KR20130029183A - Treating appliance for snoring and sleep apnea - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A treating apparatus for snoring and sleeping apnea is provided to be used without loads on a temporomandibular joint. CONSTITUTION: A treating apparatus for snoring and sleeping apnea comprises an upper jaw-mounting unit(10) which is mounted by inserting upper teeth into the upper jaw-mounting unit; a lower jaw-mounting unit(20) which is mounted by inserting lower teeth into the lower jaw-mounting unit; and a front side-guiding wire unit(30) which has superelasticity at a set temperature or more to guide frontwards the lower jaw-mounting unit; and a wire-supporting unit(40) supporting the lower side-guiding wire unit.

Description

Snoring and Sleep Apnea Therapy Apparatus

The present invention relates to a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus, and more particularly, snoring and sleep apnea treatment to prevent snoring and sleep apnea by securing a space between the pharyngeal wall and the surrounding soft tissue by protruding the mandible forward than the maxilla It is about a mechanism.

In general, respiratory disorders during sleep can lead to serious health problems, such as decreased oxygen supply to the brain, memory loss, abnormal blood pressure, heart disease, and chronic sleepiness during the daytime, oral and bronchial, tonsils, throat, etc. It can also cause chronic diseases.

Representative symptoms of sleep-related breathing disorders include snoring and sleep apnea.

Snoring is a phenomenon in which the sound is generated by vibrating the part of the pharyngeal wall and the surrounding soft tissue while narrowing the gap between the pharyngeal wall and the surrounding soft tissue during inhalation.

In addition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by excessive relaxation of the pharyngeal wall and the soft tissues around the airway, which is in close contact with the pharyngeal wall, which narrows the upper respiratory tract, thus partially blocking the flow of air, causing the airway to temporarily block. Is a phenomenon that temporarily fails to flow into the lungs.

In order to alleviate the above-mentioned snoring and sleep apnea, a 'corrective device for snoring and sleep apnea' has been proposed in Korean Patent Registration No. 856672.

The snoring and sleep apnea corrector is when the upper teeth of the user is seated on the upper body and the lower teeth of the user seated on the lower body, the lower body protrudes in front of the upper body to maintain the airway around the pharynx in the open state By expanding the airways, the user prevents snoring and sleep apnea.

However, the snoring and sleep apnea corrector includes a fixing portion for fixing the position of the lower body, the lower body is positioned to protrude forward than the upper body from the start to the end of sleep, causing arthritis or pain in the jaw joint There is a problem.

In addition, the snoring and sleep apnea corrector had a problem that the lips remain open while sleeping.

An object of the present invention is to provide a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus that can be used comfortably when worn in the oral cavity, can be used without difficulty in the jaw joint during wearing.

The problem of the present invention is that the upper jaw is inserted into the upper jaw mounting member mounted to the upper jaw;

Lower jaw mounting member is inserted in the lower jaw inserted lower teeth;

A mandible front induction wire member mounted on one side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member and made of a shape memory alloy to have the superelasticity at a predetermined temperature or higher to guide the mandible mounting member to the front;

It is solved by providing a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus mounted on the other side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member and including a wire brace member for supporting the mandible anterior guide wire member.

The problem of the present invention is that the upper jaw is inserted into the upper jaw mounting member mounted to the upper jaw;

Lower jaw mounting member is inserted in the lower jaw inserted lower teeth;

A mandible moving device for moving the mandible mounting member;

A breathing abnormality detection sensor mounted on either side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member to detect a snoring or sleep apnea state;

It is solved by providing a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus connected to the respiratory abnormality detection sensor and the mandibular mobile device and including a control device for controlling the operation of the mandibular mobile device.

The snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention is worn in the mouth to move the mandible forward to keep the pharyngeal airways open and to expand the airway, thereby preventing snoring and sleep apnea for the jaw joints. It has the effect of minimizing side effects.

Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention using a wire made of a shape memory alloy significantly reduced the force applied to the instrument itself during the movement of the mandible can be made thinner thickness of the instrument, the overall volume of the instrument Reduced fit can improve fit.

The snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention can move the maxillary and mandible freely, allowing the mandibular backward movement to reduce fatigue such as mastication during sleep and fast recovery from mismatch of mastication when removing the device, jaw joint muscle It is effective in reducing fatigue and increasing treatment success rate.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention
Figure 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention
4 to 5 are schematic diagrams showing an operating state of an embodiment of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is a view showing an example of the wire brace member of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention
Figure 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention
8 to 9 are schematic diagrams showing an operating state of another embodiment of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention.
10 to 11 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 and 2, the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the upper jaw is inserted into the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw is inserted into the lower jaw mounting member 20 is inserted into the lower jaw It includes.

The upper jaw mounting member 10 is provided with an upper teeth insertion portion which is open at the top so that the upper teeth of the wearer can be inserted. The maxillary mounting member 10 is a part of the upper teeth and upper gums are inserted into the upper teeth insertion portion is mounted on the wearer's upper jaw.

In addition, the lower mounting member 20 is provided with a lower teeth insertion portion is opened lower portion so that the lower teeth of the wearer can be inserted. The mandible mounting member 20 is inserted into the lower teeth of the lower teeth and a portion of the lower gum is inserted into the lower jaw of the wearer.

The upper jaw mounting member and the lower jaw mounting member 20 are made of a material harmless to the human body, such as synthetic resin or natural resin.

One side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20 is mounted with a mandible front induction wire member 30 made of a shape memory alloy.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 is made of a shape memory alloy and is changed into a shape having superelasticity at a predetermined temperature, and is set to be restored to its original shape immediately after the temperature is changed.

In the present invention, the mandible front induction wire member 30 is an example in which both ends are fixed to the side of the mandrel mounting member 20 in a curved shape, and mounted on the side of the mandrel mounting member 10. It is supported by the wire brace member 40.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 has a memorized shape for moving the mandrel mounting member 20 forward by pushing the wire support member 40 at a predetermined temperature.

The wire brace member 40 is located on the other side of the maxillary mounting member 10 and the mandible mounting member 20, that is, the mandible front induction wire of the maxillary mounting member 10 and the mandible mounting member 20. The mandible mounting member 20 is mounted on the side where the member 30 is not mounted, and the mandible front induction wire member 30 is deformed into a memorized shape by supporting the mandible front induction wire member 30. Allow it to move forward.

For example, the preset temperature is set to 36 ° C. to 37 ° C., and the lower front induction wire member 30 is deformed into a stored shape when heated to a temperature in the oral cavity, that is, 36 ° C. to 37 ° C. If it is not the preset temperature, it will be restored to its original form.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 and the wire support member 40 is preferably mounted on both side surfaces of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20, respectively.

That is, the mandible front induction wire member 30 pushes the mandrel mounting member 20 forward from both sides of the maxillary mounting member 10 and the mandible mounting member 20, so that the mandible mounting member 20 is The worn lower jaw can be stably protruded forward of the maxilla.

3 to 4, the mandible front induction wire member 30 is bent so that one end of both ends is fixed, and the other end is arranged to be movable freely, and the bent portion is unfolded. It may be formed to.

That is, the mandible front induction wire member 30 is deformed into a shape stored at a predetermined temperature, the temperature of 36 ° C. to 37 ° C., that is, a stored shape in which both ends are opened while the bent portion is unfolded. If it is not, the temperature is returned to the original bent shape immediately.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 is disposed at the front side of the moving part 31 and the moving part 31 supported by the wire brace member 40 around the bent portion and the maxillary mounting member 10. ) And a fixing part 32 fixedly mounted on one side of the lower mounting member 20.

In addition, a fixing guide rail 30a is formed at one side of the upper mounting member 10 and the lower mounting member 20 so that the end of the fixing unit 32 is movably coupled to the fixing unit 32. The end of the fixing portion 32 is fixed to the fixed guide rail (30a), the locking mechanism for releasing the fixed state is provided.

For example, the locking tool may be a locking bolt fastened in the fixed guide rail 30a.

The mandible anterior guide wire member 30 can adjust the position of the mandible according to the position of the mandible, the position of the mandible to the position of the mandible, improves the wearer's individual satisfaction, and improves the success rate of treatment.

In addition, an end of the moving part 31 is movably coupled to one side of the upper mounting member 10 and the lower mounting member 20, and a movement guide rail for guiding linear movement of the moving part 31. It is preferable that 30b is provided. The moving guide rail 30b guides the moving part 31 of the mandible front induction wire member 30 to linearly move so that the mandible front induction wire member 30 is deformed into a stored shape, that is, a flared shape. Smoothly move the wearer's lower jaw forward.

