Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Alignment Indicators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional respiratory masks for treating Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) or Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NIPPV) are often bulky and obtrusive, leading to lower therapy compliance due to discomfort and the sensation of pressurized air directed into the nares.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface that forms a seal on the underside of the nose, avoiding the nasal bridge and septum, with a mask and headgear system featuring alignment indicators, adjustable straps, and a facial pad for improved comfort and fit, reducing the sensation of air pressure and enhancing user compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional respiratory masks are used to deliver pressurized gas, then the treatment function is achieved, but the mask appears bulky and obtrusive leading to lower therapy compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is divided into separate functional components: a minimal seal interface (pillow or cradle) that contacts only the necessary facial areas, and a headgear system that provides structural support independently. This segmentation allows the seal portion to be small and unobtrusive while maintaining treatment effectiveness through proper positioning enabled by the headgear.
Solution Approach 2:
The bulky structural support elements are extracted from the seal interface and placed in the headgear system. This extraction allows the actual patient-contacting seal portion to be minimized in size and complexity, reducing obtrusiveness while maintaining the necessary support structure through the separate headgear component.
2Reliability
If pillows are placed in the nares to deliver pressurized air, then the treatment function is achieved, but patients experience discomfort and sensation of pressurized air directed up the nares
Solution Approach 1:
The seal interface is designed with different local qualities: nasal pillows contact only the external nares area without extending into the nasal cavity, while nasal cradles contact the underside of the nose and nasal bridge area. This localized sealing approach delivers pressurized air to the appropriate region without directing it up the nares, reducing patient discomfort while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If alignment indicators are added to the mask and headgear, then correct alignment is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Alignment indicators utilize color coding or contrasting visual markers on the mask and headgear components. These visual indicators provide clear alignment guidance through color differences or patterns, achieving precise alignment without adding complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms, thereby minimizing increases in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a patient interface for delivering breathable gas to a patient, the patient interface comprising: a mask having a sealing portion adapted to form a seal with the patient; a first headgear chord connected to a first side of the mask; a second headgear chord connected to a second side of the mask; headgear adapted to connect to the first and second headgear chords to secure the mask to a head of the patient; and at least one adjustment device on the mask adapted to selectively move the first and second headgear chords to tighten or loosen the headgear.