JP7248294B2 - mask - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to masks.

In the above technical field, Patent Literature 1 discloses a mask attachment using a bellows for reducing discomfort and pain caused by pressure when worn.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-102349

However, in the technique described in the above document, the mask does not sufficiently follow the user's skin, so the wearing feeling is poor.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for solving the above problems.

In order to achieve the above object, the mask according to the present invention is
an opening whose edges abut the skin of the user's face for directing inhaled air into the user's nose and/or mouth;
A fold formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical space that forms a cylindrical space that temporarily accommodates the user's inhaled air and exhaled air, and is pressed toward the opening. a bellows portion having a plurality of folding folds;
with
When the mask is pressed against the face to such an extent that a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the skin of the user, the mask is deformed to indicate that the user or surrounding people are being subjected to excessive pressure. It has a notification function to notify .

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mask that is comfortable to wear.

It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the shape of the bellows part of the mask which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the Example of the mask based on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the use condition of the mask which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the components described in the following embodiments are merely examples, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to them.

[First embodiment]
A mask 100 for a noninvasive respirator as a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining how the mask 100 is used.

Generally, the purpose of a ventilator is to support inspiration, maintain adequate ventilation for the user, reduce the work of breathing, and improve oxygenation. However, wearing the mask for a long period of time can cause pressure sores on the user's skin, so it is important to control the pressure on the skin.

Based on this, the mask 100 according to this embodiment includes openings 101 and 102 and a bellows portion 103, as shown in FIG.

The opening 101 is open to take in air from the outside, and is connected to a respirator 124 via a tube 123 or the like, for example. Here, the ventilator 124 is a mechanical ventilator for BIPAP (Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure), NIPPV (Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation), or CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). However, the respirator according to the present invention is not limited to this, and may be a hand massage pump, and a mask (BVM: Bag Valve Mask) that is manually used by connecting to a hand massage pump is also included in the concept of the present invention. included.

The cover 104 provided in the gap between the edge around the opening 101 and the end of the bellows portion is made of transparent resin, so that the user's mouth (for example, whether or not he/she vomits) can be easily seen even while wearing the mask 100 . configured for verification. However, the invention is not so limited and the cover 104 may be made of an opaque material.

The opening 102 is provided to face the opening 101 and is larger than the opening 101 , and feeds air from the opening 101 to at least one of the nose and mouth of the user 110 . Although the opening 101 and the opening 102 are opposed to each other here, it is not limited to this. The openings 101 and 102 may be formed at different angles instead of facing each other. The opening 101 may be in the chin or glabella and open towards the chin. An opening may be provided near the base 134 , the vertex portion 131 that abuts the bridge of the nose, or may be provided in the bellows portion 103 .

The bellows portion 103 is formed on at least a part of the edge of the opening 102, and forms a space between the opening 101 and the opening 102 to temporarily accommodate the inhalation and exhalation of the user 110. It contacts the skin and deforms to follow the shape of the user's 110 face. The bellows portion 103 fits to the skin of the user 110 with a pressure equal to or less than a predetermined value due to its cushioning properties. The bellows portion 103 is preferably made of paper or synthetic resin, particularly silicon, but is not limited to this. For example, plastics, rubbers, polymer materials, aluminum sheets, spring materials, etc. may be used, but not limited to these, and new materials that will realize this function in the future are also included. When viewed from the front of the user 110 , the bellows portion 103 has an apex portion 131 that abuts on the root of the nose or the bridge of the nose of the user 110 , and apex portions 132 and 133 that abut on both cheeks 111 , and abuts on the chin 112 . It is an approximately isosceles triangle with a base 134 . The bellows portion 103 has a height of a predetermined value (for example, 5 cm) or more from the cover 104 provided at the edge of the opening 101 to the opening 102, and has a substantially triangular cylindrical shape as a whole. there is Accordion 103, cover 104, and user's 110 skin form a closed space between opening 101 and the user's nose and mouth, allowing inhaled air from the respirator to be supplied to the user's nose or mouth without leaking. be done.

