Textile Air Delivery Conduit With Reinforcement for Stable PAP Mask Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air delivery conduits for Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) systems are not comfortable, visually appealing, and can cause conduit drag, leading to mask seal leaks and reduced treatment effectiveness due to their material properties and design.
Innovation Solution
The development of an air delivery conduit made from a textile material with specific warp and weft arrangements to provide elasticity in one direction and minimize torque, combined with a reinforcing structure, which reduces conduit drag and maintains a stable mask seal, and is made airtight with an inner laminate layer for improved performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional air delivery conduits are used, then the basic function of delivering breathable gas is achieved, but patient comfort is poor and visual appeal is lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit employs a composite structure combining an inner tubular layer made of flexible material (such as silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomer) with an outer textile layer (such as knitted or woven fabric). This composite construction provides both the necessary flexibility for patient comfort and the aesthetic qualities of textile material, while the layers are bonded together through adhesive, heat fusion, or mechanical interlocking.
2Ease of manufacture
If the conduit is made from textile material, then comfort and visual appeal are improved, but conduit drag increases causing mask seal leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit design applies different material properties to different regions: the inner tubular layer provides a smooth, low-friction surface for gas flow to minimize drag, while the outer textile layer provides comfort and aesthetics. The textile layer is positioned away from the gas flow path, ensuring that the aesthetic benefits are achieved without compromising airflow efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If the conduit lacks a reinforcing structure, then flexibility is improved, but crush resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit incorporates a reinforcing structure in the form of a flexible helical wire or spiral element embedded within or attached to the tubular layer. This helical reinforcement provides crush resistance and maintains conduit patency while allowing the conduit to bend and flex naturally during patient movement, unlike rigid reinforcement that would restrict flexibility.
4Reliability
If the conduit is made airtight with inner laminate, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airtight inner layer and the outer textile layer are combined into a single integrated conduit structure through bonding processes such as adhesive application, heat fusion, or mechanical interlocking during manufacturing. This merging of layers achieves the airtight seal required for effective treatment while consolidating the structure into a manageable single component that can be produced through coordinated manufacturing steps.
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 textile air delivery conduit enhances patient comfort, reduces conduit drag, and improves treatment effectiveness by maintaining a stable mask seal and reducing the need for additional components, such as swivel components, while being more appealing and increasing compliance rates.
Implementation Method 1
a textile material with specific warp and weft arrangements to provide elasticity in one direction
Implementation Method 2
made airtight with an inner laminate layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2-1~2-2
Figure 2-3~2-4
AI summary
A mask system and an air delivery conduit (200) for use in the treatment of respiratory disorders. The air delivery conduit (200) may comprise a textile (220) having an airtight arrangement. A support structure (240) may be provided to the conduit to provide form.