Oral Fixation Device With Non-Uniform Arch Board For Apnea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oral fixation devices are inadequate in effectively fixing the teeth, tongue, and other oral organs, leading to respiratory tract obstruction and discomfort during sleep, particularly for individuals with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).
Innovation Solution
The oral fixation device combines a U-shaped brace and an arch board with non-uniform thickness, where the arch board fills the space between the tongue and the maxillary, stabilizing the tongue and maintaining an open respiratory tract by adjusting the bite channels' distances and thickness to accommodate individual variations, ensuring the tongue is firmly fixed and the airway remains open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the arch board is made thicker to firmly fix the tongue, then the tongue fixation reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The arch board employs non-uniform thickness distribution, being thicker at the central part that contacts the tongue and thinner at the connecting parts to the U-shaped brace. This local quality variation ensures firm tongue fixation where needed while reducing overall material usage and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the maximum thickness of the arch board is larger than 2mm, creating a critical parameter threshold that ensures adequate tongue support while maintaining manageable device complexity for manufacturing and clinical application.
2Reliability
If the U-shaped lower bite channel is positioned farther from the inner wall to advance the mandible forward, then the respiratory tract openness is improved, but the bite stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The U-shaped upper and lower bite channels are positioned asymmetrically relative to the inner wall, with the lower channel farther away than the upper channel. This asymmetric arrangement advances the mandible forward to open the respiratory tract while maintaining balanced bite stability through the U-shaped brace structure.
3Ease of operation
If the arch board is made thinner to improve comfort during extended use, then the ease of operation is improved, but the tongue fixation reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The arch board features non-uniform thickness with the central part being thicker than the connecting parts. This local quality variation provides firm tongue fixation at the contact area while keeping the overall structure thinner and more comfortable for extended wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes that the maximum thickness exceeds 2mm at the central contact area to ensure adequate tongue support, while allowing thinner connecting parts to maintain comfort during extended use.
Data Source
AI summary
An oral fixation device and an oral fixing method using the same are provided. The oral fixation device (100) includes a U-shaped brace (110) and an arch board (120). The arch board is connected to an inner wall of the U-shaped brace, wherein the central part of the arch board is thicker than the connecting part, and the maximum thickness of the arch board is larger than 2 mm.