Snoring prevention device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a snoring prevention device and, more specifically, to a snoring prevention device for supporting the mandible of a wearer. Provided in a first embodiment of the present invention is the snoring prevention device comprising: a plurality of mandible supports for supporting the mandible of the wearer in the forward and / or upward direction; and a connection part which is spaced apart from the back of the neck of the wearer, and which connects the mandible supports to each other.

Description

Anti-snoring device

[0001] The present invention relates to an anti-snoring device, and more particularly, to an anti-snoring device that supports the lower jaw of a wearer.

[0002]

[0003] Unless otherwise indicated herein, the matters described in this identifier are not prior art to the claims of this application, and their description in this identifier is not intended to be deemed prior art.

[0004] Sleep, the human activity of sleeping, is a crucial element in maintaining human vitality. The quality of sleep significantly determines a person's physical and mental health.

[0005] However, many people are struggling to get a good night's sleep due to sleep disorders. Sleep disorders not only cause physical fatigue, but also mental health problems like reduced concentration and memory, and can even lead to depression. Therefore, preventing sleep disorders is crucial for maintaining human vitality.

[0006] Sleep disorders can be caused by sleep-disordered breathing (SAD), which occurs during sleep. Common symptoms of SAD include snoring and sleep apnea.

[0007] Snoring is a sound that occurs when air passes through the narrowed oral cavity due to stretching of muscles during sleep, causing the soft palate, uvula, and surrounding mucosa to vibrate. Sleep apnea occurs when breathing temporarily stops due to tissues around the airway stretching during sleep and blocking the airway.

[0008] Snoring and sleep apnea often occur together.

[0009] There are several treatment methods suggested for snoring and sleep apnea, but they are broadly divided into surgical and non-surgical treatments.

[0010] Surgical treatment methods include tracheotomy and palatopharyngoplasty, and non-surgical treatment methods include inserting implants into the oral cavity.

[0011] Non-surgical treatment methods are preferred for people suffering from sleep disorders because they have a lower risk of side effects and sequelae compared to surgical treatment methods.

[0012] Non-surgical treatment methods typically involve moving the lower jaw forward relative to the upper jaw to secure the airway or fixing the upper and lower jaws in a closed position.

[0013] However, conventional treatment methods utilize devices placed within the oral cavity or bands that exert strong pressure on the maxilla and mandible, which can cause discomfort and discomfort to the wearer. The treatment effect of conventional methods is problematic because it only becomes apparent after the wearer has adapted to the discomfort and discomfort caused by the devices or bands.

[0014]

[0015] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and provides an anti-snoring device that minimizes discomfort and stuffiness of the wearer.

[0016] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0017]

[0018] In order to solve the above problem, the present invention proposes a first embodiment of an anti-snoring device, which comprises a plurality of jaw supports for supporting the wearer's lower jaw in at least one direction among forward and upward; and a connecting portion spaced apart from the back of the wearer's neck and interconnecting the jaw supports.

[0019] Additionally, the mandibular support may have any one of a disk shape, a curved shape, a concave container shape, and a combination thereof.

[0020] The present invention proposes a snoring prevention device as a second embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a connecting portion formed to wrap around the back of the neck of a wearer and positioned and fixed to the back of the neck; and a pair of jaw supports connected to both ends of the connecting portion and supporting the wearer's lower jaw in at least one of a forward and an upward direction.

[0021] The present invention proposes a snoring prevention device as a third embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a connecting portion formed to wrap around the back of the neck of a wearer and positioned and fixed to the back of the neck; and a pair of lower jaw supports positioned adjacent to both ends of the connecting portion and supporting the lower jaw of the wearer in at least one of a forward and upward direction.

[0022] In addition, the mandibular support may include a support body connected to the connecting portion; and a plurality of protrusions formed protruding from the support body so as to come into contact with the right angle of the mandible, and the shape of which is deformed in response to the right angle that comes into contact.

[0023] Additionally, the protrusion can form a filling space filled with air inside.

[0024] In addition, the mandibular support further includes a flow tube that connects one of the filling spaces to another of the filling spaces so that they are in communication with each other, and as the protrusion is pressurized by the right-angled portion, air in one of the filling spaces can flow into the other of the filling spaces through the flow tube.

[0025] Additionally, the connecting portion may further include a sliding driving portion that moves the mandibular support forward or backward.

