Nasal Mask Sealing Nose Tip to Upper Lip with Flexible Spring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current nasal masks for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) either cause discomfort due to foreign object sensation in the nostrils or fail to provide a secure seal, leading to gas leakage and reduced efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A nasal mask that seals from the nose tip to the upper lip, featuring a flexible part with a spring structure that adjusts to fit different nose sizes and shapes, ensuring an airtight fit and reducing discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If invasive nasal masks are used to provide better sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to foreign object sensation in nostrils
Solution Approach 1:
The nasal mask is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid part that provides structural support and sealing at the nose bridge area, and a flexible part that adapts to the nasal contours. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally while minimizing discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mask have different material properties and sealing characteristics. The rigid part uses stiffer material for structural integrity, while the flexible part uses softer, more compliant material that contours to the nose shape, providing localized sealing without intrusive sensation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If non-invasive nasal masks are used to improve user comfort, then user comfort is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates leading to gas leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible part of the mask is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, changing shape to conform to the user's nasal contours. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable sealing without requiring the mask to be rigid or intrusive, thus maintaining comfort while preventing gas leakage
Solution Approach 2:
The mask combines rigid and flexible materials in a single integrated structure. The rigid part provides stable anchoring at the nose bridge, while the flexible part ensures conformal sealing around the nostrils, achieving both comfort and reliable sealing through material composition
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed-size masks are used to simplify manufacturing, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates for different nose sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible part of the mask is designed with varying degrees of flexibility and elasticity, allowing it to adapt to different nose sizes and shapes within a range. This parameter variation in material properties enables a single mask design to accommodate multiple users with different nasal dimensions
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 mask provides better sealing and comfort, reducing gas leakage and user discomfort, thus enhancing treatment efficacy and compliance for patients with OSAS.
Implementation Method 1
a spring structure, wherein the spring structure is provided between the flexible part and the sealing section
Data Source
AI summary
A nasal mask for sealing the area from the nose tip to the upper lip of the user. It includes a flexible part that curves towards one side of the user's face. The flexible part has at least one protrusion, a chamber to accommodate gas, a first opening and at least one second opening. The flexible part includes a sealing section that, during use, surrounds the area at least including the nose tip, the first nostril, and the second nostril of the user, and makes contact with the area around the nostrils. The sealing section has at least one thin region and a support region that is thicker than the thin region. The nasal mask may also include a rigid part, an exhaust port, and a spring structure.