Respiratory Vent Adaptor With Pressure-Responsive Constant Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices, such as CPAP machines and masks, face challenges in comfort, compliance, and effectiveness due to issues like poor fit, noise, and complexity, leading to reduced patient adherence and therapeutic outcomes.
Innovation Solution
A patient interface system with a vent system that maintains a constant vent flow rate over a range of therapeutic pressures, using a membrane to dynamically restrict airflow through specific orifices, and a positioning and stabilizing structure for improved fit and comfort, along with a seal-forming structure tailored to individual facial contours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent system with multiple orifices and a membrane is used to maintain constant vent flow rate over a range of therapeutic pressures, then the airflow stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent system is segmented into multiple orifices (first and second orifices) with different characteristics, allowing each to contribute to the overall vent flow in different pressure ranges. This segmentation enables the system to maintain constant total vent flow despite pressure variations, as one orifice compensates when the other restricts flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is configured to dynamically restrict airflow through the first orifice in response to pressure changes within the patient interface. As pressure increases, the membrane deforms to reduce flow through the first orifice, while flow through the second orifice increases, maintaining a substantially constant total vent flow rate.
2Reliability
If a membrane is used to dynamically restrict airflow through the first orifice in response to pressure changes, then the vent flow constancy is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane's physical state and flow restriction characteristics change in response to pressure parameters. The membrane is specifically configured to restrict airflow through the first orifice as pressure increases, with its deformation and flow restriction properties being key design parameters that determine the constant vent flow behavior.
3Ease of operation
If a positioning and stabilizing structure is used to improve fit and comfort, then the patient compliance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal-forming structure is specifically tailored to individual facial contours, providing localized adaptation to the patient's anatomy. This local customization improves comfort and fit without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, as the structure is designed to conform to specific facial regions.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the vent system restricts airflow through the first orifice at increased pressures, then the noise is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane's pressure-responsive flow restriction, which reduces noise by limiting turbulent flow through the first orifice at increased pressures, is converted into a beneficial feature. The same mechanism that creates manufacturing complexity also achieves noise reduction by controlling airflow characteristics under different pressure conditions.
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 therapeutic effectiveness by providing a comfortable, efficient, and constant airflow system that reduces device complexity and noise, improving respiratory therapy outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is configured to be elastically deformed by pressure within the pressurized volume such that increased deformation due to increased pressure restricts a first vent flow through the at least one first orifice
Data Source
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AI summary
A vent system for use during respiratory therapy with a flow of pressurized gas may provide a continuous vent flow of gas. The vent system may include a vent housing having an outer wall; an inner wall, the inner wall defining an inlet for the flow of gas; and a base positioned between the outer wall and the inner wall, the base having at least one first orifice and at least one second orifice. The vent system may include a membrane, the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that the membrane does not cover the at least one first orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one first orifice, and the membrane being shaped and dimensioned such that in a first position the membrane is positioned over the at least one second orifice to allow the vent flow through the at least one second orifice.