Textile Vent Assembly for Quiet, Reliable CPAP Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing respiratory therapies and devices for treating respiratory disorders, such as CPAP and NIV, face challenges with comfort, compliance, efficacy, manufacturability, and ease of use due to poorly fitting masks, noisy vents, and inadequate data management, particularly in the context of sleep disordered breathing.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface with a plenum chamber, seal-forming structure, and vent assembly that maintains therapeutic pressure while allowing exhaled gas to be discharged through a vent structure, combined with a CPAP system that includes a diffusing member and textile material to reduce noise and improve comfort, along with a simplified data management system for patient compliance tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent structure is added to discharge exhaled gas, then respiratory therapy effectiveness is improved, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
A textile diffusing member is introduced as an intermediary between the vent and the patient interface. This textile material diffuses the exhaust vent flow, converting the direct high-velocity jet into a dispersed lower-velocity flow, thereby reducing noise while maintaining effective CO2 washout
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a textile diffusing member with porous structure to discharge exhaled gas. The porous textile material breaks up the gas flow into multiple smaller streams, reducing turbulence and noise generation while maintaining adequate vent flow for respiratory therapy effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If textile material is used to reduce noise, then comfort is improved, but vent flow is blocked when wet
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a movable membrane that dynamically adjusts vent flow paths based on operating conditions. When the textile becomes wet and flow is restricted, the membrane moves to open alternative flow paths, maintaining reliable vent flow while preserving the noise-reducing textile component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides a backup vent flow path that is activated beforehand when the primary textile path becomes blocked. The membrane mechanism is pre-positioned to switch flow to alternative paths when wet conditions are detected, ensuring continuous reliable operation
3Reliability
If a seal-forming structure is used to maintain therapeutic pressure, then therapy effectiveness is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to poor fit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal-forming structure that can conform to various facial contours. The thin film material provides effective sealing to maintain therapeutic pressure while adapting to individual patient anatomy, thereby improving comfort without sacrificing therapy effectiveness
4Measurement precision
If complex data management system is implemented, then compliance tracking is improved, but ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patient interface system automatically tracks and manages compliance data without requiring complex user interaction. The system self-monitors therapeutic pressure maintenance, vent flow adequacy, and usage duration, storing and transmitting compliance information automatically, thereby maintaining precise tracking while preserving ease of use
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
Enhances patient compliance and comfort by reducing noise and improving fit, while ensuring effective therapy delivery and ease of use, including home cleaning capabilities and simplified data management.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusing member, e.g., a layer of textile material 4600, along the vent flow path structured and arranged to diffuse the exhaust vent flow to produce less noise
Implementation Method 2
a membrane structured and arranged to regulate vent flow through the vent assembly to provide sufficient washout of gas in use
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a CPAP system comprising: an RPT device; a patient interface forming a plenum chamber and including a seal-forming structure; an air delivery conduit; and a vent assembly comprising: a base including at least one first orifice extending through the base to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a primary vent flow path and at least one second orifice to allow gas to be discharged from the pressurized volume to ambient along a secondary vent flow path; a diffusing member provided to the base, the diffusing member configured and arranged such that the at least one first orifice is covered by the diffusing member so that vent flow passes through the diffusing member along the primary vent flow path and the at least one second orifice is not covered by the diffusing member so that vent flow bypasses the diffusing member along the secondary vent flow path; and a membrane provided to the base, wherein the membrane is structured and arranged to apportion the vent flow of gas along the primary vent flow path and the secondary vent flow path throughout respiratory therapy.