Removable Oral Device with Variable Hardness Palatal Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight management methods fail to provide long-term weight loss or health benefits, and there is a need for a technology that can effectively reduce food intake volume to aid in weight control.
Innovation Solution
The development of removable oral devices that can be inserted into the mouth to decrease the overall oral volume, featuring a palatal element with variable hardness and a clasping element to assist in insertion and removal, which can include sensors and other components for monitoring and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a removable oral device is inserted to reduce oral volume, then food intake volume is limited, but device comfort and ease of use deteriorates due to restricted mouth space
Solution Approach 1:
The palatal element incorporates zones of different hardness: a harder central region for structural support and volume reduction, and softer peripheral regions for comfort and adaptability. This local variation in material properties allows the device to maintain its volume-limiting function while improving user comfort and ease of use.
2Quantity of substance
If palatal element thickness is increased to reduce oral volume, then food intake is limited, but device adaptability to different users deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The palatal element is designed with dynamic material properties, using thermally responsive hydrogels that change their physical state based on temperature. The material transitions from a more rigid state at lower temperatures to a more compliant state at body temperature, allowing the same device thickness to adapt to different users while maintaining consistent volume reduction effects.
3Ease of operation
If variable hardness is used across the palatal element, then comfort is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The palatal element utilizes composite material structures combining hydrogels with varying degrees of crosslinking or different hydrogel formulations in specific zones. This allows the central and peripheral regions to have different hardness characteristics while maintaining overall structural integrity and functional consistency, thereby achieving comfort without excessive manufacturing complexity.
4Volume of stationary object
If thermally expandable material is used, then oral volume reduction is enhanced at body temperature, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thermally responsive hydrogels that undergo parameter changes in response to temperature variations. The material's physical properties (such as volume, stiffness, or shape) automatically adjust based on the thermal environment, enabling enhanced oral volume reduction at body temperature without requiring complex mechanical or electronic control systems.
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
These devices reduce food intake volume by limiting the amount of food that can be consumed in a single bite, promoting mindful eating and potentially leading to weight loss and improved health outcomes by reducing overall calorie intake.
Implementation Method 1
the palatal element comprises a body comprising a thickness configured to lower a vaulted area of the roof of the mouth to decrease an overall oral volume of the mouth
Implementation Method 2
the palatal element comprises a temperature sensitive thermally expandable material configured to increase its overall volume at a body temperature of the user
Data Source
AI summary
Certain configurations of removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral device includes a palatal element. In certain configurations, the palatal element may comprise a variable hardness at different areas, e.g., edges can be softer than other areas of the removable oral device. In other instances, the removable oral device may comprise two or more individual palatal elements which together can form the palatal element and permit user adjustment of the oral volume. Various materials used in the palatal element are described. Sensors and other on-board devices are also described.