The movement guide rail 30b restricts the mandible movement of the wearer by limiting the angle at which the mandible front induction wire member 30 is maximized.

Referring to FIG. 5, the mandible front induction wire member 30 is opened while the moving part 31 is supported by the wire brace member 40 and pushes the mandrel mounting member 20 to the front. Move the mandible of the lower jaw forward to keep the airways near the pharynx open and expand the airways.

Referring to FIG. 6, the wire holding member 40 is movably mounted on the other side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20 to support a position of the mandible front induction wire member 30. It is desirable to be able to change.

The wire brace member 40 includes a fixing brace portion 41 mounted on the other side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20;

A moving screw part 42 for screwing through the fixing brace part 41 in the front and rear directions of the oral cavity;

An end of the movable screw portion 42 is rotatably coupled and includes a movable brace 43 for supporting the mandible front induction wire member 30 on the front side of the fixed brace 41.

The movable support 43 may be moved forward and backward by rotating the movable screw part 42 to adjust a position of supporting the mandible front induction wire member 30.

The wire brace member 40 is capable of adjusting the position of supporting the mandible front induction wire member 30 according to the position of the mandible, the position of the mandible relative to the position of the mandible, thereby improving the wearer's individual wearing satisfaction and adaptability when worn. This increases treatment success rate.

The snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention is the mandible anterior guide wire member 30 is deformed to the shape remembered when the muscle is relaxed after the wearer sleeps, the mandible is moved forward, and then by muscle strength Even if the shape of the mandible anterior guide wire member 30 is deformed to the original shape by the temperature change by freeing the movement of the mandible and the mandible, the shape is restored to the memorized shape again when the muscle is relaxed, thereby moving the mandible forward.

Therefore, the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention will repeat the operation of the mandible protruding forward and back to the original position, so that the mandible protrudes forward less time, substantially snoring or sleeping At the time of muscle relaxation where apnea symptoms occur, the lower jaw protrudes forward to open the airway, thereby minimizing the effect on the jaw joint.

In addition, the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention by using a wire made of a shape memory alloy is greatly reduced in the force applied to the instrument itself during the movement of the mandible can be made thinner thickness of the instrument, the whole of the instrument Volume is reduced.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 7 to 8, the snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention is a snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus, the upper jaw is inserted into the upper jaw mounting member 10, the lower teeth are inserted And a mandible mounting member 20 mounted on the mandible, and a mandible moving device 50 for moving the mandible mounting member 20.

The lower jaw moving device 50 is preferably mounted on both sides of the lower mounting member 20, respectively.

The mandible moving device 50 pushes the mandible mounting member 20 forward from both sides of the maxillary mounting member 10 or the mandible mounting member 20 to fix the mandible on which the mandible mounting member 20 is worn. It can stably protrude forward of the maxilla.

The upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20 is the same as the above embodiment bar to be omitted in the redundant description.

Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention includes a breathing abnormality detection sensor 60 for detecting a snoring or sleep apnea state. The respiratory abnormality detection sensor 60 is mounted on either side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20.

The respiratory abnormality detection sensor 60 detects snoring sound (db) and detects snoring when the detected sound is equal to or more than a predetermined value, or changes and changes in the temperature of the air entering the oral cavity and the air exiting the oral cavity. An example of detecting a breathing abnormality through the cycle is an example, and in addition, it can be used for detecting snoring or sleep apnea.

In addition, the lower jaw moving device 50 and the breathing abnormality detection sensor 60 is connected to the control device 70. The control device 70 receives the signal of the breathing abnormality detection sensor 60 to control the operation of the mandible mobile device 50.

When the control device 70 receives a signal that causes a breathing abnormality such as snoring or sleep apnea from the respiratory abnormality detecting sensor 60, the control device 70 operates the lower jaw moving device 50 to operate the lower jaw mounting member 20. Move forward

The lower jaw of the wearer moves forward with the lower jaw mounting member 20 only when a breathing abnormality such as snoring or sleep apnea is maintained to keep the airway around the pharynx open and expand the airway.

The lower jaw moving device 50 is mounted on one side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20, and is made of a shape memory alloy to have the superelasticity at a predetermined temperature or higher. A mandible front induction wire member 30 which leads to the front;

A wire brace member 40 mounted on the other side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20 and supporting the lower mandible front induction wire member 30;

It is connected to the control device 70 includes a wire heating member 80 for receiving electric power to heat the mandible front induction wire member 30.

