Mandibular Advancement Appliance With Inclined Surfaces and Adjustable Thrust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement devices for treating snoring and apnea require artisanal customization, limiting large-scale production and are uncomfortable due to continuous skin contact.
Innovation Solution
A mandibular advancement device with a mechanically resistant core and a softer cover, featuring standardized engagement elements with opposing inclined surfaces, allowing for large-scale production and customizable fitting to dental arches, with adjustable thrust via orthodontic screws.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mandibular advancement devices are customized for each user, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but production complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into modular components: standardized engagement elements with inclined planes and customizable support structures adapted to individual dental arches. This segmentation allows standardized parts to be mass-produced while only the support structures require customization, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and production complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows modification of specific parameters (shape and dimensions of support structures) while keeping core functional elements standardized. This selective parameter change enables customization where needed while maintaining standardization for mass production, improving both treatment effectiveness and manufacturing efficiency
2Ease of operation
If adhesive plasters are used to keep mouth closed, then nasal breathing is improved, but user comfort deteriorates due to skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mandibular advancement function from adhesive-based solutions and implements it through a dental appliance that uses the teeth and dental arches as the retention mechanism. This eliminates the need for adhesive plasters contacting the skin, removing the source of discomfort while maintaining the ability to promote nasal breathing through proper jaw positioning
3Reliability
If shaped pillows with belts are used to prevent supine position, then snoring is reduced, but device encumbrance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mandibular advancement function from external body-worn devices like pillows and belts, and implements it directly through a dental appliance. This eliminates the encumbrance of external devices while maintaining snoring reduction effectiveness through proper jaw positioning that prevents airway collapse
Solution Approach 2:
The dental arches and teeth serve as an intermediary structure to achieve mandibular advancement, replacing the need for external mechanical devices like pillows and belts. This intermediary approach provides a more compact and comfortable solution while achieving the same therapeutic effect
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
Enables effective jaw positioning with reduced invasiveness, facilitating mass production and easy replacement of parts, while ensuring comfortable and precise jaw alignment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the engagement elements consists of a mechanically resistant core, i.e. made of a metal of the type used for making orthodontic for expansion screws, and a cover or shell of a softer material, for example plastic material
Implementation Method 2
said engagement elements being provided with respective opposing and suitably inclined engagement surfaces which, when the device is in a use configuration, are in contact with each other and prevent the reciprocal displacement along the anteroposterior direction
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the mandibular advancement, a process for making an appliance for the mandibular advancement and the appliance realized. The device includes a first engagement element associable with the lower dental arch or mandible and a second engagement element associable with the upper dental arch or maxilla. The engagement elements are provided with a first inclined engagement surface and a second inclined engagement surface for determining said mandibular advancement. The first engagement element includes a core covered by a covering body provided with a pocket adapted to the housing of the core, the second engagement element includes an orthodontic screw adapted to determine the displacement of the second inclined plane, the core having an inclined portion destined to define, in cooperation with the respective covering, the first inclined engagement surface.