Oral device to eliminate air space in oral cavity
Inventors
Chen, Chung-Chu • CHEN, YIN-RUEI • You, Ming-Jian • Huang, Wen-Yen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11246742-B2
Publication Date
2022-02-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
This invention provides devices and systems and methods therefrom for properly controlling negative pressure applied to oral cavity, facilitating breathing and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The systems comprise a negative pressure system providing a vacuum source and an oral device comprising a shield, a tube passing through the shield, a flexible negative pressure deliverable part connected to the shield or the tube, an optional tongue protector, where the negative pressure deliverable part is conformable to the contour of the upper palate. Negative pressure is delivered to the front and back zones inside the oral cavity via the negative pressure deliverable part to eliminate air space in the oral cavity.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an oral negative-pressure therapy system for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring that includes a shield configured to be situated between lips and front teeth. A tube passes through the shield and includes a flexible negative pressure deliverable part configured to be inserted into an open space between a tongue and an upper palate. The flexible negative pressure deliverable part defines a longitudinal passage configured to be in fluid communication with the open space when inserted.
Negative pressure is delivered to the open space via the longitudinal passage of the flexible negative pressure deliverable part. The applied negative pressure is configured to draw the tongue in a superior direction to the upper palate to close the open space between the tongue and the upper palate. The flexible negative pressure deliverable part is configured to conform to the contour of the upper palate when the tongue is drawn in the superior direction to close the open space.
The flexible negative pressure deliverable part further comprises a middle opening in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage and in fluid communication with the open space to deliver negative pressure. An open channel is in fluid communication with the transverse middle opening and extends longitudinally along an external side of the flexible negative pressure deliverable part to distribute negative pressure into the open space and prevent the transverse middle opening from obstruction by the tongue. Optional tongue protection and structural refinements are described, including a shield with air vents, detachable/interchangeable shield and tube parts with sealing interfaces, slidable/anchor-adjustable tube positioning, and supports for preventing open channel collapse.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim identifies one main inventive oral device configuration with multiple structural limitations, and several dependent claim refinements. The independent claim includes flexible negative-pressure delivery inserted between the tongue and upper palate, a longitudinal passage for negative pressure delivery, tongue-superior-direction closure of the open space, conformal fit to the upper palate, and a middle opening with an open channel arranged to distribute negative pressure and prevent obstruction.
Shield between lips and front teeth with tube passing through
A shield configured to be situated between lips and front teeth of a user, and a tube passing through the shield.
Flexible negative pressure deliverable part inserted between tongue and upper palate
A tube comprises a flexible negative pressure deliverable part configured to be inserted into an open space between a tongue and an upper palate of the user.
Longitudinal passage delivering negative pressure to close the tongue-to-palate open space
The flexible negative pressure deliverable part defines a longitudinal passage configured to be in fluid communication with the open space, and the oral device delivers negative pressure via the longitudinal passage to draw the tongue in a superior direction to the upper palate to close the open space between the tongue and the upper palate.
Conformance of the flexible negative pressure deliverable part to the upper palate
The flexible negative pressure deliverable part is configured to conform to the contour of the upper palate when the tongue is drawn in the superior direction to the upper palate to close the open space between the tongue and the upper palate.
Middle opening and open channel distributing negative pressure while preventing obstruction
The flexible negative pressure deliverable part further comprises a middle opening in fluid communication with the longitudinal passage at one end of the middle opening and in fluid communication with the open space at another end of the middle opening to deliver negative pressure to the open space, and an open channel in fluid communication with the transverse middle opening and extending longitudinally along an external side of the flexible negative pressure deliverable part, the open channel distributing the negative pressure into the open space and preventing the transverse middle opening from obstruction by the tongue.
The claim coverage centers on an oral device with a shield and a tube whose flexible negative-pressure deliverable portion is inserted between the tongue and upper palate. Negative pressure delivered via a longitudinal passage draws the tongue superiorly to close the open space, with conformal fit to the upper palate. The structure includes a middle opening and a longitudinal open channel arranged to distribute negative pressure while preventing obstruction of the middle opening by the tongue, with additional dependent refinements described in the provided material.
Stated Advantages
Draws the tongue in a superior direction to the upper palate to close the open space between the tongue and the upper palate.
Distributes negative pressure into the open space.
Prevents the transverse middle opening from obstruction by the tongue.
Prevents tongue/tissue obstruction as described through the open channel arrangement.
Documented Applications
Oral negative-pressure therapy system for obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
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