Breathing assist device
Inventors
Hart, Christopher Patrick • Nguyen, Vu Thua • Anderson, Neil Lawrence • Fraser, Darren • SLATER, Michael Leigh • Gulizia, Stefan
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11844719-B2
Publication Date
2023-12-19
Expiration Date
Abstract
Apparatus for providing breathing assistance, the apparatus including a body for positioning within an oral cavity of a user, the body defining at least one first opening for allowing airflow between lips of the user, two second openings provided in the oral cavity to allow air flow into and out of a posterior region of the oral cavity and two channels, each channel connecting a respective second opening to the at least one first opening and each channel passing at least one of at least partially along the buccal cavity and at least partially between the teeth to thereby provide an airway for the user, the airway at least partially bypassing the nasal passage and acting to replicate a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an apparatus for providing breathing assistance with a body for positioning within an oral cavity of a user. The body defines at least one first opening for allowing airflow between lips, and two second openings provided in a posterior region of the oral cavity to allow air flow into and out of the posterior region of the oral cavity. Two channels connect each of the two second openings to the at least one first opening, with each channel passing at least partially along the buccal cavity and at least partially between the teeth.
The channels provide an airway that at least partially bypasses the nasal passage and is configured to imitate a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space. A connector couples the body to a mandibular repositioning device that is configured for engaging the teeth. The described geometry routes airflow from the posterior oral region to a lip opening while maintaining an airway configuration intended to mimic healthy nasal/pharyngeal space.
The described configurations include channel and opening geometric constraints and specific channel portions, including a first channel portion through the user's buccal cavity and a second channel portion between the user's maxillary and mandibular teeth. The second channel portion can have a different cross-sectional geometry from the first channel portion, and at least one of the cross-sectional shape and/or cross-sectional area can vary from the first opening to the second opening.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim set is grounded primarily in one independent claim, with dependent claims adding multiple structural and configuration refinements. Across the independent claim and its key dependent members, the coverage centers on an oral-cavity breathing-assistance airway that bypasses the nasal passage and imitates a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space, and on coupling to a mandibular repositioning device engaging the teeth.
Oral-cavity breathing-assistance body with first and posterior second openings
A body for positioning within an oral cavity defining at least one first opening between lips and two second openings in a posterior region to allow airflow into and out of the posterior region.
Two channels bypassing the nasal passage and imitating healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space
Two channels each connecting one second opening to the at least one first opening, passing at least partially along the buccal cavity and at least partially between the teeth to provide an airway that at least partially bypasses the nasal passage and is configured to imitate a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space.
Connector to a mandibular repositioning device engaging teeth
A connector for coupling the body to a mandibular repositioning device configured for engaging the teeth.
Segmented channel geometry with varying cross section from first opening to second opening
Each channel having a first channel portion through the user's buccal cavity and a second channel portion between the user's maxillary and mandibular teeth, where the first portion is substantially semi-elliptical in cross section, the second portion is substantially rectangular in cross section, and at least one of the cross sectional shape and/or cross sectional area varies from the first opening to the second opening.
Optional airflow-conditioning components for inhaled and exhaled air
At least one of a filter, a heat and moisture exchanger between inhaled and exhaled air, and a valve to regulate airflow in and out of the apparatus.
Additively manufactured materials with optional coating and defined polishing
The body formed from specified materials using additive manufacturing, optionally coated with specified medical and polymer/chemical coatings, and polished using mechanical and/or electrochemical polishing.
Across the claims coverage reflected in the provided text, the main inventive subject matter is an oral-cavity breathing assistance apparatus with a lip airflow opening and posterior second openings connected by two channels that bypass the nasal passage and are configured to imitate a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space, together with a connector to a mandibular repositioning device engaging the teeth. Dependent refinements specify segmented channel geometries with varying cross sections, optional airflow-conditioning components, and additive-manufactured materials with optional coatings and polishing.
Stated Advantages
Bypasses the nasal passage while providing an airway configured to imitate a healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space.
Provides breathing assistance using an apparatus that is coupled to a mandibular repositioning device engaging the teeth.
Documented Applications
Breathing assistance in a user's oral cavity as part of an airway configuration that imitates healthy nasal passage and pharyngeal space, including use considerations involving CPAP connectivity and titration of mandibular advancement based on efficacy assessments.
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