Methods and devices for positioning of a mandible of a subject for determining an optimal airway opening
AssigneeKosmo Technologies, LLC
InventorsWilliam H. Hanewinkel, Mike Gleeson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A point of care device that uses a forced oscillation technique (FOT) and a three dimensional dental device. The point of care device measures the pressure and flow of tidal breathing and reports the results in real time. If the subject's upper airway resistance is high or out of the norm, simply adjust the subject's mandible to see if resistance can be reduced. If it can be reduced by a certain percentage, this will determine if an oral appliance will work for a subject, if that location is comfortable for long term compliance and what the exact location needs to be.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- an airflow measurement tube with an open end configured to form an airtight seal with an airway of a subject;
- a dental device coupled with the airflow measurement tube and configured to position a mandible of the subject with respect to a maxilla of the subject;
- and
- at least one sensor coupled with the airflow measurement tube and configured to measure at least one of an airflow through the airflow measurement tube or a pressure within the airflow measurement tube.
An airflow measurement tube, comprising:
- an open end configured to be positioned against a facial surface of a subject;
- a receptacle configured to receive a dental device;
- and
- at least one sensor configured to measure at least one of a flowrate through the airflow measurement tube or a pressure within the airflow measurement tube.
A method of measuring and adjusting an amount of airflow through an airway of a subject, the method comprising:
- positioning the subject's mandible in a first position with a dental device;
- performing a first airway measurement of the subject's airway with the subject's mandible in the first position;
- positioning the subject's mandible in a second position with the dental device;
- performing a second airway measurement of the subject's airway with the subject's mandible in the second position;
- and
- comparing the first airway measurement and the second airway measurement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.