Bidirectional jawbone transfer dental instruments

Abstract

A bidirectional jawbone displacement oral device (1) is disclosed, which is worn in a user's mouth to reduce the effects of snoring and sleep apnea. The oral device (1) includes an upper dental arch tray assembly (3) for receiving the user's upper teeth and a lower dental arch tray assembly (5) for receiving the user's lower teeth. An intermediate dental arch tray assembly (4) is positioned between the upper dental arch tray assembly (3) and the lower dental arch tray assembly (5). The upper dental arch tray assembly (3) is hinged to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly (4), thereby being able to rotate upward relative to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly (4) as the user's upper teeth move. The lower dental arch tray assembly (5) is adapted to move horizontally relative to the upper dental arch tray assembly (3) and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly (4), thereby causing the user's mandible to move forward relative to the user's maxilla to maintain an airway to the user's throat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a bidirectional jawbone displacement oral device, worn in the user's mouth during sleep to reduce the effects of snoring and / or sleep apnea. The jawbone displacement oral device includes an upper dental arch tray assembly and a lower dental arch tray assembly, in which the user's upper and lower dental assemblies are received. The lower dental arch tray assembly is adapted to move horizontally (i.e., back and forth) with the user's lower dental assemblies, while the upper dental arch tray assembly is adapted to rotate vertically (i.e., up and down) relative to the lower dental arch tray assembly with the user's upper dental assemblies. Due to the aforementioned configuration, if the user opens their mouth while asleep, the upper dental arch tray assembly will remain engaged with the user's upper dental assemblies. Furthermore, the position of the user's mandible can be adjusted to be anterior to the maxilla to maintain an open airway to the user's throat. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, oral devices are inserted into a user's mouth and worn on the user's teeth to maintain an open airway extending through the device to the user's throat, thereby improving the user's breathing during sleep. Examples of such oral devices can be obtained by referring to U.S. Patent No. 8,833,374, issued September 16, 2014, and U.S. Patent No. 10,849,783, issued December 1, 2020. The aforementioned patented oral devices are particularly suitable for use by individuals who wish to reduce the effects of snoring and / or sleep apnea. Each device includes an upper dental arch tray assembly and a lower dental arch tray assembly, which, during use, seat the user's upper and lower dental arches against. The lower dental arch tray assembly is horizontally adjustable relative to the upper dental arch tray assembly to correspondingly advance the position of the user's mandible relative to the user's maxilla, thereby maintaining the aforementioned airway to the user's throat open as the user's state changes over time.

[0003] Depending on how the user sleeps and moves around, the position of the oral instrument can shift within the user's mouth relative to their upper and lower dental sets. Specifically, if the user sleeps with their mouth open, the upper dental arch tray assembly of the instrument may separate from the user's upper dental set. In this case, when the user closes their mouth, the instrument may be misaligned with the user's upper dental set, which may reduce the effectiveness of the instrument because it no longer keeps the user's mandible in front of the maxilla. In the case of the aforementioned patent No. 10,849,783, the upper dental arch tray assembly is adapted to slide vertically (i.e., up and down) along the posts relative to the lower dental arch tray assembly, thereby ensuring that the upper dental arch tray assembly of the oral instrument continuously engages the user's upper dental set throughout the night, regardless of whether the user's mouth is open or closed, thus maintaining an open airway. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In summary, a bidirectional jawbone displacement oral device is disclosed, which is worn on the teeth in a user's mouth during sleep to mitigate the effects of snoring and / or sleep apnea. The oral device includes an upper dental arch tray assembly, a lower dental arch tray assembly, and an intermediate dental arch tray assembly located between the two. Each dental arch tray assembly has an arched structure with a curved front portion and a pair of lateral portions arranged opposite each other to match the user's bite pattern. Each of the upper and lower dental arch tray assemblies includes an impression liner within which the user's upper and lower dental assemblies are received during sleep.