[0026] In addition, the sliding drive unit may include a pinion; a motor that rotates the pinion; a power supply unit that supplies power to the motor; and a rack that engages with the pinion and moves linearly in conjunction with the mandibular support.

[0027] Additionally, the mandibular support can be moved forward within a range of 10 mm from the initial position by the sliding drive unit.

[0028] In addition, the connecting portion is composed of an inner portion facing and wrapping around the back of the neck, and an outer portion connected to the inner portion, and the inner portion can be formed of a material having relatively stronger ductility than the outer portion.

[0029] Additionally, the connecting portion may be formed of a foam memory foam material.

[0030] In addition, the connecting portion further includes an inner skin covering the inner part and an outer skin covering the outer part, wherein at least one ventilation hole through which air passes may be formed in the inner skin and the outer skin.

[0031]

[0032] As discussed above, the problem-solving means of the present invention can be expected to produce various effects, including the following. However, the present invention is not established unless it exhibits all of the following effects.

[0033] First, the present invention has the effect of minimizing the discomfort and stuffiness felt by the wearer while sleeping, thereby allowing for a good night's sleep.

[0034] In addition, the present invention has the effect of effectively supporting the right leg by closely contacting the wearer's right leg.

[0035] In addition, the present invention has the effect of allowing the wearer to adjust the forward movement distance of the right-angled portion, thereby allowing the wearer to select an appropriate forward movement distance of the right-angled portion on his / her own.

[0036] In addition, the present invention has the effect of allowing the wearer to feel comfortable while sleeping by comfortably supporting the back of the neck when the wearer lies down.

[0037]

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snoring prevention device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the mandibular support in Fig. 1;

[0040] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an anti-snoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a snoring prevention device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the connection part in Fig. 4;

[0043] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VI-VI of Fig. 5;

[0044] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the sliding drive unit in Fig. 5;

[0045] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7;

[0046] Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the mandibular support in Fig. 4;

[0047] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of area A of Fig. 9;

[0048] Figure 11 is a drawing showing the state in which air flows in the filling space in Figure 10.

[0049]

[0050] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided solely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined solely by the scope of the claims.

[0051] Furthermore, the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional and / or schematic drawings, which are ideal examples of the present invention. Therefore, the form of the illustrations may be modified due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Furthermore, in each drawing illustrated in the present invention, each component may be depicted somewhat enlarged or reduced for convenience of explanation. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals denote the same components.

[0052] Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the front is the direction toward the positive x-axis, and the rear is the direction toward the negative x-axis. The upper side is the direction toward the positive y-axis, and the lower side is the direction toward the negative y-axis.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anti-snoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a modified embodiment of the mandibular support in FIG. 1.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 1, the snoring prevention device (10a) according to the first embodiment of the present invention is worn away from the back of the wearer's neck and supports the wearer's lower jaw, thereby preventing snoring and sleep apnea that occur during sleep.

[0055] The snoring prevention device (10a) according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a lower jaw support member (200a) and a connecting member (100a). The lower jaw support member (200a) supports the wearer's lower jaw and may be formed at both ends of the connecting member (100a). The lower jaw support member (200a) may support the wearer's lower jaw in at least one of the forward and upward directions.

[0056] The mandibular support (200a) may include a support surface (211a) that directly contacts the wearer's mandible. The support surface (211a) may be formed into a surface corresponding to the shape of the wearer's mandible.

[0057] The mandibular support (200a) may be formed in various shapes, such as a circular plate shape. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the mandibular support (200a) may be formed in a curved beam shape or a concave container shape. In addition, the mandibular support (200a) may be formed in a combination of a circular plate shape, a curved beam shape, and a concave container shape.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an anti-snoring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, the snoring prevention device (10b) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is worn on the back of the wearer's neck and supports the wearer's lower jaw, thereby preventing snoring and sleep apnea that occur during sleep.

[0060] The connecting portion (100b) is formed to wrap around the back of the wearer's neck and is a portion that is fixed in position at the back of the neck. The connecting portion can be formed in various shapes, such as a semicircular shape, a C shape, or a U shape.

[0061] The mandibular support (200b) supports the wearer's lower jaw and can be placed at both ends of the connecting portion (100b). The mandibular support (200b) can be formed integrally with the connecting portion (100b) or joined by a fit, adhesive, or the like.