The wire heating member 80 is a heating wire (81) disposed in contact with the mandible front induction wire member 30; And a wire shell 82 surrounding the mandible front induction wire member 30 and the heating wire 81.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 has a bent shape, is made of a shape memory alloy and has a superelasticity at a predetermined temperature, that is, the shape is deformed so as to be unfolded at a predetermined angle. do.

The wire sheath 82 prevents an accident in which the heating wire 81 and the mandible front induction wire member 30 heated by the heating wire 81 come into contact with the skin in the oral cavity and burn the skin. do.

The predetermined temperature at which the mandible front induction wire member 30 is deformed is set to 40 ° C. to 42 ° C. so that the predetermined temperature is not deformed by body temperature in the oral cavity, and is set to be deformed only by heating of the wire heating member 80. Yes.

The lower front induction wire member 30 is heated to a predetermined temperature by the wire heating member 80 to return to the stored shape, that is, the curved portion is unfolded.

The mandible front induction wire member 30 is disposed on the front side of the moving part 31 and the moving part 31 which is supported by the wire braces around the bent portion and the maxillary mounting member 10 and the mandible And a fixing part 32 fixedly mounted to one side of the mounting member 20.

In addition, a fixing guide rail 30a is formed at one side of the upper mounting member 10 and the lower mounting member 20 so that the end of the fixing unit 32 is movably coupled to the fixing unit 32. At the end of the fixing portion 32 is fixed to the fixed guide rail (30a), a locking mechanism 33 for releasing the fixed state is provided.

For example, the lock 33 is a lock bolt fastened in the fixed guide rail 30a.

The mandible anterior guide wire member 30 can adjust the position of the mandible according to the position of the mandible, the position of the mandible to the position of the mandible, improves the wearer's individual satisfaction, and improves the success rate of treatment.

In addition, an end of the moving part 31 is movably coupled to one side of the upper mounting member 10 and the lower mounting member 20, and a movement guide rail for guiding linear movement of the moving part 31. It is preferable that 30b is provided. The moving guide rail 30b guides the moving part 31 of the mandible front induction wire member 30 to move linearly so that the mandible of the mandible when the mandible front induction wire member 30 is deformed into a memorized shape. Move forward smoothly.

In addition, the wire brace member 40 is mounted so as to be movable on the other side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20 to change the support position of the mandible front guide wire member 30. Preferably, the example may be implemented in the same manner as described above with reference to FIG. 4, and may be variously modified and implemented.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control device 70 detects a snoring or apnea state of the wearer in the respiratory abnormality detecting sensor 60, and supplies power to the wire heating member 80 when the signal is received. The mandible front induction wire member 30 is heated.

In addition, the mandible front induction wire member 30 is opened in the state in which the moving part 31 is supported by the wire brace member 40, and pushes the mandible mounting member 20 forward to lift the mandible of the wearer. Move forward to keep the airways near the pharynx open and expand.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 10, the lower jaw moving device 50 includes a motor unit 51 mounted on one side of the upper jaw mounting member 10 and the lower jaw mounting member 20;

It includes a lower moving part 52 for receiving the rotational force of the motor unit 51 to move the lower mounting member 20.

The motor unit 51 is fixed to the side of the lower mounting member 20, the lower movable portion 52 is a movement supporting projection (52a) protruding downward from the side of the upper mounting member (10);

It is screwed through the moving support projection (52a), is disposed in the front and rear direction of the oral cavity, and includes an operating screw (52b) for receiving the rotational force of the motor unit 51 to rotate.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the actuating screw 52b rotates, the lower mounting member 20 moves toward the front side of the upper mounting member 10, that is, the front side of the oral cavity, integrally with the motor unit 51. Allow the lower jaw to protrude rather than the maxilla.

That is, the control device 70 detects the snoring or apnea state of the wearer in the respiratory abnormality detection sensor 60, and when the signal is received, supplies the power to the motor unit 51 to generate rotational force. Rotate the operating screw 52b.

Then, the operation screw 52b is screwed forward to the moving support protrusion 52a fixed. At this time, the mandible mounting member 20, in which the motor unit 51 and the motor unit 51 are integrally moved, moves to the front side of the oral cavity to derive the mandible lower than the maxilla, thereby maintaining the airway around the pharynx in an open state. , Expand your prayers.

The snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus according to the present invention protects the jaw joint of the wearer because the mandible is opened by moving the mandible only when snoring and sleep apnea occur.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention, which is understood to be included in the configuration of the present invention.

