Mask Headgear with Rigid Rear Strap and Elastic Sides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headgear for respiratory masks often fail to fit a wide range of patients comfortably, require multiple adjustments, leave facial marks, and are awkward to use.
Innovation Solution
The headgear design includes a rear portion that remains fixed in position, uses rigidizers made of rigid or semi-rigid materials to anchor the mask, and employs a manufacturing process that minimizes waste and cost, with extensible and inextensible straps for comfort and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If headgear uses a given size design, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but it fits very few patients
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is divided into modular components including an adjustable strap system with multiple attachment points, allowing the same basic design to be customized for different head sizes and shapes without requiring multiple complete headgear units
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear design incorporates universal features such as multiple adjustment positions and adaptable strap configurations that enable a single design to serve multiple patient types, achieving both manufacturing efficiency and broad applicability
2Adaptability or versatility
If headgear requires multiple adjustments to fit, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear is pre-configured with multiple attachment points and adjustment mechanisms positioned to allow patients to easily make necessary adjustments without complex procedures, reducing the operational burden while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear incorporates dynamic adjustment features that allow patients to quickly modify the fit as needed, transforming a static complex adjustment system into a flexible easy-to-use system
3Ease of operation
If headgear straps are made extensible, then comfort is improved, but mask position stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The strap system is segmented into different zones with varying extensibility - some portions are elastic for comfort while other portions are rigid or semi-rigid for maintaining mask position, allowing both comfort and stability requirements to be met simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the headgear have different mechanical properties - the strap sections contacting the patient are soft and extensible for comfort, while the connection points and rigidizer portions are stiff for stability, creating local quality variations that satisfy conflicting requirements
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
The headgear provides a comfortable, adjustable fit for a variety of patients, reduces facial marks, and is easy to use, while maintaining mask position effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a rigidizer constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material and adapted to extend on either side of the patient's parietal bone
Implementation Method 2
an elastic side portion
Implementation Method 3
a rear portion that is substantially inextensible along its length
Data Source
AI summary
A headgear for use with a mask includes a first strap being configured to engage a back of a patient's head and extend on either side of the patient's parietal bone behind the patient's ears and assume, in use, a substantially circular or oval shape. At least a portion of the first strap is substantially inextensible. The headgear also includes at least one second strap configured to removably connect the first strap to the mask. The second strap may be more extensible than the first strap. At least a portion of the first strap is self-supporting such that the headgear maintains a three dimensional shape when not in use. The substantially inextensible portion of the first strap is constructed to resiliently return to a predetermined shape when not in use. The arcuate region includes a first portion that may be arranged to align substantially parallel with a top of the patient's head and a second portion being arranged to align substantially to a rear surface of the patient's head.