Improvements in dental splints for treatment of snoring or sleep apnea

Abstract

The present invention relates to a plug and socket assembly for use in a mandibular advancement splint for the treatment of snoring or sleep apnea, the plug having a head for abutting engagement with the mandible and the head having two forks projecting therefrom, the socket having a large blinding aperture and a crosspiece, the blind aperture is configured to receive the two forks with at least one gap, the crosspiece spans the aperture to mutually engage with the two forks, where the two forks are mutually engageable with the crosspiece to form a snap-fit connection, whereby the first surface and the second surface are substantially sealingly engageable with each other.

Description

[0001] Priority claim

[0002] This application claims priority to Australian provisional patent application 2022900837 filed on 31 March 2022. The contents of the priority application are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of sleep apnea, and more particularly to the use of a dental splint to treat sleep apnea. Background Art

[0004] Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that involves pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep. Each pause can last from a few seconds to several minutes. In the most common form of sleep apnea, the pauses are followed by loud snoring, and there may be choking or snoring sounds when breathing resumes. Because the condition disrupts normal sleep patterns, affected people may experience sleepiness or feel tired during the day.

[0005] Obstructive sleep apnea is specifically caused at least in part by airflow obstruction. This may be due to excess soft tissue in the mouth, larynx or airway, and a common cause is the tongue and associated connective tissue sliding into the pharynx, which, due to the soft, flexible and pliable nature of the tongue, is assisted by the mandible (mandible) to relax and then retract toward the larynx. When the mandible is in a retracted position, the tissue adjacent to the pharynx is also more relaxed. In this regard, the most common cause of snoring is vibrations in the tissue of the upper airway when air passes over it.

[0006] There are a variety of dental appliances and treatments for addressing obstructive sleep apnea or snoring, however, they all have disadvantages in their various forms. One common such appliance is a dental splint that moves the lower jaw slightly forward (called mandibular advancement), thereby slightly raising and pulling the tongue forward above the pharynx and tightening the soft tissues and muscles of the upper airway. The increased tension in the associated tissues inhibits the tongue's ability to slide or tilt back into the pharynx.

[0007] A typical prior art appliance comprises a pair of splints worn on the mandibular and maxillary dental arches, respectively. The mandibular splint is provided with wing-like projections abutting against plugs and sockets built into the maxillary splint, with adjustable plugs for providing advancement of the mandible relative to the maxilla by abutting against the wings. The longer the plugs, the further the mandible is advanced. A dentist or sleep specialist can recommend the appropriate plug size, and the plug size can be adjusted until optimal advancement is achieved.

[0008] However, the plug-in connector and socket assembly of the prior art are cumbersome and unstable to operate. They usually utilize interference fit, which makes them difficult to combine-as those skilled in the art will understand, these assemblies are usually very small (due to the need to fit comfortably in the mouth of a person without interfering with sleep), which increases the difficulty of engaging the plug-in connector and the socket through the interference fit system. Similarly, the plug-in connector of the prior art is releasable by squeezing the socket, however, due to the small size of the socket, this may be particularly difficult for people who are not very dexterous. Since the plug-in connector and the socket rely on friction to maintain the interference fit, the typical wear and tear or simple material degradation that occurs over time may cause the plug-in connector of the prior art to become easy to fall off, which may cause the danger of obstruction. Since food enters the orifice positioned toward the rear of the plug-in connector, the socket is easily contaminated by bacteria, which may produce odor and increase friction in the plug-in connector and the socket. Finally, in the system of the prior art, the plug-in connector can also extend through the socket, which can cause discomfort to the patient.

[0009] The present invention arises out of the desire to overcome or at least ameliorate some of the deficiencies of the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0010] In a first aspect, the present invention comprises a connector and socket assembly for use in a mandibular advancement splint, the connector and socket assembly comprising a connector and a socket, the connector having a connector head of a predetermined size, a first engaging portion and a first abutment surface substantially surrounding a base thereof, the socket having a substantially blind aperture, a second engaging portion and a second abutment surface, the substantially blind aperture being shaped to receive the first engaging portion in the substantially blind aperture, the second engaging portion being within the aperture, and the second abutment surface surrounding an opening of the aperture, wherein the connector head is arranged to abut against a protruding portion of the mandibular advancement splint, at least one of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion being elastically deformable so as to enable releasable mutual engagement between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion when the first engaging portion is received within the aperture, the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface abut each other when the first engaging portion is fully received within the aperture, and the abutment between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface being a sealed abutment.

[0011] In an embodiment, one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion includes a protrusion, and the other of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion includes a pair of jaws adapted to releasably receive and retain the protrusion therebetween.

[0012] In an embodiment, the pair of jaws are adapted to selectively and releasably grasp the protrusion, thereby retaining the protrusion between the pair of jaws, and the jaws are further capable of being selectively biased apart to release grasp of the protrusion received between the pair of jaws.

