# US 2021/0330488 A1 · Oral appliance apparatus and method of operation thereof

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- Number: US 2021/0330488 A1
- Document ID: US20210330488A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/241,101
- Filed: 2021-04-27
- Published: 2021-10-28
- Earliest claimed: 2020-04-28
- Assignees: Rick T. Waterman
- Inventors: Rick T. Waterman; Jack O. Mills
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330488A1

## CPC

- 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

A device for treating sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea comprising an upper portion, and a lower portion; wherein a first bottom surface of the upper portion, is joined to a second top surface of the lower portion using a sealant. A method of treating sleep disorders such as snoring and sleep apnea includes using an oral appliance, and a positive airway pressure machine for assisting a user to breathe through the nose.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An oral appliance device comprising: an oral appliance configured to: fit between a lower jaw and an upper jaw of a user, the oral appliance comprising: an upper portion, and a lower portion; wherein a first bottom surface of the upper portion, is joined to a second top surface of the lower portion using a sealant.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the sealant forms a complete seal between the first bottom surface of the upper portion, and the second top surface of the lower portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 further comprising: wherein the sealant, the upper portion, and the lower portion are constructed of a non-toxic material, a hypoallergenic material or a combination thereof.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 wherein the oral appliance is configured to prevent airflow from occurring from the mouth region of a user.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein the oral appliance is configured to operate with a chin strap.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1, wherein the oral appliance is configured to operate with a nasal mask.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 wherein the oral appliance is configured to operate with a face mask.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 wherein the oral appliance is configured to operate with a positive airway pressure system.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The oral appliance of claim 1 wherein the oral appliance is configured to allow the lower jaw to remain in a natural position.

### Claim 10

A one-piece appliance comprising: an upper region, and a lower region, with the one-piece appliance constructed to fit into an appliance location of a user wherein the one-piece appliance is configured to prevent air flow from occurring from the mouth region of a user.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The one-piece appliance of claim 10 further comprising: wherein one-piece appliance is constructed of a non-toxic material, a hypoallergenic material or a combination thereof.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The one-piece appliance of claim 10 wherein the one-piece appliance is configured to operate with a chin strap, a nasal mask, a face mask, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The one-piece appliance of claim 10 wherein the one-piece appliance is configured to operate with a positive airway pressure system.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The one-piece appliance of claim 10 wherein the one-piece appliance is configured to allow the lower jaw to remain in a natural position.

### Claim 15

A method of treating a sleep disorder comprising:
placing an oral appliance in the appliance location of a user, and;
preventing breathing through the mouth area of a user using the oral appliance.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 further comprising:
using a positive airway pressure system by the user.

### Claim 17 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 where the sleep disorder can be sleep apnea.

### Claim 18 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15 wherein the sleep disorder can be snoring.