Segmented Oral Appliance for Precise Mandibular Advancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing oral appliances for treating snoring and sleep apnea are expensive, complex, difficult to adjust, bulky, and do not fit comfortably, leading to inadequate or excessive mandibular advancement, which can result in discomfort and reduced effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An oral appliance system comprising an upper tray adaptable to the maxillary dentition and multiple lower trays, each providing a different fixed amount of mandibular advancement, made from moldable materials with support members that allow for precise fitting and alignment, enabling selection of the appropriate advancement level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are incorporated into oral appliances to enable customization of mandibular advancement, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance is divided into separate upper and lower trays that can be independently fitted to the user's dentition. Each tray is a self-contained unit with standardized engagement features, allowing themandibular advancement distance to be adjusted by selecting different lower tray configurations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms within a single integrated appliance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment mechanisms are incorporated into oral appliances to enable customization of mandibular advancement, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The appliance system separates the adjustment function into discrete lower tray components with fixed advancement distances, eliminating the need for users to operate complex adjustment mechanisms. The trays are designed to be easily fitted by dental professionals and exchanged if needed, while users simply snap the trays into place without requiring technical knowledge.
3Ease of manufacture
If moldable materials are used in oral appliances for customization, then ease of manufacture is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the appliance into modular upper and lower trays that can be manufactured using moldable materials for customization. Each tray segment incorporates precision-engineered engagement features and standardized geometries that ensure accurate mandibular advancement when the trays are assembled together, combining the benefits of custom fitting with precise manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical state of moldable materials (from pliable to rigid) during the manufacturing process. The materials are molded in a soft state to conform to individual dentition, then hardened to maintain precise dimensional relationships and engagement features, ensuring both customization and manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
An oral appliance is provided for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. The oral appliance includes an upper tray adaptable to conform to a user's maxillary dentition and a plurality of lower trays, each of the lower trays adaptable to conform to the user's mandibular dentition. At least some of the lower trays are structured to engage the upper tray, each of the lower trays are structured to impart a different fixed amount of mandibular advancement.