[0013] In an embodiment, the projection comprises a rod arranged to extend transversely to a direction of insertion into the aperture, and the pair of jaws define a space between each other having a shape substantially matching a shape of a cross section of the rod.

[0014] In an embodiment, the second engagement portion is a protrusion comprising a stem, and the stem extends between two opposing inner surfaces of the aperture.

[0015] In an embodiment, the releasable mutual engagement comprises a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0016] In an embodiment, the aperture is a completely blind aperture having only a single inlet, and the aperture is substantially completely sealed when the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface sealingly abut each other.

[0017] In an embodiment, the connector includes at least one additional first abutment surface, and the socket includes a matching number of additional second abutment surfaces, each second abutment surface being arranged to abut adjacently against a single one of the at least one additional first abutment surfaces when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture.

[0018] In an embodiment, the first abutting surface includes a first outer edge, and the second abutting surface includes a second outer edge, the second outer edge being shaped such that when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture, at least a portion of the second outer edge is substantially aligned with at least a portion of the first outer edge, and further wherein an outer surface of the connector adjacent to the first outer edge portion is aligned with an outer surface of the socket adjacent to the second outer edge portion, thereby forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled connector and socket assembly across these aligned portions.

[0019] In an embodiment, the second outer edge is a substantially mirror image of the first outer edge such that when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture, the first outer edge and the second outer edge are substantially fully aligned with each other and substantially all of the outer surfaces of the connector adjacent to the first outer edge are aligned with a plurality of spaced apart particular outer surfaces of substantially all of the outer surfaces of the socket adjacent to the second outer edge, each forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled connector and socket assembly across these aligned portions.

[0020] A further aspect of the present invention may be a splint assembly for treating snoring or sleep apnea, the splint assembly comprising an upper jaw splint portion shaped to fit over an upper jaw dental arch and associated teeth of a user, a lower jaw splint portion shaped to fit over a lower jaw dental arch and associated teeth of a user, at least one socket extending from the upper jaw splint portion, the socket having an aperture containing an engagement portion and an opening surrounding the aperture. an abutment surface, at least one protrusion extending upward from the mandibular splint portion, at least one connector having a connector head of a predetermined size, a complementary engagement portion and a complementary abutment surface, the connector being adapted to fit into the socket aperture so that the engagement portion and the complementary engagement portion engage with each other, wherein the connector head is adapted to abut or push the protrusion extending upward from the mandibular splint portion, and when the complementary engagement portion is fully received in the aperture, the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface abut each other, and the abutment therebetween is a sealed abutment.

[0021] In an embodiment, at least one socket is integral with the maxillary splint part.

[0022] In an embodiment, the assembly includes a plurality of at least one connector, each connector of the plurality of at least one connector having a connector head of a different predetermined size.

[0023] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in a plug connector and socket assembly of an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0024] In an embodiment, at least one socket is a pair of sockets arranged on opposite sides of the maxillary splint portion, at least one protrusion is a pair of protrusions, each protrusion extending upward from opposite sides of the mandibular splint portion, and at least one connector is a pair of connectors having connector heads of the same predetermined size.

[0025] A further aspect of the invention may be a method of producing a splint assembly for treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user, the method comprising the steps of:

[0026] i. forming a maxillary splint portion using a mold of the user's maxillary dental arch and associated teeth, the maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom, the socket having an aperture containing an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture;

[0027] ii. forming a mandibular splint portion using a mold of the user's mandibular dental arch and associated teeth, the mandibular splint portion having at least one protrusion extending upwardly therefrom; and

[0028] iii. providing at least one connector having a connector head of predetermined size, a complementary engagement portion and a complementary abutment surface;

[0029] Wherein, the plug-in piece is adapted to be assembled into the socket hole so that the engaging portion and the complementary engaging portion engage with each other, and the plug-in piece is adapted to be pushed against the protrusion extending upward from the mandibular splint portion, and when the complementary engaging portion is fully received in the hole, the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface abut each other, and the abutment therebetween is a sealed abutment.

[0030] In an embodiment, the step of forming a maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom comprises the following sub-steps:

[0031] a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth;

[0032] b. Use the mold to form the maxillary splint portion;

[0033] c. separately forming at least one socket; and

[0034] d. Welding, gluing or otherwise securing at least one socket to the maxillary splint portion.

[0035] In an embodiment, the at least one socket is integral with the maxillary splint portion, and the step of forming the maxillary splint portion having the at least one socket extending therefrom comprises the following sub-steps:

[0036] a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth;

[0037] b. adapting the mold to further include at least one void having a shape substantially the same as the shape of at least one socket; and

[0038] c. Forming the maxillary splint portion and at least one socket.

