KR20220167455A - Sleep apnea and snoring prevention device using negative pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sleep apnea snoring prevention device and, more specifically, to a sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure, which is used for intraoral insertion, wherein by using negative pressure to close the lips, it is possible to prevent mouth breathing, which causes snoring and sleep apnea during sleep, and induces nasal breathing, and the tongue is positioned anterosuperiorly to allow the soft palate and uvula to be compressed against the tongue, helping to secure the airway. The device inserted into the oral cavity according to the present invention comprises: an upper tooth contact portion located at the top and in contact with the maxillary teeth; a lower tooth contact portion located at the bottom and in contact with the teeth of the lower jaw; a lateral tooth contact portion that connects the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, is located at an edge perpendicular to the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, and is in contact with the teeth of the upper and lower teeth; and a tongue elevation portion connected to the inner lower portion of the lateral tooth contact portion and in close contact with the lower portion of the tongue.

Description

Sleep apnea and snoring prevention device using negative pressure {Sleep apnea and snoring prevention device using negative pressure}

The present invention relates to a device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring, and more particularly, is used as an intraoral device, and is used for nasal breathing by preventing mouth breathing that causes snoring and sleep apnea during sleep by closing the lips using negative pressure. It relates to a sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure that helps to secure the airway by inducing and positioning the tongue in an anterior and upper direction so that the soft palate and the uvula are pressed against the tongue.

The increase in the elderly population due to obesity and aging due to a westernized diet, and the number of modern people suffering from sleep disorders due to habitual frequent drinking and smoking, and stress is increasing.

A sleep disorder is a condition in which a person does not get sound sleep, is unable to stay awake during the day even after getting enough sleep, or has difficulty falling asleep or waking up due to a disturbed sleep rhythm.

Sleep apnea and snoring, one of the many causes of sleep disorders, can cause drowsiness during the daytime and interfere with work because the brain is not able to wake up and get a good night's sleep.

In addition, not having a deep sleep every night can lead to headaches and fatigue in daily life during the day, which can lead to a decrease in quality of life.

A bigger problem is that irregular breathing interferes with the supply of oxygen to the brain and even lowers blood oxygen saturation, increasing the risk of various diseases.

Methods for preventing or treating sleep apnea and snoring include surgery for airway expansion, treatment using a positive airway pressure device, and treatment using an intraoral device. Treatment using energy is highly effective, but has the disadvantage of low compliance due to discomfort.

Accordingly, the need for a simple and low-risk device for treatment using an oral device that is used as a good treatment for patients suffering from mild to moderate sleep apnea and snoring has emerged.

KR 10-2018-0024537 A KR 10-2053985 B1

The present invention was invented to solve the above problems, and the portability of the device is simple, but it is possible to prevent discomfort, rejection, and side effects of using the device, and to form negative pressure in the oral cavity at a low cost and to make the lower jaw lower than the upper jaw. An object of the present invention is to provide a sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure equipped with a function of inducing expansion of the airway in a relatively forward protruding structure.

The object of the present invention is not limited to the object mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood from the description below.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, a device for snoring sleep apnea using negative pressure is inserted into the oral cavity, comprising: an upper tooth contact portion located at an upper portion and contacting teeth of the upper jaw; A lower tooth contact portion located at the lower portion and in contact with the teeth of the lower jaw; a side tooth contact portion connecting the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion being positioned at an edge so as to be perpendicular to the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, and contacting side surfaces of upper and lower teeth; And a tongue raised portion connected to the inner lower portion of the side tooth contact portion and closely adhered to the lower portion of the tongue. It is a technical feature that consists of.

In addition, the upper tooth contact portion, the lower tooth contact portion, and the side tooth contact portion have a clearance of 0.05 to 0.15 mm from the wearer's teeth.

In addition, the lower contact part is characterized in that it has a structure that protrudes relatively forward than the upper contact part.

In addition, the side tooth contact part is formed to be 1 to 2 mm long in the gum direction from the gingival margin of the upper and lower jaws, and the inner side is formed relatively thinner than the outer side.

In addition, the device is characterized in that formed of a urethane material.

The present invention according to the above configuration can expect the following effects.

First, it can function to prevent and prevent sleep apnea and snoring by being inserted into the oral cavity, and can be easily worn without hassle as it is formed of a simple structure and a urethane material.

