WO2001043673A1 - Tongue stabilising device - Google Patents

Tongue stabilising device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001043673A1
WO2001043673A1 PCT/NZ2000/000252 NZ0000252W WO0143673A1 WO 2001043673 A1 WO2001043673 A1 WO 2001043673A1 NZ 0000252 W NZ0000252 W NZ 0000252W WO 0143673 A1 WO0143673 A1 WO 0143673A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
tongue
opening
hollow interior
stabilising device
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.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/NZ2000/000252
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Christopher John Robertson
James Thomas Whittington
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
INNOVATIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (NZ) Ltd
Original Assignee
INNOVATIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (NZ) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
First worldwide family litigation filed litigation Critical https://patents.darts-ip.com/?family=19927676&utm_source=google_patent&utm_medium=platform_link&utm_campaign=public_patent_search&patent=WO2001043673(A1) "Global patent litigation dataset” by Darts-ip is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Priority to CA002432023A priority Critical patent/CA2432023C/en
Priority to JP2001544615A priority patent/JP4294902B2/ja
Priority to HK04102453.2A priority patent/HK1060041B/en
Priority to AU24131/01A priority patent/AU776822B2/en
Priority to US10/450,696 priority patent/US7073506B2/en
Application filed by INNOVATIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (NZ) Ltd filed Critical INNOVATIVE HEALTH TECHNOLOGIES (NZ) Ltd
Priority to ES00987855T priority patent/ES2246924T3/es
Priority to AT00987855T priority patent/ATE301447T1/de
Priority to EP00987855A priority patent/EP1349521B8/en
Priority to DE60021926T priority patent/DE60021926T2/de
Publication of WO2001043673A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001043673A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Priority to CY20051101356T priority patent/CY1105665T1/el
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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

Definitions

  • the invention comprises a tongue stabilising device for use in reducing snoring.
  • sleep disorder is sleep apnoea, which is defined as a cessation of airflow greater than or equal to 10 seconds 5 times per hour of sleep time.
  • apnoea is obstructive apnoea which is an absence of airflow due to airway obstruction in the upper airway.
  • Snoring is created by the vibration of the pharyngeal soft tissues as air passes through an airway that is too small to allow for smooth, unimpeded flow. While obstructive apnoea is marked by total airway closure, snoring is a symptom of partial closure or near collapse. Snoring indicates a partial airway obstruction. That is, as the air flows through a partial obstruction, vibration of tissue occurs, creating the sound of snoring. Many times snoring is a warning sign of impending apnoea.
  • US patent 5,465,734 to Snorex, Inc discloses a tongue retaining device which is typically formed of a flexible polyvinyl material and comprises a hollow interior which fits over the forward end of the tongue and with which the tongue is held forward by negative pressure created with the device.
  • the device has a particular shape, is adjustable in relation to engagement with the users face, and requires specialist fitting or the taking of upper and lower jaw impressions of the patient to produce a tailored device for the patient.
  • the present invention provides an improved, or at least alternative, form of oral therapy appliance useful for eliminating or reducing snoring.
  • the invention comprises a one piece tongue stabilising device formed of a resiliently flexible material and comprising a body having a hollow interior within which the end of a user's tongue fits and is held by negative pressure when the device is fitted on to the user's tongue and which body comprises an entry portion having an opening to the hollow interior of the device and a bulb portion connected by a narrower diameter neck portion, and tabs extending from the bulb portion which in use engage the exterior of the user's face around the user's mouth or between the user's teeth and lips, to hold the tongue forward to assist in opening user's airway and reducing snoring.
  • the entry portion is tapered with a reducing diameter from said opening to said neck portion.
  • the opening and entry portion Preferably have a larger cross-sectional dimension across the device.
  • the hollow interior of the device has a general heart shape in cross- section at said neck portion.
  • a major benefit of the device of the invention is that it does not require specialist fitting or the taking of upper and lower jaw impressions of the patient to produce a tailored device for the patient. Rather it is possible to sell the device in a range of a few sizes, over the counter and without requiring special fitting. This is a major advance in terms of cost reduction and ensuring wide spread availability to assist persons with sleep apnoea. This is due to the shape of the device.
  • Figure 1 is a side view of the device
  • Figure 2 is a front view of the device in the direction of arrow A in Figure 1,
  • Figure 3 is a view of the device from below in the direction of arrow B in Figure 1,
  • Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional shape of the device across the neck portion of the device
  • Figure 5 shows the device in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED FORM
  • tongue stabilising device comprises a body shaped as shown and also having a hollow interior.
  • the device is formed from a resiliently flexible material and typically a synthetic material such as a polyvinyl material or similar.
  • the body of the device comprises a hollow bulb portion 2 and an entry portion 3, which are connected by a narrower diameter neck portion 4.
  • the entry portion 3 has an opening into the hollow interior and is tapered with a reducing diameter from the opening to the neck portion 4, so that the neck portion 4 has the narrowest diameter across the device.
  • the shape of the device is such that at least the entry portion and the neck portion are wider across the device than they are in a vertical direction (in orientation of the device during normal use) and the bulb portion 2 may also have a similar shape, but this may not be essential.
  • the hollow interior of the device has a heart shape in cross- section at the neck portion, as shown in Figure 4.
  • a cut out 7 is formed in the device as shown in Figure 3 to accommodate the web beneath the user's tongue.
  • Locating tabs 8 and 9 extend from the top and bottom of the bulb 2.
  • the device is a unitary device with the locating tabs 8 and 9 integrally moulded with the body of the device.
  • the tabs 8 and 9 are also hollow (communicating with the hollow interior of the device and particularly the bulb portion 2), to increase the volume within the device for maximising negative pressure to retain the device on a user's tongue.
  • the bulb end of the bulb portion 2 of the device is squeezed somewhat and the device is pushed over the end of the user's tongue by the user.
  • the bulb is then released so that it will return to its original shape applying negative pressure within the device to the end of the user's tongue so that the device will be retained on the end of the tongue.
  • the tabs 8 and 9 will then engage the exterior of the user's face, with the upper tab 8 resting against the user's upper lip and the lower tab 9 which is preferably slightly longer as shown resting against the user's lower lip and chin area.
  • the tabs 8 and 9 may be positioned slightly further back on the bulb portion from the front end of the bulb portion so that they are positioned to fit between the teeth and lips of the user, and will engage against the user's teeth.
  • the tongue stabilising device of the invention fits against the mouth or teeth of the user as shown. It may be provided in a number of sizes but because of its shape does not need to be specially fitted or require the taking of upper and lower jaw impressions as with conventional tongue retaining devices. It can therefore be retailed "over the counter” at chemists or pharmacies for example. The device can also be used with edentulous patients.

