Removable oral devices for use in weight management and other applications
Inventors
Longley, William H • Schneider, Richard P • Tremaglio, Anthony R • Gibeley, Marc M
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11564821-B2
Publication Date
2023-01-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
Certain configurations of removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral device includes a palatal element. In certain configurations, the palatal element may comprise a variable hardness at different areas, e.g., edges can be softer than other areas of the removable oral device. In other instances, the removable oral device may comprise two or more individual palatal elements which together can form the palatal element and permit user adjustment of the oral volume. Various materials used in the palatal element are described. Sensors and other on-board devices are also described.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a removable oral device configured to reduce oral volume during eating of food to reduce consumption. The removable oral device includes a palatal element that contacts the roof of a user's mouth at a palatal surface, and the palatal element has a body with a thickness configured to lower a vaulted area of the roof of the mouth to decrease an overall oral volume of the mouth to a first oral volume.
The palatal element further includes variable hardness across a tongue surface of the body. The variable hardness comprises a Vickers Hardness that gradually decreases from a central apex to outer edges of the palatal element, and the Vickers Hardness at the outer edges adjacent to the clasping element is at least 20% less than the Vickers Hardness at the central apex.
The removable oral device additionally includes a clasping element coupled to the palatal element to assist in removal when the device is inserted into the user's mouth. A processor within the palatal element is provided, and the removable oral device is configured to be inserted and retained in the mouth during eating. The removable oral device is configured not to alter or retain a position of the teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is centered on one independent claim (clm-00001). The core inventive features comprise four elements: palatal volume reduction, variable hardness with a defined Vickers hardness gradient, a clasping element for insertion/removal assistance, and a processor with retention during eating while not altering or retaining tooth position.
Reducing oral volume by lowering a vaulted roof area
A palatal element configured to contact a roof of a user's mouth at a palatal surface, the palatal element comprising a body having thickness configured to lower a vaulted area of the roof of the mouth to decrease an overall oral volume of the mouth to a first oral volume.
Variable hardness across the tongue surface with a defined Vickers hardness gradient
A body comprising a variable hardness across a tongue surface of the body, wherein the variable hardness comprises a Vickers Hardness that gradually decreases from a central apex to outer edges of the palatal element such that the Vickers Hardness at the outer edges adjacent to the clasping element is at least 20% less than the Vickers Hardness at the central apex.
Clasping element to assist removal and retention during eating
A clasping element coupled to the palatal element, wherein the clasping element is configured to assist in removal of the removable oral device when the removable oral device is inserted into the user's mouth.
Processor-based removable oral device that does not alter or retain tooth position
A processor within the palatal element, wherein the removable oral device is configured to be inserted and retained in the mouth during the eating of the food, and wherein the removable oral device is configured not to alter or retain a position of the teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Overall, the claims cover a removable oral device that reduces oral volume during eating via a palatal element that lowers a vaulted roof area and applies variable tongue-surface hardness defined by a Vickers hardness gradient. The device further includes a clasping element for removal assistance and a processor, while requiring retention during eating and not altering or retaining tooth position with continued use.
Stated Advantages
Reduces oral volume during eating of food to reduce consumption of amounts of the food.
Configured not to alter or retain a position of the teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Documented Applications
Use during eating of food to reduce oral volume and reduce consumption of amounts of the food.
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