[0005] A pair of pivoting connectors (e.g., hooks) hang downwards from opposite sides of the upper arch tray assembly, received through corresponding connector receiving openings formed on opposite sides of the middle arch tray assembly. The upper and middle arch tray assemblies are pivotally connected by the pivoting connectors, such that when the pivoting connector carried by the upper arch tray assembly is pushed through the connector receiving opening formed in the middle arch tray assembly, the upper and middle arch tray assemblies are arranged one on top of the other. Due to this configuration, when the user of the dental instrument opens and closes their mouth during sleep, the upper arch tray assembly will rotate at the pivoting connectors, causing the closed front of the upper arch tray assembly to move up and down in a generally vertical direction relative to the middle arch tray assembly along with the user's upper teeth. Therefore, the user's upper teeth will remain engaged with the impression liner of the upper arch tray assembly and will not separate from it. In this situation, the oral instrument will remain aligned with the user's upper teeth to maintain the effectiveness of the instrument and thus maintain an open airway to the user's throat.

[0006] A pair of position control blocks are positioned on the lower arch tray assembly and on opposite sides for slidably receiving into corresponding locking channels formed on the bottom of the intermediate arch tray assembly and on opposite sides. Each of the position control blocks and locking channels has a set of teeth extending along one side to move into mating engagement with each other, thereby holding the position control block within the locking channel and thus connecting the intermediate arch tray to the lower arch tray assembly.

[0007] When it is desired to move the lower arch tray assembly of the bidirectional jaw displacement dental instrument horizontally relative to each of the upper arch tray assembly and the intermediate arch tray assembly connected to the upper arch tray assembly, thereby repositioning the user's mandible relative to the maxilla, a compressive force is instantaneously applied to the opposite sides of the intermediate arch tray assembly. Due to the compressive force, the intermediate arch tray assembly is instantaneously compressed, causing the teeth on one side of the locking channel of the intermediate arch tray assembly to disengage from their previous mating engagement with the teeth on one side of the position adjustment block of the lower arch tray assembly. A thrust is now applied to the lower arch tray assembly to cause the position control block to slide across the locking channel of the intermediate arch tray assembly, thereby adjusting the position of the lower arch tray assembly and the user's mandible accordingly in front of the upper arch tray assembly and the user's maxilla. Once the position of the lower arch tray assembly and the user's mandible has been adjusted as needed to meet the user's requirements, the instantaneous compressive force applied to the intermediate arch tray assembly is terminated. Accordingly, the intermediate dental arch tray assembly will now automatically extend back to its original shape, thereby moving the teeth of the locking channel back into their matching engagement with the teeth of the position adjustment block, so as to once again hold the intermediate dental arch tray assembly and the lower dental arch tray assembly in place, one on top of the other. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a bidirectional jawbone displacement oral instrument according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Exploded view of dental instruments for jawbone displacement;

[0010] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded top view of the upper arch tray assembly, lower arch tray assembly, and middle arch tray assembly of a jawbone displacement oral instrument;

[0011] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 Exploded bottom view of the upper arch tray assembly, lower arch tray assembly, and middle arch tray assembly of the jawbone displacement oral instrument;

[0012] Figure 5 The upper arch tray assembly of the jawbone displacement oral instrument is shown to be pivotally connected to the middle arch tray assembly via a pair of connectors that hang downward from the upper arch tray assembly.

[0013] Figure 6 The upper dental arch tray assembly and the middle dental arch tray assembly are shown, with one jawbone displacement oral instrument attached to the other.

[0014] Figure 7 Is in Figure 6A front view of an oral instrument used for jaw displacement when viewed along line 7-7.

[0015] Figure 8 The jawbone displacement oral instrument is shown in a stationary state when the user's mouth is closed and the upper dental arch tray assembly is positioned above the middle dental arch tray assembly.

[0016] Figure 9 This illustrates a jawbone displacement oral instrument when the user opens their mouth and the upper dental arch tray assembly rotates upward relative to the middle dental arch tray assembly;

[0017] Figure 10 and Figure 11 Showing when in Figure 9 When viewed along line 10-10, a pair of connectors of the upper dental arch tray assembly are slidably received into connector receiving openings formed in the middle dental arch tray assembly; and

[0018] Figure 12 and Figure 13 These are top and bottom exploded views used to illustrate the alignment features of dental instruments for jaw repositioning. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Turning to the accompanying drawings, details of a bidirectional jaw-shifting oral instrument 1 are provided. This instrument is sized to fit within the user's mouth and onto the user's teeth, allowing the user's mandible to be selectively repositioned (i.e., moved forward) a variable distance horizontally relative to the user's maxilla. This is necessary to maintain an open airway to the user's throat when the instrument is worn on the user's teeth during sleep, in order to reduce the effects of snoring and sleep apnea. More importantly, the user's maxilla can also be repositioned vertically relative to his mandible to minimize the possibility of the user's upper teeth being pulled out of the instrument when the user is asleep with their mouth wide open. Therefore, it can be understood that the oral instrument 1 is suitable for users who desire an adjustable device to cope with the effects of snoring and / or sleep apnea, and whose adjustable device minimizes the possibility of the instrument separating from the user's upper teeth if the user opens their mouth during sleep, which could negatively impact the effectiveness of the instrument.