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)
  • Soy Sauces And Products Related Thereto (AREA)
  • Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
  • Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
PCT/NZ2000/000252 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device Ceased WO2001043673A1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE60021926T DE60021926T2 (de) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Zungenstabilisiervorrichtung
AT00987855T ATE301447T1 (de) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Zungenstabilisiervorrichtung
HK04102453.2A HK1060041B (en) 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device
AU24131/01A AU776822B2 (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device
US10/450,696 US7073506B2 (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilizing device
CA002432023A CA2432023C (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device
ES00987855T ES2246924T3 (es) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Dispositivo para estabilizacion de la lengua.
JP2001544615A JP4294902B2 (ja) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 舌安定化器具
EP00987855A EP1349521B8 (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device
CY20051101356T CY1105665T1 (el) 1999-12-15 2005-11-07 Συσκευη σταθεροποιησης της γλωσσας

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ50181299 1999-12-15
NZ501812 1999-12-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001043673A1 true WO2001043673A1 (en) 2001-06-21

Family

ID=19927676

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NZ2000/000252 Ceased WO2001043673A1 (en) 1999-12-15 2000-12-15 Tongue stabilising device

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US7073506B2 (https=)
EP (1) EP1349521B8 (https=)
JP (1) JP4294902B2 (https=)
AT (1) ATE301447T1 (https=)
AU (1) AU776822B2 (https=)
CA (1) CA2432023C (https=)
CY (1) CY1105665T1 (https=)
DE (1) DE60021926T2 (https=)
ES (1) ES2246924T3 (https=)
WO (1) WO2001043673A1 (https=)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007091084A1 (en) * 2006-02-10 2007-08-16 Royal College Of Art Tongue - holding device
US7798146B2 (en) 2004-10-29 2010-09-21 Ric Investments, Llc Oral appliance
GR1009333B (el) * 2017-08-02 2018-07-31 Σταματης Ιωαννου Κορδης Συσκευη εξαλειψης ροχαλητου

