Nasal Cannula Force-Responsive Element for Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing patient interfaces, such as nasal cannulas, face stability issues due to variations in facial geometry and external forces, leading to dislodgment of the interface or components, which can affect therapy delivery and user comfort.

Innovation Solution

A patient interface with a body including nasal prongs and an element responsive to forces or movements experienced by a first region, which facilitates the reduction and localization of these forces to maintain the nasal prongs in a stable position within or adjacent to the nares.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a rigid patient interface structure is used, then structural strength is improved, but stability under facial movement is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidstability under facial movement

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the patient interface structure movable and adaptable rather than rigid. The frame includes articulated joints and flexible segments that allow the interface to dynamically adjust its configuration in response to facial movements, maintaining both structural integrity and stability during speech, eating, and other facial activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the interface structure, specifically incorporating elements with varying flexibility and rigidity. The frame includes both rigid components for structural strength and flexible/articulated components that can change their mechanical properties, allowing the interface to adapt to different facial geometries and movements while maintaining overall stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If a fixed geometry interface is used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different facial geometries is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface geometry precisionVSAvoidadaptability to facial geometry

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the patient interface into multiple discrete components including a frame, facial pads, and articulated segments. This modular structure allows each component to be manufactured with high precision while the assembled interface can adapt to different facial geometries through the articulated connections and adjustable positioning of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The articulated and flexible components enable the interface to dynamically adjust its geometry to match different facial shapes and sizes, maintaining precise positioning of the nasal prongs while accommodating variations in patient anatomy without requiring custom manufacturing for each patient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the nasal prongs are rigidly fixed, then positioning precision is improved, but comfort under force application is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenasal prong positioning precisionVSAvoidcomfort under force application

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary flexible and articulated components between the rigid frame structure and the nasal prongs. These intermediaries act as buffers that absorb and distribute forces applied to the interface, preventing direct transmission of harmful forces to the nasal prongs while maintaining their precise positioning within the nares.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible segments and articulated joints change their mechanical parameters under applied forces, allowing the interface to absorb and distribute loads. This prevents concentration of forces at single points and maintains comfortable contact pressure distribution while keeping the nasal prongs securely positioned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enhances the stability and comfort of the patient interface by minimizing the transfer of forces and maintaining the nasal prongs in a stable configuration, thereby ensuring effective therapy delivery.

Implementation Method 1

the body includes at least one element (optionally mechanically) responsive to force(s) or movement(s), or both, experienced by at least a first region of the patient interface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce absorption and distribution: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20250161618A1Patient interface

Publication Date: 2025.05.22 FISHER & PAYKEL HEALTHCARE LTD

AI summary

This invention relates to a patient interface, such as a nasal cannula, comprising a body to be positioned upon a user (preferably such as a user's face), the body including at least one (and preferably a pair of) nasal prong(s), the or each nasal prong including a lumen capable of being fluidly connected thereto for fluid communication with a supply of breathable gas, the or each nasal prong to be in a configuration either inserted into, or to direct a flow of gas toward, a nare or the nares of the user's nose, wherein the body includes at least one element responsive to force(s) or movement(s), or both, experienced by at least a first region of the patient interface.