# US 2021/0275340 A1 · Neck Brace and Mouth Piece That Permit a Range of Movement While Maintaining an Open Airway

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- Number: US 2021/0275340 A1
- Document ID: US20210275340A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/260,084
- Filed: 2019-07-17
- Published: 2021-09-09
- Earliest claimed: 2018-07-17
- Assignees: Sanford Health
- Applicants: Sanford Health
- Inventors: Michael Sand; Patrick W. Kelly
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210275340A1

## CPC

- A61F 5/05883: {for the neck or head (A61F5/05816, A61F5/05833 take precedence; cervical supports A61F5/055)}
- A61F 5/055: Cervical collars
- A61F 5/566: {Intra-oral devices}
- 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

The present disclosure provides a device that includes (a) a chest support, (h) a neck support, (c) a chin support, (d) a pair of upper side struts each having a first end coupled to the chin support and a second end coupled to the neck support, and (e) a pair of lower side struts each having a first end coupled to the chest support and a second end coupled to the neck support.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a chest support;
a neck support;
a chin support;
a pair of upper side struts each having a first end coupled to the chin support and a second end coupled to the neck support; and
a pair of lower side struts each having a first end coupled to the chest support and a second end coupled to the neck support.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a first positioning strut having a first end coupled to the chin support and a second end coupled to the chest support.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the length of the first positioning strut is adjustable between about 5 cm to about 25 cm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein one or more of the first positioning strut, the pair of upper side struts, and the pair of lower side struts are removably coupled to one or more of the chest support, the neck support, and the chin support.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2, 3, 4)

The device of any one of claims 2-4 claim 2, wherein the first end of the first positioning strut is movably coupled to the chin support, and wherein the second end of the first positioning strut is movably coupled to the chest support.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the first end of the first positioning strut is rotatably coupled to the chin support via a first joint having at least one degree of freedom, and wherein the second end of the first positioning strut is rotatably coupled to the chest support via a second joint having at least one degree of freedom.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device of claim 6, wherein the first joint and the second joint each comprise one of a ball and socket joint, a pivot joint, a combination of two or more struts configured to scissor, or a living hinge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the first positioning strut comprises an inner tube arranged within an outer tuber such that the inner tube and outer tube are configured to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position to thereby adjust the length of the first positioning strut.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The device of claim 8, further comprising:
a plurality of through-holes arranged in series along at least a portion of the length of the outer tube; and
a spring-loaded button coupled to the inner tube and disposed through one of the plurality of through-holes in the first position, wherein the spring-loaded button is configured to be depressed such that the inner tube and outer tube move relative to each other to the second position in which the spring-loaded button is disposed through another of the plurality of through-holes to thereby set the adjustable length of the first positioning strut.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, further comprising:
a second positioning strut having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first positioning strut is coupled to a first side of the chin support, wherein the first end of the second positioning strut is coupled to a second side of the chin support, and wherein the second end of the second positioning strut is coupled to the chest support.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein one or more of the first positioning strut, the pair of upper side struts, and the pair of lower side struts comprise at least one magnet to removably couple a given strut to one or more of the chest support, the neck support, and the chin support.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, wherein the first positioning strut and the pair of lower side struts each comprise a rigid material, and wherein the pair of upper side struts each comprise a flexible material.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein a length of at least one strut of the pair of upper side struts and the pair of lower side struts has an adjustable length in one or more of a coronal plane, a sagittal plane, and an axial plane.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one strut comprises an inner tube arranged within an outer tuber such that the inner tube and the outer tube of the at least one strut are configured to move relative to each other from a first position to a second position to thereby adjust the length of the at least one strut.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising an oral appliance coupled to the chin support, wherein the oral appliance is configured to adjust a jaw thrust motion in relation to a maxillary of a user.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The device of claim 15, wherein the oral appliance includes at least one through-hole configured to receive one or more oral airway maintenance devices.

### Claim 17

(canceled).

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
one or more electrodes positioned on the chin support.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more electrodes are positioned on the chin support such that the one or more electrodes are configured to contact a throat of a user when in use.

### Claim 20 (depends on 18)

The device of claim 18, wherein the one or more electrodes are positioned on the chin support such that the one or more electrodes are configured to contact a jaw of a user when in use.

### Claim 21

(canceled).

### Claim 22

(canceled).

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

A method comprising:
positioning the device of claim 1 on a user, such that the chest support is positioned on a chest of the user, the neck support is positioned on a posterior of a neck of the user, and the chin support is positioned on or under a chin of the user; and
adjusting a length of the first positioning strut such that the chin of the user is at a desired angle with respect to the chest of the user.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the desired angle ranges from about 0 degrees to about 45 degrees.

### Claim 25 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the desired angle maintains an open airway thereby preventing sleep apnea in the user.

### Claim 26 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, further comprising:
positioning an oral appliance in a mouth of the user prior to adjusting the length of the first positioning strut.

### Claim 27 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, further comprising
stimulating a throat of the user via one or more electrodes positioned on the chin support to thereby stimulate one or more muscles of the user to prevent a tongue of the user from obstructing an airway of the user.

### Claim 28 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, further comprising
stimulating a jaw of the user via one or more electrodes positioned on the chin support to thereby stimulate one or more muscles of the user to prevent a tongue of the user from obstructing an airway of the user.