Mandibular Advancement Device With Interchangeable Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mandibular advancement devices are bulky, uncomfortable, require cumbersome adjustments, prone to fracture, and disrupt sleep due to mechanical adjustment mechanisms, and do not effectively improve airflow for athletes.

Innovation Solution

A mandibular advancement kit with interchangeable first and second members and an engagement arrangement that allows for comfortable, incremental adjustments and maintains the lower jaw in a protruding position relative to the upper jaw, using articulation restriction means to prevent involuntary jaw opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mandibular advancement devices hold the jaw permanently and rigidly in place, then the pharynx narrowing is minimized, but user comfort deteriorates due to bulking and restrictiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepharynx narrowing minimizationVSAvoiduser comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a rigid, permanent jaw hold to a dynamic system with interchangeable members that allow adjustable positioning. The lower jaw can be advanced in predetermined increments through member replacement, enabling optimization between pharynx stabilization and user comfort preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mandibular advancement device is divided into multiple interchangeable first members and second members that can be selectively combined. This segmentation allows users to adjust the degree of jaw advancement by replacing members, balancing therapeutic effectiveness with comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional devices require removal, adjustment and reinsertion, then positional adjustment is achieved, but sleep disruption increases due to cumbersome mechanical adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional adjustmentVSAvoidsleep disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pre-configured members with different advancement positions are prepared in advance. Users simply replace members to achieve desired positioning without mechanical adjustment mechanisms, eliminating sleep disruption from adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms (screws, straps, removal/reinsertion) are replaced with a simple member replacement system. The positional adjustment is achieved through interchangeable components rather than mechanical manipulation during sleep.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If hardware components such as expansion screws are used for jaw adjustment, then positional control is achieved, but device reliability deteriorates due to fracture risk at attachment areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional controlVSAvoiddevice fracture resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hardware components (expansion screws, straps, and their attachment mechanisms) are completely removed from the device design. Positional control is achieved through the selection and combination of interchangeable members rather than mechanical fastening systems that create fracture risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using fragile hardware components, the invention uses replicated structural members (first members and second members) that can be interchangeably combined. This copying approach eliminates the need for attachment points that are prone to fracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If conventional mouthguards maintain natural biting position, then user comfort is maximized, but airflow efficiency deteriorates due to pharynx narrowing during sports

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser comfortVSAvoidairflow efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mouthguard system allows dynamic adjustment of jaw position through member replacement to optimize airflow during sports activities, while maintaining comfort through customizable positioning options that adapt to user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The device enables changes in jaw position parameters (degree of advancement) by replacing members with different configurations. This allows optimization of airflow parameters while maintaining comfortable positioning for the user during athletic activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12357500B2Mandibular advancement kit and device

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 GREYSTONE IP LTD

AI summary

A mandibular advance advancement device generally indicated by the numeral 1. The mandibular advancement device 1 having a first member 2 and a second member 3. The first member 2 is configured to fit substantially over a portion of the teeth of the upper jaw of a user and the second member 3 is configured to fit substantially over a portion of the teeth of the lower jaw of the user. The mandibular advancement device 1 further has an engagement arrangement 4, configured to be engagable upon a forward manipulation of the lower jaw by the user, to maintain the lower jaw of the user in a predetermined protruding position relative to the upper jaw of the user and the natural biting position of the lower jaw.