Most patients with snoring and sleep apnea have an anatomical abnormality in which the space of the upper respiratory tract, a structure that starts in the nasal cavity and extends to the larynx, is narrowed. Even in this case, the space in the throat is reduced and the upper airway is narrowed, which can lead to snoring and sleep apnea.

In particular, when breathing with the mouth open while lying down, the soft palate and uvula droop backward, narrowing the upper airway or blocking the airway, and the tongue also droops backwards and downwards, blocking the airway.

When mouth breathing occurs during sleep, the soft palate and uvula droop backwards while the mouth is open, and air entering the nasal cavity and oral cavity during mouth breathing causes the uvula to vibrate, causing snoring symptoms.

When the muscles of the soft palate, uvula, and tongue relax while the mouth is open in deep sleep, the upper airway is completely closed, causing sleep apnea symptoms.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned problems, in order to maintain the same posture as the normal position of the tongue, soft palate, and uvula in the form of negative pressure in the oral cavity during normal nasal breathing, the lips are closed while maintaining the negative pressure in the oral cavity, and the tongue is placed in the anterior upper direction as a whole. The soft palate and uvula are attached to the back of the tongue by negative pressure, so that the space in the upper airway can be secured.

Firstly, the lower jaw protrudes forward relative to the upper jaw, and secondly, negative pressure is formed to prevent the mouth from opening, and the soft palate and uvula attach to the back of the tongue to easily secure airway space by applying the tongue forward and upward to prevent snoring and sleep. It has the effect of preventing the symptoms of apnea.

In addition, conventional devices have complex structures or are made of hard materials, causing a sense of rejection or discomfort to the wearer. It is possible to give comfort when wearing the device by using the material.

In addition, it is possible to improve the fixing force of the device by being formed by imitating the shape of the wearer's teeth.

In addition, it is composed of a structure that improves the negative pressure so that the gap of the occlusal surface and the tongue can be applied and seated in the anterior and upper directions, so that the general oral negative pressure can be more effectively improved at a low cost.

1 is an upper perspective view of an apparatus for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lower direction of the sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a rear perspective view of an apparatus for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a plan view of an apparatus for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
5 is a conceptual diagram of an intraoral structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating changes after wearing the device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention by omitting it.
7 is a conceptual diagram showing a device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a conceptual diagram showing the seating of the tongue inside the sleep apnea snoring prevention device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an upper perspective view of a device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention A perspective view, Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention A plan view, Figure 5 is a conceptual diagram of the intraoral structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a change after wearing the device for preventing sleep apnea snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is omitted A conceptual diagram, FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of wearing a device for preventing sleep apnea and snoring using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. It is a conceptual diagram showing the settlement.

Sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figs. It may consist of an upper part (400).

First, the upper tooth contact part 100 will be examined.

The upper tooth contact unit 100 is provided in a form that directly contacts the occlusal surface of the wearer's upper teeth, and has a groove formed in the shape of the occlusal surface, so that it can serve as a support fixed to the upper teeth.

It is located on the inside of the upper part of the device, and the shape of the groove is modeled after the wearer's teeth to improve the fixing force, and has a gap of 0.05 to 0.15 mm with the teeth to increase adhesion by negative pressure, but a gap of 0.1 mm Having it may be most desirable in terms of ease of manufacture or management.

In addition, it may be desirable to have a U-shape similar to the shape of a tooth and to be formed of a urethane material.

Next, look at the lower contact part 200.

The lower tooth contact portion 200 is formed in the same structure as the upper tooth contact portion 100, but is provided in a form that directly contacts the occlusal surface of the lower tooth of the wearer, and has a groove formed in the shape of the occlusal surface to be fixed to the lower tooth can serve as a support.

The upper tooth contact portion 100 is provided so as to face the inside of the lower portion, and the lower tooth contact portion 200 allows the lower jaw 90 to protrude forward relative to the upper jaw 70 so as to secure a space for the airway 10. ) may be provided in a position that protrudes relatively forward.

Specifically, assuming that the anterior position of the lower jaw 90 is 100% in order to minimize interference with wearing or foreign body sensation in the mouth, it may be desirable to be configured by recognizing a configuration of 60-70%. .

