Respiratory Interface Barrier Member Prevents Plasticizer Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Respiratory interface devices with non-inflatable sealing members, which rely on plasticizing agents for compliance, often suffer from distortion and loss of effectiveness over time due to migration of these agents, leading to reduced sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a barrier member between the sealing member and the main body of the device to prevent the migration of plasticizing agents, using materials like Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) and polypropylene to impede this migration and maintain the sealing member's deformability and softness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a non-inflatable sealing member with plasticising agents is used to achieve desired compliance and softness, then the sealing member becomes soft and compliant, but the sealing member becomes distorted over time due to plasticiser migration
Solution Approach 1:
A barrier member is introduced as an intermediary component between the sealing member and the main body of the respiratory interface device. This barrier member specifically impedes the migration of plasticising agents from the sealing member to the main body, thereby preventing distortion and maintaining shape stability while allowing the sealing member to retain its compliance and softness properties
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: the sealing member with plasticising agents for compliance, the barrier member for preventing migration, and the main body for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, with the barrier member protecting the sealing member from degradation
2Strength
If plasticising agents are included in the sealing member material to achieve softness, then the sealing member remains soft, but the sealing member becomes harder and less compliant over time due to plasticiser loss
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member acts as a protective intermediary that prevents plasticising agents from migrating to the main body. By blocking this migration pathway, the barrier member ensures that the sealing member retains its plasticising agents and maintains its softness and compliance throughout the device's service life
3Device complexity
If no barrier member is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but the plasticising agent migrates from the sealing member to the main body causing deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The barrier member is a relatively simple intermediary component that provides reliable protection against plasticiser migration. While it adds a minor structural element, it ensures the long-term reliability of the sealing member's performance by preventing chemical degradation
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 barrier member effectively prevents the deterioration of the sealing member, maintaining its shape and compliance, thereby ensuring a consistent and effective seal with the patient's airway, reducing the risk of distortion and hardening.
Implementation Method 1
a barrier member is provided between the sealing member and the main body of the device, the barrier member at least impeding the migration of plasticising agent from the sealing member to the main body of the device
Data Source
AI summary
A respiratory interface device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) comprising a main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) that includes a fluid conduit adapted to be connected to a breathing circuit, and a sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) adapted to engage a surface of a patient, such that the fluid conduit is in fluid communication, in use, with an airway of the patient, wherein the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) includes a plasticizing agent, and a barrier member (18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88) is provided between the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) and the main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) of the device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80), the barrier member (18, 28, 38, 48, 58, 68, 78, 88) at least impeding the migration of plasticizing agent from the sealing member (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, 85) to the main body (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, 82) of the device (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80).