Specialized Patient Interface Devices for Extreme Environments

Publication ID: 24-11857727_0009_PTD
Published: October 28, 2025
Category:Specialized Variations & Niche Solutions

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Specialized Patient Interface Devices for Extreme Environments,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857727_0009_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857727_0009_PTD
This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,727.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present inventive concept relates to patient interface devices adapted for use in specialized environments, including disaster relief, high-security facilities, extreme weather conditions, high-altitude environments, and humid environments.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent disclosed a patient interface device with a frame assembly having a double-Y supporting structure, suitable for general use. However, this design may not be suitable for use in extreme environments where additional requirements for security, durability, and performance are necessary. The new inventive concept addresses these limitations by providing specialized patient interface devices that can operate effectively in these unique environments.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The new inventive concept comprises patient interface devices with a frame member having a double-Y supporting structure, adapted to withstand extreme weather conditions, operate in high-security facilities, function in temperatures below -20°C, operate at elevations above 3,000 meters, and resist moisture buildup in humid environments. The cushion member is designed to provide a secure seal in these environments. The devices may include additional features, such as reinforced materials, enhanced seals, and specialized gas supply systems, to ensure reliable operation in these extreme conditions.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The new inventive concept's novelty lies in the adaptation of the original patient interface device for use in specialized environments, which requires specific design considerations and modifications to ensure effective operation. The inventive step lies in the combination of the double-Y supporting structure with the additional features and adaptations necessary for use in these extreme environments.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include variations in the frame member's material, shape, and size to accommodate different environmental conditions. Additional features, such as heating or cooling elements, may be incorporated to enhance performance in extreme temperatures. The inventive concept may also be adapted for use in other specialized environments, such as space exploration or search and rescue operations.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The new inventive concept has significant commercial potential in various industries, including disaster relief, healthcare, aerospace, and defense. The devices may be marketed to organizations and individuals operating in extreme environments, providing a reliable and effective solution for delivering breathing gas to patients in these situations.

CPC Classifications

SectionClassGroup
A A61 A61M16/0683
A A61 A61M16/0605
A A61 A61M16/0057
A A61 A61M16/0666
A A61 A61M16/0816
A A61 A61M16/0875

Field of Art

Medical respiratory devices, specifically patient interface devices for non-invasive gas delivery systems, with expertise in respiratory equipment design, biomechanical engineering, and medical device adaptation

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A biomedical engineer or medical device designer with advanced knowledge of respiratory interface technologies, familiar with material science, structural engineering principles, and environmental adaptation techniques for medical equipment

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that adapting the source patent's double-Y frame structure to specialized environmental conditions represents a predictable engineering variation that requires standard design modifications. The core structural elements remain consistent while environmental performance parameters are systematically adjusted through known material and design techniques. The PTD's variations represent logical extensions of the original patient interface device's fundamental design principles.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element
Frame member with double-Y supporting structure having specific arm lengths between 55-60mm
PTD Variation
Modifying frame material composition and structural reinforcement to withstand extreme temperatures and high-altitude conditions
Obviousness Reasoning
Material selection and structural reinforcement are standard engineering design choices for adapting equipment to environmental extremes, representing predictable problem-solving within the technical domain
Source Patent Element
Cushion member with central opening for patient gas interface
PTD Variation
Redesigning cushion seal characteristics to maintain performance in high-wind, humid, and cold environments
Obviousness Reasoning
Modifying seal geometries and material properties to address environmental challenges is a routine engineering optimization process with finite, foreseeable solution sets
Source Patent Element
Patient circuit coupled to cushion member
PTD Variation
Integrating specialized gas supply systems for high-security and extreme environment applications
Obviousness Reasoning
Adapting gas delivery interfaces for specific operational contexts represents a standard engineering approach to expanding device functionality through known technical modifications
Source Patent Element
Headgear assembly selectively coupled to frame member
PTD Variation
Incorporating additional attachment mechanisms for enhanced stability in disaster relief and high-altitude scenarios
Obviousness Reasoning
Developing alternative attachment strategies using known mechanical coupling techniques is an obvious design iteration for improving device performance in challenging environments
35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857727, a person having ordinary skill in the art would find the variations disclosed in the Published Technical Disclosure to represent obvious modifications to the foundational patient interface device design. The systematic adaptation of the double-Y supporting structure to specialized environmental conditions demonstrates a predictable engineering approach that does not rise to the level of non-obvious innovation, thereby establishing this disclosure as valid prior art under 35 U.S.C. Section 103.

Original Patent Information

Patent NumberUS 11,857,727
TitlePatient interface device with a frame assembly having a double-Y supporting structure
Assignee(s)Koninklijke Philips N.V.