[0020] Please also refer to the attached diagram. Figures 1 to 11A bidirectional jawbone displacement oral instrument 1 is shown comprising an upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and a lower dental arch tray assembly 5, which are held one on top of the other to form a continuous air path through the oral instrument to the user's throat. A flexible intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 is located between the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the lower dental arch tray assembly 5. As will be disclosed in more detail below, the upper dental arch tray assembly 3, the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4, and the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 are interconnected, allowing the user to move the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 back and forth horizontally relative to the upper dental arch tray assembly 3. Similarly, the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 can move together up and down in a generally vertical direction relative to the lower dental arch tray assembly 5.

[0021] When the user moves the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 horizontally, as will be described below, the user's mandible shifts accordingly relative to his maxilla, allowing for selective adjustment of the size of the air path leading to the user's throat. When the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 move vertically upward, for example, when the user opens his mouth during sleep, the user's upper teeth also move upward with the upper dental arch tray assembly 3. As a significant advantage of the invention, if the user opens his mouth wide, his upper teeth are likely to remain engaged with the upper dental arch tray assembly 3, thus maintaining the user's mandible in a horizontal position relative to his maxilla throughout the night.

[0022] The upper dental arch tray assembly 3 of the bidirectional jawbone transfer device 1 includes an upper dental impression liner 9 and an upper liner receiving tray 10, which are preferably manufactured as a single piece using a 3D printing process to secure the dental impression liner 9 to the top of the liner receiving tray 10. Each of the upper dental impression liner 9 and the upper liner receiving tray 10 has a generally arched (i.e., curved) construction to match the occlusal pattern of the user's maxillary dental set.

[0023] The lower dental arch tray assembly 5 of the bidirectional jawbone transfer device 1 includes a lower dental impression liner 12 and a lower liner receiving tray 14, which are joined together to hold the liner receiving tray 14 in place on top of the lower dental impression liner 12. Alternatively, the lower dental impression liner 12 and the lower liner receiving tray 14 can also be manufactured as a single piece using a 3D printing process. Similar to the upper dental impression liner 9 and the upper liner receiving tray 10, each of the lower dental impression liner 12 and the lower liner receiving tray 14 has a generally arched (i.e., curved) construction to match the occlusal pattern of the user's mandibular set of teeth.

[0024] The intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 includes a flexible connector attachment tray 16, which is attached to the lower liner receiving tray 14 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 in a manner to be described later. The connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 also has a generally arcuate (i.e., curved) configuration to match the arcuate configuration of the upper liner receiving tray 10 of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the lower liner receiving tray 14 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5.

[0025] As shown in the attached figures, each of the arched upper dental arch tray assembly 3, the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4, and the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 of the dental instrument 1, and their upper liner receiving tray 10, lower liner receiving tray 14, and connector attachment tray 16, has a curved, closed front end and a pair of opposite sides spaced apart from each other at an open rear end. Upper occlusal channel 18 (in...) Figure 2 (Best shown in the middle) Extends to the top of the upper dental impression liner 9 surrounding the arched upper dental arch tray assembly 3. The upper occlusal channel 18 is sized to receive the user's upper teeth set carried by the user's maxilla within the channel 18. The lower occlusal channel 20 (in...) Figure 4 (Best shown in the middle) Extends the bottom of the lower dental impression liner 12 surrounding the arched lower dental arch tray assembly 5. The lower occlusal channel 20 is sized to receive the user's lower teeth set carried by the user's mandible within the channel 20.

