Dynamic Jaw Movement Oral Appliance for TMJ Stiffness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oral appliances that aim to prevent snoring and sleep apnea by moving the lower jaw forward often cause stiffness and pain in the TMJ and surrounding muscles, and can lead to malocclusion or TMJ disorders due to restricted jaw movement.

Innovation Solution

An oral appliance with upper and lower teeth recesses that allow for forward movement of the lower jaw by a predetermined distance, featuring guide parts that extend in vertical and horizontal directions to facilitate insertion and movement, thereby reducing stiffness and discomfort by allowing natural jaw movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the lower jaw is forcibly moved forward by the oral appliance during sleep, then the airway is widened and snoring/sleep apnea is prevented, but the TMJ, neighboring muscles or ligaments become stiffened or painful

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway opennessVSAvoidstiffness and pain

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oral appliance is designed to allow dynamic movement of the lower jaw rather than forcing it into a fixed forward position. The appliance includes a lower jaw teeth insertion part that can move forward and backward within a controlled range, enabling the jaw to move naturally during sleep while still maintaining airway openness. This dynamic design prevents stiffness and pain in the TMJ and surrounding muscles while preserving the therapeutic effect on snoring and sleep apnea.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the lower jaw is restrained by a connection member in the separated type oral appliance, then the upper and lower jaw insertion parts remain connected, but the lower jaw movement is still restricted causing the same stiffness and pain problems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection between upper and lower jaw partsVSAvoidlower jaw movement freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the upper and lower jaw insertion parts is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. The lower jaw teeth insertion part can move forward and backward relative to the upper jaw teeth insertion part within a predetermined range, allowing natural jaw movement while maintaining the structural connection. This resolves the contradiction by providing both stability through connection and ease of operation through permitted movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the oral appliance maintains the lower jaw in a fixed forward position, then the airway remains open throughout sleep, but the muscles and ligaments become stiffened requiring frequent adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairway openness durationVSAvoidjaw movement adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The appliance enables the lower jaw to move dynamically within a controlled range while maintaining airway openness. The lower jaw teeth insertion part can move forward and backward as needed during sleep, providing adaptability to changing physiological conditions while keeping the airway open for the duration of sleep. This eliminates the need for frequent adjustments and prevents muscle stiffness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2948110B1Oral appliance

Publication Date: 2019.03.27 PARK(KR)

Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

There is provided an oral appliance including: a body having a shape corresponding to a teeth arrangement; an upper teeth recess formed in an upper portion of the body to allow teeth included in the teeth arrangement of an upper jaw to be inserted therein; and a lower teeth recess formed in a lower portion of the body to allow teeth included in the teeth arrangement of a lower jaw to be inserted therein and allowing the lower jaw to move forward by a predetermined distance.