In addition, like the upper tooth contact portion 100, the shape of the groove of the lower tooth contact portion 200 is modeled after the wearer's teeth so that the fixing force can be improved, but a gap of 0.05 to 0.15 mm is maintained with the teeth to increase the adhesion by negative pressure. However, having a gap of 0.1 mm may be the most desirable in terms of ease of manufacturing or management.

In addition, it may be desirable to have a U-shape similar to the shape of a tooth and to be formed of a urethane material.

Next, the side tooth contact unit 300 will be examined.

The side tooth contact portion 300 is provided in a form that directly contacts the side of the wearer's teeth and a portion of the gum, and has a groove formed in the shape of the side of the tooth to serve as a support fixed to the side of the tooth.

It may be positioned at the edge so as to be perpendicular to the upper tooth contact portion 100 and the lower tooth contact portion 200, and may be formed in a structure that becomes thinner in the gum direction from the occlusal surface.

The side contact part 300 has a structure that extends 1 to 2 mm from the upper and lower gingival margins in the direction of the gum to increase adhesion in order to prevent the negative pressure in the oral cavity from being efficiently formed due to the space between the device and the teeth. may be desirable.

In addition, the upper tooth contact portion 100, the lower tooth contact portion 200, and the side tooth contact portion 300 are connected elements, so that the fixing force can be improved like the upper tooth contact portion 100 and the lower tooth contact portion 200. It is manufactured by imitating the teeth of, but has a gap of 0.05 to 0.15 mm with the teeth in order to increase adhesion by negative pressure, but having a gap of 0.1 mm may be most preferable in terms of ease of manufacture or management.

The side tooth contact portion 300 may be divided into an outer side tooth contact portion 310 positioned between the lips and the teeth and an inner side tooth contact portion 330 positioned between the teeth and the tongue.

The outer side tooth contact portion 310 is formed to be relatively thicker than the inner side tooth contact portion 330, but may be formed to a thickness of 1 to 2 mm so as not to give a foreign body feeling to the wearer.

In addition, due to the structure in which the lower jaw 90 relatively protrudes forward than the upper jaw 70, the upper portion 311 of the outer side tooth contact portion may be relatively thicker than the lower portion 313 of the outer side tooth contact portion, It may be in an inclined shape.

That is, since the side in contact with the gum is relatively thin or has an intraoral structure, it can be easily adhered to the gum when negative pressure is generated.

The inner side tooth contact portion 330 is relatively thinner than the outer side tooth contact portion 310, but it may be preferable to have a thickness of 0.5 to 1.5 mm so as not to give a foreign body feeling to the wearer.

More specifically, by configuring the inner side tooth contact portion 330 thinly, when negative pressure is generated in the oral cavity, the adhesion of the device can be increased, so that the strength of the negative pressure can be strengthened, and the foreign body feeling caused by the tongue is reduced, allowing the wearer to wear the device. discomfort may be reduced.

In addition, due to the structure in which the lower jaw 90 relatively protrudes forward than the upper jaw 70 like the outer side contact portion 310, the lower portion 333 of the inner side tooth contact portion may be relatively thicker than the upper portion 331 of the inner side tooth contact portion, It may have a sloping shape inclined inward toward the upper direction.

Depending on the oral structure of the wearer, the thickness and shape of the upper and lower parts of the outer side contact portion 310 and the inner side contact portion 330 may vary slightly, but in general, the upper and lower parts of the outer side contact portion 310 and the inner side contact portion 330 ) It may be preferable that the upper and lower portions are formed in a shape without a change in thickness and no inclination, respectively.

In addition, it may be desirable to have a U-shape similar to the shape of a tooth and to be formed of a urethane material.

Next, look at the tongue raised portion 400.

The tongue lifter 400 is provided in a form of directly contacting the lower part of the tongue when negative pressure is applied to the upper part of the tongue, and may serve as a tongue lift plate to position the tongue upward when negative pressure is formed.

It is provided in an extended form at the lower part of the inner side tooth contact portion 330 of the side tooth contact portion 300, but the section connected from the inner side tooth contact portion 330 to the tongue raised portion 400 is gentle so that the tongue can be easily seated. It may be in the form of a curved line.

In addition, it may be preferable that the tongue-raised part 400 is configured in a form in which the wearer does not feel a foreign body sensation on the bottom surface in contact with the lower part of the tongue.

As negative pressure is formed in the oral cavity, the tongue is applied upward and forward, and the tongue lifting portion 400 is provided to additionally lift the tongue upward to have an effect of securing space in the airway 10.