[0062] The mandibular support (200b) can support the wearer in at least one of the forward and upward directions. The mandibular support (200b) can include a support surface (211b) that directly contacts the wearer's mandible. The support surface (211b) can be formed into a surface corresponding to the shape of the wearer's mandible.

[0063] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an anti-snoring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 4, an anti-snoring device (10c) according to one embodiment of the present invention is worn on the back of the wearer's neck and supports the wearer's lower jaw, thereby preventing snoring and sleep apnea that occur during sleep.

[0065] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a connection part in Fig. 4, and Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

[0066] Referring to Fig. 5, the connecting portion (100c) is formed to wrap around the back of the wearer's neck and is a portion that is fixed in position at the back of the neck, and can be formed in various shapes, such as a semicircular shape, a C shape, or a U shape.

[0067] The connecting portion (100c) may be composed of an inner portion (101) and an outer portion (102), and may further include a sliding driving portion (110).

[0068] The connecting portion (100c) may be formed of a foam memory foam material. The memory foam material may be polyurethane. The connecting portion (100c) formed of the memory foam material may be deformed when a physical force is applied, and may be restored to its original shape when the applied force is removed.

[0069] When the wearer lies down in bed, the connecting portion (100c) formed of memory foam material can deform and simultaneously disperse the pressure applied by the wearer's back of the neck, pillow, and floor. Accordingly, the connecting portion (100c) can gently support the back of the wearer's neck and enable the wearer to enjoy a good night's sleep.

[0070] The inner part (101) of the connecting part (100c) comes into contact with at least a portion of the back of the wearer's neck and can face the back of the wearer's neck while wrapping around it. The outer part (102) of the connecting part (100c) wraps around the outer surface of the inner part (101) and can come into contact with the bottom surface of the bed and the pillow.

[0071] Since the inner part (101) is a part that comes into direct contact with the wearer's skin, it can be formed of a material that is relatively more flexible than the outer part (102). It is preferable that the inner part (101) have a degree of flexibility that does not compress the blood vessels or nerves around the wearer's cervical spine or the back of the neck.

[0072] When the connecting portion (100c) is formed of a memory foam material, the inner portion (101) may be formed of a memory foam material having a lower density than the outer portion (102). Accordingly, the inner portion (101) can easily be deformed into the shape of the back of the neck of the wearer it comes into contact with, and can disperse the pressure applied by the back of the neck.

[0073] The outer part (102) is the part that directly comes into contact with the bottom surface of the sleeping area and the pillow. The inner surface of the outer part (102) surrounds the outer surface of the inner part (101), and the outer surface of the outer part (102) can come into contact with the bottom surface of the sleeping area and the pillow. The outer part (102) can be formed integrally with the inner part (101), or can be joined to the inner part (101) by fitting, adhesive, or the like.

[0074] When the connecting portion (100c) is formed of a memory foam material, the outer portion (102) can be deformed into the shape of the contacting floor surface and the pillow, thereby dispersing the pressure applied by the floor surface and the pillow.

[0075] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the sliding drive unit in Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 7, the sliding drive unit (110) is a part that can slide the lower jaw support (200c) forward or backward, and can be formed on the inner side (101) adjacent to the lower jaw support (200c). The sliding drive unit (110) can be provided in the same number as the number of lower jaw supports (200c) described below.

[0077] A coupling means (115) that couples with a mandibular support (200c) may be formed in the sliding drive unit (110). The coupling means (115) may be formed in various ways, such as a fitting method, a bolting method, a pin method, etc. The coupling means (115) may be formed independently from the rack (114) described below, or may be formed integrally with the rack (114). When the coupling means (115) is formed independently, the coupling means (115) may be formed on a separate member and coupled with the rack (114).

[0078] For convenience of explanation, the drawing illustrates and describes a protrusion-shaped connecting means (115) formed integrally with the rack (114).

[0079] The sliding drive unit (110) can gradually push the wearer's lower jaw forward or backward relative to the upper jaw by sliding the lower jaw support (200c) forward or backward.

[0080] Accordingly, the tendency for the back of the wearer's tongue to relax against the pharyngeal wall is reduced, effectively preventing snoring and sleep apnea caused by narrowing of the airway.

[0081] To effectively prevent snoring and sleep apnea, it is preferable that the sliding drive unit (110) move the lower jaw forward within a range of 10 mm from the initial position. The initial position refers to the position of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw when the wearer is in a non-sleep state.

