TWM668990U - Oropharyngeal mask - Google Patents

Abstract

An oropharyngeal mask is used for effective airway isolation and protection in medical procedures. The oropharyngeal mask has a double-layer structure, including a first layer made of waterproof non-woven fabric (30g~50g) and a second layer made of high-fiber velvet spray fabric. These layers are bonded by ultrasonic fusion technology to form a seamless and durable assembly, which enhances structural integrity and improves durability. The oropharyngeal mask includes a flexible and plastic ear-hanging mechanism made of soft fabric covered with hair root thread, which can be comfortably fixed to the user's mouth to prevent movement and discomfort. In addition, the first and second layers have parallel lateral pleats that allow the oropharyngeal mask to expand and contract freely to adapt to various mouth sizes and shapes, ensuring a stable seal and preventing overflow side leaks. This oropharyngeal mask ensures a secure airway, thereby improving patient comfort and safety.

Description

Oropharyngeal mask

The invention relates to medical equipment, in particular to airway isolation and protection devices used in various medical procedures. More specifically, the invention relates to an oropharyngeal mask with an improved design, which is intended to fix and prevent foreign matter and liquid from entering the trachea during oral treatment.

Oropharyngeal masks are widely used in healthcare settings to ensure effective oropharyngeal airway isolation and protection. Traditional oropharyngeal masks are typically composed of a two-layer structure designed to provide waterproofness and structural integrity. The first layer is made of a waterproof material, usually a non-woven polypropylene meltblown fabric, which prevents liquid penetration and maintains a seal around the patient's mouth and pharynx. The second layer is often similar to the first layer, using the same waterproof material to enhance the durability and functionality of the oropharyngeal mask. In addition, traditional oropharyngeal masks are often assembled through traditional sewing methods, sewing the layers together to form the final product. Although this method effectively produces a functional device, it introduces potential weaknesses at the seams, where the threads may loosen over time. In addition, sutures may create irregularities on the oropharyngeal mask surface, which may compromise the seal and increase the risk of leakage during use. In addition, comfort is a key factor in oropharyngeal mask design, especially for patients who need to use it for a long time or have sensitive skin. Traditional oropharyngeal masks use metal wires in the ear hook mechanism to fix the oropharyngeal mask to the patient's mouth. Although these metal wires are effective in maintaining the position of the oropharyngeal mask, they may cause discomfort or irritation due to their rigidity and direct contact with the skin. Another consideration in oropharyngeal mask design is the ability to adapt to different mouth sizes and shapes. Traditional oropharyngeal masks usually have a flat central section and lack flexibility, which limits the stretch adaptability of the oropharyngeal mask and may lead to a high risk of fluid side leakage for some patients. This limitation may affect the overall performance and patient comfort of the oropharyngeal mask and significantly limit the application range of the oropharyngeal mask. Therefore, despite the widespread use of traditional oropharyngeal masks, there are still multiple challenges that may affect their performance and user comfort, including: 1. Material limitations: The use of the same waterproof material for both layers may limit the ability of the oropharyngeal mask to provide additional functions, such as insufficient breathability, which can significantly increase patient discomfort during use. 2. Manufacturing defects: Traditional suturing methods may form weaknesses at the seams, reducing the durability of the oropharyngeal mask and increasing the possibility of liquid overflow and side leakage. The presence of seams may also complicate the cleaning and disinfection process. 3. Comfort issues: Metal wires in the ear hook mechanism may cause discomfort or irritation, especially for patients with sensitive skin or those who need to wear the oropharyngeal mask for long periods of time. The rigidity of the metal components limits the adjustability and flexibility, making it difficult to achieve a stable and comfortable fit. 4. Limited adaptability: Oropharyngeal masks with a non-expandable central section may not be able to adapt to all mouth sizes and shapes, resulting in poor sealing and reduced effectiveness in completely isolating the oropharynx. This lack of adaptability may compromise patient safety and comfort. 5. Breathability limitations: Traditional double-layer waterproof designs may not provide sufficient breathability, causing patients to feel uncomfortable during long-term use due to the inability of oropharyngeal temperature to pass through. In view of the above limitations, an improved oropharyngeal mask is urgently needed to solve these problems by improving material composition, manufacturing process, comfort design and adaptability. The ideal solution should provide a more durable and leak-resistant structure, improve comfort through flexible and skin-friendly components, and have higher adaptability to effectively adapt to the diverse needs of patients.

