Tongue-Retained Sleep Apnea Device with Vacuum Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing snoring and sleep apnea prevention devices often suffer from inadequate fit and comfort issues, particularly for users with longer tongues, leading to ineffective prevention of snoring and airway obstruction.
Innovation Solution
A sleep apnea control device featuring a tongue attachment subassembly with a sheath conforming to the tongue and a maxilla attachment subassembly that interlocks with the sheath, using a combination of pliant and rigid materials, along with an air extraction system to secure the tongue in place, ensuring a comfortable and effective fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size tongue-retained holder is used, then the device structure is simple, but the fit is inadequate for users with different tongue sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-retained holder is designed with a flexible, expandable structure that can dynamically adapt to different tongue sizes and shapes. The holder includes a body portion and a retention portion that can flexibly conform to the user's anatomy, allowing the same device to accommodate varying tongue dimensions without requiring multiple sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The device utilizes materials with specific elastic modulus values that allow the tongue-retained holder to change its physical parameters (flexibility, conformability) while maintaining structural integrity. This enables the holder to adapt to different tongue sizes through material property optimization rather than structural complexity.
2Reliability
If suction force is increased to prevent tongue movement, then tongue retention is improved, but comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-retained holder applies suction force locally at the retention portion rather than uniformly across the entire tongue. The body portion and retention portion are designed with different geometric characteristics, allowing concentrated retention force where needed while maintaining comfort in other areas. This localized approach ensures reliable tongue retention without compromising overall comfort.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the tongue-retained holder is made rigid for stability, then structural stability is improved, but comfort and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue-retained holder is constructed from composite materials or material combinations that provide both rigidity and flexibility. The body portion may use a more rigid material for structural stability while the retention portion uses a softer, more compliant material for comfort and adaptability. This composite approach allows the device to maintain structural integrity while conforming to user anatomy.
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 device provides a comfortable and efficient solution by securing the tongue forward, reducing snoring and sleep apnea through a secure interlock mechanism and air extraction system, accommodating varying tongue sizes and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The air extraction device may include an air extraction pipette in fluid communication with an air extraction bulb, where the air extraction pipette is in fluid communication with the air extraction valve to remove air from within the tongue receiving cavity.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for treating sleep apnea, the device comprising a tongue attachment member and a maxilla attachment subassembly. The tongue attachment member is fabricated having a sheath interlock member extending upward from a dorsal side of a sheath. The sheath is shaped to conform to a surface of an individual's tongue. A tongue receiving cavity is formed within the sheath, the cavity comprising an opening provided at a proximal end for receiving the individual's tongue. The sheath is referenced having a dorsal side and a ventral side. A sheath interlock member extends outward from the dorsal side. The maxilla tray is shaped to conform to and removably engage with an individual's upper dental arch. A tray interlock member extends from an interlock side of the maxilla tray and is positioned to interlock with the sheath interlock member, whereby the system extends an individual's tongue forward to treat sleep apnea.