Mandibular Advancement Device with Interlocking Hinge
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement devices for snoring and sleep apnea require custom fitting, are costly, time-consuming, and often restrict natural jaw movement, leading to discomfort and inefficiency in maintaining airflow.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece mandibular advancement device made from flexible thermoplastic elastomer with a hinging mechanism featuring interlocking ridges and airflow posts, allowing for adjustable mandibular advancement without the need for custom fitting, enabling comfortable and natural jaw movement while maintaining airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If custom molding is required to shape the device to a user's teeth or mouth, then the device fit and comfort are improved, but the device becomes expensive and time-consuming to manufacture and fit
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate trays (upper and lower) that can be independently molded and then assembled together. This segmentation allows each tray to be mass-produced using standard molds without requiring custom fitting, while still achieving good fit and comfort when assembled. The trays connect via a hinge mechanism that allows for adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable parameters through the hinge mechanism and positioning features that allow the mandibular advancement distance to be modified. This enables a single device design to accommodate different users and different therapeutic requirements without requiring custom molding for each case.
2Reliability
If the device forces the jaw in a fixed position, then mandibular advancement is maintained, but natural jaw movement is restricted causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge connection between the upper and lower trays is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing the jaw to open and close naturally while maintaining the mandibular advancement position. The hinge provides rotational freedom while preserving the forward positioning of the mandible.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism acts as an intermediary between the upper and lower trays, providing a controlled connection that allows natural jaw movement while maintaining the therapeutic advancement position. It mediates between the need for fixed advancement and the need for natural movement.
3Ease of operation
If the device allows complete jaw closure, then natural mouth function is maintained, but airflow through the mouth is restricted reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Airflow posts positioned between the upper and lower trays act as intermediaries that prevent complete closure while allowing near-natural jaw movement. These posts maintain a small gap that ensures continuous airflow through the mouth while permitting the jaw to function naturally.
Solution Approach 2:
The trays are constructed from flexible thermoplastic elastomer material that can deform elastically under jaw closure forces. This flexibility allows the trays to accommodate natural jaw movement while the rigid airflow posts maintain the necessary gap for airflow, combining soft compliance with hard airflow restriction.
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 provides durable, easy-to-use mandibular advancement that can be used straight out of the package, reducing snoring and sleep apnea by maintaining airflow and protecting oral tissues during sleep and surgical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A one-piece mandibular advancement device is molded from a flexible thermoplastic elastomer
Implementation Method 2
with a hinging mechanism featuring interlocking ridges and airflow posts, allowing for adjustable mandibular advancement
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is an oral appliance for prevention of sleeping problems including snoring, sleep apnea and bruxism, and may also be used to protect the teeth and gums from surgical instruments during surgery. Specifically, the appliance alters the position of the user's mandible, which is known as a method for reducing the restriction of the flow of air through the pharyngeal passageway. The appliance is a one-piece device molded from a flexible polymer. It includes an upper maxillary tray and a lower mandibulary tray. Both upper and lower trays include inner and outer walls which increase contact area with the teeth. The hinge mechanism of the device includes a positive positioning system comprised of opposed interlocking ridges. The ridges serve to create offset between the position of the upper tray and lower tray relative to each other, therefore advancing the user's mandible.