The present invention provides an improved oropharyngeal mask, which is designed to enhance the effect of airway isolation and protection in medical procedures such as oral treatment. The oropharyngeal mask solves the limitations of traditional designs by adopting a double-layer material structure, advanced manufacturing technology, optimized comfort design and adjustable structural elements. The oropharyngeal mask is composed of a double-layer structure, including a first layer made of waterproof non-woven fabric (about 30g~50g), and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, which is made of breathable and waterproof high-fiber velvet spray fabric. The first layer acts as a barrier to liquids and pathogens, maintaining a stable seal around the patient's mouth and pharynx and preventing medical staff from transmitting infectious diseases through the patient's mouth. The second layer is designed to maintain waterproof integrity while allowing air to penetrate, improving patient comfort when using the oropharyngeal mask. The first and second layers are bonded together using ultrasonic welding technology to form a seamless assembly, eliminating the disadvantage of sewed seams that are easy to separate. This method enhances the structural integrity of the oropharyngeal mask, reduces the risk of liquid spillage and side leakage during oral treatment, and improves durability by preventing the separation of the two layers, avoiding potential weak points. The oropharyngeal mask includes an ear hook mechanism composed of a hair root wire covered with a soft fabric. The hair root wire enables the ear hook mechanism to fit the contour of the user's mouth, providing better comfort and adjustability. The soft fabric cover prevents direct contact between the hair root line and the user's skin, reducing the possibility of skin irritation or discomfort caused by prolonged use. In one embodiment, it further includes folds in the first layer and in the second layer, and the folds are arranged as parallel and overlapping folds, allowing the oropharyngeal mask to stretch and plasticize and fit the user's mouth and pharyngeal area. The oropharyngeal mask design can adapt to the diverse patient oral structures and sizes, making it suitable for various medical applications and different patient groups, especially for applications such as oral therapy and intensive care unit medicine. By integrating double-layer material composition, ultrasonic welding assembly, soft covering ear hook mechanism and pleats in the first layer and the second layer, this new model provides a solution to improve patient safety, comfort, durability and versatility. These innovations together solve the shortcomings of traditional oropharyngeal masks and provide a superior solution for effective airway isolation and protection in oral medical environments.