Families Citing this family (21)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CA2373407C (en) * 2001-02-28 2013-08-27 Leslie Dort Tongue retention device
GB0506832D0 (en) * 2005-04-04 2005-05-11 Smith Stephen B Oral insert
US20080206707A1 (en) * 2007-01-31 2008-08-28 Michael Gelb Oral appliance for improving airway function during sleep or physical activity
US8667970B2 (en) 2007-11-13 2014-03-11 Apnicure, Inc. Airway device with tongue-engaging member
US8122890B2 (en) 2007-11-13 2012-02-28 Apnicure, Inc. Methods and systems for saliva management with an oral device
US8573223B2 (en) 2010-07-20 2013-11-05 Apnicure, Inc. Airway device with tongue-engaging member
US8505540B2 (en) 2007-11-13 2013-08-13 Apnicure, Inc. Methods and systems for improving airway patency
USD618806S1 (en) 2008-01-31 2010-06-29 Gelb Michael L Oral appliance for improving airway function during sleep or physical activity
US7954494B1 (en) 2008-03-26 2011-06-07 Connor Robert A Device with actively-moving members that hold or move the tongue
KR20130135817A (ko) 2010-06-07 2013-12-11 슬리피, 인코포레이티드 혀 유지 구강 기구
US8402973B2 (en) 2010-08-16 2013-03-26 Apnicure, Inc. Method and system for sizing an oral device
US8979823B2 (en) 2011-02-09 2015-03-17 Apnicure, Inc. Saliva management system with continuous flow through oral device
US9483792B2 (en) 2012-05-15 2016-11-01 Apnicure, Inc. Screen-based method and system for sizing an oral appliance
US9375541B2 (en) 2012-07-11 2016-06-28 Apnicure, Inc. Apparatus and methods for reducing foaming during saliva collection
US11246742B2 (en) 2013-01-11 2022-02-15 Somnics, Inc. (Taiwan) Oral device to eliminate air space in oral cavity
US11833075B2 (en) * 2013-10-24 2023-12-05 Dante Togliatti Dental appliance
US10166140B2 (en) 2015-06-25 2019-01-01 Somnics, Inc. Liquid container and absorbent insert for oral negative-pressure therapy system
US11806272B2 (en) 2020-03-04 2023-11-07 Randall Ow Devices and methods for treating obstructive breathing disorders
CN115300215B (zh) * 2021-05-08 2025-01-10 车永吉 打鼾及睡眠呼吸暂停防止具
JP7491623B1 (ja) 2023-04-04 2024-05-28 晴久 外口 口腔内保護装置
US20250381061A1 (en) * 2024-06-12 2025-12-18 Geller Generations LLC Tongue positioning device

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4169473A (en) * 1978-03-03 1979-10-02 Samelson Charles F Anti-snoring and anti-bruxism device
US4676240A (en) * 1985-09-09 1987-06-30 Gardy Victor R Tongue locking device to minimize effects of sleep apnea and to reduce snoring
US5373859A (en) * 1993-04-19 1994-12-20 Forney; Leroy S. Tongue positioning device
US5465734A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-11-14 Snorex, Inc. Adjustable tongue positioning device and method

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1491143A1 (de) * 1963-02-13 1969-04-03 Engelhardt Bruno Vorrichtung zur Atmungsregelung
US4198967A (en) * 1978-01-13 1980-04-22 Dror Leon L Tongue holder
US4196724A (en) * 1978-01-31 1980-04-08 Frecker William H Tongue locking device
EP0215002A1 (en) * 1985-03-19 1987-03-25 SUN, William Y. Sterile disposable laryngoscope blade sheath
US6422243B1 (en) * 2000-12-11 2002-07-23 Sarojini Daram Taste bud shield and method of using same

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4169473A (en) * 1978-03-03 1979-10-02 Samelson Charles F Anti-snoring and anti-bruxism device
US4676240A (en) * 1985-09-09 1987-06-30 Gardy Victor R Tongue locking device to minimize effects of sleep apnea and to reduce snoring
US5373859A (en) * 1993-04-19 1994-12-20 Forney; Leroy S. Tongue positioning device
US5465734A (en) * 1994-01-12 1995-11-14 Snorex, Inc. Adjustable tongue positioning device and method

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7798146B2 (en) 2004-10-29 2010-09-21 Ric Investments, Llc Oral appliance
WO2007091084A1 (en) * 2006-02-10 2007-08-16 Royal College Of Art Tongue - holding device
GR1009333B (el) * 2017-08-02 2018-07-31 Σταματης Ιωαννου Κορδης Συσκευη εξαλειψης ροχαλητου

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2004520084A (ja) 2004-07-08
HK1060041A1 (en) 2004-07-30
EP1349521B1 (en) 2005-08-10
AU2413101A (en) 2001-06-25
EP1349521A1 (en) 2003-10-08
EP1349521A4 (en) 2004-03-31
CY1105665T1 (el) 2010-12-22
US7073506B2 (en) 2006-07-11
DE60021926D1 (de) 2005-09-15
AU776822B2 (en) 2004-09-23
CA2432023A1 (en) 2001-06-21
ES2246924T3 (es) 2006-03-01
JP4294902B2 (ja) 2009-07-15
ATE301447T1 (de) 2005-08-15
CA2432023C (en) 2007-11-27
DE60021926T2 (de) 2006-07-20
EP1349521B8 (en) 2005-10-12
US20040134490A1 (en) 2004-07-15

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