GB2438832A - Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea by holding a wearer's jaw in the correct position - Google Patents
Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea by holding a wearer's jaw in the correct position Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2438832A GB2438832A GB0606742A GB0606742A GB2438832A GB 2438832 A GB2438832 A GB 2438832A GB 0606742 A GB0606742 A GB 0606742A GB 0606742 A GB0606742 A GB 0606742A GB 2438832 A GB2438832 A GB 2438832A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- components
- jaw
- user
- slot
- pin
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 206010041235 Snoring Diseases 0.000 title claims abstract description 11
- 201000002859 sleep apnea Diseases 0.000 title abstract description 7
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007779 soft material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 208000008589 Obesity Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 208000008784 apnea Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 208000037265 diseases, disorders, signs and symptoms Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 208000035475 disorder Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 230000005802 health problem Effects 0.000 description 1
- 208000019622 heart disease Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 235000020824 obesity Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 210000001738 temporomandibular joint Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices; Anti-rape devices
- A61F5/56—Devices for preventing snoring
- A61F5/566—Intra-oral devices
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Pulmonology (AREA)
- Nursing (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
Abstract
A device to inhibit snoring and sleep apnoea is disclosed. The device comprises an upper component that can be retained upon the teeth of a user's upper jaw and a lower component that can be retained upon the teeth of a user's lower jaw. The upper and lower components have interconnection means that allows them to be interconnected such that their relative forward and rearward positions are adjustable. This can hold a wearer's jaw in the correct, forward position, thereby reducing a wearer's tendency to snore or develop sleep apnoea. The interconnection means may comprise a pin and a slot, wherein the slot has spaced regions at which the pin can be retained. The interconnection means may be carried on an inner core of the components.
Description
<p>Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea This invention relates to a
device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea while a person is sleeping.</p>
<p>It is now widely recognised that snoring and sleep apnoea can lead to major health problems. It is obvious that snoring can lead to disturbed sleep and fatigue. This can lead to inattention during daily life, with a consequent increase in the risk that a sufferer will bee involved in accidents. More seriously, however, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is a problem that is increasing, with the general rise in obesity amongst the population of Western countries.</p>
<p>One mechanism by which snoring and apnoea can be reduced is be ensuring that a person's airway remains fully open during sleep. To this end, it is known to provide oral devices that a person places in his or her mouth during sleep and ensures that tissue does not obstruct the airway. Such devices include a pair of arched components that, respectively, are placed on the teeth of the upper and lower jaws. These serve to keep the airway open by ensuring good positioning of the lower jaw with respect to the upper. * a,. a a a...</p>
<p>A disadvantage with such oral devices is that they typically need to be specially made and *" 20 fitted to an individual. This means that they are costly. In an aim to overcome this, proposals have been made to provide adjustable oral devices that allow a user to adjust the * a s relative positions of the arched components to suit an individual, however, these have not :. proven to be robust and are prone to early failure. Further alternative devices that are fixed a..</p>
<p>and therefore require no adjustment are also known. While these are strong, they are not suited to all individuals. Moreover, they prevent lateral and vertical movement of the jaw, and this can give rise to further problems.</p>
<p>Therefore, this invention provides a device to inhibit snoring comprising an upper component that can be retained upon the teeth of a user's upper jaw and a lower component that can be retained upon the teeth of a user's lower jaw, the upper and lower components having interconnection means that allows them to be interconnected such that their relative forward and rearward positions are adjustable.</p>
