Patient Interface Cushion With Zoned Elastic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interface cushions for CPAP therapy fail to provide adequate comfort, adaptability, and sealing, leading to discomfort, air leakage, and difficulty in accommodating diverse facial contours and nose sizes, while also being cumbersome and costly to produce and clean.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface cushion with a rigid section and an elastic section divided into three areas: an adjustment area for facial adaptation, a support area for stability, and a stabilization area to prevent flipping, featuring varying wall thicknesses and surface treatments for enhanced compatibility and sealing, reducing material and production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the patient interface cushion uses a uniform thickness design, then the manufacturing process is simple, but it cannot adapt to diverse facial contours and nose sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the elastic section into multiple areas with different wall thicknesses: a first area with a first wall thickness for facial contact and a second area with a second wall thickness for structural support. This allows different regions of the cushion to have optimized properties for their specific functions, improving adaptability to diverse facial contours while maintaining manageable manufacturing complexity through a modular design approach.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the patient interface cushion uses thicker walls for stability, then the cushion maintains its shape better, but it causes discomfort and pressure marks on the patient's face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing local quality through varying wall thicknesses in different areas. The first area contacting the patient's face uses a first wall thickness optimized for comfort, while the second area provides structural stability with a different wall thickness. This localized differentiation allows the cushion to be both comfortable during wear and stable in maintaining its shape and seal.
3Ease of manufacture
If the patient interface cushion uses a single-layer structure, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but it lacks the durability and support needed for prolonged use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining an elastic material with a rigid material in a multi-layer structure. The elastic material provides comfort and adaptability, while the rigid material enhances durability and structural support. This composite approach improves reliability for prolonged use while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through established composite material fabrication techniques.
4Reliability
If the patient interface cushion is designed to fit tightly for effective sealing, then the seal is improved, but it causes pressure marks and discomfort in tightly fitting areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this sealing-comfort contradiction through local quality by differentiating wall thicknesses in the first area (facial contact) versus the second area (structural support). The thinner first area conforms to facial contours for effective sealing without excessive pressure, while the thicker second area maintains structural integrity. This localized variation enables both reliable sealing and comfortable wear.
5Adaptability or versatility
If the patient interface cushion uses complex multi-area design with varying wall thicknesses, then adaptability and comfort are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the elastic section into distinct first and second areas with different wall thicknesses, each serving specific functions. This segmentation enables optimized performance for adaptability and comfort while maintaining a relatively simple overall design that can be manufactured using standard techniques, balancing complexity and functionality.
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 cushion provides improved comfort, sealing, and adaptability, reducing air leakage, manufacturing defects, and production costs, while being easier to clean and environmentally friendly, thus enhancing patient compliance and treatment efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
The patient interface cushion includes a rigid section and an elastic section. The elastic section is configured to contact and seal with the patient's face during use
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface cushion includes a rigid section and an elastic section. The elastic section is divided into a main body of the elastic section, which at least partially contacts and forms a seal with the patient's face during use, and a connecting portion to connect to the rigid section. The main body of the elastic section has multiple areas to enable the patient interface cushion to have different degrees of variation in different areas and to adjust the pressure exerted by the patient interface cushion on different facial areas. It specifically includes an adjustment area to accommodate different face sizes, nose heights, and widths; a support area to support the patient interface cushion; and a stabilization area to prevent the patient interface cushion from turning out. The adjustment area can be configured to include a nasal side adjustment part.