[0026] As a key feature of the bidirectional jawbone transfer device 1, at the open rear end of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3, a pair of pivot connectors 24 extend together to opposite sides of the arch-shaped upper liner receiving tray 10 and hang downwards from said opposite sides. In a preferred embodiment, each pivot connector 24 has an L-shaped hook. However, the pivot connectors 24 can have other suitable shapes, such as, for example, a column shape. Stops 26 turn outwards from the bottom of each pivot connector 24. Figure 3 As shown in the best embodiment, at the open rear end of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4, a pair of connector receiving openings or slots 28 are formed on opposite sides of the arch connector attachment tray 16.

[0027] like Figure 5As best shown, a pivot connector 24, hanging downwards from the upper liner receiving tray 10 of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3, is axially aligned with a corresponding receiving opening in a connector receiving opening 28 formed in the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4. When the pivot connector 24 is pushed through the connector receiving opening 28, the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 are coupled together, one on top of the other, such that the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 can ride up and down relative to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 on and along the pivot connector 24. A stop 26, turning outwards from the bottom of the pivot connector 24, prevents the pivot connector 24 from retracting from the connector receiving opening 28, thus preventing the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 from separating from each other.

[0028] like Figure 10 and Figure 11 As best shown, the connector receiving opening 28 formed in the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 is longer than the cross-section of the pivot connector 24 received through the opening 28. Therefore, as Figure 9 As best shown, the pair of pivoting connectors 24 are adapted to swing back and forth (i.e., pivot) within their connector receiving openings 28. It can be understood that the pivoting connectors 28 serve as hinges at which the connectors 28 can rotate up and down in a generally vertical direction relative to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 from their suspended upper tray assembly 3, so as to move upward and away from the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 and the user's lower dental set.

[0029] More importantly, because the connector receiving opening 28 is longer than the cross-section of the connector 24, a gap is created within the opening 28 on each side of the connector 24 (in Figure 10 The gaps allow the pivot connector 24 to pass through the opening 28 (in...). Figure 11 (best shown in the image) It slides back and forth laterally to compensate for both medial and lateral movements of the user's maxilla transmitted to the connector 24 when the user is wearing the oral instrument 1 and sleeping with his mouth open, in order to further reduce the chance of the user's upper teeth falling out of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3.

[0030] In the same respect, Figure 7 and Figure 8 The image shows a bidirectional jawbone displacement oral instrument 1 in a static state, as would occur if the user were asleep wearing it and the user's upper teeth were located in the upper impression liner 9 of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3, and the user's lower teeth were located in the lower impression liner 12 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5. In this case, the user's mouth is closed, such that the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 is positioned on top of the middle dental arch tray assembly 4, and separated from the middle dental arch tray assembly 4 by a short distance (in... Figure 8 (In the attached figure, denoted by reference numeral 30).

[0031] Figure 9 A bidirectional jawbone displacement oral instrument 1 is shown, covering the teeth of a user when they are asleep with their mouth open. Because the open rear end of the upper arch tray assembly 3 is hinged to the open rear end of the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 via a pivot connector 24 extending between them, and depending on the degree of the user's mouth opening, the closed front end of the upper arch tray assembly 3 rotates upward with the user's upper teeth by an angle of approximately 30-45°, wherein the pivot connector 24 extends between the upper arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate arch tray assembly 4. Therefore, the upper arch tray assembly 3 now moves away from the intermediate arch tray assembly 4, increasing the distance between them by a greater distance (in... Figure 9 (Illustrated by reference numeral 32 in the accompanying drawings). Due to the aforementioned construction, and as explained above, it is unlikely that the user's upper teeth will engage with the upper occlusal channel 18 of the upper dental arch tray assembly 3's upper dental impression liner 9. Figure 3 Otherwise, when the user's mouth is repeatedly opened and closed throughout the night, it may cause the oral instrument 1 to separate from the user's upper teeth and affect the position of the user's lower jaw relative to the user's upper jaw.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 Details are provided regarding a device that connects the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 of a bidirectional jawbone transfer oral instrument 1 to the lower arch tray assembly 5, such that the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 and the lower arch tray assembly 5, as well as the user's mandible and the user's lower teeth in the lower occlusal channel 20 located in the lower impression liner 12, can move back and forth relative to the upper arch tray assembly 3 and the user's maxilla and the user's upper teeth in the upper occlusal channel 18 located in the upper impression liner 9. With the aforementioned configuration, the position of the user's mandible can be selectively adjusted horizontally relative to the position of the user's maxilla to correspondingly adjust the horizontal forward movement of the mandible and the air path to the user's throat (in... Figure 7 The size is indicated by the symbol 34.