The present invention relates to an improved oropharyngeal mask, which is intended to provide effective airway isolation and protection for oral therapy and intensive care unit medical applications. This improved oropharyngeal mask solves the main limitations of traditional designs by introducing advanced material composition, innovative manufacturing technology, optimized comfort design and adjustable structural elements. The structure, materials and functions of the oropharyngeal mask will be fully described below. Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 1 shows a front view of the oropharyngeal mask, and Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the oropharyngeal mask. In this embodiment, the oropharyngeal mask 100 includes a double-layer structure 110, namely: a first layer 112 and a second layer 114, each layer having different functions to improve overall performance and patient comfort. In the present embodiment, the oropharyngeal mask 100 is mainly defined by a frame 105, and the double-layer structure 110 is disposed on the frame 105. In the present embodiment, the frame 105 is elliptical, but a person skilled in the art may adjust it to other shapes, such as circular, as appropriate. The first layer 112 of the double-layer structure 110 is made of high-quality waterproof material, particularly waterproof non-woven fabric (weighing about 30g~50g), which is selected for its excellent barrier properties against liquids and pathogens. The first layer 112 is durable, flexible, and can maintain a stable seal around the patient's mouth and pharynx. In this embodiment, the thickness of the first layer 112 is optimized to provide strong waterproof performance without affecting softness, and the thickness is usually in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, depending on the application requirements. Adjacent to the first layer 112 is the second layer 114, which is designed to provide waterproofness and breathability. This second layer 114 is made of high-fiber fleece spray cloth, and the materials used include polyester, polyamide or polypropylene. The high fiber density and professional surface treatment make the second layer 114 have natural breathability while maintaining waterproof integrity. The pore size of the second layer 114 is usually in the range of 10 to 20 microns, depending on the application, allowing sufficient air penetration without allowing liquid penetration. This dual functionality significantly improves patient comfort, as mouth breathing is possible while wearing the oropharyngeal mask, thereby improving tolerance during prolonged medical procedures. A key advancement in the manufacturing process of the oropharyngeal mask 100 is the use of ultrasonic welding technology to bond the first layer 112 to the second layer 114. Unlike traditional suturing methods, ultrasonic welding uses high-frequency ultrasonic vibrations to generate localized heat and pressure to form a seamless and strong bond between layers. This method has many advantages, including improving durability by eliminating seams that can become weak points, thereby increasing the life and resistance to mechanical stress of the oropharyngeal mask 100. In addition, ultrasonic welding ensures that the entire interlayer interface (i.e., the interlayer interface between the first layer 112 and the second layer 114) is uniformly bonded, enhancing the overall structural integrity and preventing delamination during use. The seamless nature of ultrasonic welding can significantly reduce the damage to the seal, thereby reducing the risk of leakage and ensuring a more reliable and safe seal around the patient's airway, which is particularly important in oral treatment. In the ultrasonic welding process of this embodiment, typical welding parameters include a frequency range of 20 kHz to 40 kHz, an amplitude range of 20 microns to 60 microns, and a welding time of 0.5 seconds to 2.0 seconds per bonding area. These parameters are adjusted according to the specific material and thickness of the oropharyngeal mask to ensure consistent and high-quality bonding. In addition, please refer to Figure 3, which is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the ear hanging mechanism of the present embodiment. The oropharyngeal mask 100 of the present embodiment adopts an innovative ear hanging mechanism 120 design to enhance the fixation effect of the wearer's mouth, while improving comfort and flexibility. The ear hanging mechanism of a traditional oropharyngeal mask uses a rigid metal wire, which may cause discomfort or skin irritation after long-term contact. In contrast, the present novel device uses a hair root wire 122 as the core structural element of the ear hanging mechanism 120. Due to its natural flexibility and elasticity, the hair root wire 122 can make the ear hanging mechanism 120 naturally fit the patient's oral contour. The hair root thread 122 used in this embodiment is similar to the hair root thread used in general process, and is composed of a flexible metal wire 1222 covered by a hairy soft fiber 1224. The flexible metal wire 1222 is generally a thin and long stainless steel wire. The flexible metal wire 1222 of these hair root threads 122 has natural flexibility, so that it can be easily bent into various shapes to fit the contour of the patient's mouth. The hairy soft fiber 1224 is usually made of polyester, nylon or a mixture of polyester and cotton, providing a soft surface suitable for long-term contact with the skin without causing discomfort or irritation. In this embodiment, the hairline 122 is firmly attached to the designated location of the oropharyngeal mask 100 by ultrasonic welding or medical grade adhesive. The flexible metal wire 1222 characteristics of the hairline 122 enable the ear hook mechanism to be dynamically adjusted to accommodate various mouth sizes and shapes. This adjustability ensures a secure and comfortable fit, minimizes pressure points, and improves overall patient comfort during prolonged use of the oropharyngeal mask. In addition, in one embodiment, to further improve comfort and prevent the line cleaner from direct contact with the skin, the soft fibers 1224 of the hairline 122 are also covered with a layer of soft fabric 124. The soft fabric 124 used for covering is usually made of cotton, polyester or cotton-polyester blended material to provide a gentle and non-irritating surface. The soft fabric 124 covering layer is firmly attached to the hair root wire 122 by adhesive bonding and/or ultrasonic welding to ensure the durability of the ear hook mechanism 120 and maintain its flexibility. The combination of the above-mentioned components makes the ear hook mechanism 120 height adjustable and can adapt to various mouth sizes and shapes, ensuring a stable and comfortable fit, reducing pressure points, and improving the overall patient comfort during long-term use. Please refer to Figure 4, which shows a flow chart of the manufacturing process of the oropharyngeal mask of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the manufacturing process of the oropharyngeal mask includes multiple steps to ensure the quality and function of the final product. First, as shown in step S110, the waterproof non-woven fabric used