Pressure-Responsive Vent Assembly for Quiet Conduit Masks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapy devices and masks suffer from discomfort, poor fit, difficulty in use, and reduced patient compliance due to issues with seal-forming structures, positioning, and noise from vent systems, which affect the effectiveness and comfort of treatments for respiratory disorders.
Innovation Solution
A vent assembly for a patient interface that includes a vent body with dual inlets and outlets, a valve system to adjust vent hole blocking based on pressure and breathing cycles, and conduit headgear for improved stabilization and reduced noise, enhancing patient comfort and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent assembly is added to the patient interface, then exhaled gas washout is improved, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the vent holes and the external environment. The diffuser disperses the exhaled gas flow, reducing turbulence and noise generation while maintaining effective CO2 washout from the patient interface
2Reliability
If a valve system is added to control vent holes, then pressure delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is designed to automatically respond to pressure changes and breathing cycles without external control. The valve members self-regulate the blocking of vent holes based on the pressure differential across the membrane, eliminating the need for complex electronic sensors or actuators
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane is used to translate pressure changes into mechanical valve actuation. The membrane deflects in response to pressure differential, automatically controlling the valve members to block or open vent holes, providing intelligent pressure regulation through pneumatic principles
3Stability of the object's composition
If conduit headgear is used for positioning, then stability is improved, but discomfort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headgear incorporates flexible positioning elements that can conform to the patient's head shape and movement. This flexibility maintains stable positioning of the patient interface while reducing pressure points and discomfort compared to rigid stabilization methods
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 vent assembly provides improved comfort and compliance by reducing noise and maintaining effective pressure delivery during respiratory therapy, addressing issues of fit and stability in patient interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a valve configured to adopt a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the valve at least partially blocks the plurality of vent holes by a different amount in the first configuration compared to the second configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention discloses a vent assembly for a patient interface for delivering a flow of breathable gas at a positive pressure to an airway entrance of a patient, the vent assembly comprising: a vent body at least in part defining a vent chamber configured to contain gas at the positive pressure, the vent body being configured to define: a first inlet on a first side of the vent body, the first inlet being configured to receive a first inlet flow of breathable gas into the vent chamber; a second inlet on a second side of the vent body, the second side being opposite the first side, the second inlet being configured to receive a second inlet flow of breathable gas into the vent chamber; an opening configured to allow exit of the flow of breathable gas from the vent chamber for delivery to the airway entrance and to receive a flow of exhaled gas from the patient into the vent chamber; and a plurality of vent holes configured to allow a vent flow of exhaled gas from the vent chamber to ambient, wherein the vent assembly further comprises a valve configured to adopt a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the valve at least partially blocks the plurality of vent holes by a different amount in the first configuration compared to the second configuration, wherein the valve comprises a first valve member and a second valve member, wherein each of the first valve member and the second valve member is configured to adopt a first position when the valve is in the first configuration and to adopt a second position when the valve is in the second configuration, wherein the respective valve member at least partially blocks a subset of the plurality of vent holes by a different amount in the first position compared to the second position, and wherein the valve is configured so that the configuration adopted by the valve is based on the positive pressure of gas in the vent chamber.