Copper Ion Release for Sleep Apnea Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating snoring and sleep apnea, such as surgery, pharmacological treatments, and positive airway pressure devices, have limitations including poor long-term compliance, side effects, and relapse of symptoms.
Innovation Solution
The use of articles containing copper, such as copper-infused fabrics, foams, or metallic objects, which are placed in proximity to or in contact with the patient to reduce, prevent, or treat snoring and sleep apnea by releasing copper ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If surgery or intra-oral mandibular advancement devices are used to treat sleep apnea, then airway obstruction is reduced, but long-term compliance is poor and relapse occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical treatments (surgery, mandibular advancement devices) and pharmacological treatments with a copper-based therapeutic system. Copper ions are released from the article to treat sleep apnea and snoring through biological mechanisms, eliminating the need for mechanical devices that cause poor compliance and relapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the treatment approach from mechanical/pharmacological interventions to a copper ion-based therapy. By altering the fundamental mechanism of action to copper ion release, the system achieves improved long-term compliance and reduced relapse while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
2Reliability
If positive airway pressure treatment is used, then airway collapse is counteracted, but side effects occur from airway mucous membranes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical positive airway pressure system with a copper ion-based therapeutic approach. This replacement eliminates direct mechanical contact with airway mucous membranes that causes side effects, while maintaining treatment effectiveness through copper ion release.
3Reliability
If pharmacological treatment is used, then sleep apnea symptoms are reduced, but wide clinical use is limited due to side effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pharmacological treatments with a copper-based therapeutic system. Copper ions are released from the article to reduce sleep apnea symptoms through biological mechanisms, eliminating the need for medications that cause side effects and limit clinical adoption.
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 copper-containing articles effectively reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms by releasing copper ions, improving sleep quality and reducing relapse, without the side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Implementation Method 1
The copper-containing articles effectively reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms by releasing copper ions
Data Source
AI summary
A method of reducing or treating snoring, sleep apnea and other forms of sleep disordered breathing, comprising having a patient in need thereof sleep in contact with or in the proximity of an article containing copper. A fabric having anti-snoring, sleep apnea and other forms of sleep disordered breathing properties, the fabric comprising a copper.