for the first layer 112 is cut into the required shape. Similarly, as shown in step S120, the high-fiber velvet spray fabric of the second layer 114 is cut according to the required size to properly overlap the first layer 112 for seamless bonding. After the first layer 112 and the second layer 114 are prepared, as shown in step S130, they are aligned to ensure proper overlap. Then, as shown in step S140, the first layer 112 and the second layer 114 are bonded together along the edges of the two layers using ultrasonic welding equipment. In this embodiment, the welding parameters are controlled to achieve uniform bonding without affecting the breathability of the second layer. In step S150, the preparation process of the hair root wire 122 includes trimming to the desired length and ensuring uniform flexibility. In step S160, each hair root wire 122 is covered with a selected soft fabric 124 and bonded by ultrasonic welding or adhesive to form a soft covered ear hanging mechanism 120. These completed ear hanging mechanisms 120 are firmly attached to the designated position of the oropharyngeal mask 100 by ultrasonic welding, ensuring its stable integration without limiting its flexibility. As shown in step S170, each oropharyngeal mask 100 undergoes a strict quality control inspection after completion to verify the integrity of the ultrasonic weld, waterproofness and breathability. Performance testing is performed to evaluate breathability, waterproofness, durability and comfort to ensure that each oropharyngeal mask meets the strict standards required for oral medical isolation and protection devices. Compared to traditional oropharyngeal masks, the oropharyngeal mask 100 of this embodiment has many significant advantages. The double-layer structure 110 has a breathable second layer 114, which allows the patient to breathe through the mouth more comfortably when using the oropharyngeal mask 100. The soft covering flexible ear hook mechanism 120 prevents skin irritation and adapts to a wider range of mouth sizes, reducing discomfort during long-term use. Ultrasonic welding eliminates seams, reduces the risk of liquid overflow and side leakage, and enhances the structural integrity of the oropharyngeal mask 100. In addition, the seamless assembly achieved by ultrasonic welding improves the overall durability of the oropharyngeal mask 100, making it more resistant to wear. In addition, the adjustable ear hanging mechanism 120 enables the oropharyngeal mask 100 to adapt to a variety of patient anatomical structures, suitable for oral medical applications and different patient groups. Please refer to Figures 5A and 5B, Figure 5A shows a front view of an oropharyngeal mask of another embodiment, and Figure 5B shows a rear view of an oropharyngeal mask of another embodiment. In this embodiment, the oropharyngeal mask 200 further adds pleats 216 to the first layer 212 and the second layer 214, and these pleats 216 are arranged in parallel and overlapped. These pleats 216 allow the oropharyngeal mask 200 to expand and fit the user's oral and pharyngeal areas. Unlike conventional flat oropharyngeal masks, the pleats 216 arranged in parallel and overlapping patterns provide the oropharyngeal mask 200 with greater flexibility and adaptability, allowing it to seamlessly fit various shapes and sizes of the oral and pharyngeal areas. In detail, the pleats 216 in the first layer 212 (made of waterproof non-woven fabric) and the second layer 214 (made of waterproof and breathable high-fiber fleece spray fabric) are formed in a parallel and overlapping pattern. When the oropharyngeal mask 200 is not in use, these pleats 216 are folded flat to maintain the compact shape of the oropharyngeal mask 200. During use, the pleats 216 unfold and expand outward, allowing the oropharyngeal mask 200 to extend and provide wider coverage around the mouth and pharyngeal areas. This design ensures a secure and comfortable fit by adapting to the unique contours of the user's mouth and throat, reducing the possibility of liquid overflow and leakage, and improving the overall performance of the oropharyngeal mask 200. The concentric arrangement of the pleats 216 is achieved during the manufacturing process of the first layer 212 and the second layer 214. The ultrasonic welding process ensures that the pleats 216 are evenly bonded and maintain their structural integrity during expansion and contraction. Although the above embodiments have been described in detail, alternative embodiments may be changed in materials, structural configurations, or manufacturing techniques without deviating from the core novel concept. The first layer and the second layer may use other different waterproof and breathable materials, for example, alternative non-woven fabrics or coatings may be used to achieve similar waterproofness and breathability. The flexible element in the ear hook mechanism may be replaced with other types of flexible metal wires or fibers, such as stainless steel springs or polymer-based materials, as long as they can provide the necessary flexibility and durability. The texture and composition of the fabric covering the hair root wire may also vary according to specific patient needs. The oropharyngeal mask of this embodiment is suitable for oral medical environments, providing isolation and protection during treatment. The oropharyngeal mask provides a comfortable and reliable continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment option. Moreover, the oropharyngeal mask is highly suitable for dental treatment. Dental surgery, effective oral isolation and protection to ensure patient safety and comfort. The double-layer material composition of the oropharyngeal mask of this embodiment provides a stable and waterproof seal to prevent the infiltration of saliva and other liquids during dental surgery and procedures. The breathable second layer promotes comfortable oral breathing, allowing patients to remain relaxed during long dental treatments. In addition, the flexible ear-hanging mechanism covered with soft cloth ensures that the oropharyngeal mask can be firmly fixed without causing irritation, which is particularly beneficial for patients who are prone to coughing and sensitive skin or patients who need to wear oropharyngeal masks for a long time during long dental surgery. The oropharyngeal mask described in this new invention represents a major advancement in the technology of oral isolation and protection. By integrating dual-functional material layers, using ultrasonic welding to achieve seamless assembly, optimizing comfort through flexible and soft covering ear hooks, and introducing parallel overlapping pleats, the new model provides a solution to improve patient comfort, safety, durability and versatility. These innovations together solve the shortcomings of traditional oropharyngeal masks, provide superior solutions for diverse medical applications, and improve the overall patient experience. The above is only to illustrate the implementation of the new model and is not intended to limit the new model. For technical personnel in this field, any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the new model without creative labor should be included in the scope of protection of the new model.

