Respiratory Mask Gas Flow Control Structure
Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices face challenges with patient compliance due to uncomfortable and poorly fitting masks, which can lead to reduced effectiveness in treating respiratory disorders, especially during long-term use or sleep, as existing masks often require incorrect sizing, are difficult to clean, and may cause claustrophobia or discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A respiratory therapy system featuring a patient interface with a gas flow control structure that functions as both an anti-asphyxia valve and a vent, incorporating a flexible, resilient membrane to maintain therapeutic pressure and allow exhaled gas washout, and a conduit headgear system that positions and stabilizes the seal-forming structure, providing comfort and ease of use while accommodating various face shapes and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mask is used to deliver pressurized breathable gas to a patient, then therapeutic pressure can be maintained, but the mask may cause discomfort, claustrophobia, or poor fit especially during long-term use or sleep
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is divided into separate components including a cushion, headgear, and connection assembly, allowing each part to be optimized independently for both therapeutic function and patient comfort during sleep
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear incorporates adjustable and flexible elements that can adapt to different patient positions and movements during sleep, maintaining both seal integrity and comfort throughout the night
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mask structure is designed to fit various face shapes and sizes, then patient compliance improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of cleaning increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface is designed as separable components with smooth surfaces and minimal crevices, making each part easy to clean while maintaining adaptability to different face shapes through adjustable elements
Solution Approach 2:
The headgear and positioning system allow adjustment of geometric parameters to accommodate various face shapes and sizes, while the cushion material properties can be modified to balance fit adaptability with ease of cleaning
3Device complexity
If a gas flow control structure functions as both anti-asphyxia valve and vent, then device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of each function may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gas flow control structure integrates both anti-asphyxia valve and vent functions into a single component with distinct flow paths, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional reliability through separate controlled openings
Solution Approach 2:
The gas flow control structure acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the breathable gas supply and the patient, providing both safety valve and venting functions through its dual-opening design
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 system enhances patient compliance and comfort by maintaining therapeutic pressure, reducing rebreathing of CO2, and allowing for easy cleaning and use, even for patients with limited dexterity or experience, while accommodating diverse head shapes and sizes, thus improving the efficacy of respiratory therapy.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient membrane, the resilient membrane being movable between a first configuration in which the resilient membrane forms a seal between the patient interface and the patient's face
Implementation Method 2
a vent opening through which a flow of gas can pass from the first volume to the second volume during use
Implementation Method 3
the AAV member is biased towards the activated configuration such that, when the first volume contains gas having a pressure that is below an activation pressure, the AAV member is in the activated configuration
Data Source
AI summary
A gas flow control structure for a respiratory therapy system, which may be located on a patient interface, may function as both an anti-asphyxia valve (AAV) and a vent. The gas flow control structure may comprise: a base member; a vent member comprising a vent opening through which a flow of gas can pass from a pressurised first volume to an ambient second volume; an AAV opening formed between the base member and the vent member; and an AAV member. The AAV member may be a flexible, resilient membrane substantially annular in shape when projected on to a plane. The AAV member may be movable between: an activated configuration in which gas can flow between the first and second volumes through the AAV opening; and a deactivated configuration in which the AAV member forms a seal with the vent member so gas is blocked from flowing through the AAV opening.