Dynamic Mandibular Advancement for Snoring Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for moving the lower jaw forward to alleviate snoring and obstructive sleep apnea do not effectively adapt to the sleeping posture of the patient, causing discomfort and pain, and often result in drooling.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sensing portion that detects the sleeping posture and adjusts the lower jaw position accordingly using a driving mechanism, incorporating a snoring sensor and posture sensor to move the lower jaw forward only when necessary, reducing pain and drooling by custom-fitting to the user's teeth and using a motor with a decelerator for controlled movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lower jaw is continuously held in a protruding position to maintain airway openness, then the airway remains open and snoring/OSA is relieved, but pain and discomfort increase due to constant mechanical stress on the jaw and teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from a static fixed-position mandibular advancement device to a dynamic system that automatically adjusts the lower jaw position based on real-time sensing of sleeping posture and breathing status. The driving portion moves the lower teeth mounting portion forward or backward relative to the upper teeth mounting portion according to sensed conditions, maintaining airway openness only when necessary while reducing pain during normal sleeping positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that detect sleeping posture and breathing status, creating a feedback loop that continuously monitors the patient's condition and automatically adjusts the lower jaw position. This feedback mechanism ensures the airway is maintained open only when snoring or OSA events are detected, rather than continuously, thereby reducing unnecessary mechanical stress and pain.
2Reliability
If the lower jaw is advanced forward to extend the airway, then snoring and OSA are relieved, but drooling increases due to altered oral cavity positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically adjusts the lower jaw position based on sensed breathing status and sleeping posture, advancing the jaw forward only when snoring or OSA events are detected. During normal breathing conditions, the jaw returns to its natural position, maintaining proper oral cavity alignment and preventing drooling that would occur with continuous advancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The mandibular advancement occurs periodically only when needed based on sensor detection of apnea or snoring events, rather than continuously. This periodic action allows the oral cavity to maintain its natural positioning during normal breathing, preventing the altered positioning that causes drooling, while still providing airway support when required.
3Device complexity
If a fixed connector is used to connect upper and lower members to maintain jaw position, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to changes in sleeping posture causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The device replaces the fixed connector with a dynamic driving portion that can actively adjust the relative position between the upper and lower teeth mounting portions. This driving portion responds to sensed sleeping posture changes by moving the lower jaw forward or backward, providing adaptability to different postures while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates automated sensing and actuation systems that self-adjust the mandibular position based on detected sleeping posture and breathing conditions. The system serves itself by automatically detecting when posture changes occur and independently adjusting the jaw position without requiring manual intervention, thereby adapting to posture changes while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 device effectively maintains an open airway by moving the lower jaw forward only during snoring and obstructive sleep apnea events, reducing discomfort and pain by adapting to the patient's posture, thus alleviating snoring and sleep apnea while minimizing adverse effects.
Implementation Method 1
A position sensing component can carry a gravity sensor sized and configured to provide a position dependent output indicative of the relative sleep position of the individual.
Implementation Method 2
a device 10 for moving a lower jaw forward in the dental appliance worn on an oral cavity of a patient to maintain an airway in an upper pharynx of the patient
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a lower jaw advancing apparatus comprising: an upper teeth seating part on which upper teeth of a human body can be seated; a lower teeth seating part on which lower teeth of the human body can be seated; a connection part for connecting the upper teeth seating part and the lower teeth seating part; a detection part for detecting the posture of the human body; and a driving part which can move the lower teeth seating part with respect to the upper teeth seating part according to the detection result of the detection part.