100: Oropharyngeal mask 105: Frame 110: Double-layer structure 112: First layer 114: Second layer 120: Ear hook mechanism 122: Hair root wire 1222: Flexible metal wire 1224: Soft fiber 124: Soft fabric 200: Oropharyngeal mask 212: First layer 214: Second layer 216: Pleats S110~S170: Flowchart steps

FIG1 shows a front view of an oropharyngeal mask. FIG2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an oropharyngeal mask. FIG3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the ear-hanging mechanism of this embodiment. FIG4 shows a flow chart of the manufacturing process of the oropharyngeal mask of this embodiment. FIG5A shows a front view of an oropharyngeal mask of another embodiment. FIG5B shows a rear view of an oropharyngeal mask of another embodiment.

100: Oropharyngeal mask

105:Framework

110: Double-layer structure

112: First level

120: Ear hook mechanism

Claims (10)

An oropharyngeal mask comprises: a frame; a double-layer structure fixed on the frame, the double-layer structure comprising: a first layer made of a first breathable waterproof material; and a second layer adjacent to the first layer, the second layer made of a second breathable waterproof material, wherein the second breathable waterproof material has a higher breathability than the first breathable waterproof material; and an ear-hanging mechanism comprising a hair root line and a soft cloth, the soft cloth covers the hair root line, and the ear-hanging mechanism is attached to the frame; wherein the first layer and the second layer are bonded together by ultrasonic welding to form a seamless assembly. The oropharyngeal mask according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is made of breathable and waterproof high-fiber velvet spray fabric. The oropharyngeal mask according to claim 2, wherein the material of the high-fiber fleece spray cloth is selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and polypropylene. The oropharyngeal mask according to claim 1, wherein the first layer is made of a waterproof non-woven fabric. The oropharyngeal mask according to claim 1, wherein the soft fabric covering the hair root thread is selected from the group consisting of cotton, polyester and cotton-polyester blended materials. The oropharyngeal mask of claim 1, wherein the pore size of the second layer ranges from about 10 microns to about 20 microns. The oropharyngeal mask of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic welding is performed at a frequency range of about 20 kHz to about 40 kHz. The oropharyngeal mask of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic welding parameters include an amplitude range of about 20 microns to about 60 microns and a welding time of about 0.5 seconds to about 2.0 seconds per bonding area. The oropharyngeal mask of claim 1, further comprising pleats in the first layer and in the second layer to allow the oropharyngeal mask to expand and conform to the mouth and pharyngeal area of the user. The oropharyngeal mask according to claim 9, wherein the pleats are arranged in parallel and overlapped.

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