Respiratory Mask Hinged Cushion for Low-Pressure Facial Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory gas delivery masks face challenges in forming a good seal against the user's face due to issues with headgear tension, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in gas delivery.
Innovation Solution
A sealing interface with an inner cushion and outer sheath, featuring a hinged nasal bridge or chin region that can flex independently of the cheek regions, reducing pressure on sensitive areas and improving seal effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If headgear is tightened to improve seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to excessive pressure on the face
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is divided into multiple independent regions (nasal bridge region, cheek regions, upper lip region, chin region) that can flex independently of each other. This segmentation allows each region to adapt to facial contours without requiring excessive overall tightening, thereby maintaining seal effectiveness while reducing pressure discomfort in specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushion incorporates hinged regions that enable dynamic flexing and adaptation to the user's facial contours. This dynamic capability allows the cushion to maintain effective sealing through movement and adaptation rather than through static high pressure, resolving the contradiction between seal effectiveness and comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If headgear is loosened to improve comfort, then user comfort is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates due to insufficient pressure
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cushion are designed with different flexing characteristics through the hinged region configuration. The nasal bridge region, cheek regions, upper lip region, and chin region can each flex independently to match local facial contours, providing effective sealing in each area without requiring uniform high pressure across the entire face.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged regions enable the cushion to dynamically adapt to facial contours through flexing motion. This dynamic adaptation allows the cushion to maintain reliable sealing effectiveness even when the headgear is loosened for comfort, as the cushion compensates through movement rather than relying solely on high static pressure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid cushion structure is used to maintain seal position, then sealing stability is improved, but adaptability to facial contours deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion is segmented into distinct regions connected by hinged joints, allowing each region to maintain its position stability while independently adapting to local facial contours. This segmentation enables the cushion to achieve both stability and adaptability simultaneously, as each segment can flex without affecting the overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged regions introduce dynamic flexibility to the cushion structure, enabling it to adapt to various facial contours while maintaining stable sealing positions. The hinges allow controlled movement and flexing that accommodates facial variations without compromising the stability of the seal once positioned.
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 hinged regions allow for reduced pressure on the nasal bridge and chin areas, enhancing user comfort and reducing leakage, while maintaining an effective seal for respiratory gas delivery.
Implementation Method 1
the inner cushion includes a hinged region, said hinged region adapted to flex substantially independently of said inner cushion cheek regions
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing interface includes an inner cushion and an outer sheath. The outer sheath substantially seals against the facial contours of the user. The inner cushion and the outer sheath each have a nasal bridge region, left and right cheek regions and either one of an upper lip region or a chin region. In use these regions are aligned with the corresponding nasal bridge region, left and right cheek regions and either the upper lip region or the chin region of a user. The inner cushion includes a hinged region. The hinged region is adapted to flex substantially independently of the inner cushion cheek regions.