Mask Vent Assembly Column Holes Reduce Turbulence Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current CPAP therapy for sleep disordered breathing conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea, is hindered by noise generated from the washout vent in mask or conduit, which affects patient and bed-partner comfort and compliance due to excessive turbulence in bi-level gas delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A nasal or full-face mask frame with a vent assembly featuring a plurality of holes arranged in a column pattern on a flat, non-recessed portion of the frame, designed to minimize gas interference and noise by directing exhausted air upward and outward, reducing turbulence and noise emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a washout vent is provided in the mask or conduit to discharge exhaled gas, then carbon dioxide build-up is prevented, but noise is generated due to gas turbulence and interaction with the atmosphere
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly is segmented into multiple holes (at least three) arranged in a column, distributing the gas flow across multiple openings rather than a single large opening. This segmentation reduces turbulence and noise while maintaining effective gas washout capability
Solution Approach 2:
The vent assembly extends in a dimension perpendicular to the main body surface, with holes arranged in a column that projects outward. This three-dimensional configuration allows gas to be discharged in a directed pattern away from the mask, reducing noise from atmospheric interaction while maintaining washout effectiveness
2Reliability
If bi-level gas delivery regime is used to treat sleep disordered breathing, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but noise is increased due to extra turbulence from gas accelerating and decelerating
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple holes in the vent assembly distribute and smooth the turbulent bi-level gas flow, reducing the noise generated during the acceleration and deceleration phases of bi-level delivery while maintaining the therapeutic pressure variations
Solution Approach 2:
The vent assembly parameters (hole size, number of holes, column arrangement) are optimized to handle the varying flow rates and pressures of bi-level delivery, allowing effective noise reduction across the full range of therapeutic pressure variations
3Reliability
If vent size is increased to achieve adequate gas washout at low operating CPAP pressure, then carbon dioxide removal is improved, but noise from gas exhaust is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The vent assembly uses multiple smaller holes arranged in a column instead of a single large opening, achieving adequate total open area for low-pressure washout while distributing flow to reduce turbulence and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The holes are positioned on a relatively flat and non-recessed portion of the main body, creating a specific local geometry that optimizes flow patterns and reduces noise generation at the vent location while maintaining effective gas removal
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 solution significantly reduces noise associated with gas exhaust from the mask or conduit, enhancing user friendliness and comfort during CPAP therapy by minimizing interference and turbulence.
Implementation Method 1
The flow of gas through the vent creates noise as it exits to and interacts with the atmosphere. Noise can adversely affect patient and bed-partner comfort, depending on both the magnitude and character of the noise. Further, bi-level gas delivery regimes tend to generate more noise than do constant level gas delivery regimes. This is thought to be due to the extra turbulence created by the gas accelerating and decelerating
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal or full-face mask frame includes a main body and a vent assembly provided to the main body. The vent assembly includes a plurality of holes arranged in at least one column. The holes are positioned on a relatively flat and/or non-recessed portion of the main body.