U-Shaped Headgear for Respiratory Masks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fastening devices for patient interfaces, such as respiratory masks, often require forehead supports and wide belts that restrict the field of view, cause skin irritation, and increase weight, leading to discomfort and potential skin issues during prolonged use.

Innovation Solution

A fastening device featuring a substantially U-shaped support element made of rigid or semirigid material, which encloses the back of the head and eliminates the need for forehead supports and wide belts, allowing for comfortable wear without restricting the field of view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If forehead supports and wide belts are used to fasten the patient interface, then the holding security and positioning accuracy are improved, but the field of view is restricted and skin irritation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding securityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headgear is divided into multiple separate straps instead of using wide belts, allowing each strap to be positioned at optimal locations that distribute pressure away from sensitive skin areas while maintaining secure holding

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system transitions from frontal support (forehead) to posterior and lateral support (back of head and ears), moving the support structure to a different spatial dimension that avoids obstructing the patient's field of view

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If forehead supports and wide belts are used to fasten the patient interface, then the holding security is improved, but the overall weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding securityVSAvoidoverall weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mass of the fastening system is distributed across multiple thin straps rather than concentrated in wide belts, reducing the overall material usage and weight while maintaining adequate distribution of holding force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each strap is designed with appropriate local thickness and material properties to provide sufficient holding strength at specific contact points, avoiding the need for excessive material throughout the entire fastening system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stress or pressure

If multiple wide belts are used to fasten the patient interface, then the pressure distribution on the face is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure distributionVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system uses multiple separate straps that can be independently adjusted and positioned, providing pressure distribution across different anatomical landmarks without requiring a complex multi-component assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each strap serves multiple functions: providing structural support, distributing pressure, and enabling adjustment for different head shapes and sizes, reducing the need for additional specialized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250065071A1Fastening device for a patient interface, patient interface and system for ventilation and/or respiratory assistance

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

AI summary

A fastening device for a patient interface, comprising a substantially U-shaped support element having an apex and a first and second end section comprising a rigid and/or semirigid material, which encloses the back of the head of a patient when employed as intended, as well as a patient interface for use with a fastening device and a system for ventilation and/or respiratory assistance comprising a patient interface, a fastening device and a patient tube.