Nasal Cannula Assembly With Rigid Side Arms for Stable Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nasal cannula assemblies face issues with stability and comfort, particularly for mobile patients, as they tend to rotate relative to the face during movement, causing nasal prongs to irritate the nares, and require cumbersome tubing arrangements that hinder mobility.
Innovation Solution
A nasal cannula system with a central body and side portions that contact the cheeks, featuring adjustable retention straps and modular retention arrangements, including headgear straps and adhesive pads, to secure the cannula in place, along with flexible tubing and manifold designs to accommodate gas delivery and patient comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the nasal cannula is made entirely of flexible material to ensure comfort, then the patient's comfort is improved, but the structural integrity and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal cannula combines flexible material (silicone or rubber) for the patient-contact portions (nosepiece and flanges) with rigid material (plastic or metal) for the structural components (body and side arms). This composite construction allows the flexible portions to conform to patient anatomy for comfort while the rigid portions maintain structural integrity and precise positioning of the gas delivery mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the nasal cannula have different material properties tailored to their specific functions. The nosepiece and flanges are made flexible to accommodate patient anatomy, while the body and side arms are made rigid to ensure stable positioning and prevent the gas delivery mechanism from imposing on the nasal spine. This local differentiation of material quality resolves the contradiction between comfort and structural integrity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the rigid continuous section is used to maintain structural integrity, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the patient's comfort deteriorates due to rigidity
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal cannula uses composite materials where rigid plastic or metal forms the continuous section providing positioning accuracy, while flexible silicone or rubber forms the patient-contact portions. This combination allows the rigid structure to maintain precise positioning of the gas delivery mechanism without causing discomfort to the patient, as the flexible portions adapt to patient anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The nasal cannula is segmented into distinct portions with different material properties: the rigid body and side arms provide structural support and positioning accuracy, while the flexible nosepiece and flanges provide patient comfort. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between positioning accuracy and patient comfort.
3Productivity
If the gas delivery mechanism is positioned close to the patient's nasal spine for effective delivery, then the gas delivery efficiency is improved, but the risk of imposing on the patient's nasal spine increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid continuous section acting through the side arms creates a counterbalancing moment that offsets the force of the gas delivery mechanism toward the nasal spine. This mechanical counterweight effect allows the gas delivery mechanism to be positioned close to the nasal spine for efficient delivery while preventing it from imposing on the patient's anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid continuous section is designed in advance to provide structural support and positioning that prevents the gas delivery mechanism from imposing on the nasal spine during use. This preliminary structural design ensures that even when the mechanism is positioned close to the nasal spine for efficient delivery, the rigid structure maintains proper spacing and prevents harmful contact.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
A patient interface comprising: a gases delivery mechanism, a body connected to the gases delivery mechanism, a pair of side arms extending from the body over a patient's cheek region, in use, and a continuous section of material extending along each of the pair of side arms and extending through the body to connect the pair of side arms, wherein the body and side arms are connected in a manner such that application of a tension to the side arms directs the gases delivery mechanism to move away from a position otherwise imposing upon a patient's nasal spine, and wherein the body and the pair of side arms are formed of a first material and the continuous section of material is formed of a second material, wherein the second material is relatively more rigid than the first material, and wherein the body is configured to receive a supply tube from a left side or a right side.