[0033] like Figure 4 As shown in the optimal configuration, the bow-shaped connector of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 is attached to the bottom of the tray 16 and recessed locking channels 36 are formed (e.g., molded) on each side. The locking channels 36 extend parallel to each other. A row of teeth 38 is formed (e.g., molded) along one side of each locking channel 36. Figure 3 As best shown, a pair of position adjustment blocks 40 are positioned on opposite sides of the top of the arched lower lining receiving tray 14 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 and stand upright from said top. A row of teeth 42 is formed (e.g., molded) along one side of each position control block 40.

[0034] During the assembly of the bidirectional jawbone transfer dental instrument 1, the lower liner receiving tray 14 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 3 is mounted against the bottom of the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4. To achieve this, a pair of position adjustment blocks 40, upright from the lower liner receiving tray 14, are pushed to be slidably received by one of the corresponding one of the pair of locking channels 36 formed in the bottom of the connector attachment tray 16, thereby connecting the opposing trays 14, 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 and the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 together and holding them in place one over the other. In the same respect, row teeth 42 extending along one side of the pair of direct position adjustment blocks 40 move to releasably lock into engagement with row teeth 38 extending along one side of the pair of recessed locking channels 36, and engage against the row teeth 38. However, it is understood that any suitable interlocking ratchet mechanism can replace the opposing row teeth 38, 42.

[0035] Due to the aforementioned construction, the user is provided with the ability to release the locking engagement of the teeth 42 of the position adjustment block 40 with the teeth 38 of the locking channel 36. That is, the position of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5, which engages with the user's mandible, can be selectively changed in the horizontal direction relative to the upper dental arch tray assembly 3 and the middle dental arch tray assembly 4, which are connected to each other via the pivot connector 24 and engage with the user's maxilla.

[0036] A pair of position control pads 44 are positioned on opposite sides of the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 and are molded in said opposite sides. Position indicator scales 46 are molded or printed onto each side of the lower lining receiving tray 14 of the lower dental arch tray assembly 5 so as to be located below the position control pads 44. The connector attachment tray 16 of the flexible intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 responds to the... Figure 1 The directional arrow 50 indicates the instantaneous compressive force applied simultaneously towards each other at the position control pad 44, thereby temporarily compressing and altering the shape of the connector attachment tray 16, thus pressing the opposite sides of the tray 16 together. Simultaneously, the teeth 38 of the locking channel 36 at the bottom of the connector attachment tray 16 are temporarily disengaged from their previous locking engagement with the teeth 42 in the position adjustment block 40 formed at the top of the lower liner receiving tray 14. A keyhole slot 52 is formed in the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4 near the center of its curved front end to facilitate uniform compression of the opposite sides towards each other in response to the compressive force applied thereto.

[0037] The user can now apply a pushing (or pulling) force to change the position of the lower arch tray assembly 5, thereby moving the user's mandible forward in the horizontal direction. Because the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 is connected to the upper liner receiving tray 10 of the upper arch tray assembly 3 via a pair of pivoting connectors 24, which dangle from the tray 10 to receive through the connector receiving opening 28, the lower arch tray assembly 5 is displaced relative to both the upper arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate arch tray assembly 4. By changing the horizontal position of the lower arch tray assembly 5 relative to the upper liner receiving tray 10 of the upper arch tray assembly 3, the position of the user's mandible moves forward or backward relative to the user's maxilla accordingly, changing the air path 34 to the user's throat as needed over time. Figure 7 (size).

[0038] After the lower arch tray assembly 5 has been positioned relative to the upper liner receiving tray 10 of the upper arch tray assembly 3, the instantaneous compression force 50 terminates. Accordingly, the previously compressed connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 automatically extends back to its initial arch shape. Simultaneously, the teeth 38 of the locking channel 36 move back to their mating interlocking engagement with the opposing teeth 42 of the position adjustment block 40, thus holding the intermediate arch tray assembly 4 and the lower arch tray assembly 5 in place again, one connected to the other. The positioning of the position control pad 44 above the position indicator scale 46 provides the user with a visual indication of the position of the lower arch tray assembly 5 relative to the upper arch tray assembly 3 and the intermediate arch tray assembly 4, allowing the user to make periodic, controlled, and precise horizontal position adjustments to the lower arch tray assembly 5 to correspondingly change the position of the user's mandible relative to the user's maxilla.

