Asymmetrical Mandibular Advancement Splint Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mandibular advancement devices (MADs) face challenges in adjusting for asymmetrical jaws, leading to asymmetrical mandible advancement, which causes discomfort and inefficiencies due to anatomical and fabrication variances, and are prone to breakage from stress concentrations in traditional lever arm designs.
Innovation Solution
Design and manufacture of asymmetrical MADs with fiducial markings and computer-aided design to calculate and compensate for dentition asymmetry, allowing for symmetrical mandible advancement by adjusting the expansion screw displacement on each side differently based on tangent angles, reducing stress and improving comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If symmetrical advancement mechanism is used in MAD, then device simplicity is maintained, but mandibular advancement becomes asymmetrical causing TMJ pain and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by designing the splint with different tangent angles on the left and right sides. The right side has a first tangent angle while the left side has a second tangent angle that is different from the first. This asymmetric geometry compensates for natural jaw asymmetry, ensuring that when the expansion screw advances both sides equally, the mandible advances symmetrically along the midline, preventing TMJ pain and discomfort.
2Power
If traditional lever arm design is used, then mechanical advantage is achieved, but stress concentrations cause breakage and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional two-dimensional lever arm design to a three-dimensional distributed force system. Instead of concentrating forces along a single lever arm, the invention distributes mechanical forces through the asymmetric splint geometry that engages multiple points on the dentition. This dimensional change eliminates stress concentrations and prevents breakage while maintaining mechanical advantage.
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetrical splint design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but anatomical variance causes asymmetrical titration and requires frequent adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the splint asymmetric with different tangent angles on each side tailored to the patient's specific anatomical variance. The right side is designed with a first tangent angle and the left side with a second tangent angle, creating locally differentiated geometry that compensates for asymmetric dentition. This custom asymmetric design eliminates asymmetrical titration, preventing the need for frequent adjustments while remaining manufacturable through precise fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are asymmetrical splints for a mandibular advancement device (MAD) for use with a patient having an asymmetrical dentition, wherein the asymmetry of the splint complements the asymmetry of the dentition such that when the MAD is used to advance the mandible, the mandible is advanced symmetrically. Also disclosed are methods of manufacture and use of the splints.