Nasal Dilator Elastic Membrane Peel Force Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing external nasal dilators face issues with delamination due to peel forces generated by their resilient members, which can lead to disengagement from the skin surface, limiting their effectiveness and comfort during use.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an elastic membrane as part of the resilient element in nasal dilators, which shifts peel forces into shear forces, enhancing engagement and comfort by reducing the contact surface area and distributing spring biasing forces more effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a resilient member is used to provide spring biasing forces for nasal dilation, then nasal passages are dilated and stabilized, but peel forces are generated that cause delamination and disengagement from the skin surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful peel forces generated by the resilient member into beneficial shear forces by introducing an elastic membrane at an oblique angle. The membrane's orientation transforms the force vector so that what would otherwise be a delaminating peel force becomes a stabilizing shear force that enhances engagement with the skin surface while maintaining nasal dilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic membrane acts as an intermediary element between the resilient member and the skin surface. It mediates the force transmission by redirecting the spring biasing forces through its oblique orientation, converting peel forces into shear forces and improving overall device stability without compromising the dilation function.
2Reliability
If the contact surface area is increased to improve engagement, then stability is enhanced, but peel forces are amplified leading to greater delamination
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than simply reducing contact area to minimize peel forces, the patent converts the peel forces into shear forces through the oblique-oriented elastic membrane. This allows the device to maintain adequate contact area for stability while transforming the harmful peel component into a beneficial shear component that enhances engagement.
3Reliability
If adhesive is used to secure the dilator to the skin, then engagement is improved, but removal causes stress and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic membrane converts peel forces into shear forces during both application and removal. During removal, this force transformation reduces the stress on the adhesive bond and skin, allowing for easier and more comfortable removal while maintaining adequate engagement during use.
4Force
If spring biasing force is increased to improve dilation effectiveness, then nasal passages are better dilated, but delamination is exacerbated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the use of higher spring biasing forces for effective dilation by converting the resulting peel forces into shear forces through the oblique elastic membrane. This force transformation allows stronger dilation without the penalty of increased delamination, as the shear forces enhance rather than compromise engagement stability.
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 nasal dilators provide improved stability and dilation of nasal passages with reduced delamination, increased comfort, and ease of use, maintaining engagement with the skin surface while allowing for easy removal without stress.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient element further comprises a second part in the form of an elastic membrane that provides elasticity, or stretching, tensing, or tensioning forces, extending generally parallel to a surface plane thereof
Implementation Method 2
The resilient element comprises a first part in the form of at least one resilient member that provides resiliency, or spring biasing forces, extending generally perpendicular to, or obliquely from, a surface plane thereof
Implementation Method 3
Nasal dilators of the present invention are capable of resilient and elastic deformation by virtue of the resilient element. That is, when released after flexure the dilator returns to a substantially planar or pre-flexed state
Data Source
AI summary
An external nasal dilator comprises resilient and engagement elements. The engagement element functions primarily to affix, adhere, or otherwise engage the dilator to the skin surface of the nose. The resilient element comprises one part that provides out-of-plane resiliency, or spring biasing forces, and another part that provides in-plane elasticity, or stretching or tensioning forces. The dilator includes horizontal regions adapted to engage outer wall tissues of first and second nasal passages of a nose. When in use the dilator stabilizes or expands nasal outer wall tissues and prevents the outer wall tissues from drawing inward during breathing.