Patient Interface Venting With Deflector for Quieter Exhalation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy devices, particularly patient interfaces, suffer from discomfort, poor fit, noise, and reduced compliance due to inadequate seal-forming structures, positioning, and venting systems, leading to suboptimal treatment efficacy and patient non-compliance.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a vent structure that redirects exhaled gases laterally and incorporates a deflector to minimize noise and discomfort, along with a stabilizing structure that maintains a secure fit and therapeutic pressure, enhancing comfort and efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient interface is designed with a seal-forming structure to maintain therapeutic pressure, then treatment efficacy is improved, but comfort and patient compliance deteriorate due to poor fit and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is provided with varying degrees of softness at different locations to balance sealing effectiveness and comfort. The posterior region is softer to accommodate the occiput and prevent discomfort, while the lateral regions maintain adequate firmness for sealing. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between reliable sealing and patient comfort/compliance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If existing vent arrangements are used, then gas venting is achieved, but noise is generated causing patient discomfort and reduced compliance
Solution Approach 1:
A deflector is introduced as an intermediary component between the vent and the external environment. The deflector redirects exhaled gases away from the patient's face and the sleeping partner, preventing direct exposure to noisy airflow. This intermediary structure reduces noise perception and improves patient compliance without compromising venting function.
3Reliability
If a stable seal is maintained throughout the respiratory cycle, then therapeutic pressure is preserved, but comfort deteriorates due to inadequate positioning and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion incorporates localized soft regions at the posterior end to improve comfort against the occiput, while maintaining adequate sealing pressure at the lateral regions where the nares are positioned. This spatial differentiation of mechanical properties allows simultaneous achievement of comfort and reliable pressure maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities through the headrest structure that can accommodate movements during sleep. The soft posterior region allows for natural head movement while the lateral sealing regions maintain adequate contact pressure, ensuring continuous therapeutic pressure maintenance despite patient movement.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If vent structures are added to redirect gases laterally, then noise and discomfort are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is integrated with the existing vent structure and headrest assembly, combining multiple functions (venting, deflecting, and positioning) into a unified component system. This merging approach reduces the need for separate discrete parts and simplifies the overall device complexity while achieving the desired noise and discomfort reduction.
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 redesigned patient interface improves patient compliance by reducing noise, enhancing comfort, and maintaining effective seal and pressure, thereby improving treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
a vent structure configured to redirect a flow of exhaled gases away from a face of the patient in use
Implementation Method 2
a deflector configured to redirect the flow of exhaled gases away from a face of the patient in use
Implementation Method 3
The patient interface may comprise a stabilizing structure configured to stabilise movement of the patient interface in use
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A patient interface comprising a plenum chamber, a seal-forming structure configured to form a seal with a region of the patient's face surrounding an entrance to the patient's airways, and a vent structure configured to allow a flow of gases exhaled by the patient from an interior of the plenum chamber to ambient. The plenum chamber comprises an anterior portion comprising an inlet configured to receive a flow of air at the therapeutic pressure for breathing by the patient. The vent structure is configured to vent the flow of gases from the interior of the plenum chamber in a substantially lateral direction in use. The patient interface further comprises a deflector configured to redirect the laterally vented flow of gases. The patient interface further comprises a diffuser to diffuse the vented flow of gases.