Patient Interface Maintaining Member for Strapless Mask Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing patient interface devices for non-invasive ventilation and PAP therapy often cause claustrophobia due to the need for headgear straps, making it difficult for patients to easily remove the mask without unfastening them.
Innovation Solution
A maintaining member with a C-shaped coupling portion and a semi-circular maintaining portion that uses a snap-fit mechanism to secure the cushion member to the patient's face, allowing for easy donning and removal without straps, and a fabric member for comfort and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headgear straps are used to maintain the patient interface device on the patient's face, then the device stability is improved, but the patient experiences claustrophobia and difficulty in removing the device
Solution Approach 1:
The maintaining member is divided into distinct functional portions: a coupling portion that attaches to the cushion member and a maintaining portion with a receiving portion that interfaces with the patient's face. This segmentation allows the device to be removed by simply pulling the maintaining portion away from the face, eliminating the need to unfasten straps while maintaining stability during use
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the fastening mechanism from the traditional headgear strap system. The maintaining portion with its receiving portion is designed to be directly engaged with the patient's face anatomy (such as the jawline or cheek), removing the intermediary strap component that causes claustrophobia and complicates removal
2Reliability
If headgear straps are used to secure the mask component, then the device can be maintained on the patient's face, but the patient feels claustrophobic and must unfasten straps to remove the device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the headgear strap component entirely from the patient interface system. The maintaining portion is designed to interface directly with the patient's face using anatomical landmarks, eliminating the strap that causes claustrophobic feelings while maintaining secure device positioning during therapy
Solution Approach 2:
The maintaining portion acts as an intermediary between the cushion member and the patient's face, providing a secure connection without requiring straps. The receiving portion is shaped to conform to facial contours, creating a stable interface that eliminates the need for additional fastening elements
3Reliability
If traditional headgear straps are used, then the mask component can be secured to the patient's face, but the process of putting on and taking off the device becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The maintaining member is segmented into a coupling portion and a maintaining portion that can be independently positioned and removed. This allows the device to be quickly donned by attaching the coupling portion to the cushion member and positioning the maintaining portion on the face, and quickly removed by simply pulling the maintaining portion away, significantly reducing the time required compared to traditional strap systems
Data Source
AI summary
A maintaining member is for a patient interface device. The patient interface device includes a cushion member structured to engage a face of a patient. The maintaining member has body structured to be located on a single side of the face of the patient. The body includes a coupling portion structured to be coupled to the cushion member, and a maintaining portion extending from the coupling portion, the maintaining portion having a receiving portion located opposite and facing the coupling portion, the receiving portion being concave facing in a direction toward the coupling portion in order to maintain the patient interface device on the face of the patient.