[0039] In an embodiment, at least one socket is a pair of sockets arranged on opposite sides of the maxillary splint portion, at least one protrusion is a pair of protrusions, each protrusion extending upward from opposite sides of the mandibular splint portion, and at least one connector is a pair of connectors having connector heads of the same predetermined size.

[0040] In an embodiment, the splint assembly is the splint assembly of an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0041] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in a plug connector and socket assembly of an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0042] A further aspect of the invention may be a method of treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user, the method comprising the steps of:

[0043] i. providing a splint assembly to a user, the splint assembly having an upper splint portion, a lower splint portion, at least one socket, at least one protrusion, and at least one plug-in, wherein the upper splint portion is shaped to fit over an upper dental arch and associated teeth of a user, the lower splint portion is shaped to fit over a lower dental arch and associated teeth of a user, at least one socket extending from the upper splint portion, the socket having an aperture, the aperture including an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture, at least one protrusion extending upwardly from the lower splint portion, and at least one plug-in having a plug-in head of a predetermined size, a complementary engagement portion, and a complementary abutment surface;

[0044] ii. Assembling the connector into the socket so that the engaging portion and the complementary engaging portion engage with each other, and the abutting surface and the complementary abutting surface form a sealing abutment;

[0045] iii. fitting the maxillary splint portion to the maxillary dental arch of the user; and

[0046] iv. The mandibular splint is partially assembled to the mandibular arch of the user, wherein the upwardly extending protrusion is aligned with the connector head;

[0047] Such that, in use, the user's mandible is prevented from moving backwards by abutting or pushing against the upwardly extending projection of the connector head.

[0048] In an embodiment, the splint assembly is produced by an embodiment of the method of the third aspect of the invention.

[0049] In an embodiment, the splint assembly is the splint assembly of an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention.

[0050] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in a plug connector and socket assembly of an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0051] Further aspects and / or embodiments of the present invention may be disclosed herein or may otherwise become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art through disclosure herein. These and other embodiments are considered to fall within the scope and purpose of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0053] Figure 1 is a depiction of an embodiment of a plug and socket assembly associated with a mandibular advancement splint;

[0054] Figure 2 Embodiments of a connector and a receptacle of a connector and receptacle assembly are depicted;

[0055] Figure 3 Depicts the interconnected Figure 2 Internal view of the connector and socket;

[0056] Figure 4 An embodiment of a mandibular advancement splint of the present invention is depicted;

[0057] Figure 5 An embodiment of a socket of a plug and socket assembly is depicted, showing a drain aperture therein;

[0058] Figure 6 depicts a series of connectors having different head sizes; and

[0059] Figure 7 An assembled embodiment of a mandibular advancement splint is depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] In the embodiments of the present invention, and with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a plug and socket assembly 100 for use in a mandibular advancement splint 102 is provided. The assembly 100 includes a plug 104 and a complementary socket 106. In an embodiment, the plug 104 includes a plug head 108 of a predetermined size, a first engagement portion 110, and a first abutment surface 112 that generally surrounds the base of the first engagement portion. In an embodiment, the socket 106 includes a generally blind aperture 114, a second engagement portion 116, and a second abutment surface 118, the generally blind aperture 114 being shaped to receive the first engagement portion 110 therein, the second engagement portion 116 being within the aperture, and the second abutment surface 118 surrounding the opening of the aperture. In an embodiment, at least one of the first engagement portion 110 and the second engagement portion 116 is elastically deformable to enable releasable mutual engagement between the first engagement portion 110 and the second engagement portion 116 when the first engagement portion 110 is received within the aperture 114. In an embodiment, the plug head 108 is arranged to abut against the protruding portion 120 of the mandibular advancement splint 102. In an embodiment, when the first engagement portion 110 is fully received within the aperture 114, the first abutment surface 112 and the second abutment surface 118 abut each other.

[0061] In the examples, and with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3, one of the first engagement portion 110 and the second engagement portion 116 may include a protrusion 124 and the other may include a pair of jaws 122 adapted to releasably receive the protrusion and retain the protrusion therebetween. Figure 1-Figure 3 The first engagement portion 110 is depicted as including a pair of jaws 122 , however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this is merely exemplary and the second engagement portion 116 may be adapted to include a pair of jaws without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0062] In a further embodiment, the pair of jaws 122 are adapted to selectively and releasably grasp the protrusion 124, thereby retaining the protrusion therebetween. Figure 3 Specifically described in Figure 3 The connector 104 received by the socket 106 is illustrated, wherein the interior space within the aperture 114 is shown. The dashed lines depict the inner surface of the aperture 114 and the second engagement portion 116, which is shown herein as including a protrusion 124. The dashed lines depict the first engagement portion 110 of the connector 104, which is shown herein as including a pair of jaws 122, which have releasably received the protrusion 124 between them and retain the protrusion engaged therewith. In an embodiment, this can be achieved by the jaws 122, which are at least partially composed of a resilient-flexible material that is shaped so that when at rest, the jaws are in a 'closed' state around and retaining the protrusion 124, but applying a force to the connector 104 and / or the socket 106 in the opposite direction will cause the jaws to bias open and allow the protrusion to be withdrawn therefrom. Compared to the prior art, this can enable embodiments of the present invention to be more easily adjusted by the user, particularly in view of the generally small size of the connector and socket assembly 100.

