Mandibular Advancement Device with Segmented Driving Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mandibular advancement devices for treating obstructive sleep apnea are uncomfortable due to constant wear, cause pain and altered bite, and are cumbersome, especially when used with CPAP therapy, as they require continuous operation without sensing the need for advancement.
Innovation Solution
A mandibular advancement device that automatically operates only when obstructive sleep apnea is sensed, featuring a driving unit with an intraoral device and a main body separated to reduce weight and discomfort, using compressed air for movement and sensors to determine the need for advancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mandibular advancement device operates continuously to treat obstructive sleep apnea, then the therapeutic effectiveness is improved, but the user comfort deteriorates due to constant wear causing pain and salivation
Solution Approach 1:
The device operates periodically rather than continuously by using sensors to detect apnea events and activating the mandibular advancement mechanism only when needed. The control unit receives sensor signals indicating apnea conditions and triggers the driving unit to advance the mandible accordingly, allowing the device to remain inactive during normal breathing and activate only during apnea episodes, thus maintaining effectiveness while reducing discomfort
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates sensors that continuously monitor breathing conditions and provide feedback to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback information and adjusts the mandibular advancement state accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that responds dynamically to the user's actual breathing needs rather than maintaining a fixed continuous operation mode
2Device complexity
If the mandibular advancement device is designed as a single integrated unit, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple separable components including the intraoral device portion and the external control unit, connected through a detachable connection unit. This segmentation allows the intraoral components to be easily removed and cleaned separately from the external electronics, combining structural simplicity with ease of cleaning by enabling modular disassembly for hygiene maintenance
3Shape
If the driving unit and main body are integrated together, then the device compactness is improved, but the weight increases causing more discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the driving unit (containing motor and mechanism) from the main body (containing battery and control electronics) through a detachable connection unit. This allows the intraoral portion to be lighter and more comfortable to wear, while the heavier external components can be removed or adjusted as needed, maintaining compactness when connected but reducing weight burden during actual use
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 reduces user discomfort by operating only when necessary, minimizing pain and salivation, and is designed to maintain effectiveness even when the mouth is open during sleep, with a separated intraoral device for easier cleaning and reduced weight.
Implementation Method 1
the driving force may be compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a mandibular advancement device including: a driving unit including an intraoral device; a main body configured to generate a driving force for driving the driving unit; and a connection unit configured to connect the driving unit and the main body to transmit the driving force generated by the main body to the driving unit, wherein the driving unit includes a driving case having an empty space therein, a coupling unit having fixed thereto the intraoral device and coupled to a front of the driving case, and a rear cover coupled to a rear of the driving case and accommodating a piston therein, the intraoral device includes a first frame and a second frame located to overlap each other, a first seating portion covering a portion of the first frame located in an oral cavity of a user, a second seating portion covering a portion of the second frame located in the oral cavity of the user, and a fixing unit coupled to the first frame and the second frame, the first frame is coupled to the fixing unit to be relative movable with respect to the second frame, the second frame is fixed to the fixing unit, and the fixing unit is fixed to the coupling unit.