Respiratory Patient Interface With Nonwoven Humidification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapies, such as CPAP and HFT, face challenges with patient compliance due to discomfort, poor fit, and inefficiencies in patient interfaces and air delivery systems, leading to suboptimal treatment outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a plenum chamber, seal-forming structure, and positioning and stabilizing structure, combined with a nonwoven heat and moisture exchanger, enhances comfort and efficacy by maintaining therapeutic pressure and improving humidification, while a nonwoven composite ensures durability and consistent performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient interface is used for respiratory therapy, then therapeutic pressure can be delivered to the patient, but patient comfort is reduced leading to poor compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous polymeric material in the patient interface that allows selective permeability. The material's porous structure enables it to maintain therapeutic pressure while permitting controlled gas exchange and moisture transfer, thereby improving patient comfort without compromising the reliability of pressure delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining different polymeric components with distinct properties. The composite structure integrates materials that provide both mechanical support for pressure maintenance and surface properties that enhance comfort, resolving the contradiction between reliable pressure delivery and patient compliance.
2Productivity
If existing patient interfaces are used, then air delivery is possible, but humidification is insufficient causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the polymeric material to optimize humidification performance. By adjusting parameters such as porosity, surface area, and hydrophilicity of the material, the system enhances moisture absorption and release capabilities, improving humidification while maintaining air delivery productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional materials are used in patient interfaces, then manufacturing is simpler, but durability and consistent performance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable patient interface made from cost-effective polymeric materials. This approach eliminates the need for complex cleaning and maintenance procedures, ensuring consistent performance and durability across multiple uses without requiring elaborate manufacturing processes. The disposable nature guarantees reliability while keeping manufacturing relatively simple.
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 solution improves patient compliance and treatment efficacy by providing a comfortable, well-fitting interface that maintains therapeutic pressure and enhances humidification, addressing issues of discomfort and inefficiency in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a nonwoven heat and moisture exchanger, enhances comfort and efficacy by maintaining therapeutic pressure and improving humidification
Implementation Method 2
a nonwoven heat and moisture exchanger... improving humidification
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present technology relates to one or more of the screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, prevention and amelioration of respiratory-related disorders. The present technology also relates to medical devices or apparatus, and their use. The present technology also relates to components formed from nonwoven composites for use in medical devices or apparatus.