Foldable Patient Interface Packaging for Compressed Mask Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory therapy masks suffer from discomfort, poor fit, difficulty in use, and reduced compliance due to variations in facial anatomy and movement, leading to leaks and reduced effectiveness in treating respiratory disorders.

Innovation Solution

A patient interface with a seal-forming structure and positioning and stabilizing structure, packaged in a foldable design with retaining features, allowing easy setup and use, and compatible with different facial shapes, ensuring a secure seal and comfort during therapy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a patient interface is designed to fit various facial shapes, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision becomes more difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit for various facial shapesVSAvoidseal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patient interface incorporates adjustable components that allow modification of geometric parameters to accommodate different facial shapes while maintaining consistent seal pressure and integrity across various user anatomies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patient interface is divided into modular components including adjustable headgear, repositionable cushion sections, and flexible sealing elements that can be independently configured to achieve both adaptability and manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the patient interface includes positioning and stabilizing structures, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrity during movementVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and stabilizing structures are integrated into the existing patient interface framework, combining multiple functions into unified components rather than adding separate independent elements, thereby maintaining reliability while controlling complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the packaging is designed to retain the patient interface securely, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure retention during transportVSAvoiddifficulty in setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging is pre-configured with alignment features and release mechanisms that automatically guide the patient interface into the correct position during unboxing, eliminating the need for complex manual setup while maintaining secure retention during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260077903A1Packaging for a patient interface

Publication Date: 2026.03.19 RESMED ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

Packaging for a patient interface comprises: a plurality of panels arranged to be folded inwardly to define a housing for the patient interface, the plurality of panels comprising a pair of opposed side panels and a pair of opposed end panels; and a panel-retaining structure that is arranged to prevent outward collapse of the panels such that the patient interface is held in a compressed state; wherein at least one of the panels comprises at least one patient interface retaining feature that is attachable to the patient interface; and wherein the panel-retaining structure is releasable to cause the patient interface in the compressed state to urge one or more of the panels outwardly, to thereby enable display of the patient interface in a substantially in-use configuration.