Adjustable Oral Appliance Frames for Sleep Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral appliances for treating sleep apnea are often uncomfortable, hygienic challenges, and require costly CBCT imaging for customization, with non-adjustable designs limiting their versatility and causing discomfort due to metal components and potential malocclusion issues.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable oral appliance with interconnected frames for the upper and lower jaws, featuring connectors that allow for locking and vertical movement, a concave surface to raise the tongue, and a measurement tool for precise adjustments, reducing the need for CBCT imaging and enhancing comfort by distributing jaw movement forces near the condyles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional custom-fitted oral appliances are created using CBCT imaging and manual assembly, then manufacturing precision and adaptability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oral appliance is divided into separate upper and lower frames that can be independently manufactured and then connected through connectors. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized separately while simplifying the overall manufacturing process and reducing the need for complex CBCT imaging and manual assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance incorporates adjustable connectors that allow dynamic adjustment of the jaw relationship after manufacturing. This enables the appliance to adapt to different patient needs without requiring complex custom-fitting procedures, thereby improving manufacturing precision while reducing device complexity.
2Strength
If metal fixtures and arms are used to connect upper and lower splints, then structural strength is improved, but comfort and hygiene deteriorate due to irritation and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance uses thin, flexible connector structures that can be contoured to fit the patient's anatomy smoothly, eliminating the need for bulky metal fixtures. These thin-film connectors maintain structural strength while reducing irritation to oral tissues, thereby improving comfort without sacrificing strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The appliance combines different materials with complementary properties - using strong but biocompatible materials that provide both structural strength and comfort. The composite construction allows the connectors to be both strong enough to hold the appliance together and smooth enough to prevent oral tissue irritation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable attachments are manually assembled after milling, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision and hygiene deteriorate due to human errors and exposed metal seams
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is merged into the connector design itself, which is manufactured as an integrated component rather than being assembled from separate parts. This eliminates human error in assembly while maintaining adaptability, as the connector is designed to accommodate various jaw positions through its inherent structure rather than through manual adjustment of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector acts as an intermediary element that provides built-in adjustment capability through its design, eliminating the need for manual assembly of separate adjustment components. This intermediary structure ensures precise positioning while maintaining hygiene by avoiding exposed metal seams that could harbor microbes.
4Device complexity
If non-adjustable sleep appliances are designed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and success rate deteriorate due to limited versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance incorporates dynamic adjustment capability through connectors that can be repositioned to accommodate different jaw relationships. This dynamic feature allows the same basic appliance structure to adapt to various patient needs, maintaining simplicity while improving adaptability and success rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides multi-functionality by enabling the appliance to serve different patients with different anatomical requirements using the same basic structure. This universal design approach reduces device complexity while enhancing adaptability, as the connectors can be adjusted to accommodate various jaw positions and malocclusions.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable oral appliance for treating sleep apnea in a user. The oral appliance includes a first appliance frame and a second appliance frame. The first appliance frame includes a first tooth tray formed integrally with the first appliance frame to engage with user's upper teeth when worn, and the second appliance frame includes a second tooth tray formed integrally with the second appliance frame to engage with the user's lower teeth when worn. The first and second appliance frames include interlocking connectors to adjust the relative position of the second frame with respect to the first frame to set the user's upper and lower jaws in proper position, to move and raise the user's tongue, and to open the user's airway to avoid sleep apnea.