Patient Interface Undercushion and Membrane for Adaptive Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy devices, particularly patient interfaces, suffer from discomfort, poor fit, and reduced compliance due to inadequate seal-forming structures and stabilization mechanisms, leading to suboptimal treatment efficacy and patient non-compliance.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a flexible frame and a seal-forming structure comprising a foam undercushion and membrane portion that adapts to varying facial shapes, providing a comfortable and secure seal without nasal occlusion, combined with a positioning and stabilizing structure for improved fit and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid seal-forming structure is used to ensure a secure seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to poor fit and nasal occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The seal-forming structure is divided into multiple functional zones: a rigid peripheral portion for sealing and a soft internal portion for comfort. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal-forming structure have different material properties - the periphery uses rigid material for sealing reliability while the internal portion uses soft, compliant material for patient comfort. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between secure sealing and comfort.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large patient interface is used to accommodate diverse facial dimensions, then adaptability is improved, but device bulkiness increases leading to reduced patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface incorporates flexible and adjustable components that can dynamically adapt to different facial dimensions. The seal-forming structure can flex and conform to various face shapes, providing adaptability without requiring a large fixed-size interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface uses flexible materials and thin-film structures that can conform to diverse facial geometries. This flexibility allows a compact interface design to adapt to different face sizes and shapes, maintaining adaptability while minimizing bulkiness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If complex stabilization mechanisms are added to improve fit security, then sealing stability is improved, but device complexity increases leading to easier manufacturing errors and reduced ease of use
Solution Approach 1:
The seal-forming structure incorporates self-stabilizing features that automatically adjust to maintain optimal sealing without requiring complex external stabilization mechanisms. The material properties and geometric design enable the interface to self-adjust and maintain stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing and stabilization functions are merged into a single integrated seal-forming structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate complex stabilization mechanisms while maintaining both sealing reliability and fit 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
Enhances patient comfort and compliance by ensuring a consistent therapeutic pressure throughout the respiratory cycle, accommodating diverse facial dimensions, and reducing noise and bulkiness, thereby improving treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The seal-forming structure is constructed and arranged to form a seal with a region of the patient's face... foam undercushion... equalizes pressure
Implementation Method 2
a seal-forming structure comprising a foam undercushion and membrane portion that adapts to varying facial shapes... membrane portion configured to expand
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface comprising: a frame partially forming a plenum chamber and comprising a channel around a periphery of the frame; at least one pair of headgear connector portions connected to the frame; a seal-forming structure connected to the frame and partially forming the plenum chamber, wherein the seal forming structure comprises an undercushion and a membrane portion connected to the undercushion and configured to inflate, in use, to form a seal to at least a pronasale region and nasal alae of the patient's nose, the seal forming structure further configured to form a seal around the patient's mouth; and wherein the undercushion of the seal-forming structure comprises a connection portion on a non-patient facing side of the undercushion, the connection portion being configured to be received in the channel of the frame to releasably connect the seal-forming structure to the frame.