[0063] In some embodiments, the protrusion 124 may include a ball, sphere, or other bulbous or otherwise shaped protrusion that can be clamped between a pair of jaws without sliding back out. In an alternative embodiment, the protrusion may include a rod that is generally non-parallel to the direction in which the connector 104 is inserted into engagement with the socket 106, wherein the pair of jaws 122 define a space between each other that has a shape that generally matches the shape of the cross-section of the rod. In a further embodiment, wherein the second engagement portion 116 is a protrusion 124 that includes a rod, and as Figure 3 As depicted, the rod may extend between two opposing inner surfaces of the aperture.

[0064] In an embodiment, the releasable mutual engagement between the first engagement portion 110 and the second engagement portion 116 may include a snap-fit ​​connection. Such a snap-fit ​​connection can be disengaged using a tool such as a screwdriver as a wedge. An exemplary embodiment may be able to be pried apart using the tip of a typical flat-head screwdriver: the connector and the socket can be pried apart by inserting the tip of the screwdriver between the connector 104 and the socket 102 and twisting it. Those skilled in the art will recognize that - given the tiny size of the connector and socket assembly 100, this may be an easier method of separation for the user than needing to apply pressure on the opposite side of the connector or socket while pulling on the other side. This may be particularly beneficial for users who have lost some dexterity or are otherwise less mobile.

[0065] In the embodiments and as Figure 3 As depicted in FIG. 1 , the abutment between the first abutment surface 112 and the second abutment surface 118 may be a sealing abutment.

[0066] However, it is well known in the art that the aperture 114 may generally provide an area for particle and / or bacteria to accumulate - a plug and socket connection is typically avoided in dental devices because the socket provides a cavity for accumulation of food particles and / or bacteria.

[0067] To reduce or mitigate the accumulation of food particles, but particularly to allow saliva to drain from the socket (and most particularly the socket aperture 114), the Figure 5 In an embodiment of the present invention best shown in FIG. 1 , the socket 106 may include a drain aperture therein that allows dental fluid to pass therethrough and thereby drain from the socket.

[0068] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to shape the aperture 114 to have an interior shape that is larger than the interior shape of the first engagement portion 110, which extends into the aperture when engaged - it is believed that the increased size of the aperture 114 can provide a clearance space 114a for movement of the first engagement portion 110 so that friction and other resistance elements do not hinder the engagement of the first engagement portion 110 and the second engagement portion 116. It is further believed that providing such a clearance space 114a can be achieved by providing a sealing abutment between the first abutment surface 112 and the second abutment surface 118, which clearance space can typically provide a harbor for particles and / or bacteria.

[0069] In an embodiment, the shapes and topologies of the first abutment surface 112 and the second abutment surface 118 are substantially complementary. Figure 3As described, this may include the first abutment surface 112 and the second abutment surface 118 being "true" abutment surfaces, each of which is perpendicular to the direction in which the plug 104 is inserted into the receptacle 106. In alternative embodiments, the substantially complementary first abutment surface 112 and second abutment surface 118 may include curved surfaces, angled surfaces, or any other arrangement of complementary surfaces capable of forming a sealed abutment.

[0070] In a further embodiment, the plug may include at least one additional first abutment surface 112-1, and the socket may include a matching number of additional second abutment surfaces 118-1, wherein each second abutment surface is arranged to abut against a separate first abutment surface of the at least one additional first abutment surface when the first engagement portion is fully received in the aperture. Figure 3 One example of a first additional abutment surface 112 - 1 may include a surface adjacent to the first abutment surface 112 , wherein a matching second additional abutment surface 118 - 1 is similarly arranged relative to the second abutment surface 118 .

[0071] In embodiments, the orifice 114 may be completely blind, whereby the orifice opening is the only means for fluids, particles, or other materials to enter or exit the orifice 114. This, combined with the sealed abutment between the first and second abutment surfaces 112, 118 and the further first and second abutment surfaces 112-1, 118-1 (if present), may substantially improve or mitigate the risk of particle or bacteria accumulation within the orifice 114. Advantageously, this may enable embodiments including interstitial space 114a within the orifice 114 to enable air to be trapped and sealed therein and around the joined first and second joining portions 110, 116, which may further reduce the likelihood of bacterial contamination therein by providing an environment hostile to typical oral bacteria.

