Ventilator Mask Spacing Element for Exhaled Air Diversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ventilator designs for CPAP therapy and similar applications often position expiratory elements in front of the patient's throat or chest, leading to airflow that can cause cooling and discomfort, especially when the patient is reclined, increasing the risk of catching colds.

Innovation Solution

The ventilator mask is designed with a spacing element featuring a cavity that directs exhaled respiratory gas away from the patient, incorporating discharge openings and adjustable baffles to manage flow resistance, and a double-walled construction to separate fresh and exhaled air paths, ensuring optimal comfort and reduced cold risk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the expiratory element is positioned in front of the patient's throat or chest, then the device structure is simple, but the patient experiences cooling and discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcooling and discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a third spatial dimension by positioning the expiratory element above the patient's head rather than in front of the throat or chest. The forehead support with upward-facing discharge opening directs exhaled air vertically upward, away from the patient's body, eliminating the harmful cooling effect while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the discharge opening faces away from the patient, then patient comfort is improved, but the device requires additional design features

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepatient comfortVSAvoiddevice design features

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the forehead support structure with the expiratory element functionality. The forehead support serves dual purposes: it positions the mask properly on the patient's face and simultaneously acts as the expiratory element with an integrated discharge opening facing upward, away from the patient. This integration eliminates the need for separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The forehead support is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a positioning element for the ventilator mask and as an active expiratory element that directs exhaled air away from the patient. The discharge opening in the forehead support provides the universal solution of directing airflow away from the patient without requiring additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cavity is introduced in the spacing element, then exhaled air is diverted away from the patient, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexhaled air diversionVSAvoidspacing element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the spacing element with the forehead support structure, eliminating the need for a separate cavity in a dedicated spacing element. The forehead support itself is designed with the discharge opening and internal geometry that facilitates air diversion, merging multiple functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design effectively diverts exhaled air away from the patient, enhancing comfort and reducing the likelihood of respiratory issues by maintaining ventilation pressure and optimizing airflow guidance.

Implementation Method 1

By designing the spacing element with a cavity, it is possible to divert the respiratory gas exhaled by the patient in such a way that the gas does not flow against the patient's throat or chest

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

Optimum elimination of carbon dioxide from the respiratory gas is supported by providing at least certain areas of the ventilator mask with a double-walled construction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDouble-walled construction for flow separation:

Implementation Method 3

an adjustable baffle be installed in the area of at least one of the discharge openings to produce a discharge resistance that can be preset

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDischarge resistance:

Data Source

PatentUS7975692B2Respiratory device

Publication Date: 2011.07.12 LOWENSTEIN MEDICAL TECH SA

AI summary

A device for artificial respiration, including a front support (3) which is connected to a respiratory mask (1) that includes a connection for the respiratory tube (4), a front support is coupled to the respiratory mask by a distancing element (2) and at least one cavity (11) is arranged in the region of the distancing element, the cavity leading into an inner chamber (12).