Sleep-Stage Adaptive Chinstrap Force Control for Mouth Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods to prevent mouth opening during sleep for sleep apnea patients, such as using chin straps or medical tape, are uncomfortable and can cause claustrophobia, and full-face masks are unattractive due to mask leaks and inconvenience.
Innovation Solution
An interface system that engages the lower jaw with a strap and adjusts force based on sleep stages using sensors and a processor to control mouth opening, minimizing discomfort and air leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed chin strap or medical tape is used to keep the mouth closed during sleep, then mouth opening is prevented and air leakage is reduced, but comfort is compromised and claustrophobia is induced
Solution Approach 1:
The chin strap system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable system. The strap can be selectively positioned at different locations on the lower jaw and adjusted to apply varying degrees of force, allowing the system to adapt to different sleep stages and user needs rather than maintaining constant pressure throughout the night.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of strap tension force dynamically during sleep. By adjusting the position and tension of the chin strap based on detected sleep stages, the system optimizes mouth closure effectiveness while minimizing discomfort and claustrophobic feelings that occur with constant tight restraint.
2Reliability
If a full-face mask is used to cover the nose and mouth, then mouth opening is prevented and air leakage is reduced, but user acceptance decreases due to mask leaks, inconvenience, and claustrophobia
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the mouth closure function from the full-face mask configuration. Instead of requiring a complete full-face mask coverage, the system isolates the chin strap mechanism as a separate, optional component that provides mouth closure functionality without the drawbacks of full-face mask coverage, allowing users to maintain nasal breathing therapy while preventing mouth opening.
3Reliability
If conventional fixed chin straps are used to prevent mouth opening, then air leakage is reduced, but the system lacks adaptability to different sleep stages and respiratory needs
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that detect sleep stages and respiratory parameters, providing feedback to a control mechanism. This feedback enables the chin strap system to automatically adjust its activation and tension levels based on real-time physiological data, optimizing mouth closure during deep sleep when mouth opening is most likely while reducing restraint during lighter sleep stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The chin strap system transitions from a static fixed configuration to a dynamic adjustable system. The strap can be selectively positioned at different locations on the lower jaw and adjusted to apply varying degrees of force, allowing the system to adapt to different sleep stages and user needs rather than maintaining constant pressure throughout the night.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface system for a user is provided that includes an interface unit configured to engage and selectively apply a force on a lower jaw of the user. An actuating unit is configured to actuate the interface unit in order to selectively apply and adjust the force on the lower jaw. One or more sensors are configured to generate output signals conveying information related to sleep stages of the user during a sleep session. The interface system further includes a processor configured to receive the output signals from the one or more sensors and determine a current sleep stage of the user. The processor controls the actuating unit based on the current sleep stage to adjust the force applied by the interface unit on the lower jaw.