Bone Anchored Mandibular Advancement Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea often cause undesirable side effects such as tooth repositioning, jaw discomfort, and muscle strain, due to the application of forces directly to the teeth.
Innovation Solution
The use of a system comprising anchoring devices placed in the bone of the patient's intraoral cavity and connecting structures that are removably coupled to these anchoring devices, allowing for mandibular advancement and retraction with reduced unintentional tooth repositioning by applying forces directly to the jaws rather than the teeth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If mandibular advancement devices apply forces directly to the teeth to advance the lower jaw, then mandibular advancement is achieved, but tooth repositioning and tooth displacement occur as undesirable side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces bone anchoring devices as intermediary structures that transfer forces from the mandibular advancement device to the jawbone. These anchors are positioned in the bone and serve as force transmission mediators, allowing the device to apply anterior forces to the mandible without directly applying forces to the teeth, thereby preventing tooth repositioning while achieving mandibular advancement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the force application point from the teeth and relocates it to the jawbone. By removing the direct tooth-contact mechanism and replacing it with bone-anchored structures, the harmful effect of tooth displacement is eliminated while preserving the therapeutic mandibular advancement function
2Reliability
If mandibular advancement devices apply forces to the lower jaw to treat sleep apnea, then airway obstruction is reduced, but jaw discomfort and muscle strain occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning bone anchoring devices at specific locations within the jawbone (e.g., anterior mandible, posterior mandible, or ramus regions) to optimize force distribution. This localized anchoring strategy concentrates the mechanical support where it is most effective for airway maintenance while distributing stresses to minimize discomfort and muscle strain in other areas
3Reliability
If existing mandibular advancement devices are used to treat OSA, then sleep apnea symptoms improve, but unintentional tooth repositioning occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Bone anchoring devices serve as intermediaries that decouple the force transmission path from the teeth. By anchoring to the jawbone rather than the teeth, the system maintains tooth position stability while achieving the desired mandibular advancement for OSA treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the force application system into separate functional components: bone anchoring devices for structural support and force transmission, connecting structures for mandibular advancement, and retention elements for maintaining position. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component, preserving tooth position while achieving therapeutic goals
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, devices and apparatus for mandibular advancement or retraction via bone anchoring devices are described herein. In various aspects, an apparatus for treating a patient via mandibular advancement or retraction comprises a plurality of anchoring devices positioned in the patient's intraoral cavity. Each of the plurality of anchoring devices can be positioned in bone of the patient's upper jaw or bone of the patient's lower jaw. One or more connecting structures can be removably coupled to and extend between the plurality of anchoring devices in order to displace the lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to the upper jaw.