Patient Interface Strap Configuration for Seal Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing respiratory therapy masks are often uncomfortable, poorly fitting, and difficult to use, leading to reduced patient compliance and poorer outcomes due to issues with seal formation and stabilization.

Innovation Solution

A patient interface with a positioning and stabilising structure that includes at least one strap, a plenum chamber, and a seal-forming structure designed to form a seal with the patient's face, providing improved comfort and fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal-forming structure is used to form a seal with the patient's face, then the therapeutic pressure can be maintained, but the comfort and ease of use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal formationVSAvoidcomfort and ease of use

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and stabilising structure is divided into multiple independent straps (first strap, second strap, third strap) that can be individually adjusted. Each strap targets a specific region of the patient's head, allowing precise control over seal pressure and distribution, thereby maintaining seal integrity while improving comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The straps are designed to be adjustable in length and tension, enabling dynamic adaptation to different patient head sizes and shapes. This adjustability allows the seal-forming structure to maintain reliable sealing while being customized for individual comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If existing respiratory therapy masks are used, then the therapeutic function is provided, but patient compliance deteriorates due to discomfort and poor fit

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetherapeutic functionVSAvoidpatient compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different straps are designed with different characteristics suited to their specific functions: the first strap provides stabilization, the second strap provides positioning, and the third strap offers additional support. This localized optimization of strap properties enables the mask to adapt to various patient anatomies while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex positioning and stabilising structure is added to improve seal and comfort, then patient compliance improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient complianceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning and stabilising structure uses multiple straps that serve both positioning and stabilizing functions simultaneously. The same straps that secure the mask to the patient's head also control the seal pressure and maintain the seal-forming structure in the correct position, thereby improving compliance without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250144349A1Positioning and stabilising structure for a patient interface

Publication Date: 2025.05.08 RESMED ASIA PTE LTD

AI summary

A positioning and stabilising structure for a patient interface has a pair of side straps, a top strap and a rear strap, the positioning and stabilising structure further including at least one strap with a chin engaging portion configured to bias a patient's chin towards a closed mouth position, to thereby reduce or eliminate mouth leak and/or a mouth blocking member or portion configured to engage and seal against the patient's mouth, to thereby reduce or eliminate mouth leak.