# US 12,758,366 B2 · Mandibular advancement and retraction via bone anchoring devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,758,366 B2 - Document ID: US12758366B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 19/025,002 - Filed: 2025-01-16 - Published: 2025-05-15 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2015-01-13 - Assignees: Align Technology, Inc. - Applicants: Align Technology, Inc. - Inventors: Allen R. Boronkay - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12758366B2 ## CPC - A61C 8/0096: {Implants for use in orthodontic treatment} - A61B 17/663: {for jaw bones, e.g. subcutaneous distractors with external access (periodontal bone regeneration A61C8/0006)} - A61C 7/08: Mouthpiece-type retainers {or positioners, e.g. for both the lower and upper arch (arch-shaped medicament applicators for teeth or gums A61C19/063; mouthguards for protecting the teeth of sportsmen A63B71/085)} - A61C 7/36: Devices acting between upper and lower teeth - A61F 5/56: Devices for preventing snoring - A61F 5/566: {Intra-oral devices} - A61B 2017/603: {with three points of contact, e.g. tripod} - A61C: DENTISTRY; APPARATUS OR METHODS FOR ORAL OR DENTAL HYGIENE (non-driven toothbrushes A46B; {tongue scrapers A61B17/24;} preparations for dentistry A61K6/00; preparations for cleaning the teeth or mouth A61K8/00, A61Q11/00) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - 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 (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Systems, methods, devices and apparatus for mandibular advancement or retraction via bone anchoring devices are described herein. In various aspects, an apparatus for treating a patient via mandibular advancement or retraction comprises a plurality of anchoring devices positioned in the patient's intraoral cavity. Each of the plurality of anchoring devices can be positioned in bone of the patient's upper jaw or bone of the patient's lower jaw. One or more connecting structures can be removably coupled to and extend between the plurality of anchoring devices in order to displace the lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to the upper jaw. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for treating a patient via mandibular advancement or retraction, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of anchoring devices configured to be positioned in a bone of a patient's jaws; and one or more connecting structures removably couplable to the plurality of anchoring devices, the one or more connecting structures configured to extend between the anchoring devices and to displace a lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to an upper jaw, wherein the one or more connecting structures and the plurality of anchoring devices are configured to constrain vertical displacement of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw to inhibit contact between teeth of the lower jaw and teeth of the upper jaw, wherein the one or more connecting structures are arranged to produce an anterior-posterior force component that displaces the lower jaw anteriorly or posteriorly relative to the upper jaw. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, the one or more connecting structures and the plurality of anchoring devices are configured to constrain vertical displacement of the lower jaw without a vertical force component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more connecting structures are removably couplable to the plurality of anchoring devices by a mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the mechanism is selected from one of a snap-fit coupling, magnetic coupling, interference fit, locking surface, adhesive, removable fastener, cam lock, interlocking mechanical coupling, or fastening feature. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more connecting structures comprises an elastic structure. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic structure is configured to exert anterior-posterior forces without applying vertical forces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic structure is configurable to displace the lower jaw in an anterior direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elastic structure is configurable to displace the lower jaw in a posterior direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more connecting structures comprises a stiff structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the stiff structure exhibits substantially no deformation under load. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more connecting structures comprises a plate structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the plate structure comprises a geometry selected from one of a circular, elliptical, triangular, and rectangular geometry. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first of the plurality of anchoring devices are configured to be anchored to the upper jaw of the patient. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a second of the plurality of anchoring devices are configured to be anchored to the lower jaw of the patient. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more connecting structures are configured to be couplable to a first of the plurality of anchoring devices that are configured to be anchored to the lower jaw of the patient. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more connecting structures are configured to be couplable to a second of the plurality of anchoring devices that are configured to be anchored to the upper jaw of the patient. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of anchoring devices comprises at least one pin anchoring device and the one or more connecting structures are configured to be couplable to the pin anchoring device. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the plurality of anchoring devices comprises at least one pivoting anchoring device and the one or more connecting structures are configured to be couplable to the pivoting anchoring device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one pivoting anchoring device is configured to be placed in the lower jaw. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the at least one pin anchoring device is configured to be placed in the upper jaw.