Adaptively controlled mandibular positioning device and method of using the device
AssigneeUniversity Technologies International Inc.
InventorsJohn E. Remmers, Eric A. Hajduk, Ronald S. Platt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to systems and methods for automatically and continuously regulating the amount of mandibular displacement to an optimal value during obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea therapy is implemented by a device which automatically reevaluates an applied mandibular displacement and continually searches for a minimum displacement required to adequately distend a patient's pharyngeal airway. The minimum optimal displacement varies with body position, stage of sleep throughout the night, the patient's body weight, and whether alcohol or sleeping medicine has been ingested.
Claims31
A method for adaptively controlling mandibular displacement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising:
- (a) monitoring the patient for evidence of obstruction of the patient's airway;
- (b) automatically displacing the patient's mandible if evidence of obstruction is detected;
- and
- (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until evidence of obstruction is eliminated or reduced below a predetermined value.
A method for adaptively controlling mandibular displacement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising the steps of:
- detecting obstruction in a patient's upper airway system;
- identifying periods of inspiration and expiration for the patient;
- and
- incrementally adjusting a patient's mandible in response to the obstruction information detected during the period of inspiration.
A system for adaptively controlling mandibular displacement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising:
- an adjustable mandibular displacement device;
- a unit which detects evidence of obstruction of the patient's airway;
- and
- a control system for adaptively controlling the adjustable mandibular displacement device in response to the detecting unit.
A method for adaptively controlling mandibular displacement for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in a patient, comprising:
- (a) monitoring the patient for evidence of obstruction of the patient's airway;
- (b) displacing the patient's mandible by adjusting a mandibular positioning device in the patient's mouth if evidence of obstruction is detected and
- (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until evidence of obstruction is eliminated or reduced below a predetermined value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.