Digitally Milled Mandibular Splints for Precise Sleep Apnoea Titration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement devices face challenges in consistent and precise titration due to manual fabrication, material limitations, durability issues, and patient comfort, with artisanal methods leading to increased residual monomers and decreased compliance.
Innovation Solution
A digitally designed and milled mandibular advancement device comprising upper and lower splints with fins, using CAD processes to ensure accurate increments of mandible advancement, minimizing manual adjustments and residual monomers, and optimizing patient comfort through customizable fit and material selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mandibular advancement device is used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea, then the apnoea events are reduced, but the device accumulates saliva and bacteria creating a hygiene issue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the accumulated saliva and bacteria from the device by incorporating a removable reservoir that can be taken out and emptied. This allows the harmful substances to be separated from the main device structure, enabling hygiene maintenance without compromising the therapeutic function of the mandibular advancement device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs porous materials in the wicking structure that allows saliva to be drawn away from the oral cavity through capillary action. The porous architecture enables fluid transport while maintaining structural integrity, effectively managing saliva accumulation and reducing bacterial growth conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a wicking structure is added to manage saliva, then saliva is drawn away from the oral cavity, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking structure is nested within the existing device architecture, with the reservoir integrated into the mandibular advancement device body. This nested configuration allows the saliva management system to be contained within the therapeutic device without requiring separate external components, thereby managing complexity while maintaining functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The wicking structure operates autonomously using capillary action to draw saliva away from the oral cavity without requiring external power sources or active control mechanisms. This passive self-service approach manages saliva effectively while avoiding the complexity of powered pumping or controlled fluid management systems.
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 solution provides precise and reproducible titration settings, improved durability, and enhanced patient comfort by ensuring accurate digital manufacturing and material selection, reducing the need for manual adjustments and increasing compliance.
Implementation Method 1
The device includes a wicking structure in communication with the reservoir and adapted to draw saliva away from the oral cavity
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.