The mask 100 is pressed toward the face by a belt 141 wrapped around the head of the user 110, and the bellows portion 103 is appropriately folded under the pressing force. Conversely, the tightening force of the belt 141 is adjusted so that the bellows portion 103 is appropriately folded with enough pressure to be generated.

2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the detailed shape of the bellows portion 103. FIG. When the bellows portion 103 is viewed from direction A in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of short peak folds 201 and valley folds 202 longer than the peak folds 201 are alternately formed. The edge closest to the opening 102 is preferably a mountain crease 201 . By folding the final surface of the bellows inward, the pressure in the inner space of the bellows portion 103 becomes a force that presses the final surface downward in FIG.

When viewed from the mouth side of the user 110 shown in FIG. 1, the bellows portion 103 has bellows portions 131, 132, and 133 folded inward as shown in FIG. As a result, the horizontal cross section of the accordion portion 103 describes a hexagon.

The bellows part 103 fits the user's 110 nose root or nose bridge with a pressure equal to or less than a predetermined value (eg, 15 mmHg) due to its cushioning properties, and also fits the user's cheeks with a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value (eg, 4 mmHg) due to its restoring force. do.

On the other hand, when the mask 100 is pressed against the face to such an extent that the belt 141 is tightened and a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the skin of the user 110, the bellows portion 103 deforms, making it difficult to function as a respirator. . For example, when bellows 103 is over-folded, user's 110 nose 113 will abut against the inside of transparent cover 104 of opening 101, making it very visible to both user 110 and surrounding operators. , the excessive tightening of the belt 141 can be detected. In addition, since the bellows portion 103 constitutes most of the mask 100, the medical staff can easily determine whether the belt 141 is too tight by looking at how the bellows portion 103 is folded.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state 401 in which the bellows portion 103 is stretched without being folded very much, a "○" is clearly visible, and in a state 402 in which the bellows portion 103 is greatly folded and shrunk to a predetermined value or less, an "X" is clearly visible. The outer peripheral portion of the bellows portion 103 may be colored so that it can be visually recognized. For example, in the valley-folded portion, if the elements constituting the "X" are not colored, the "X" appears light when stretched, and the "X" appears dark and distinct when contracted. Here, an example of drawing symbols such as "○" and "X" has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and contact pressures (unit: mmHg) such as "5" and "10" are drawn. Alternatively, a configuration in which characters such as "Shimetsusugi" emerges may be used. In addition, the information obtained from, for example, an electronic pressure sensor may be transmitted to the electronic device via bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. In this way, since excessive tightening of the belt 141 can be clearly notified, it is possible to prevent pressure ulcers occurring on the user's skin.

According to the above configuration, the elastic bellows portion 103 deforms to follow the shape of the user's face, so that the mask 100 does not overly press the skin of the user 110 and does not leak air. The close contact can improve the wearing feeling of the user 110 .

In this embodiment, the bellows portion is formed over the entire edge of the opening 102, but the present invention is not limited to this. It suffices if the bellows portion is formed at a portion of the edge of the opening 102, more specifically, at one of the root of the nose, the bridge of the nose, the cheeks, the lower jaw, or a combination thereof. Also, a sheet-like cushioning material may be provided on the surface of the bellows portion that contacts the user's skin.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a mask 500 according to a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how the mask 500 is used. Compared to the second embodiment, the mask 500 according to this embodiment has a taper so that the horizontal cross section of the bellows portion 503 narrows from the opening 101 side toward the opening 502 side. The difference is that belts 541 are also provided on both sides of the nose. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Accordion portion 503 has an apex portion 531 that abuts on the nose bridge or nose bridge of user 110 , apex portions 532 and 533 that abut on both cheeks of user 110 , and has a bottom side 534 that abuts on chin 112 of user 110 . It is the same as FIG. 1 in that it is an approximately isosceles triangle. The cover 504 around the opening 101 is made of flexible resin and is deformed by the tension of the belts 141 and 541 .

