Vent Adaptor Membrane Regulates Gas Flow for Respiratory Therapy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current respiratory therapy devices for conditions like Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease face challenges with uncomfortable, difficult-to-use, and aesthetically unappealing masks that lead to reduced patient compliance due to poor fit, noise, and discomfort, especially during sleep.
Innovation Solution
The development of a respiratory pressure therapy system with a patient interface featuring a compliant face seal and latching mechanism, a vent assembly with a movable membrane to regulate gas flow, and a constant flow vent system to maintain consistent ventilation, addressing issues of comfort, noise, and compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a patient interface with seal-forming portion is used to deliver pressurized air, then effective ventilation is achieved, but discomfort and poor fit reduce patient compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible seal-forming portion made of elastomeric material that conforms to the patient's facial contours, providing a comfortable and secure fit without compromising ventilation effectiveness. This flexible membrane approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through effective sealing while improving ease of operation through enhanced comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pressure-activated mechanisms where the seal-forming portion and vent membrane respond to changes in internal pressure. The membrane moves from an initial position to a second position based on pressure differential, automatically adjusting ventilation parameters to maintain effectiveness while adapting to patient needs, thereby improving compliance.
2Reliability
If a vent system with membrane is used to regulate gas flow, then ventilation control is improved, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a membrane as an intermediary element between the pressurized air source and the patient interface. This membrane acts as a pressure-regulating valve that smoothly controls gas flow while minimizing turbulence and associated noise, thereby maintaining reliable ventilation control without generating harmful noise levels.
3Reliability
If a latching mechanism is used to secure the patient interface, then secure fit is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-latching mechanism where the seal-forming portion and housing automatically engage and secure themselves through elastic deformation and geometric interlocking. The resilient seal portion naturally returns to its original configuration, creating automatic engagement without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, thus achieving secure fit while minimizing device complexity.
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 system improves patient compliance and comfort by providing a secure, quiet, and efficient respiratory therapy experience, reducing noise and power consumption while maintaining effective ventilation and pressure regulation.
Implementation Method 1
a membrane which moves in response to a pressure differential between a first side of the membrane facing the interior of the vent assembly and a second side of the membrane facing away from the interior of the vent assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A vent assembly for a respiratory pressure therapy (RPT) system. The vent assembly may include a vent housing having a first orifice configured to receive the flow of pressurized gas from the RPT device and the vent housing having a plurality of holes to discharge pressurized gas to atmosphere; a vent housing connector having a second orifice configured to direct the flow of pressurized gas to the patient interface; and a heat and moisture exchanger (HME) comprising an HME housing and an HME material within the HME housing, wherein the vent housing and the vent housing connector are configured to be connected to, at least in part, form a cavity, and wherein the HME is positioned in the cavity when the vent assembly is assembled.