10: upper jaw mounting member 20: lower jaw mounting member
30: mandible front induction wire member 40: wire brace member
50: mandible mobile device 60: breathing abnormality detection sensor
70: control device 80: wire heating member

Claims (14)

Upper jaw mounting member that the upper teeth are inserted and mounted to the upper jaw;
Lower jaw mounting member is inserted in the lower jaw inserted lower teeth;
A mandible front induction wire member mounted on one side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member and made of a shape memory alloy to have the superelasticity above a predetermined temperature to guide the mandibular mounting member to the front;
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it comprises a wire brace member which is mounted on the other side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member for supporting the mandible front induction wire member. The method according to claim 1,
The mandible front induction wire member,
A moving part supported by the wire brace about a bent portion; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus, characterized in that it is disposed on the front side of the moving part and including a fixing part fixedly mounted to one side of the upper and lower jaw mounting member. The method according to claim 2,
One side of the upper mounting member and the lower mounting member is formed with a fixed guide rail to which the end of the fixing part is movably coupled,
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the end of the fixing portion is fixed to the fixing portion to the fixed guide rail, the locking mechanism for releasing the fixed state. The method according to claim 2,
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the one end of the movable portion is coupled to one of the upper and lower jaw mounting member to be movable, the movement guide rail for guiding the linear movement of the moving portion. The method according to claim 1,
The wire brace member is a fixed brace portion mounted to the other side of the upper and lower mounting members;
A moving screw part for screwing through the fixing brace part in the front and rear directions of the oral cavity; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the end of the moving screw portion rotatably coupled and includes a moving support for supporting the mandible front induction wire member on the front side of the fixed support. Upper jaw mounting member that the upper teeth are inserted and mounted to the upper jaw;
Lower jaw mounting member is inserted in the lower jaw inserted lower teeth;
A mandible moving device for moving the mandible mounting member;
A breathing abnormality detection sensor mounted on either side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member to detect a snoring or sleep apnea state; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it comprises a control device connected to the respiratory abnormality detection sensor and the mandible mobile device to control the operation of the mandible mobile device. The method of claim 6,
The mandible mobile device,
A mandible front induction wire member mounted on one side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member and made of a shape memory alloy to have the superelasticity above a predetermined temperature to guide the mandibular mounting member to the front;
A wire brace member mounted on the other side of the maxillary mounting member and the mandible mounting member and supporting the mandible front induction wire member; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it comprises a wire heating member connected to the control device is supplied with electrical power to heat the mandible front induction wire member. The method of claim 7,
The wire heating member,
A heating wire disposed to contact the lower front induction wire member; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it comprises a wire outer skin surrounding the mandible front induction wire member and the heating wire. The method of claim 7,
The mandible front induction wire member,
A moving part supported by the wire brace about a bent portion; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus, characterized in that it is disposed on the front side of the moving part and including a fixing part fixedly mounted to one side of the upper and lower jaw mounting member. The method according to claim 9,
One side of the upper mounting member and the lower mounting member is formed with a fixed guide rail to which the end of the fixing part is movably coupled,
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the end of the fixing portion is fixed to the fixing portion to the fixed guide rail, the locking mechanism for releasing the fixed state. The method according to claim 9,
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the one end of the movable portion is coupled to one of the upper and lower jaw mounting member to be movable, the movement guide rail for guiding the linear movement of the moving portion. The method of claim 7,
The wire brace member is a fixed brace portion mounted to the other side of the upper and lower mounting members;
A moving screw part for screwing through the fixing brace part in the front and rear directions of the oral cavity; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that the end of the moving screw portion rotatably coupled and includes a moving support for supporting the mandible front induction wire member on the front side of the fixed support. The method of claim 6,
The lower jaw moving device includes a motor unit mounted to one side of the upper jaw mounting member and the lower jaw mounting member; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it comprises a mandrel moving unit for moving the mandible mounting member receives the rotational force of the motor unit. The method according to claim 13,
The motor unit is fixed to the side of the lower mounting member,
The mandible moving part,
A moving support protrusion protruding downward from the side of the maxillary mounting member; And
Snoring and sleep apnea treatment apparatus characterized in that it is screwed through the moving support projection, disposed in the front, rear direction of the oral cavity, and including an operating screw to rotate by receiving the rotational force of the motor unit.

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