Sleep Strip With Permeable Mesh For Mouth Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for sleep apnea and related disorders, such as CPAP machines and mandibular advancement devices, often fail to maintain the mouth in a closed position, leading to oral respiratory breathing patterns and reduced effectiveness in preventing airway collapse during sleep.
Innovation Solution
A sleep strip with a hypoallergenic adhesive and permeable mesh layer is designed to securely hold the mouth closed, allowing nasal breathing by creating a semi-secure seal over the mouth and providing an alternate channel for oral respiration if nasal passages become blocked, when used in conjunction with CPAP machines or mandibular advancement devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CPAP machines or mandibular advancement devices are used alone, then airway pressure is maintained or jaw position is advanced, but the mouth remains open allowing oral respiratory breathing patterns and air leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a sleep strip device with CPAP or mandibular advancement devices to create an integrated system. The sleep strip covers the mouth and lips to maintain closure, while the CPAP or MAD device provides airway pressure or jaw advancement, respectively. This merging of devices addresses the limitation of mouth opening by adding a complementary function rather than relying on a single device to perform all functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleep strip acts as an intermediary component between the user's natural anatomy and the CPAP/MAD device. It mediates the breathing process by forcing nasal respiration while allowing the CPAP or MAD device to maintain airway pressure or jaw position. The sleep strip translates the treatment goal into physical mouth closure, enabling the other device to work more effectively.
2Reliability
If the mouth is kept closed to prevent oral breathing, then nasal respiration is promoted, but airway collapse may occur if nasal passages are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep strip is applied before sleep to pre-establish mouth closure and force nasal respiration. By maintaining the mouth closed throughout the sleep period, it ensures nasal passages remain the primary breathing route. This preliminary and continuous action prevents the harmful alternation between oral and nasal breathing that could lead to airway collapse.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleep strip provides a protective barrier that cushions against the risk of airway collapse by maintaining consistent nasal breathing. By forcing nasal respiration throughout sleep, it prevents the sudden transition to oral breathing that could cause airway obstruction, thereby cushioning against this harmful effect before it can occur.
3Reliability
If a sleep strip is used to cover the mouth, then oral breathing is prevented, but an alternate breathing channel is needed if nasal passages are blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The sleep strip is designed with a specific local quality - a perforated or porous structure in the region corresponding to the mouth opening. This allows the strip to maintain overall mouth closure for nasal breathing while providing a localized alternate channel for oral respiration if nasal passages become blocked. The local modification preserves the primary function while adding contingency capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleep strip incorporates porous or perforated material in the mouth coverage region, allowing air to pass through the strip itself or through a controlled opening. This porous structure provides an alternate breathing channel while maintaining the strip's overall mouth-closing function, thus adapting to blocked nasal passages without compromising the primary nasal respiration goal.
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 sleep strip significantly reduces the incidence of sleep apnea and snoring by maintaining stable nasal breathing patterns, enhancing the effectiveness of existing treatments by preventing airway collapse and promoting nasal respiration.
Implementation Method 1
The sleep strip includes a hypoallergenic adhesive affixed to a paper-thin, perforated silicone or cloth (e.g., polyester) mesh layer such that the sleep strip is securely and temporarily affixed to the face of a user or patient
Implementation Method 2
a permeable mesh layer, which includes a mesh disposed over the first layer such that the permeable mesh layer covers at least a portion of a surface of the first layer
Implementation Method 3
The sleep strip includes a hypoallergenic adhesive affixed to a paper-thin, perforated silicone or cloth (e.g., polyester) mesh layer
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for treating sleep-disordered breathing in a patient includes prior to sleeping, placing a sleep strip on a face of the patient, the sleep strip being configured to maintain lips and/or a jaw of the patient in a closed posture, and the sleep strip including a first layer comprising an adhesive configured to attach the sleep strip to the face of a patient, the first layer having an opening extending therethrough, the opening being located above the lips of the patient, and a mesh layer covering at least the opening of the first layer, the mesh layer being configured to allow air to flow therethrough; and disposing a device configured to facilitate stable breathing patterns on a face or in a mouth of the patient.