<p>A user can, therefore, adapt the device to suit the precise geometry of their jaws and teeth, thereby ensuring that their jaw remains in the correct, forward position, without applying undue force to the jaw.</p>
<p>The upper and lower components are typically arch-shaped and have a generally U-shaped cross-section. When interconnected, the cross sections are arranged such that the bases of the U-shape sections are adjacent to one another. Thus, a user's teeth bear on the bases of the sections.</p>
<p>Each of the upper and lower components are preferably formed with a resilient core, that provides structure and stability, surrounded by an outer moulding of soft material that is sufficiently soft as to be comfortable when in use. For example, the core may be an inner moulding of resilient plastic material, such as polypropylene. Most advantageously, the soft material is thermoplastic, in order that it can be softened and moulded to the teeth and jaws of an individual user. The thermoplastic material is selected so as to soften at a temperature that is not so high as could cause damage or discomfort in the mouth of a user. This allows a user to mould the material directly on their teeth.</p>
<p>The interconnection means are typically carried on the inner core of the components. The . 20 interconnection means may comprise a pin on one of the components and a slot in the other, the pin being retained within the slot for use. The pin may be displacable along the slot, upon application of sufficient force, to adjust the relative positions of the components.</p>
<p>Typically, there are spaced regions of the slot at which the pin be retained. The pin is *::: : normally removable only from an end of the slot.</p>
<p>* , 25 The interconnecting means may allow limited movement of the user's lower jaw. This may include up and down movement (i.e., corresponding to the jaw opening and closing) and lateral movement. If such movement is prevented, this can give rise to disorders of the temporomandibular joint. It is also desirable to allow some movement to reduce the risk of damage to the interconnecting means by forces applied by a user to the device.</p>
<p>An embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an upper components of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows an lower components of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows an outer moulding of the upper component; Figures 4 and 5 show an inner moulding of the upper component; Figure 6 shows an outer moulding of the lower component; and Figure 7 is a part of an insert of the lower component.</p>
<p>With reference to the drawings, apparatus embodying the invention comprises upper and lower components 10,12.</p>
<p>Each component 10,12 comprises a soft plastic outer moulding 14,16 with moulded around a hard plastic inner moulding 18,20. Each of the upper and lower components 10,12 is shaped and dimensioned to fit over an the teeth of, respectively, a user's upper and lower jaws. The components 10,12 each has a generally U-shaped cross-section, whereby the side walls of the U, in use, lie adjacent to the sides of a user's teeth. S.</p>
<p>S.:::: Each inner moulding 18,20 is shaped as an arch of a thin cylindrical cross section, with a 1 connection formation 22,24 at each end of the arch. Each inner moulding 18,20 is : . :. embodied within the corresponding outer moulding other than in the region of its * :. connection formation 22,24. The connection formations 22,24 project partially from the outer moulding 14,16 through the base of its U-shaped cross-section. Thus, the inner I,.</p>
<p>* . mouldings serve to maintain the basic shape of the outer mouldings. The arch and connection formations of the respective inner mouldings are typically formed as one-piece integral components.</p>
<p>As can be seen from Figures 4 and 5, each connection formation of the upper component 10 comprises a block shaped generally as a cuboid. The block has a plurality of holes 30 that provide a key to enhance the strength by which it is gripped by the material of the outer moulding 14. A slot 32 is formed in a surface of the block. The slot 32 is accessible through the material of the outer moulding 14. Each slot 32 has a pair of flanges 34 projecting from respective side walls, thus effectively making top portions of the walls undercut. The flanges 34 each have several recesses, whereby the slot 32 has an opening that is of variable with along its length, with several wide regions spaced apart by narrow regions. This can be seen most clearly in Figure 4.</p>
<p>As shown in Figure 7, each connection formation of the upper component 10 comprises a rectangular plate portion 40. The plate portion 40 has a plurality of holes 42 that provide a key to enhance the strength by which it is gripped by the material of the outer moulding 16.</p>
