Mandibular Advancement Support Baffle for Stable Moldable Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customized mandibular advancement devices are expensive and time-consuming, while moldable devices suffer from poor comfort and reliability due to lack of support structures, leading to deformation and detachment issues.
Innovation Solution
A mandibular advancement device with a support baffle that includes an angled design to counteract mandibular forces, ensuring stable attachment and comfort by using flexible thermoplastic components that mold to fit dental arches, with a support baffle positioned near the tongue side to prevent detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a moldable mandibular advancement device is used, then the cost and time for manufacturing are reduced, but the device suffers from deformation and detachment due to lack of support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into distinct functional components: a rigid frame structure and a separate moldable component. The frame provides structural support and prevents deformation, while the moldable component maintains customization capability. This segmentation allows the device to be manufactured quickly without sacrificing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device combines rigid materials (for the frame structure) with moldable materials (for the adaptive component). This composite approach integrates the advantages of both material types: the rigid frame ensures structural integrity and prevents detachment, while the moldable material provides patient-specific fit and comfort.
2Ease of operation
If a customized mandibular advancement device is manufactured, then the fit and comfort are improved, but the cost and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The frame structure is pre-manufactured with standardized dimensions and support features before patient use. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be quickly adapted to individual patients without requiring complete customization, thereby reducing manufacturing time while maintaining comfort through the moldable component that can be easily shaped.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lower moldable component is made flexible, then the comfort and adaptability are improved, but the component becomes prone to detachment under mandibular forces
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame structure acts as a counterbalancing element that opposes the forces applied to the flexible moldable component. The frame provides structural reinforcement that counteracts the tendency of the flexible component to detach under mandibular forces, allowing the component to remain flexible for comfort while preventing detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the device have different mechanical properties: the frame structure is rigid to provide structural support and prevent detachment, while the component contacting the dental arch is moldable and flexible to ensure adaptability and comfort. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes both adaptability and strength.
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
Enhances patient compliance and therapeutic effectiveness by providing a stable, durable, and comfortable solution that prevents deformation and detachment, addressing the limitations of existing moldable devices.
Implementation Method 1
The upper moldable component and the lower moldable component include a flexible thermoplastic material
Data Source
AI summary
A mandibular advancement device, specifically a device configured to enhance longevity, therapeutic effectiveness, and user comfort. The mandibular advancement device consists of an upper tray assembly and a lower tray assembly. The upper tray assembly includes an upper moldable component and an upper frame, while the lower tray assembly comprises a lower moldable component and a lower frame. The mandibular advancement device includes a support baffle on the lower frame, which is configured to be positioned near the tongue side of the lower frame during use. Various parameters of the support baffle are defined to achieve a mandibular advancement device that is more suitable for patients compared to existing devices on the market.