[0072] In the examples and returning to reference Figure 2 And further reference Figure 3, the first abutment surface 112 may include a first outer edge 112a, and the second abutment surface 118 may include a second outer edge 118a, the second outer edge 118a being shaped so that when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture, at least a portion of the second outer edge is substantially aligned with at least a portion of the first outer edge. In such an embodiment, an outer surface 126 of the connector 104 adjacent to the first outer edge portion 112a is aligned with an outer surface 128 of the socket 106 adjacent to the second outer edge portion 118a, forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled connector and socket assembly across these aligned portions. Such an embodiment may be advantageous because discontinuous surfaces are known to form ridges and / or valleys in which bacteria and / or particles can accumulate. By providing a substantially continuous outer surface, accumulation of bacteria and / or particles may be substantially improved.

[0073] In further embodiments, the second outer edge 118a can be a substantially mirror image of the first outer edge 112a, such that when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture, the first outer edge and the second outer edge are substantially fully aligned with each other. In such embodiments, substantially all of the outer surface 126 of the plug 104 proximate the first outer edge 112a can be aligned with a single specific outer surface of substantially all of the outer surface 128 of the receptacle 106 proximate the second outer edge 118a, each outer surface forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled plug and receptacle assembly 100 across the aligned portions.

[0074] Return to reference Figure 1 , the connector head 108 is adapted to abut and / or push the protrusion 120 extending upward from the mandibular splint portion 102b. In use, the user's mandible is therefore pushed forward, which is generally referred to as mandibular advancement. In some embodiments, the connector head 108 can be set to a predetermined size, and the predetermined size is selected for the required level of mandibular advancement. In such an embodiment, the ability of the connector 104 to be removed from the socket 106 connector and the socket assembly 100 makes it possible to appropriately select from the beginning or simply replace one connector 104 with another of different sizes to adjust the degree of mandibular advancement.

[0075] In an embodiment, the outer surface of the plug connector 104 or the socket 106 can be finished to reduce the presence of roughened surface, pitting or other defects. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, rough surfaces - like discontinuous surfaces - can provide habitats for bacteria or particles. In addition, some production methods (such as 3D printing or injection molding, etc.) may be prone to pitting, which provides similar shelters for particulate matter and / or bacteria. Therefore, in at least some embodiments in which the material of the plug connector and the socket assembly 100 can accept surface finishing, it is considered to be beneficial to finish at least one of its outer surfaces. Finishing can include filing, grinding, sanding, polishing or any combination thereof. The final treatment can "smooth" rough areas, thereby inhibiting the ability of bacteria or particles (such as food particles, etc.) to be entrained. Finishing can also alleviate the impact of pitting or other manufacturing defects that may be present in the outer surface of the plug connector and the socket assembly.

[0076] In an embodiment, the connector 104 or the socket 106 can be finished by steam polishing, wherein a chemical vapor is blown on the outer surface, which causes melting and plastic flow in its outer layer to form a steam-polished outer surface. This can make surface micro features (scratches, roughness, and other defects visible only at a microscopic level) smooth due to the flow of molten plastic, and can be beneficial in certain embodiments where the manufacturing process can cause these. In an embodiment, the chemical vapor can be an evaporated form of a plastic solvent. In an embodiment, the steam-polished outer surface can be substantially or essentially resistant to entrainment or deposition of particulate matter and / or bacteria thereon. In an embodiment, steam polishing can be combined with one or more other types of surface finishes to address one or more other surface defects that may not be easily addressed by a steam polishing process.

[0077] A second aspect of the invention may be a splint assembly 200 for treating snoring or sleep apnea. In an embodiment, this may include an upper jaw splint portion 202 shaped to fit over an upper jaw dental arch and associated teeth of a user, a lower jaw splint portion 204 shaped to fit over a lower jaw dental arch and associated teeth of a user, at least one socket 206 extending from the upper jaw splint portion, at least one protrusion 208 extending upwardly from the lower jaw splint portion, and at least one plug 210 having a plug head 212 of a predetermined size. In an embodiment, the socket 206 may include an aperture 214 including an engagement portion 216 (interior) and an abutment surface 218 surrounding the opening of the aperture, and the plug 210 may include a complementary engagement portion 220 and a complementary abutment surface 222. In such an embodiment, the plug can be adapted to fit into the socket aperture 214 so that the engagement portion 216 and the complementary engagement portion 220 engage each other. When the complementary engagement portion 220 is fully received in the aperture 214, the abutment surface 218 and the complementary abutment surface 222 can abut each other, thereby forming a sealing abutment. The plug head 212 can be adapted to abut or advance against the protrusion 208 extending upward from the mandibular splint portion 204.

[0078] In an embodiment, at least one socket 206 may be integral with the maxillary splint portion 202. In such an embodiment, the maxillary splint portion 202 may be formed using a mold of the maxillary dental arch and associated teeth of the intended user, and the mold may be adapted to provide the socket 206 prior to casting the maxillary splint portion 202. This may promote structural rigidity and strength of the splint assembly and may prevent or ameliorate the risk of the socket 206 and / or the plug 210 becoming detached from the rest of the splint assembly 200.

