Adaptable Mouthguard with Non-Adaptable Frame for Ventilation and Impact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mouthguards, especially Type II adaptable models, suffer from significant thickness loss during shaping, leading to inadequate impact energy absorption and dissipation, and restrict oral ventilation when the jaws are clamped shut, causing hypoxia, hypercapnia, and increased risks of injuries such as 'projectile mandible' and concussion.
Innovation Solution
A mouthguard design featuring an adaptable structure made of thermo-adaptable material with a non-adaptable frame and a removable pallet, which maintains minimum thickness for impact absorption and creates sufficient ventilation space by engaging the mandibular and maxillary dental arches, ensuring retention and ventilation even when the jaws are closed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the mouthguard is made fully adaptable (Type II) to enable shaping in the mouth, then adaptability is improved, but material thickness is lost during shaping which reduces impact energy absorption capability
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthguard is divided into two distinct parts: an adaptable structure (maxillary and mandibular splints) that can be shaped in the mouth, and a non-adaptable frame that maintains minimum thickness for impact protection. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mouthguard have different properties: the adaptable structure uses thermo-adaptable material for custom fitting, while the frame uses non-adaptable material with sufficient thickness for impact energy absorption. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and protective strength.
2Reliability
If the adaptable structure is shaped in the mouth to fit dental arches, then retention is improved, but oral ventilation is restricted when jaws are clamped shut
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed in advance with pre-formed ventilation channels and airways that maintain open passages even when the adaptable structure is compressed during jaw clamping. This preliminary design ensures ventilation capability is built into the structure before use.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame acts as an intermediary structure that maintains the airway passage between the external environment and the internal mouth cavity, allowing air flow to bypass the compressed adaptable structure when jaws are closed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If material thickness is reduced during shaping to improve fit, then adaptability is improved, but the mouthguard becomes less effective at absorbing and dissipating impact energy
Solution Approach 1:
The mouthguard separates the fitting function (adaptable structure) from the protective function (frame), allowing thin adaptation layers without compromising the thickness of the impact-absorbing frame portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The mouthguard uses a composite construction combining thermo-adaptable material for the custom-fit splints with non-adaptable material of sufficient thickness in the frame, creating a composite structure that achieves both good fit and adequate impact protection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design effectively absorbs and dissipates impact energy while allowing for satisfactory oral ventilation, reducing the risk of injuries and improving athletic performance by maintaining material thickness and ventilation capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention particularly, but not exclusively, relates to mouthguards suitable for adaptation by means of thermal adaptation with hot water
Implementation Method 2
absorbing and dissipating impact energy
Data Source
AI summary
A mouthguard able to be shaped in the mouth, has an adaptable structure consisting of an adaptable material, and a skeleton, at least partially covered by the adaptable structure, consisting of a non-adaptable material. The mouthguard also has a removable pallet consisting of a non-adaptable material and comprising a first region intended to butt against the skeleton, the region of the pallet being dimensioned such that, during the adaptation phase of the mouthguard, the combined presence of the pallet and of the skeleton ensures both ventilation space and the presence of sufficient material at the incisor-canine area.