Jaw Bridge Passive Mandible Support for OSA Airway Patency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies, such as CPAP machines, are invasive and poorly compliant for treating mild to moderate cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as they do not effectively address the mechanical issue of jaw and soft tissue collapse during sleep, leading to inadequate breathing and associated health issues like fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and snoring.
Innovation Solution
The JawBridge device is designed as a cradle for the jaw, maintaining a neutral position during sleep by anatomically positioning behind the neck, avoiding vital structures, with a gear mechanism to adjust the support arms and a cushioned surface for comfort, ensuring no nerve or vascular contact, thus preventing soft tissue collapse and facilitating mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CPAP machine is used to treat OSA, then positive pressure is applied to keep airway open, but the device is invasive and has poor compliance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical CPAP system (requiring motor, bellows, pressure regulation) with a simple passive mechanical lever system using a spring-loaded arm and fulcrum. The spring provides continuous outward pressure on the mandible to maintain airway patency without requiring power sources or complex control systems, thereby improving compliance while maintaining airway openness.
2Reliability
If CPAP machine is used to treat OSA, then airway is kept open through positive pressure, but the device is cumbersome and invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary complex components of CPAP machines (motor, bellows, pressure regulators, masks) and retains only the essential function of applying outward pressure to the mandible. The simplified device uses a spring-loaded arm mechanism that directly applies mechanical force to the jaw, removing all auxiliary systems and reducing the device to its core airway-maintaining function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (springs, arms, fulcrums) that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. The device uses off-the-shelf mechanical elements rather than complex engineered systems, making the overall device less costly and structurally simpler while achieving the same therapeutic effect of maintaining airway patency.
3Ease of operation
If jaw position is not maintained during sleep, then soft tissue collapses on airway, but natural sleep position causes jaw to fall back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by positioning the spring-loaded arm to exert outward pressure on the mandible before the patient's natural sleep position would cause the jaw to fall back. The device is adjusted in advance to compensate for the expected gravitational pull on the jaw during supine sleeping, proactively maintaining airway patency rather than reacting to airway collapse.
Data Source
AI summary
This device is a mechanical therapeutic intervention to support the customer's head at rest, thereby preventing airway obstruction. This treats the disease process of OSA, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our world. The technical components of this device include the importance of structural stability in maintaining the position once in place, mobility of the head, no impingement and compromise to the vital structures of the anterior neck, as well as structural strength when the weight of the head is applied. The concept, and overall design structure to avoid at-risk anatomic structures and promote wearability, is unique in design.