[0079] In the Examples and see Figure 5 The clamping plate assembly 200 may include a plurality of at least one plug connector 210 , each of the plurality of at least one plug connector 210 having a plug connector head 212 of a different predetermined size. Figure 5 A set of four connectors 210-1 to 210-4 are depicted, each having a different predetermined connector head size 212-1 to 212-4. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other features of the connectors 210-1 to 210-4 remain the same, such that any one connector may be selected to fit into the same receptacle 206.

[0080] In the example, and returning to reference Figure 4, the splint assembly 200 may include a pair of sockets 206 disposed on opposite sides of the upper jaw splint portion 202, a pair of protrusions 208 (each protrusion extending upward from opposite sides of the lower jaw splint portion 204), and a pair of connectors 210 having connector heads 212 of the same predetermined size. In further embodiments, the assembly may include multiple pairs of connectors, each individual pair of connectors in the multiple pairs of connectors having a different associated connector head size. The skilled person will recognize that the two connectors in the same pair of connectors have the same connector head size.

[0081] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector 210 and the at least one socket 206 may be the plug connector 104 and the socket 106 of the embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0082] A further aspect of the invention may be a method of producing a splint assembly for treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user. In an embodiment, the method may include the following steps:

[0083] i. forming a maxillary splint portion using a mold of the user's maxillary dental arch and associated teeth, the maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom, the socket having an aperture containing an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture;

[0084] ii. forming a mandibular splint portion using a mold of the user's mandibular dental arch and associated teeth, the mandibular splint portion having at least one protrusion extending upwardly therefrom; and

[0085] iii. Providing at least one plug having a plug head of predetermined dimensions, a complementary engagement portion and a complementary abutment surface.

[0086] In an embodiment, the plug is adapted to fit into the socket aperture so that the engagement portion and the complementary engagement portion engage each other. In an embodiment, the plug head is adapted to push against a projection extending upwardly from the jaw splint portion. In an embodiment, when the complementary engagement portion is fully received in the aperture, the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface abut each other and form a sealing abutment.

[0087] In an embodiment, the step of forming a maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom may include the following sub-steps:

[0088] a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth;

[0089] b. Using the mold to form the maxillary splint portion;

[0090] c. separately forming at least one socket; and

[0091] d. Welding, gluing or otherwise securing at least one socket to the maxillary splint portion.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment, the at least one socket is integral with the maxillary splint portion. In such an embodiment, the step of forming the maxillary splint portion having the at least one socket extending therefrom may comprise the following sub-steps:

[0093] a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth;

[0094] b. adapting the mold to further include at least one void having a shape substantially the same as the shape of at least one socket; and

[0095] c. Forming the maxillary splint portion and at least one socket.

[0096] In an embodiment, at least one socket is a pair of sockets arranged on opposite sides of the maxillary splint portion, at least one protrusion is a pair of protrusions, each protrusion extending upward from opposite sides of the mandibular splint portion, and at least one connector is a pair of connectors having connector heads of the same predetermined size.

[0097] In an embodiment, the method may further include the step of finishing the outer surface of at least one of the maxillary splint portion, the mandibular splint portion, the at least one socket, the at least one connector or the at least one projection, wherein the finishing comprises filing, grinding, sanding, polishing or any combination thereof. This may provide a final outer surface that resists bacteria or particulate matter from being captured thereon. In a further embodiment, the step of finishing the outer surface may include at least vapor polishing the outer surface. This may be combined with one or more additional finishing processes.

[0098] In an embodiment, the splint assembly produced by the method may be the splint assembly 200 of an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0099] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector and the at least one socket may be the plug connector 104 and the socket 106 of the embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0100] refer to Figure 6 A further aspect of the present invention may be a method of treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user. In an embodiment, the method may include the following steps:

[0101] i. providing a splint assembly 300 to a user, the splint assembly 300 having an upper jaw splint portion 302, a lower jaw splint portion 304, at least one socket 306, at least one protrusion 308, and at least one plug 310, the upper jaw splint portion 302 being shaped to fit on the upper jaw dental arch and associated teeth of the user, the lower jaw splint portion 304 being shaped to fit on the lower jaw dental arch and associated teeth of the user, at least one socket 306 extending from the upper jaw splint portion, the socket having an aperture, the aperture including an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture, at least one protrusion 308 extending upwardly from the lower jaw splint portion, and at least one plug 310 having a plug head 312 of a predetermined size, a complementary engagement portion, and a complementary abutment surface;

[0102] ii. The connector 310 is assembled into the socket 306 so that the engaging portion and the complementary engaging portion engage with each other and the abutting surface and the complementary abutting surface form a sealing abutment;

[0103] iii. adapting the maxillary splint portion 302 to the maxillary dental arch of the user; and

[0104] iv. assembling the mandibular splint portion 304 to the user's mandibular dental arch with the upwardly extending protrusion 308 aligned with the plug head 312.

