Under-Nose Respiratory Mask with Interchangeable Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing under-nose interface assemblies for respiratory therapy face challenges in comfort and sealing performance due to variations in nasal shapes and sizes, as well as facial geometries, leading to instability and potential leaks.
Innovation Solution
The development of an under-nose mask system with interchangeable seals of different sizes, each designed to accommodate varying nasal breadths and lengths, featuring a nasal region with paddles that contact the sides of the nose and an oral opening, supported by suspension members to maintain shape and stability, and a method for sizing that utilizes nasal displacement and perimeter length theories to fit a diverse user population.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a seal contacts the bridge of the nose to provide stability, then the interface assembly maintains proper positioning, but the user experiences discomfort and potential tissue damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the seal contact from the nose bridge area entirely, extracting the harmful interaction while maintaining sealing functionality through alternative anatomical landmarks (nose wings and oral cavity), thereby eliminating discomfort while preserving stability
2Adaptability or versatility
If the interface assembly is designed to accommodate various nasal shapes and sizes, then it improves fit for diverse users, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into multiple independent seal components (first seal for nasal region, second seal for oral region) that can be selectively combined, allowing adaptation to different facial geometries without requiring entirely different mask designs
Solution Approach 2:
The interface assembly is designed with interchangeable seal components that can accommodate various nasal and oral geometries, making a single mask frame suitable for diverse user populations through component variation rather than frame redesign
3Reliability
If the seal is made flexible to conform to facial contours, then sealing performance improves, but the mask becomes less stable and more prone to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the sealing function into multiple discrete seal portions that can independently conform to different facial surfaces, allowing each segment to be optimized for both flexibility (for sealing) and attachment geometry (for stability)
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal are designed with different properties - the nasal seal portion is made flexible to conform to nasal contours, while the oral seal portion and attachment mechanisms are designed for stability, creating local optimization of both sealing and stability requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
An interface for positive pressure respiratory therapy includes a mask assembly having a mask seal and a mask shell. The mask assembly is positioned lower than and exposes a bridge of the user's nose. The mask seal includes first and second portions on respective first and second sides of a nasal region that contact opposing sides of the user's nose. In some configurations, the first and second portions each include supports that help maintain a shape of the mask seal. A pair of covers can be supported relative to the mask assembly and adjacent a respective one of the first and second portions of the mask seal. The covers limit expansion of the first and second portions of the mask seal in response to pressurized air within the mask seal. The supports of the first and second portions can transfer load from the mask seal to the covers. An interface system can include multiple size mask seals, which can be designed with consideration of ethnic variations in nose size and/or shape.