6 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the shape of the bellows portion 503 before attachment. When the bellows portion 503 is viewed from direction C in FIG. 5, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of short peak folds 601 and valley folds 602 longer than the peak folds 601 are alternately formed. In an unattached state, the bellows portion 503 has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal side surface as shown in FIG. 6, and the cover 504 is also flat. However, the cover 504 is not limited to this, as long as it has a shape and material that can be elastically deformed against the tension of the belts 141 and 541 .

Because of the taper, the bellows portion 503 can be easily bent to both the left and right sides around the contact position 603 with the chin located in the midline of a person when worn, and has the effect of increasing the adhesion to the cheek.

When viewed from the mouth side of the user 110 in FIG. 5, the bellows portion 503 has a bellows shape in which the distance between the vertex portions 532 and 533 gradually narrows as shown in FIG. As a result, the bellows portion 503 has a taper formed so that the horizontal cross-sectional area narrows toward the mouth of the user 110 . 8 is a perspective view of the bellows portion 503. FIG. FIG. 8 is a perspective view seen from the opening 502 side for easy understanding. By bending around the contact position 603 with the chin, the apex portions 532 and 533 can easily come into close contact with the cheeks of the user 110 .

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in use of the mask 500 viewed from below the chin 112 of the user 110 (direction C in FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom 534 of the bellows portion 503 abuts against the jaw 112 and bends. Further, in the drawing, the cover 504 above the bellows portion 503 is also deformed into an upward convex arc shape by the tension of the belts 141 and 541 . This allows the apex portions 532 and 533 to fit snugly against the cheeks 111 of the user 110 , improving the confidentiality within the mask 500 . In particular, it is expected that there will be a great effect on users with sunken cheeks.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, it is possible to improve the adhesion to the skin without impairing the wearing comfort of the user, and furthermore, the confidentiality of the mask 500 is improved. , the user's proper ventilation can be maintained.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a mask 1000 according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining how the mask 1000 is used. The mask 1000 according to this embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that it tapers so that the horizontal cross section of the bellows portion 1003 widens from the opening 101 side toward the opening 1002 side. Since other configurations and operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a view of the mask 1000 in use viewed from below the chin 112 of the user 110. FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the base 1034 of the bellows portion 1003 is bent against the jaw 112 so that the apex portions 1032, 1033 are snug against the cheeks 111 of the user 110, providing a secure fit within the mask 1000. improve sexuality. In particular, it is expected that there will be a great effect on users with swollen cheeks.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a mask 1200 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining how the mask 1200 is used. In the mask 1200 according to the present embodiment, the surface between the apex portions 531 and 532 of the bellows portion 1203 and the surface between the apex portions 531 and 533 are reinforced as compared with the second embodiment. It differs in that a material 1231 is provided. Since other configurations and operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

By providing the reinforcing material 1231 , the elastic force (repulsive force, force to return to the original state) around the apex portions 532 and 533 of the bellows portion 1203 is increased, so that the apex portions 532 and 533 are firmly attached to the cheeks 111 . (for example, 4 mmHg or more). On the other hand, since the elastic force (repulsive force, force to return to the original state) is relatively weak around the apex portion 531, the cushioning property exerts a pressure of a predetermined value (for example, 15 mmHg) or less on the nasal root or nasal bridge of the user 110. fit in. The reinforcing member 1231 preferably has a detachable structure, and the medical staff can attach and detach it according to the shape of the user's face to realize a mask with high adhesion to all users.

If the cheek 111 of the user 110 is greatly sunken, as shown in FIG. 13, the mask 1300 may be provided with an additional reinforcing member 1331 . FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the bellows portion 1303 of the mask 1300 taken out, and is a perspective view seen from the opening 101 side. As shown in FIG. 14, the reinforcing members 1231 and 1331 are plate-like members such as cardboard that are attached to the outer peripheral surface of the bellows portion 1303 in the direction from the opening 101 toward the opening 502 . It has mountain folds and valley folds.

