Mandibular Advancement Splint with Elastic Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mandibular advancement devices for snoring and sleep apnea are often expensive, bulky, uncomfortable, and difficult to use, requiring specialized fitting and adjustment, with limited effectiveness and discomfort during jaw movement.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, lightweight mandibular advancement splint with arcuate dentition engagement units and elongated elastic elements that apply a user-configurable urging force to achieve anterior displacement of the mandible, designed to be easy to use, clean, and tolerate during wakefulness while effective during sleep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mandibular advancement devices are used, then mandibular advancement is achieved, but the device becomes expensive, bulky, and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate arcuate units: a maxillary unit and a mandibular unit. Each unit independently engages with the corresponding dentition, allowing simplified individual component design while achieving the overall mandibular advancement function when used together.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic element acts as an intermediary between the maxillary and mandibular units, providing the urging force that advances the mandible anteriorly. This elastic mediator eliminates the need for complex mechanical linkages or rigid connections between the two units.
2Reliability
If traditional mandibular advancement devices are used, then mandibular advancement is achieved, but the device requires specialized fitting and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The device utilizes the patient's own dentition as the fitting reference. The arcuate units are designed to engage with the natural tooth arches, which automatically provide the correct anatomical fit without requiring specialized dental procedures or adjustments by professionals.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves multiple functions: it provides the urging force for mandibular advancement, allows for adjustable positioning, and accommodates variations in patient anatomy. This single component handles what would otherwise require complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Reliability
If traditional mandibular advancement devices are used, then mandibular advancement is achieved, but discomfort occurs during jaw movement
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic element provides a dynamic, flexible connection between the maxillary and mandibular units, allowing natural jaw movement while maintaining the advancement position. This flexibility reduces discomfort compared to rigid mechanical linkages.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element acts as a flexible connector that accommodates jaw movement variations without creating rigid constraints. This flexibility allows the device to adapt to natural physiological movements while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
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 sustained, unobtrusive force for effective mandibular advancement, alleviating snoring and sleep apnea symptoms with ease of use and comfort, eliminating the need for specialized fitting and minimizing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element configured to operatively exert a user-configurable urging force between the dentition engagement units so that the mandibular dentition engagement unit is urged anteriorly
Data Source
AI summary
A mandibular advancement splint)MAS) including dentition engagement units, each having a face for operatively abutting a complementary face of the other, and an opposed dentition engagement face which is adapted to positively engage the maxillary or mandibular dentition. A plane of abutment of the faces is approximately normal to the sagittal plane to facilitate sliding displacement of one engagement unit relative to the other. The MAS further includes at least one elastic element configured to operatively exert a user-configurable urging force between said dentition engagement units, so that the mandibular dentition is biased forward and along said abutment plane relative to the maxillary dentition when the splint is in use.