[0039] As described earlier, once compressive force has been applied to the position control pads 44 located on opposite sides of the connector attachment tray 16 of the intermediate arch tray assembly 4, the lower arch tray assembly 5 moves horizontally relative to the upper arch tray assembly 3. However, it should be clearly understood that, alternatively, after the connector attachment tray 16 has been compressed first, the upper arch tray assembly 3 can be grasped and moved horizontally relative to the lower arch tray assembly 5. In this case, the user's maxilla will be positioned forward and backward relative to the user's mandible.

[0040] Now refer to the attached diagram. Figure 12 and Figure 13A bidirectional jawbone displacement oral instrument 1 is shown with alignment features that enable accurate positioning of the upper arch liner receiving tray 10 of the upper arch tray assembly 3 relative to the arch connector attachment tray 16 of the middle arch tray assembly 4 and the lower arch liner receiving tray 14 of the lower arch tray assembly 5 during assembly. More specifically, alignment recesses 54, 55, and 56 (in... Figure 13 (Best shown in the image) Formed (e.g., molded) in the bottom of the lower liner receiving tray 14 on the front and opposite sides. Alignment pins 58, 59 and 60 extend together (e.g., by 3D printing process) to the top of the lower toothed impression liner 12 on the front and opposite sides.

[0041] Alignment pins 58-60 and alignment recesses 54-56 are axially aligned such that pins 58-60 at the top of the lower dental impression liner 12 press-fit into corresponding recesses 54-56 at the bottom of the lower liner receiving tray 14. Position adjustment block 40 at the top of the lower liner receiving tray 14 is slidably received by toothed locking channels 36 at the bottom of the connector attachment tray 16. Pivot connector 24 of the upper liner receiving tray 10 is pushed through connector receiving opening 28 of the connector attachment tray 16. Thus, the arched upper dental arch tray assembly 3, intermediate dental arch tray assembly 4, and lower dental arch tray assembly 5 are aligned one on top of the other for packaging and delivery to the user of the dental instrument 1.

Claims

1. A jawbone displacement oral instrument, the oral instrument being inserted into a user's mouth to adjust the position of the user's mandible relative to the user's maxilla to maintain an open airway to the user's throat, through which the user can breathe during sleep, the oral instrument comprising: An upper dental arch tray assembly having an upper dental impression liner configured to receive the upper set of teeth of the user's maxilla during sleep. A lower dental arch tray assembly having a lower dental impression liner configured to receive the lower set of teeth of a user's mandible during sleep. as well as An intermediate dental arch tray assembly is located between the upper dental arch tray assembly and the lower dental arch tray assembly and is attached to the lower dental arch tray assembly, and each of the upper dental arch tray assembly, the intermediate dental arch tray assembly and the lower dental arch tray assembly has a pair of sides spaced apart from each other and arranged opposite each other; The jawbone displacement oral instrument is characterized by comprising a connector connected to and extending downward from each of a pair of sides of the upper dental arch tray assembly, and pivotally connected to a corresponding side of a pair of sides of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly, thereby pivotally connecting the upper and intermediate dental arch tray assemblies together, and allowing the upper dental arch tray assembly at the connector to rotate together with the user's upper teeth to pivot upward relative to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly, so that when the user's mouth is open during sleep, the upper dental arch tray assembly moves away from the lower dental arch tray assembly and the user's lower teeth in a vertical first direction. The lower dental arch tray assembly is attached to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly such that the lower dental arch tray assembly is adapted to move, together with the user's lower teeth, relative to each of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly and the upper dental arch tray assembly which is pivotally connected to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly in a horizontal second direction, thereby adjusting the position of the user's mandible relative to the user's maxilla accordingly.

2. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the upper dental arch tray assembly, the middle dental arch tray assembly, and the lower dental arch tray assembly has an arch-shaped structure with a curved front portion that matches the occlusal pattern of the user's upper and lower dental assemblies.

