Rotating-Dial Respiratory Mask for Repositionable Instrument Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a respiratory mask that allows medical personnel to perform diagnostic and therapeutic procedures while maintaining adequate oxygenation, and the instrument access ports should be repositionable to facilitate insertion into the oral or nasal passages of a patient.

Innovation Solution

A respiratory mask with a rotating dial and instrument access ports that can be selectively aligned with the mouth or nose, and a sanitary sleeve to prevent instrument contact with the mask during insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the respiratory mask has fixed instrument access ports, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability for different procedures is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability for different diagnostic and therapeutic proceduresVSAvoidcomplexity of the mask structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotating dial mechanism that allows the instrument access ports to be repositioned dynamically. The dial can rotate to align different ports with the patient's mouth or nose, transforming a static mask structure into a dynamic one that adapts to various procedural needs without requiring multiple separate masks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the instrument access ports are repositionable via a rotating dial, then the versatility for different procedures is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepositionability of instrument access portsVSAvoidcomplexity of the rotating dial mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating dial serves multiple functions simultaneously: it positions instrument access ports, maintains the seal against the patient's face, and provides structural support. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite adding repositioning capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If the mask is made non-permeable to maintain adequate oxygenation, then the reliability of oxygen delivery is improved, but the flexibility to conform to the patient's face may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of oxygen deliveryVSAvoidflexibility to conform to patient's face

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mask body is constructed from composite materials that combine non-permeable properties for reliable oxygen delivery with flexible characteristics for conforming to the patient's face. This material composition allows the mask to simultaneously achieve both reliability in gas delivery and adaptability in fit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250332366A1Respiratory mask

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 CAMERON NEVILLE

AI summary

The respiratory mask is formed from a suitable plastic material that is non-permeable to both ambient air and typical respiratory gases, and has sufficient flexibility so as to conform to a patient's face. The respiratory mask includes a mask body that is generally concave, so as to define a cavity adapted to fit over the mouth and nose of a patient, a gas inlet port, and a rotating dial with two instrument access ports. Each instrument access port provides access into the cavity defined by the mask body for an instrument and can be used to guide the instrument into the mouth or nose of the patient. The rotating dial is configured to rotate, allowing each of the instrument access ports to be selectively aligned with the mouth or nose of the patient.