Novel Mask Interface for Non-invasive Ventilation
Jeremy E. Orr, MD
UC San Diego
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly used to support patients with respiratory failure
Major challenge of non-invasive ventilation: a mask interface must be used to provide therapy, and leaks around the mask are common
Leaks cause problems:
Compromise ventilator pressures and synchronization with the patient
Require staff intervention (consume valuable time + resources including PPE)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaks with non-invasive ventilation gained substantial attention as a source of infection spread via escaping droplets
Non-invasive ventilation was effectively banned at most institutions
Only recently with vaccination, better PPE supplies, and testing has NIV been allowed at UCSD and elsewhere.
Nonetheless, the downsides of NIV towards spread of infection remain a concern:
COVID-19 will not vanish
Vaccination efficacy wanes
PPE and testing supply chains get disrupted
Spread of infection via leaks is not unique to COVID-19
Novel mask interface: 3-D printed prototype
(US Patent Pending)
Suction channel at patient-mask interface zone
Connection to hospital wall suction (top) and standard 22 mm connector (bottom)
Advantages of suction at the interface zone:
Better maintenace of seal to the patient's skin
Evacuates leaks before they escape
Suction can maintain a seal
Suction holds even with positive pressure
We use a test box to precisely measure leak
One of several demonstrations that suction clears out the leak before it escapes into the box (i.e. "room")
Questions?
Contact j1orr@health.ucsd.edu to get more information on the project