Oral device for mandibular advancement and medial tongue constraint
Inventors
Vaska, Matthias • Podmore, Jonathan L. • Crowe, John Edwards • Daniel, Sean Christopher
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10772756-B2
Publication Date
2020-09-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity for therapy of obstructive sleep apnea. The device includes an upper jaw brace with a bite plate and a lower jaw brace with a bite plate, configured to capture the upper and lower jaw, and the upper and lower jaw braces are adjustably coupled to each other such that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the jaws are closed together.
The device further includes a vacuum source connectable to the oral device to maintain a desired level of vacuum within the patient's oral cavity. A tongue-engaging member is configured to engage a medial region of the tongue and is connectable to the vacuum source to draw together the soft palate and a posterior region of the tongue.
The upper jaw brace and the lower jaw brace are connected by a pair of links configured with adjustable lengths to allow movements of the jaws. In related embodiments, the tongue-engaging member includes vacuum ports and a tongue constraint includes a soft palate landing pad, with vacuum delivery implemented using vacuum ports/lines.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims, one to an oral device and one to a method. The independent claims center on upper and lower jaw braces with adjustable links and on applying vacuum in the oral cavity while engaging the tongue to draw the soft palate and a posterior region of the tongue together.
Upper and lower jaw braces with anterior advancement via adjustable links
An oral device with an upper jaw brace and a lower jaw brace, wherein the upper jaw brace captures the upper jaw and the lower jaw brace captures the lower jaw, and the upper and lower jaw braces are adjustably coupled such that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace; the upper jaw brace and the lower jaw brace are connected by a pair of links configured with adjustable lengths to allow movements of the jaws.
Vacuum source connected to the tongue-engaging member for drawing palate and tongue together
An oral device including a vacuum source connectable to the oral device, a tongue-engaging member configured to engage a medial region of the tongue, and the tongue-engaging member is connectable to the vacuum source to maintain a desired level of vacuum within the patient's oral cavity and draw together the soft palate and a posterior region of the tongue.
Method of maintaining an open airway using jaw brace engagement and applied vacuum
A method for maintaining an open airway in a patient by engaging an upper jaw brace with a bite plate against upper teeth and a lower jaw brace with a bite plate against lower teeth, applying a vacuum within the oral cavity to draw together the soft palate and a posterior region of the tongue, engaging the upper and lower jaw braces so that the lower jaw brace moves in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the jaws are closed together, and adjusting a pair of links with adjustable lengths to allow movements of the jaws.
The inventive coverage centers on adjustable upper and lower jaw braces that produce anterior lower-jaw movement together with oral vacuum applied through a tongue-engaging member to draw the soft palate and a posterior region of the tongue together.
Stated Advantages
Reduced need for either mandibular advancement or vacuum alone for improved patency across more patients.
Improved patency compared to approaches using mandibular advancement or vacuum alone.
Comfort and a non-surgical intent.
Avoidance of gag-reflex-triggering contact.
Documented Applications
Therapy for obstructive sleep apnea by maintaining an open airway in a patient having an oral cavity, a tongue, and a palate.
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