Respiratory Mask Headgear Tensioning with Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current headgear assemblies for respiratory masks in Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) treatments for Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) often require patients to adjust tension based on comfort, leading to overtightening, which can cause discomfort and mask leaks, or undertightening, resulting in therapy inefficacy and non-compliance due to inadequate seal maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A headgear assembly with adjustable tension control and indicating means, such as visual or tactile cues, to help patients achieve the optimal tension setting, preventing overtightening and ensuring a secure mask seal during extended therapy sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If patients tighten headgear straps to eliminate mask leaks, then mask seal is improved, but patient discomfort and tissue damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by providing visual indicators (marks, windows, color changes) that show patients the current headgear tension level. This feedback mechanism allows patients to adjust tension to an optimal level rather than overtightening, resolving the contradiction between maintaining mask seal and avoiding patient discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color changes as a visual indicator system where different colors represent different tension levels. This allows patients to easily identify the optimal tension setting without needing to understand complex adjustment mechanisms, preventing overtightening while ensuring adequate mask seal.
2Ease of operation
If patients use comfort to determine headgear tension, then ease of operation is improved, but mask seal reliability deteriorates due to undertightening
Solution Approach 1:
The visual feedback system provides objective guidance on tension level, combining patient comfort with seal reliability. Patients can easily adjust tension while the indicators ensure they achieve the appropriate level for maintaining mask seal during extended therapy sessions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary action by pre-positioning visual indicators and adjustment markings that guide patients to the correct tension setting before therapy begins. This preliminary guidance ensures proper mask seal is achieved without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
3Ease of operation
If headgear tension is adjusted for short-term comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but therapy effectiveness deteriorates over extended sessions
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicators and adjustment markings are pre-configured to guide patients to the optimal tension setting before therapy begins. This preliminary action ensures the headgear maintains effectiveness throughout extended therapy sessions rather than requiring re-adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback mechanism provides continuous visual information about tension level, allowing patients to maintain optimal settings throughout extended therapy sessions. This ensures therapy effectiveness is preserved over time while keeping the adjustment process simple.
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface assembly is configured to deliver pressurized gas to the patient's airways. The patient interface assembly includes a patient interface structure that is configured to sealingly engage the patient's face. The patient interface includes a receptacle. The patient interface assembly further includes headgear configured to support the patient interface structure on the patient's head. The headgear includes a clip that is receivable by the receptacle. The receptacle and the clip together form a multiple stage connection arrangement in which each of the multiple stages corresponds to an interlocked position of the clip in the receptacle. Each stage is associated with a corresponding range of headgear tension.