Segmented Nasal Mask With Rotatable Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory masks, particularly nasal masks, are cumbersome and heavy, leading to difficulties in positioning and maintaining a gas-tight seal, causing discomfort and inefficiency in delivering respiratory support for patients.
Innovation Solution
A nasal mask design comprising four assembled parts: a tubular main body with integral lateral and holding arms, a flexible cushion, a rotatable hollow curved connector, and a detachable tubular connecting piece, resulting in a simplified and lighter structure that enhances fit and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mask architecture is used, then gas-tight seal and positioning are achieved, but mask becomes heavy and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is divided into four separate parts: a main body, a flexible cushion, a hollow curved connector, and a tubular connecting piece. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining the gas-tight seal through the flexible cushion that conforms to facial contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible cushion is made of soft, resilient elastomeric material that conforms to facial contours, providing an effective gas-tight seal with reduced material usage. The hollow curved connector and tubular connecting piece use thin-walled structures that maintain structural integrity while minimizing weight.
2Reliability
If traditional mask architecture is used, then gas-tight seal is maintained, but mask becomes cumbersome for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented design with separate main body, cushion, connector, and connecting piece allows for easier assembly and adjustment during positioning. The flexible cushion can be independently positioned on the face while the main body and connector are assembled separately, simplifying the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The hollow curved connector is designed to be rotatable with respect to the main body, and the tubular connecting piece is rotatable with respect to the hollow curved connector. This dynamic capability allows the mask to be easily positioned and adjusted on the patient's face, improving ease of operation while maintaining gas-tight seal.
3Weight of moving object
If simplified mask structure is used, then weight and size are reduced, but assembly complexity may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into four parts that can be manufactured separately using optimized processes for each component. The main body, cushion, connector, and connecting piece can be produced independently and then assembled, reducing overall complexity compared to manufacturing a single complex integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The two lateral arms and holding arm are integrally fixed to the tubular-shape portion of the main body, merging multiple functional elements into a single component. This reduces the total number of parts and simplifies assembly while maintaining the reduced weight and size benefits.
Data Source
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AI summary
A respiratory mask (1, 2, 3), preferably a nasal mask, constituted of 4 parts assembled together comprising a first part made of a main body (1) having a tubular-shape portion (2) and a central passage (3), a holding arm (6) projecting upwardly from said main body (1), and two lateral arms (4, 5) projecting laterally from said main body (1), the two lateral arms (4, 5) and the holding arm (6) being integrally fixed to said tubular-shape portion (2) of the main body (1); a second part comprising a flexible cushion (2) fixed to the rear side (2b) of the tubular-shape portion (2) of the main body (1); a third part comprising a hollow curved connector (20) fixed to the front side (2a) of the tubular-shape portion (2) of the main body (1), said hollow curved connector (20) being rotatable with respect to the main body (1), and a fourth part comprising a tubular connecting piece (22) detachably fixed to the hollow curved connector (20), said tubular connecting piece (22) being rotatable with respect to the hollow curved connector (20). The respiratory mask of the present invention is useable for treatment of a respiratory disorder or condition in non-invasive positive pressure ventilation or in a nasal continuous positive airway pressure therapy of sleep disordered breathing conditions, such as obstructive sleep apnea.