In addition, a space may be formed in the center of the tongue raised portion 400 so as not to interfere with the tongue frenulum located at the lower part of the tongue, so that the wearer does not feel a foreign body sensation.

In addition, in order to increase the efficiency in lifting the tongue, the tongue lifter 400 may be provided with a configuration that covers the lower part of the tongue as much as possible, but may be formed to the inner end of the lower part of the tongue.

The above configurations may be made of one material, and it may be preferable to use a urethane material, but to use polyvinylsiloxane.

Based on the above configuration, the operating state of the present invention will be examined.

The wearer inserts the prevention device into the oral cavity, moves the upper jaw 70 and the lower jaw 90 to the upper tooth contact portion 100 and the lower tooth contact portion 200 to comfortably seat them so that they are fixed in the mouth.

At this time, care must be taken not to affect the generation of foreign body sensation or negative pressure by preventing the side contact unit 300 from being bent by the gums or teeth to cause lifting.

Due to the structure in which the lower contact part 200 protrudes forward than the upper contact part 100, the lower jaw 90 protrudes more forward than the upper jaw 70. As a result, it is possible to secure the primary airway 10. will do

After fixing the assistive device in the oral cavity, the tongue is placed on the raised tongue part 400 extending from the lower part 331 of the inner side tooth contact part so that it is easy to apply the tongue when negative pressure is generated, preparation for securing the secondary airway 10 is prepared. It becomes possible.

When the wearer performs swallowing movements such as swallowing saliva 1 to 2 times to form negative pressure in the oral cavity, a space of 0.05 to 0.15 mm between the upper contact part 100, the lower contact part 200, and the side contact part 300 and the teeth This reduces and comes into close contact with the teeth, and as a result, the close contact increases, enabling the negative pressure in the oral cavity to be relatively increased compared to the general intraoral pressure.

In addition, when negative pressure is formed by performing swallowing motions 1 or 2 times, the lips are closed, the tongue is attached to the front and lateral medial edges of the device with strong negative pressure, and the tip of the tongue is located on the palate and the soft palate (30) And the uvula 50 becomes possible to be attached to the back of the tongue.

As shown in FIG. 6, the simple wearing of the device secures the primary airway 10 in which the lower jaw 90 protrudes forward and forms negative pressure, thereby closing the mouth, enabling nasal breathing, and moving the tongue upward in the anterior direction. Since the wearer's airway 10 can be sufficiently secured due to the effect of securing the secondary airway 10 applied to the airway, it is possible to prevent snoring and sleep apnea.

The above embodiment is merely an example, and other embodiments variously modified therefrom are possible to those skilled in the art.

Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention should include not only the above embodiments but also variously modified other embodiments according to the technical spirit of the invention described in the claims below.

10: Prayer
30: soft palate
50: uvula
70: upper jaw
90: mandible
100: upper tooth contact part
200: lower contact part
300: side contact
310: outer side tooth contact
311: upper part of the outer side tooth contact part
313: lower part of outer side tooth contact
330: inner side tooth contact
331: upper part of the inner side tooth contact part
333: lower part of inner side tooth contact
400: tongue elevation

Claims (5)

In the device to be inserted into the oral cavity,
An upper tooth contact unit located on the upper side and contacting the teeth of the upper jaw;
A lower tooth contact portion located at the lower portion and in contact with the teeth of the lower jaw;
a side tooth contact portion connected to the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion positioned at an edge so as to be perpendicular to the upper tooth contact portion and the lower tooth contact portion, and contacting side surfaces of upper and lower teeth; and
A tongue raised portion connected to the inner lower portion of the side tooth contact portion and closely adhered to the lower portion of the tongue; Sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure consisting of. According to claim 1,
The upper tooth contact portion, the lower tooth contact portion, and the side tooth contact portion have a gap of 0.05 to 0.15 mm with the wearer's teeth when worn. According to claim 1,
Sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure, characterized in that the lower contact portion has a structure protruding relatively forward than the upper contact portion. According to claim 1,
The side tooth contact portion is formed 1 to 2 mm long from the gingival margin of the upper and lower jaws in the gum direction, and the inner side is relatively thinner than the outer side. According to claim 1,
The device is a sleep apnea snoring prevention device using negative pressure, characterized in that formed of a urethane material.

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