[0082] The wearer can adjust the forward movement of the mandible in steps within a range of 10 mm depending on the severity of his or her snoring and sleep apnea.

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the sliding drive unit (110) may include a pinion (111), a motor (112), a power supply unit (113), and a rack (114).

[0084] The pinion (pinion: 111) is linked to the drive shaft (not shown in the drawing) of the motor (112) and engages with the rack (114) to move the rack (rack: 114) forward or backward, and can be fixedly installed. The pinion (111) can be fixedly installed inside the drive housing (116) of the sliding drive unit (110). The pinion (111) can be installed to be linked to the drive shaft of the motor (112).

[0085] The motor (112) rotates the pinion (111) and can be installed inside or outside the drive housing (116). As the drive shaft of the motor (112) and the rotation shaft of the pinion (111) are linked, the motor (112) can receive power from the power supply (113) and rotate the pinion (111).

[0086] The power supply unit (113) supplies power to the motor (112) and can be installed inside or outside the drive housing (116). The power supply unit (113) can be electrically connected to the motor (112).

[0087] It is preferable that the power supply unit (113) be formed of a rechargeable battery having a relatively small size. For example, the power supply unit (113) may be formed of a lithium-ion battery or a lithium-polymer battery.

[0088] The rack (114) is engaged with the pinion (111) and moves linearly in conjunction with the lower jaw support (200c), and can be arranged within the drive housing (116) along the longitudinal direction of the drive housing (116). The rack (114) can be installed so as to be interlocked with the pinion (111). The rack (114) and the lower jaw support (200c) can slide as one unit by means of a coupling means (115).

[0089] Referring again to FIG. 6, the connecting portion (100c) may further include an inner skin (120) and an outer skin (130). The inner skin (120) may cover the inner side (101) of the connecting portion (100c), and the outer skin (130) may cover the outer side (102) of the connecting portion (100c). The inner skin (120) and the outer skin (130) may be made of a polyester material.

[0090] Additionally, the inner skin (120) and outer skin (130) can be coated with silver nano or treated with silver nano antibacterial agents to have antibacterial properties.

[0091] In addition, a certain area of ​​the inner lining (120) that comes into contact with the back of the wearer's neck may be formed of a fabric material that has moisture absorption and quick-drying properties.

[0092] The inner skin (120) and the outer skin (130) can be formed with at least one ventilation hole (121, 131). The ventilation holes (121, 131) can facilitate the inflow and outflow of air. Accordingly, when a physical force is applied to a connecting portion (100c) formed of a foam memory foam material, the connecting portion (100c) can be quickly deformed, and when the physical force applied to the connecting portion (100c) is removed, the connecting portion (100c) can quickly return to its original shape.

[0093] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the mandibular support in Figure 4.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, the lower jaw support (200c) supports the wearer's lower jaw and can be positioned adjacent to both ends of the connecting portion (100c). The lower jaw support (200c) can support the wearer's lower jaw in at least one of the forward and upward directions.

[0095] The mandibular support (200c) can be connected to the connecting means (115) of the sliding drive unit (110) in various ways, such as a fitting method, a bolting method, or a pin connection method.

[0096] For example, when the connecting means (115) is formed in a protrusion shape, the mandibular support (200c) may be formed with a groove (not shown in the drawing) corresponding to the protrusion shape.

[0097] The mandibular support (200c) may include a support body (210) and a plurality of protrusions (220). The support body (210) is connected to the connecting part (100c) and is a part that moves linearly in conjunction with the rack (114) of the aforementioned sliding driving part (110).

[0098] The mandibular support (200c) may include a support surface (211c) that directly contacts the wearer's mandible. The support surface (211c) may be formed into a surface corresponding to the shape of the wearer's mandible.

[0099] The protrusion (220) is a portion that comes into contact with the right angle of the lower jaw (see Fig. 11: M) and can be formed by protruding from the support surface (211c) of the support body (210).

[0100] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of area A of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a drawing showing the state in which air flows in the filling space in Fig. 10.

[0101] Referring to Fig. 10, the protrusion (220) can be deformed in shape corresponding to the shape of the right-angled portion (M) by forming a filling space (221) filled with air inside. It is preferable that the protrusion (220) be formed of an elastic material so that its shape can be changed in shape corresponding to the shape of the right-angled portion (M).

