Mandible-Straiding Tissue Anchor for Tongue Suspension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tongue suspension devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea often damage dental anatomy and nerve structures due to mechanical fixation to the mandible, and alternative soft tissue anchors can result in improper angle of suspension, leading to ineffective prevention of tongue collapse during sleep.
Innovation Solution
A tissue supporting device with a plate-like anchor element and side walls that straddle the mandible without mechanical fixation, using a soft tissue supporting element like a looped filamentary element to suspend the tongue, allowing for adjustable positioning and resistance to tongue movement without damaging bony structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical fixation to the mandible is used, then the device provides stable suspension and effective prevention of tongue collapse, but it damages dental anatomy and nerve structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plate-like anchor element as an intermediary structure that straddles the mandible without direct mechanical fixation. This anchor element distributes forces across multiple surfaces of the mandible, preventing concentrated stress that would damage dental anatomy and nerve structures while maintaining stable tongue suspension through the soft tissue supporting element
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible soft tissue supporting element in the form of a looped filamentary structure that adapts to tissue movement while maintaining suspension. This flexible approach allows the device to maintain reliability without rigid mechanical fixation to the mandible, thereby avoiding damage to bony structures and nerves
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft tissue anchors are used instead of mechanical fixation, then damage to mandible and nerves is avoided, but the angle of suspension becomes improper reducing treatment efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like anchor element features an asymmetric geometry with a longer rear edge than front edge, and side walls positioned at specific distances that create the proper suspension angle. This asymmetric design ensures the soft tissue supporting element is suspended at the correct anatomical angle to effectively prevent tongue collapse during sleep, while the anchor straddles the mandible without mechanical fixation to avoid damage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the anchor element straddles the mandible without fixation, then damage to bony structures is avoided, but the device complexity increases due to adjustable positioning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The plate-like anchor element is pre-configured with side walls at predetermined positions and specific geometries that automatically achieve proper suspension angles when straddling the mandible. This preliminary design eliminates the need for complex adjustable positioning mechanisms during implantation, reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to avoid damage to bony structures through non-fixation straddling
Data Source
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AI summary
A tissue supporting device is provided and method of use. The device includes an anchor element having a plate-like element and first and second side walls extending upwardly therefrom. The plate-like element is defined by front and rear edges, and first and second side edges, with the rear edge being longer than the front edge. The first and second side walls are aligned substantially along at least a portion of the first and second side edges of the plate-like element such that a distance between the first and second side walls at a front side is less than a distance between the first and second side walls at a rear side. The device also includes a soft tissue supporting element adapted for engaging and supporting soft tissue. The soft tissue supporting element is coupled to the plate-like element and extends outwardly from the anchor element.