[0105] In use and for further reference Figure 6 , the user's mandible (not depicted) is inhibited from moving rearwardly by abutting or pushing against the upwardly extending projection 308 of the connector head 312. In further embodiments, the user's mandible can be held slightly forward of an otherwise natural resting position (mandibular advancement) to prevent or inhibit occlusion of the user's airway during sleep.

[0106] In an embodiment, the splint assembly 300 may be produced by a method of an embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention.

[0107] In an embodiment, the splint assembly 300 may be the splint assembly 200 of an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention.

[0108] In an embodiment, the at least one plug connector 310 and the at least one socket 306 may be the plug connector 104 and the socket 106 of the embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

[0109] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms, variations and modifications in addition to those specifically described. The present invention includes all such variations and modifications. The present invention also includes all steps, features, components and / or devices mentioned or indicated in this specification, either individually or collectively, and any and all combinations or any two or more of these steps or features.

[0110] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word "comprising" is not intended to have an exclusive meaning of the word, such as "consisting only of...", but has a non-exclusive meaning in the sense of "including at least". The same applies to other forms of the word such as "including", etc., with corresponding grammatical changes.

[0111] Other definitions of selected terms used herein can be found in the detailed description of the invention and apply throughout. Unless otherwise defined, all other scientific and technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs.

[0112] Any commitments made in this document should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to be commitments made with respect to the invention in all embodiments. Where there are commitments which are deemed applicable to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant / patentee reserves the right to subsequently delete them from the description, and they are not dependent on these commitments for acceptance or subsequent grant of patents in any country.

Claims

1. A connector and socket assembly for use in a mandibular advancement splint, comprising: a plug having a plug head of predetermined dimensions, a first engagement portion, and a first abutment surface generally surrounding a base of the plug; as well as A socket, the socket having: a generally blind aperture shaped to receive the first engagement portion therein; a second engagement portion within the aperture; as well as a second abutment surface surrounding an opening of the orifice; wherein the connector head is arranged to abut against the protruding portion of the mandibular advancement splint; at least one of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion is elastically deformable so that when the first engagement portion is received in the orifice, a releasable mutual engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be achieved; The first abutment surface and the second abutment surface abut each other when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture; and The abutment between the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface is a sealing abutment.

2. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 1, wherein: One of the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion includes a protrusion; and The other of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion includes a pair of jaws adapted to releasably receive and retain the projection therebetween.

3. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the pair of jaws being adapted to selectively and releasably grasp the protrusion, thereby retaining the protrusion between the pair of jaws; as well as The jaws are also selectively biased apart to release the jaws' grip on the projection received between the jaws.

4. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The projection comprises a rod arranged to extend transversely to a direction of insertion into the aperture; as well as The pair of jaws define a space therebetween having a shape that generally matches a shape of a cross-section of the rod.

5. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 4, wherein: The second engagement portion is the protrusion including the rod; and The rod extends between two opposing inner surfaces of the aperture.

6. A connector and socket assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The releasable mutual engagement comprises a snap-fit ​​connection.

7. A connector and socket assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The aperture is a completely blind aperture having only a single inlet; and When the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface sealingly abut one another, the aperture is substantially completely sealed to prevent fluids and particles from entering or exiting therefrom.

8. A connector and socket assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The plug connector comprises at least one further first abutment surface; and The socket comprises a matching number of further second abutment surfaces, each of the further second abutment surfaces being arranged to abut against a separate one of the at least one further first abutment surfaces when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture.

9. A connector and socket assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The first abutment surface includes a first outer edge; and the second abutment surface comprising a second outer edge shaped such that at least a portion of the second outer edge is generally aligned with at least a portion of the first outer edge when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture; Further, wherein an outer surface of the plug adjacent the first outer edge portion is aligned with an outer surface of the socket adjacent the second outer edge portion, thereby forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled plug and socket assembly across the aligned portions.

10. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 9, wherein: the second outer edge being a substantially mirror image of the first outer edge such that the first outer edge and the second outer edge are substantially fully aligned with each other when the first engagement portion is fully received within the aperture; and Substantially all of the outer surfaces of the connector adjacent the first outer edge are aligned with individual specific outer surfaces of substantially all of the outer surfaces of the receptacle adjacent the second outer edge, thereby each forming a substantially continuous outer surface of the assembled connector and receptacle assembly across the aligned portions.

11. A connector and socket assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one of the connector and the socket includes a finished outer surface; and The finished outer surface is finished by one or more of filing, grinding, sanding or polishing.

12. The connector and socket assembly according to claim 11, wherein: The finished outer surface is a steam-polished outer surface.