3. The jawbone displacement dental instrument of claim 1, further comprising a connector receiving opening formed in each of a pair of sides of the intermediate arch tray assembly, such that the connector extending downward from a pair of sides of the upper arch tray assembly is received through a corresponding connector receiving opening formed in a pair of sides of the intermediate arch tray assembly, whereby the upper arch tray assembly and the intermediate arch tray assembly are pivotally connected together, and the upper arch tray assembly is operable at the connector to rotate upward relative to the intermediate arch tray assembly with the user's upper teeth so as to pivot away from the lower arch tray assembly.

4. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 3, wherein, The connector, which extends downward from a pair of sides of the upper dental arch tray assembly to be received by the corresponding connector receiving opening formed in a pair of sides of the middle dental arch tray assembly, has an L-shaped shape.

5. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 3, wherein, The connector receiving opening formed in a pair of sides of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly is longer than the cross-section of the connector received through the corresponding connector receiving opening, such that the connector can slide laterally through the connector receiving opening.

6. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The lower dental arch tray assembly has a position adjustment block located at each of a pair of sides of the lower dental arch tray assembly, and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly has a locking channel located at each of a pair of sides of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly. When the lower dental arch tray assembly moves relative to each of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly and the upper dental arch tray assembly pivotally connected to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly in the second horizontal direction, the position adjustment block is received in the corresponding locking channel and is slidable through the corresponding locking channel.

7. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 6, wherein, Each position adjustment block and each locking channel located on each side of the lower dental arch tray assembly and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly has a set of teeth, the set of teeth of the position adjustment block and the set of teeth of the locking channel being arranged to engage with each other, thereby allowing the lower dental arch tray assembly and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly to engage with each other in a releasable locking engagement.

8. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 7, wherein, The intermediate dental arch tray assembly responds to a compressive force simultaneously applied to the pair of sides of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly to compress the intermediate dental arch tray assembly, thereby disengaging the set of teeth of the locking channel from engagement with the set of teeth of the position adjustment block, allowing the position adjustment block to slide through the locking channel, and allowing the lower dental arch tray assembly to move relative to each of the intermediate dental arch tray assembly and the upper dental arch tray assembly pivotally connected to the intermediate dental arch tray assembly in the second horizontal direction.

9. A jawbone displacement oral instrument, the oral instrument being inserted into a user's mouth to adjust the position of the user's mandible relative to the user's maxilla to maintain an open airway to the user's throat, through which the user can breathe during sleep, the oral instrument comprising: The upper dental arch tray assembly includes an upper dental impression liner configured to receive the upper set of teeth of the user's maxilla during sleep. The upper dental arch tray assembly has an arched configuration having a curved front portion and a pair of side portions that are spaced apart from each other and arranged opposite each other. A lower dental arch tray assembly, the lower dental arch tray assembly including a lower dental impression liner configured to receive the lower set of teeth of a user's mandible during sleep, the lower dental arch tray assembly having an arch-shaped configuration having a curved front portion and a pair of side portions spaced apart from each other and arranged opposite each other. as well as An intermediate dental arch tray assembly, located between the upper and lower dental arch tray assemblies, has an arched structure with a curved front and a pair of side portions spaced apart and arranged opposite each other. The upper dental arch tray assembly is hinged to the same pair of sides of the middle dental arch tray assembly, such that the upper dental arch tray assembly, the middle dental arch tray assembly, and the lower dental arch tray assembly are arranged one on top of the other, and that the upper dental arch tray assembly can rotate upward relative to the middle dental arch tray assembly together with the user's upper teeth, so that when the user's mouth is open during sleep, the upper dental arch tray assembly pivots away from the lower dental arch tray assembly and the user's lower teeth.

10. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 9, wherein, The lower dental arch tray assembly and the user's lower dental assembly are movable in the horizontal direction relative to each of the upper dental arch tray assembly and the intermediate dental arch tray assembly that is hinged to the upper dental arch tray assembly.

11. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 9, wherein, The upper dental arch tray assembly has a connector extending downward from each of a pair of sides of the upper dental arch tray assembly, and the middle dental arch tray assembly has a connector receiving opening formed in each of a pair of sides of the middle dental arch tray assembly, through which the connector is received, thereby the upper dental arch tray assembly is hinged to the middle dental arch tray assembly and is capable of rotating upward relative to the middle dental arch tray assembly together with the user's upper dental set.

12. The jawbone repositioning oral instrument according to claim 11, wherein, Each connector extending downward from each of the pair of sides of the upper dental arch tray assembly has an L-shaped form.

Images