Full-face Patient Interface with Stopper Rib Seal Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices, particularly masks for CPAP therapy, often suffer from discomfort, poor fit, and reduced compliance due to inadequate seal-forming structures and stabilization mechanisms, leading to reduced effectiveness and patient adherence issues.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface design featuring a plenum chamber that maintains therapeutic pressure with improved seal-forming structures and stabilization mechanisms, including support portions and a vent structure, to enhance comfort and fit, reducing occlusive contact and accommodating various facial shapes and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seal-forming structures are used in respiratory therapy masks, then the device can maintain therapeutic pressure, but the patient experiences discomfort and poor fit leading to reduced compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into distinct functional zones: a rigid plenum chamber for pressure maintenance, flexible seal-forming structures for comfort, and support portions for stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the rigid portion maintains pressure while flexible portions adapt to facial contours, resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mask have different mechanical properties tailored to their specific functions. The plenum chamber is rigid for structural integrity and pressure maintenance, while the seal-forming structures are flexible to conform to facial contours. This local differentiation of material properties allows the mask to simultaneously maintain therapeutic pressure and provide comfortable fit
2Reliability
If rigid mask structures are used to maintain seal, then therapeutic pressure is maintained, but the mask does not accommodate various facial shapes and angles
Solution Approach 1:
The mask incorporates dynamic elements that allow adaptation to different facial geometries. The flexible seal-forming structures can deform and conform to various facial shapes while the rigid plenum chamber maintains overall structural integrity. This dynamic adaptability resolves the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and accommodating diverse facial anatomy
3Reliability
If increased seal pressure is applied to reduce leaks, then therapeutic pressure maintenance improves, but patient comfort decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask separates the functions of pressure maintenance and sealing. The rigid plenum chamber maintains therapeutic pressure internally, while flexible seal-forming structures create the seal with minimal pressure on the patient's face. This functional segmentation allows pressure maintenance without excessive seal pressure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and comfort
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 design improves patient compliance by providing a more comfortable and effective seal, reducing leaks, and accommodating diverse facial anatomy, thereby enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of respiratory therapies.
Implementation Method 1
a patient interface comprising: a plenum chamber pressurisable to a therapeutic pressure... a first seal-forming structure... constructed and arranged to maintain said therapeutic pressure in the plenum chamber throughout the patient's respiratory cycle
Implementation Method 2
a vent structure to allow a continuous flow of gases exhaled by the patient from an interior of the plenum chamber to vent to ambient, said vent structure being sized and shaped to maintain the therapeutic pressure in the plenum chamber in use
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface including a plenum chamber, a first seal-forming structure for forming a seal around the patient's mouth, and a second seal-forming structure for forming a seal around the patient's nares. The patient interface further includes at least one stopper rib disposed in the cavity of the plenum chamber spaced apart from the first seal-forming structure in a rest position. The first seal-forming structure configured to contact the at least one stopper rib in an operational position. The at least one stopper rib configured to oppose compression of the first seal-forming structure in an anterior direction. The second seal-forming structure is not configured to contact the at least one stopper rib.