Universal Dental Arch Frame for Snoring and Jaw Grinding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental devices for treating snoring and jaw-related issues are often custom-made in laboratories, requiring patients' dental impressions, are costly, and may not address multiple problems simultaneously, while also limiting access to the mouth during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A dental device featuring an arched frame with adjustment mechanisms and a moldable tray that can be customized in a dentist's office, allowing for multiple problem treatment and easy access, comprising a universal coupler for various dental attachments and a tension element to adjust the jaw position without locking it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If dental devices are custom-made in laboratories after sending dental impressions, then the devices can be precisely fitted to treat specific problems, but the process costs patients substantial time and money
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing a ready-to-use arched frame structure that can be immediately positioned in the patient's mouth without requiring laboratory fabrication. The arched frame is pre-formed with apertures and adjustment mechanisms, allowing the dentist to skip the impression-taking and lab-ordering process entirely, thus reducing time loss while maintaining precise fit through direct placement on the patient's dental arch
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a universal arched frame design that can be copied and reused across different patients. Instead of creating custom devices from scratch for each patient, the same arched frame structure serves as a template that can be adjusted and repositioned, reducing the time and cost associated with custom manufacturing while maintaining individualized treatment through adjustment mechanisms
2Adaptability or versatility
If dental devices are custom-made in laboratories, then the devices can be designed to target particular problems, but a device for treating snoring may not help a patient who grinds his teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single arched frame structure that can serve multiple functions and treat different problems. The universal design includes adjustable components and modular attachments that can be configured for snoring treatment, jaw grinding prevention, or other dental issues, eliminating the need for separate custom devices for each condition while reducing overall device complexity through standardized construction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamics by incorporating adjustment mechanisms that allow the arched frame to be modified and repositioned according to the patient's specific needs. The adjustable components enable the same device structure to adapt to different treatment requirements, whether for snoring, jaw grinding, or other dental problems, providing versatility without requiring multiple specialized devices
3Reliability
If dental devices hook or attach inside the patient's mouth, then the devices can maintain jaw position, but the devices hinder doctors' ability to gain quick access inside the mouth during procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by designing attachment mechanisms that can be quickly removed or adjusted from the inside of the mouth. The arched frame includes attachment points that allow the device to be securely fastened during normal use but can be rapidly accessed, adjusted, or removed by doctors during medical procedures, thus maintaining jaw position reliability while improving ease of operation during interventions
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a dental attachment that includes an anchoring element configured to be outside the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a second arch. The dental device further includes a flexible tension element including a substantially planar surface extending along the longitudinal axis of the flexible tension element, the flexible tension element configured to couple to the second arch proximate to the midline of the second arch and to couple to the anchoring element outside the user's mouth.