Methods of producing removable oral devices
Inventors
Longley, William H • Schneider, Richard P • Tremaglio, Anthony R • Gibeley, Marc M
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11998407-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
Certain configurations of methods which can be used to produce removable oral devices are described. In some instances, the removable oral devices can be produced using molding, digital scanning, on demand printing and/or other processes. In certain examples, the produced removable oral device can be used in weight management, athletic performance or in other applications.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a method of producing a removable oral device for a human by obtaining an image of an oral cavity and providing the removable oral device using the obtained image. The removable oral device includes a palatal element coupled to a clasping element, where the palatal element is configured to contact a roof of the human’s mouth at a palatal surface.
The palatal element includes 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 body includes variable hardness across a tongue surface of the body, and the variable hardness comprises a Vickers hardness that gradually decreases from a central apex to outer edges of the palatal element.
The clasping element is configured to assist in removal of the removable oral device from the mouth. The removable oral device is configured to not alter or retain a position of teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Claims Coverage
The only independent claim explicitly provided is clm-00001. It contains four inventive features covering image-based provisioning, a volume-lowering palatal body, a Vickers hardness gradient, and a removal-assisting clasping element without tooth-position retention.
Image-based providing of a removable oral device
Obtaining an image of an oral cavity of a human and providing the removable oral device using the obtained image, where the removable oral device comprises a palatal element coupled to a clasping element.
Palatal thickness lowering a vaulted area to decrease oral volume
Configuring the palatal element to contact a roof of the human’s mouth at a palatal surface, wherein the palatal element comprises a body comprising 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.
Variable hardness with Vickers hardness gradient across the tongue surface
Providing the body with 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.
Removal-assisting clasping element without retaining tooth position
Configuring the clasping element to assist in removal of the removable oral device from the mouth, and configuring the removable oral device to not alter or retain a position of teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Across the independent claim, the inventive concept combines image-based production of a removable oral device with a palatal element that lowers a vaulted roof area to reduce oral volume to a first oral volume, a tongue-surface Vickers hardness gradient from a central apex to outer edges, and a removal-assisting clasping element configured to avoid altering or retaining tooth position with continued use.
Stated Advantages
Decreases an overall oral volume of the mouth to a first oral volume.
Helps assist removal of the removable oral device from the mouth.
Is configured to not alter or retain a position of teeth with continued use of the removable oral device.
Documented Applications
Removable oral device provision for a human based on obtaining an image of an oral cavity, including use of the device with continued use without altering or retaining tooth position.
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