Customized Oral Electrode Training for Precise Sleep Apnea Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating sleep apnea, such as mandibular advancement devices, CPAP therapy, and surgical treatments, are cumbersome, costly, or pose health risks, while existing non-sleep period training devices lack precision in electrical stimulation, particularly for tongue root blockage, leading to suboptimal results.
Innovation Solution
An in vitro training method using customizable electrode sheets on an articulator to precisely stimulate infrahyoid muscles during waking hours, with adjustable electrical stimulation, and a device that allows for timely replacement based on oral cavity model comparisons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single-specification articulator is used for electrical stimulation training, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the precision of electrical stimulation on the tongue root and infrahyoid muscles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The articulator is divided into multiple replaceable electrode sheets, each designed for specific muscle groups (tongue root, infrahyoid muscles, etc.). This segmentation allows precise electrical stimulation of different anatomical regions while keeping the base articulator structure simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulator base is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different electrode sheets through standardized interfaces. This multi-functionality enables the same articulator to provide precise stimulation for various muscle groups by simply changing the electrode sheets, rather than manufacturing multiple specialized articulators.
2Reliability
If conventional treatment devices (CPAP, surgical implants) are used during sleep period, then sleep apnea symptoms can be treated, but the devices are bulky, expensive, or pose infection risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical CPAP systems with a lightweight articulator-based electrical stimulation device. Instead of using continuous positive airway pressure mechanics, the system uses electrical stimulation to activate infrahyoid muscles, achieving airway patency through muscle activation rather than mechanical pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The device enables patients to perform self-training during waking hours without requiring medical professionals or complex equipment. The articulator with electrode sheets allows patients to independently conduct electrical stimulation exercises, eliminating the need for expensive hospital-based treatments and reducing infection risks associated with surgical implants.
3Manufacturing precision
If electrical stimulation device is implanted surgically, then precise stimulation can be achieved, but the operation involves infection risks and requires device removal and re-implantation when malfunctioning
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode sheets are designed as disposable or easily replaceable components rather than permanent implants. When malfunctioning or depleted, the electrode sheets can be simply replaced without surgical intervention, eliminating the need for device removal and re-implantation while maintaining precise stimulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stimulatory electrode components are extracted from the body as removable external attachments rather than being permanently implanted. This allows the electrical stimulation system to maintain surgical-level precision while enabling easy removal and replacement without invasive procedures.
4Reliability
If Mandibular advancement device is used, then mild and moderate sleep apnea can be treated, but patients experience foreign body sensation and difficulty sleeping
Solution Approach 1:
The articulator with electrode sheets serves as an intermediary training device that strengthens infrahyoid muscles to naturally maintain airway patency, rather than mechanically forcing the jaw forward like mandibular advancement devices. This muscular strengthening approach eliminates the foreign body sensation while achieving similar therapeutic effects for mild and moderate sleep apnea.
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 method and device provide precise muscle training, reduce sleep disruption, minimize health risks, and lower costs, ensuring effective long-term improvement in sleep apnea symptoms by maintaining muscle tension and airway integrity.
Implementation Method 1
electrical stimulation of the infrahyoid muscles, thereby restoring the muscle tension through training
Data Source
AI summary
An in vitro training method includes scanning a user's oral cavity to create a first oral cavity model. An articulator body is selected according to the first oral cavity model, and plural first customized electrode sheets are formed and assembled onto the articulator body to obtain an in vitro training device. The user bites the in vitro training device during a non-sleep period and uses the plural first customized electrode sheets to proceed with electrical stimulation on a top surface and two sides of a tongue of the user, thereby training a muscular endurance of infrahyoid muscles of the user for a training period. The user's oral cavity is scanned again to create a second oral cavity model. The first oral cavity model is compared with the second oral cavity model to timely renew the customized electrode sheets when the image over rate is lower than 80%.