Patient Interface Conduit with Silicone Pad for Stable Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory therapy devices, particularly those used for treating sleep disordered breathing, face challenges such as discomfort, poor fit, and reduced patient compliance due to obtrusive, aesthetically undesirable, and difficult-to-use mask designs.

Innovation Solution

The development of a patient interface system that incorporates a headgear conduit system with a conduit formed from silicone and a pad attached to the conduit, designed to provide improved comfort and stability by minimizing sharp edges and enhancing ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional mask designs are used for respiratory therapy, then the seal-forming function is achieved, but the device becomes obtrusive and aesthetically undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal-forming functionVSAvoidmask design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface is divided into separate functional components: a minimal seal-forming structure (nasal pillows or nasal mask) and a separate headgear system. This segmentation allows the seal-forming portion to be simple and unobtrusive while the headgear provides the necessary stabilization, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable sealing and maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional headgear systems are used to stabilize the mask, then positioning is achieved, but comfort is reduced due to sharp edges and difficult-to-use design

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemask positioning stabilityVSAvoidease of use and comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The headgear incorporates a flexible conduit with a smooth outer surface that conforms to the patient's head and face contours. This flexible design eliminates sharp edges and rigid structures, providing stable positioning while maintaining comfort and ease of use during prolonged wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The conduit is designed with a curved, streamlined profile that follows the natural contours of the face and head. This curved geometry eliminates sharp angles and edges, distributing pressure evenly and improving comfort while maintaining effective positioning of the seal-forming structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the conduit is made smooth to improve comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort during wearVSAvoidconduit fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The conduit is constructed from silicone elastomer, a material that inherently provides both the required smooth surface for comfort and manufacturability through proven molding techniques. This composite material approach allows the conduit to be formed as a single piece with integrated smooth surfaces, achieving comfort goals without excessive manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250186727A1Positioning and stabilising structures for patient interfaces

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 RESMED ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

The present technology relates to a positioning and stabilising structure for a patient interface, the positioning and stabilising structure comprising a conduit configured to permit delivery of pressurised air to the interior of the plenum chamber and a pad attached to the conduit. Other aspects of the present technology relate to a patient interface comprising a plenum chamber, a seal-forming structure configured to form a seal with a region of the patient's face surrounding an entrance to the patient's airways, and the positioning and stabilising structure comprising the conduit and the pad attached to the conduit.