<p>Centrally of the plate portion, there is a projecting pin 44. The pin 44 has a cylindrical shaft and a disc-shaped head.</p>
<p>The upper (when in use) surface of the lower component 12 carries a plurality of projections 50. These projections ensure that space is maintained between the upper and lower components at all times to ensure a clear air passage is maintained.</p>
<p>For use, the upper and lower components 10,12 are interconnected. This is achieved by sliding the pin 44 of the lower component 12 into the slot 32 of the upper component 10.</p>
<p>The shaft of the pin 44 passes between the flanges 34, the head of the pin thus preventing removal of the pin 44 from the slot 32 other than out of the ends of the slot 32. The relative dimensions of the shaft of the pin 44 and the slot 32 are selected such that sufficient force must be applied to deflect the material surrounding the slot 32 to allow the pin to pass the narrow regions of the slot 32 from one wide region to another. Thus, the relative positions of the upper and lower components 10,12 can be adjusted.</p>
<p>*.:::: In order that the components fit a user's teeth accurately, the outer mouldings 14,16 are * formed of a thermoplastic material that softens at a temperature of less than 100 C. Thus, :. : before a user user the device, the device is immersed in near-boiling water to cause it to :. 25 soften. The user can then mould the outer mouldings 14,16 to fit the specific shape of their jaws. The material of the inner mouldings 18,20 is chosen such that it does not soften S..</p>
<p>significantly at the temperature that is achieved. S... S 5 S...</p>
<p>The relative position of the upper and lower components 10,12 is selected such that when placed in a user's mouth, the user's lower jaw is urged into the correct, forward position with respect to the upper jaw. The manner in which the upper and lower components 10,12 are interconnected prevents forward and backward movement of the lower jaw, but allows limited sideways and up-and-down movement as will occur when a user opens or closes their jaw. S. * * * S.. S... * S * S.. S. St</p>
<p>* St * * . 5*... * . S es. a... S 5 5,..</p>
Claims (1)
- <p>Claims 1. A device to inhibit snoring comprising an upper componentthat can be retained upon the teeth of a user's upper jaw and a lower component that can be retained upon the teeth of a user's lower jaw, the upper and lower components having interconnection means that allows them to be interconnected such that their relative forward and rearward positions are adjustable.</p><p>2. A device according to claim 1 in which the upper and lower components are typically arch-shaped and have a generally U-shaped cross-section.</p><p>3. A device according to claim 2 in which when the components are interconnected, the cross sections are arranged such that the bases of the U-shape sections are adjacent to one another.</p><p>4. A device according to any preceding claim in which each of the upper and lower components are formed with a resilient core, that provides structure and stability, surrounded by an outer moulding of soft material that is sufficiently soft as to be comfortable when in use.</p><p>: . . s 5. A device according to claim 4 in which the core is an inner moulding of resilient I...</p><p>a..* 20 plastic material.</p><p>: 6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5 in which the soft material is thermoplastic. I...</p><p>* 7. A device according to claim 6 in which the thermoplastic material is selected so as to soften at a temperature that is not so high as could cause damage or discomfort in the mouth of a user.</p><p>8. A device according to any preceding claim in which the interconnection means are carried on an inner core of the components.</p><p>9. A device according to any preceding claim in which the interconnection means comprises a pin on one of the components and a slot in the other, the pin being retained within the slot for use.</p><p>10. A device according to claim 9 in which the pin is displacable along the slot, upon application of sufficient force, to adjust the relative positions of the components.</p><p>11. A device according to claim 10 in which there are spaced regions of the slot at which the pin be retained.</p><p>12. A device according to any preceding claim in which the interconnection means allow limited movement of the user's lower jaw.</p><p>13. A device according to claim 12 in which the limited movement include up and down movement (i.e., corresponding to the jaw opening and closing) and lateral movement.</p><p>14. A device to inhibit snoring substantially as described with reference to the drawings. * * * S., * S *S*. S. *S</p><p>* .. * * I I. S.. S 5 * IS.. Ste.</p>
