Adjustable Oral Device for Snoring with Flexible Segmented Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral devices for snoring and OSA often restrict jaw movement, leading to discomfort and potential temporomandibular disorders, and lack adjustable mechanisms for varying mandibular advancement, which can be ineffective for individual variations in bite position and snoring severity.

Innovation Solution

An oral device with flexible tray portions connected by adjustable flexible members that can fold and change their relative position, allowing movement in both sagittal and transverse planes, and incorporating an adjustment mechanism to vary the fold point for customizable mandibular advancement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If oral devices use fixed rigid connections between upper and lower trays to maintain structural stability, then device strength is improved, but jaw movement freedom deteriorates leading to discomfort and temporomandibular disorders

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice strengthVSAvoidjaw movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the connection system into multiple segments: rigid connection members for structural strength and flexible members (elastomeric materials) for movement accommodation. This segmentation allows different parts to fulfill different functions - the rigid trays and connection members provide strength while the flexible members allow jaw movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible members made of elastomeric materials that connect the upper and lower trays. These flexible members can deform elastically to accommodate jaw movements in sagittal, transverse, and rotational planes while maintaining connection integrity, thus resolving the contradiction between structural strength and movement freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Device complexity

If oral devices use fixed mandibular advancement position to simplify device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to individual variations in bite position and snoring severity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to individual variations

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates adjustable connection members that allow the mandibular advancement position to be modified. The connection members can be adjusted in length and orientation to accommodate different bite positions and degrees of mandibular advancement required for treating snoring and OSA, transforming a static device into a dynamic, adaptable system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device allows changing of geometric parameters including the length, orientation, and position of connection members to achieve different mandibular advancement angles and distances. This parameter adjustability enables the same device to adapt to individual variations in bite position and snoring severity without requiring multiple different devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If oral devices restrict jaw movement to maintain airway patency, then OSA treatment effectiveness is improved, but comfort and risk of temporomandibular disorders deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveOSA treatment effectivenessVSAvoiddiscomfort and temporomandibular disorders

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system is segmented into rigid components for maintaining airway patency and flexible components for accommodating physiological jaw movements. This allows the device to reliably advance the mandible for OSA treatment while the flexible members absorb excessive forces and allow natural movement ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible members made of elastomeric materials provide a compliant connection that maintains the therapeutic mandibular advancement position while allowing physiological jaw movements. This flexibility reduces the risk of temporomandibular disorders by accommodating natural jaw motion rather than completely restricting it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides improved comfort and effectiveness by allowing greater range of jaw movement and adjustable advancement, reducing the risk of discomfort and temporomandibular disorders, while accommodating individual variations in bite position and snoring severity.

Implementation Method 1

flexible members or sections capable of assuming a folded configuration within the oral cavity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12257176B2Adjustable oral devices for preventing or reducing snoring or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Publication Date: 2025.03.25 ARIA HEALTHCARE

AI summary

A device (10) having a body (12) informed from as a one-piece single unit having a first tray portion (16) for receiving the upper dental arch of the oral cavity of the wearer and a second tray portion (14) for receiving the lower dental arch of the oral cavity of the wearer. Integrally formed therewith and connecting the two tray portion s are two connecting portions (18), (20) which are flexible and the two tray section are of a design or material or combination of design and material selected to achieve retention of the trays on the teeth of a user.