move with the user while maintaining consistent sealing pressure, preventing the mask from rolling or rotating despite reduced contact area.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional headgear designs are used, then seal stability is maintained, but pressure drop increases causing discomfort and therapy inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is segmented into distinct functional components within the closed loop structure: the yoke portion that contacts the mask, the side arms that extend along the cheeks, and the top strap that secures overhead. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while working together to minimize overall pressure drop and maintain seal stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the headgear is made from rigid materials to maintain structure, then seal stability is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear utilizes materials and structural design that change physical parameters along its length - with varying degrees of rigidity and flexibility in different sections. The closed loop structure incorporates portions with different stiffness characteristics to provide structural support where needed while maintaining flexibility for comfort and adaptation to user movements.
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory mask system is provided. The respiratory mask system has a patient interface that is secured to a user's head by a headgear. The patient interface comprises a seal, a frame and a gas delivery conduit. The frame is configured to secure the seal and gas delivery conduit together. The frame comprises a recessed channel and/or headgear retaining features configured to connect the headgear to the patient interface. The frame can include an inlet collar that connects to a gas delivery conduit. The inlet collar can include bias flow holes. The headgear comprises a top strap, a pair of side arms, a yoke and a rear strap. The yoke is configured to connect to the recessed channel of the frame. The top strap, side arms and yoke form an integrally formed closed loop. The top strap can include two portions adjustably connected to each other.