[0102] The mandibular support (200c) may further include a hollow flow tube (230) that connects the filling spaces (221) to each other. The flow tube (230) may allow one filling space (221) to be in communication with another filling space (221).

[0103] Referring to Fig. 11, for example, when the protrusion (220) is pressurized by the right-angled portion (M), air within one filling space (221) can flow to another filling space (221) through the flow pipe (230). The air can flow along a stream line (SL). As the air within the filling space (221) flows to another filling space (221), the protrusion (220) can be easily deformed into a shape corresponding to the shape of the right-angled portion (M). Accordingly, as the protrusion (220) comes into close contact with the right-angled portion (M), the mandibular support (200c) can firmly support the mandible.

[0104] In addition, the lower jaw support (200c) can support the wearer's lower jaw upward. By supporting the wearer's lower jaw upward, the lower jaw support (200c) can prevent mouth breathing, which is one of the causes of snoring, from occurring.

[0105] The mandibular support (200c) may further include an elastic support (not shown) interposed between the support body (210) and the connecting portion (100c) to elastically support the support body (210) upwards. As the elastic support supports the support body (210) upwards, the protrusion (220) can be brought into close contact with the right-angle portion (M).

[0106] As seen above, the snoring prevention device (10a, 10b, 10c) according to an embodiment of the present invention has the effect of first minimizing the discomfort and stuffiness felt by the wearer while sleeping, thereby allowing the wearer to have a good night's sleep. In addition, the present invention has the effect of effectively supporting the right-angle part (M) of the wearer by closely contacting the right-angle part (M). In addition, the present invention has the effect of allowing the wearer to adjust the forward movement distance of the right-angle part (M), thereby allowing the wearer to select an appropriate forward movement distance of the right-angle part (M) on his / her own.

[0107] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims described below rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modified forms derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A plurality of mandibular supports that support the wearer's mandible in at least one direction, either forward or upward; and A connecting portion spaced apart from the back of the wearer's neck and interconnecting the lower jaw support; An anti-snoring device comprising:

2. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned mandibular support device is an anti-snoring device having any one of the following shapes: a disc shape, a curved shape, a concave container shape, and a combination thereof.

3. A connecting part formed to wrap around the back of the wearer's neck and fixed in position at the back of the neck; and A pair of mandibular supports connected to both ends of the above connecting portion and supporting the wearer's mandible in at least one direction of forward and upward; An anti-snoring device comprising:

4. A connecting part formed to wrap around the back of the wearer's neck and fixed in position at the back of the neck; and A pair of mandibular supports arranged adjacent to both ends of the connecting portion and supporting the wearer's mandible in at least one direction of forward and upward; An anti-snoring device comprising:

5. In paragraph 4, The above mandibular support A support body connected to the above connecting part; and A plurality of protrusions formed protruding from the support body to contact the angle of the lower jaw and having a shape that is deformed corresponding to the angle of the lower jaw that is in contact; An anti-snoring device comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, An anti-snoring device in which the above protrusion forms a filling space filled with air inside.

7. In paragraph 6, The above jaw support further includes a flow tube that connects one of the above filling spaces to another of the above filling spaces so that they are in communication with each other. An anti-snoring device in which air in one of the filling spaces flows to another filling space through the flow tube as the protrusion is pressurized by the angled portion.

8. In paragraph 4, An anti-snoring device, wherein the connecting portion further includes a sliding driving portion that moves the mandibular support forward or backward.

9. In paragraph 8, The above sliding drive unit pinion; A motor that rotates the above pinion; A power supply unit that supplies power to the above motor; and A rack that engages with the above pinion and moves linearly in conjunction with the above jaw support; An anti-snoring device comprising:

10. In paragraph 8, An anti-snoring device in which the above-mentioned mandibular support is moved forward within a range of 10 mm from the initial position by the above-mentioned sliding driving unit.

11. In paragraph 4, The above connecting portion is composed of an inner portion facing and wrapping around the back of the neck, and an outer portion connected to the inner portion. An anti-snoring device wherein the inner part is formed of a material that is relatively more flexible than the outer part.

12. In paragraph 11, An anti-snoring device, wherein the above connecting part is formed of a foam memory foam material.

13. In paragraph 12, The above connecting portion further includes an inner skin covering the inner portion and an outer skin covering the outer portion, An anti-snoring device having at least one air hole formed in the inner skin and the outer skin through which air passes.

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