However, the reinforcing member 1231 is not limited to this, and may have any structure as long as it has the function of changing the elastic modulus of the bellows depending on the location. For example, a spring may be attached that physically expands both ends of the bellows portion. Alternatively, it can be a system that controls the hardness of the material by applying a spray or liquid coating. Furthermore, it is preferable to change the elastic force of the bellows by changing the thickness, hardness, and material depending on the part (the cheeks are thicker to increase the elastic force, and the nose and chin to lower the elastic force). The bellows portion may have a different number of folds between the portion that contacts the user's nose and the portion that contacts the cheek. For example, the creases in the portion that touches the user's nose may be smaller than the creases in the portion that touches the cheeks of the user.

In this way, the bellows portions 1203 and 1303 have different elastic forces (repulsive force, reproducible force) between the portion that contacts the nasal root and the portion that contacts the cheek of the user 110, so that the nasal root or the bridge of the nose is contacted with a relatively small pressure. , the cheek can be contacted with sufficient pressure. Since the nose root or nasal bridge is harder than the cheeks, pressure from the mask tends to cause bedsores, but according to the masks 1200 and 1300 of this embodiment, such bedsores can be avoided very effectively. .

FIG. 15 shows the results of a specific experiment. Pressure sensors were placed at six locations on the user's face 1501, the mask 1300 was worn, a respiratory apparatus was connected, oxygen was supplied (CPAP 10 cmH2O, Leak 40 L/min), and the contact pressure of each part was measured. The results are shown in table 1502. The contact pressure was 4.5 mmHg minimum and 8 mmHg maximum, with a standard deviation of 1.5. Compared to conventional products (Breas' Vivo50 as a respirator and Fisher & Paykel's Simplus Masks as masks), the maximum value and standard deviation of the contact pressure are less than 1/2, making it suitable for the skin. And it was found that they were in contact with each other with a uniform contact pressure. In other words, the numerical values show that the present embodiment improves the feeling of wearing for the user.

[Other embodiments]
Masks 1600, 1700 and 1800 according to other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 18. FIG. 16, 17 and 18 are diagrams for explaining how the masks 1600, 1700 and 1800 are used.

In the mask 1600, compared to the above embodiment, the bellows portion 1603 connects a portion 1631 that contacts the nose root or bridge of the nose of the user 110 and a portion 1632 that contacts the chin 112 when viewed from the front of the user 110. It differs in that it is circular with a line as its diameter. Since other configurations and operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the mask 1700, compared to the above embodiment, the bellows portion 1703 connects a portion 1731 that contacts the nose root or bridge of the nose of the user 110 and a portion 1732 that contacts the chin 112 when viewed from the front of the user 110. It differs in that it is an ellipse with a line as its major axis. Since other configurations and operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Compared to the above embodiment, the mask 1800 has a bellows portion 1803 that connects a portion 1831 that contacts the nose root or bridge of the nose of the user 110 and a portion 1832 that contacts the chin 112 when viewed from the front of the user 110 . It is different in that it is a rhombus with a line on the diagonal. Since other configurations and operations are similar to those of the second embodiment, the same configurations and operations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the bellows portion of the mask 1800 may be a rounded isosceles triangle, an equilateral triangle, a trapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, other polygons, a teardrop shape, or a mixture thereof when viewed from the front of the user. may be

[Other embodiments]
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. Any combination of separate features included in each embodiment is also included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims (5)

an opening whose edges abut the skin of the user's face for directing inhaled air into the user's nose and/or mouth;
A fold formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the cylindrical space that forms a cylindrical space that temporarily accommodates the user's inhaled air and exhaled air, and is pressed toward the opening. a bellows portion having a plurality of folding folds;
A mask comprising
When the mask is pressed against the face to such an extent that a pressure equal to or greater than a predetermined value is applied to the skin of the user, the mask is deformed to indicate that the user or surrounding people are being subjected to excessive pressure. A mask with a notification function to notify. 2. The mask according to claim 1, wherein the bellows portion has a different repulsive force against a force pressing toward the opening. 3. The mask according to claim 2, wherein the bellows portion has different repulsive forces between a portion that contacts the root of the user's nose and a portion that contacts the user's cheek. 4. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bellows portion has a taper formed so that a horizontal cross-sectional area narrows toward the mouth of the user. 5. The mask according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bellows portion deforms following the shape of the face by folding at a portion that contacts the chin of the user.

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