13. A splint assembly for treating snoring or sleep apnea, the splint assembly comprising: a maxillary splint portion shaped to fit over a user's maxillary dental arch and associated teeth; a mandibular splint portion shaped to fit over a mandibular dental arch and associated teeth of the user; at least one socket extending from the maxillary splint portion, the socket having an aperture including an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding an opening of the aperture; at least one projection extending upwardly from the mandibular splint portion; as well as at least one plug connector having a plug connector head of predetermined dimensions, a complementary engagement portion, and a complementary abutment surface, the plug connector being adapted to fit into the socket aperture such that the engagement portion and the complementary engagement portion interengage one another; wherein the connector head is adapted to abut or push against a projection extending upwardly from the mandibular splint portion; the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface abut each other when the complementary engagement portion is fully received within the aperture; and The abutment between the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface is a sealing abutment.

14. The splint assembly of claim 13, wherein: The at least one socket is integral with the maxillary splint portion.

15. A splint assembly according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: The assembly includes a plurality of at least one connector, each connector of the plurality of at least one connector having a connector head of a different predetermined size.

16. A splint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein: The at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in the plug connector and socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

17. A splint assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein: the at least one socket being a pair of sockets arranged on opposite sides of the maxillary splint portion; The at least one projection is a pair of projections, each projection extending upwardly from opposite sides of the mandibular splint portion; and The at least one connector is a pair of connectors having connector heads of the same predetermined size.

18. A method of producing a splint assembly for treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user, the method comprising the steps of: (I) forming a maxillary splint portion using a mold of the user's maxillary dental arch and associated teeth, the maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom, the socket having an aperture containing an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture; (II) forming a mandibular splint portion using a mold of the user's mandibular dental arch and associated teeth, the mandibular splint portion having at least one protrusion extending upwardly from the mandibular splint portion; as well as (III) providing at least one connector having a connector head of predetermined dimensions, a complementary engagement portion, and a complementary abutment surface; wherein the plug connector is adapted to fit into the socket aperture so that the engagement portion and the complementary engagement portion engage with each other; The connector head is adapted to be pushed against the projection extending upwardly from the mandibular splint portion; the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface abut each other when the complementary engagement portion is fully received within the aperture; and The abutment between the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface is a sealing abutment.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The step of forming the maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom comprises the following sub-steps: a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth; b. Using the mold to form the maxillary splint portion; c. separately forming the at least one socket; as well as d. Welding, gluing or otherwise securing the at least one socket to the maxillary splint part.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein: The at least one socket is integral with the maxillary splint portion; and The step of forming a maxillary splint portion having at least one socket extending therefrom comprises the following sub-steps: a. casting or otherwise forming a mold of the user's maxillary arch and associated teeth; b. so that the mold is adapted to further include at least one void, the at least one void having a shape substantially the same as the shape of the at least one socket; as well as c. Forming the maxillary splint portion and at least one socket.

21. A method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein: the at least one socket being a pair of sockets arranged on opposite sides of the maxillary splint portion; The at least one projection is a pair of projections, each projection extending upwardly from opposite sides of the mandibular splint portion; and The at least one connector is a pair of connectors having connector heads of the same predetermined size.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, further comprising the steps of: finishing an outer surface of at least one of the upper jaw splint portion, the lower jaw splint portion, the at least one socket, the at least one connector, or the at least one protrusion; Among them, finishing includes filing, grinding, sanding, polishing or any combination thereof.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The step of finishing the outer surface includes at least steam polishing the outer surface.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein: The splint assembly is a splint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein: The at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in the plug connector and socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

26. A method of treating snoring or sleep apnea in a user, comprising the steps of: (I) providing the user with the splint assembly, the splint assembly having an upper splint portion shaped to fit over an upper dental arch and associated teeth of the user, a lower splint portion shaped to fit over a lower dental arch and associated teeth of the user, the at least one socket extending from the upper splint portion, the socket having an aperture including an engagement portion and an abutment surface surrounding the opening of the aperture, the at least one protrusion extending upwardly from the lower splint portion, the at least one plug having a plug head of a predetermined size, a complementary engagement portion, and a complementary abutment surface; (II) fitting the plug connector into the socket so that the engagement portion and the complementary engagement portion engage with each other and the abutment surface and the complementary abutment surface form a sealed abutment; (III) fitting the maxillary splint portion to the maxillary dental arch of the user; as well as (IV) assembling the mandibular splint portion to the mandibular dental arch of the user, wherein the upwardly extending protrusion is aligned with the connector head; Such that, in use, the user's mandible is prevented from moving backwards by abutting or pushing against the upwardly extending projection of the connector head.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein: The splint assembly is produced by the method of any one of claims 18 to 25.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, wherein: The splint assembly is a splint assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 17.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein: The at least one plug connector and the at least one socket are at least one plug connector and socket in the plug connector and socket assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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