Patient Interface Fixation for Multi-Tube Facial Space Constraints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Managing the limited facial space on patients, especially infants or those with small facial geometries, for multiple tubes used in respiratory therapy, feeding, and medication delivery without disrupting the delivery of respiratory gases or nutrients is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A fixation structure that secures a patient interface on the face, featuring adhesive regions and fasteners to couple with the interface, and secure tubes such as nasogastric or orojejunal tubes, with flexible or elongate portions to encapsulate and fold over the tubes for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple tubes are placed on the patient's face for respiratory therapy, feeding, and medication delivery, then the patient receives comprehensive care, but the limited facial space becomes difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is divided into separate modular components including a nasal cannula portion, oral portion, and chin rest portion that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to occupy different spatial zones on the face, optimizing the use of limited facial space while delivering multiple therapeutic functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement by extending tubes and components in multiple directions (anterior, posterior, lateral) from the face. The nasal cannula extends posteriorly into the nasopharynx, the oral portion positions medially, and the chin rest provides inferior support, effectively utilizing vertical and depth dimensions to manage facial space constraints.
2Ease of operation
If tubing is adjusted or removed, then maintenance or repositioning is needed, but disruption of respiratory therapy delivery occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface acts as an intermediary device that remains continuously in place on the face during tubing adjustments. The nasal cannula and oral portions provide stable anchor points that maintain the respiratory gas delivery pathway even when external tubing needs to be adjusted or replaced, preventing disruption of therapy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patient interface is pre-positioned and secured on the face before tubing connections are made or adjusted. This preliminary positioning establishes a stable baseline configuration that allows subsequent tubing manipulations to occur without compromising the integrity of the respiratory delivery system.
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
Facilitates the secure attachment of multiple tubes without disrupting respiratory therapy or nutrient delivery, allowing easy adjustment or removal of tubes while maintaining therapy continuity.
Implementation Method 1
The first region is adapted to adhere to the patient's face
Data Source
AI summary
A patient interface includes a first body that rests on a first portion of a patient's face, a second body that rests on a second portion of the patient's face, and a bridge linking the first and second bodies. The patient interface includes an attachment structure that couples with a complementary fixation structure positioned on the patient's face to secure the patient interface to the patient's face. The complementary fixation structure can be configured to assist in retaining a feeding tube in position relative to the patient's face or to the patient interface.