Adhesive Mandible Support Device for Snoring Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current treatments for snoring, including surgical and mechanical methods, are either invasive, uncomfortable, or ineffective in reducing snoring without causing significant side effects.

Innovation Solution

A mandible support device with a flexible strap and adhesive components that provide passive support to restrict posterior movement of the mandible during sleep, preventing airway blockage and snoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If surgical treatments (palatal implants, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, radiofrequency tissue ablation) are used to stiffen or remove soft tissues, then snoring reduction is achieved, but surgical risks, high cost, and uncertain effectiveness occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesnoring reduction effectivenessVSAvoidsurgical risks and side effects

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces surgical mechanical interventions (implants, tissue removal, ablation) with a non-invasive mechanical support device made of adhesive material that provides structural support to the mandible and soft tissues without cutting, stitching, or applying heat/radiofrequency energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive support device is positioned as a low-cost, temporary alternative to expensive surgical procedures, providing effective snoring reduction without the high financial investment and long-term commitments required by surgical treatments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If CPAP devices are used to force air through the airway, then airway blockage is reduced, but the equipment is bulky and uncomfortable for sleep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway blockage reductionVSAvoidcomfort and portability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of airway support from the bulky CPAP machine by using a standalone adhesive device that provides mechanical support directly to the mandible and soft tissues, eliminating the need for masks, air pumps, and complex equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive support device creates a simplified copy of the airway support function achieved by CPAP, providing the necessary structural support to keep the airway open without requiring the full CPAP system infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If oral appliances are used to advance the mandible position, then airway is opened, but jaw pain, facial discomfort, and modified tooth alignment occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway opening effectivenessVSAvoidjaw pain and facial discomfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of forcing the mandible forward into an unnatural position (as oral appliances do), the patent uses adhesive support to allow the mandible to maintain its natural position while providing structural support to prevent soft tissue collapse, reversing the approach from active repositioning to passive support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive material serves as an intermediary between the mandible and the soft tissues, providing structural support and spacing without requiring direct mechanical force on the teeth or jaw joint, thus avoiding the side effects of traditional oral appliances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If a simple adhesive structural member is used to support the mandible, then comfort and ease of manufacture are improved, but sufficient support force may not be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort and simplicityVSAvoidmandible support force

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite adhesive materials that combine structural integrity with adhesive properties, allowing the device to provide sufficient support force while maintaining comfort and simplicity in application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive material's properties (such as viscosity, curing time, and structural density) are optimized to provide adequate support force while remaining comfortable for extended wear during sleep

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device effectively reduces snoring by maintaining airway openness, improving sleep quality without the need for surgery or bulky equipment, and is comfortable for extended use.

Implementation Method 1

The structural member also comprises an adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material is applied to the structural member such that the structural member can be temporarily attached to the epidermis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS10799387B2Method and apparatus for reducing snoring

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 BLR SLEEPWELL LLC

AI summary

A mandible support device comprising a structural member comprising a support component and an adhesive component. The support component is configured to extend from the head or face above the mandible to the region of the gonial angle. The adhesive component is configured such that the structural member can be temporarily attached to the skin.