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0606742A GB2438832B (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2006-04-04 | Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea |
CA002549302A CA2549302A1 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2006-06-02 | Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea |
PCT/GB2007/000863 WO2007113465A1 (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2007-03-12 | Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0606742A GB2438832B (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2006-04-04 | Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB0606742D0 GB0606742D0 (en) | 2006-05-10 |
GB2438832A true GB2438832A (en) | 2007-12-12 |
GB2438832B GB2438832B (en) | 2009-03-04 |
Family
ID=36425202
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB0606742A Expired - Fee Related GB2438832B (en) | 2006-04-04 | 2006-04-04 | Device to reduce snoring and sleep apnoea |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CA (1) | CA2549302A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2438832B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007113465A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE1018209A5 (en) * | 2008-07-07 | 2010-07-06 | Nelissen Jozef Frans | DEVICE FOR TREATING NIGHT-BREATHING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS. |
KR101073746B1 (en) * | 2009-03-18 | 2011-10-13 | 단국대학교 산학협력단 | Device for the free movement of the Mandibular and Preventing from Snoring |
KR101218036B1 (en) | 2010-12-31 | 2013-01-21 | 도효림 | Apparatus for preventing from snoring with an snoring relative seriousness of subject |
ES2509643T3 (en) * | 2011-09-23 | 2014-10-17 | 2G Medical Gmbh | Dental protection splint |
ITBO20110548A1 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2013-03-28 | Paolo Fermani | "BITE" MASK |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5868138A (en) * | 1993-04-13 | 1999-02-09 | Silent Knight Ventures, Inc. | Dental appliance for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea |
WO2000015283A1 (en) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-03-23 | Thornton W Keith | Device and method for improving breathing |
US6055986A (en) * | 1992-11-16 | 2000-05-02 | Meade; Thomas E. | Apparatus and method for the reduction of snoring |
US20030217753A1 (en) * | 2002-05-01 | 2003-11-27 | Thornton W. Keith | Device and method for improving a user's breathing |
US20050028827A1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2005-02-10 | Halstrom Leonard W. | Mandible positioning devices |
WO2005013867A2 (en) * | 2003-08-08 | 2005-02-17 | Jozef Frans Nelissen | Device for treating nighttime breathing problems |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5499633A (en) * | 1993-12-17 | 1996-03-19 | Fenton; Douglas F. | Anti-snoring device with adjustable upper and lower relational members |
US5642737A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-07-01 | Parks; Scotty M. | Device for alleviating snoring |
US5823193A (en) * | 1997-01-27 | 1998-10-20 | Singer; Gary H. | Dental appliance for alleviating snoring and protecting teeth from bruxism |
US5884628A (en) * | 1997-03-17 | 1999-03-23 | Hilsen; Kenneth | Snoring device |
US5829441A (en) * | 1997-06-24 | 1998-11-03 | Nellcor Puritan Bennett | Customizable dental device for snoring and sleep apnea treatment |
DE202005015106U1 (en) * | 2004-12-01 | 2006-02-09 | Toussaint, Winfried, Dr. | Infinitely adjustable mandibular groin splint for the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea |
-
2006
- 2006-04-04 GB GB0606742A patent/GB2438832B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2006-06-02 CA CA002549302A patent/CA2549302A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2007
- 2007-03-12 WO PCT/GB2007/000863 patent/WO2007113465A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6055986A (en) * | 1992-11-16 | 2000-05-02 | Meade; Thomas E. | Apparatus and method for the reduction of snoring |
US5868138A (en) * | 1993-04-13 | 1999-02-09 | Silent Knight Ventures, Inc. | Dental appliance for treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea |
WO2000015283A1 (en) * | 1998-09-16 | 2000-03-23 | Thornton W Keith | Device and method for improving breathing |
US20030217753A1 (en) * | 2002-05-01 | 2003-11-27 | Thornton W. Keith | Device and method for improving a user's breathing |
US20050028827A1 (en) * | 2003-08-07 | 2005-02-10 | Halstrom Leonard W. | Mandible positioning devices |
WO2005013867A2 (en) * | 2003-08-08 | 2005-02-17 | Jozef Frans Nelissen | Device for treating nighttime breathing problems |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2007113465A1 (en) | 2007-10-11 |
CA2549302A1 (en) | 2007-10-04 |
GB0606742D0 (en) | 2006-05-10 |
GB2438832B (en) | 2009-03-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20100404 |