Device and method for improving a user's breathing

#This invention relates generally to oral appliances, and more particularly to a device and method for improving a user's breathing.

#Many people experience breathing problems, which may result in difficulty sleeping, in snoring, or in other more serious conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea. One treatment for such breathing disorders involves the use of devices that are inserted into a user's mouth for extending the user's lower jaw forward. These devices open the breathing passageway more fully to allow easier breathing through the nose and mouth. Certain of these devices include upper and lower arches that are connected together using a mechanism that may be adjusted to pull the lower arch, and thus the user's lower jaw, forward.

#The device and method of the present invention may reduce or eliminate certain disadvantages and problems associated with previous devices and methods for improving breathing.

#For a more complete understanding of the present invention and at least some of its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a device for improving a user's breathing;

#FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate more detailed views of example vertical positioning and forward adjustment mechanisms;

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example device 100 for improving a user's breathing. In general, device 100 may be used to treat sleep disordered breathing, such as snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, through forward adjustment of the user's lower jaw relative to the upper jaw. This opens the breathing passage and facilitates improved breathing through the user's nose and mouth. Preferably, device 100 remains entirely within the user's mouth and all surfaces of device 100 that may contact the interior of the user's mouth are smooth to prevent injury or discomfort.

#Device 100 includes an upper arch 10 adapted to receive at least some of a user's upper teeth and a lower arch 20 adapted to receive at least some of the user's lower teeth. Upper arch 10 and lower arch 20 may include molds of at least some of the user's upper and lower teeth, respectively, for improved fitting, performance, and comfort. In one embodiment, device 100 includes a positioning and adjustment mechanism 30 that couples lower arch 20 to upper arch 10, positions lower arch 20 vertically relative to upper arch 10, and may be adjusted to pull lower arch 20 forward to facilitate improved breathing. In a more particular embodiment, lower arch 20 may be precisely positioned vertically relative to upper arch 10 to precisely determine the opening of the user's lower jaw. As described more fully below, mechanism 30 may include an upper platform 40 coupled to upper arch 10, a lower platform 50 coupled to lower arch 20, and a hook 60 coupling upper platform 40 to lower platform 50. These components may be made from any suitable material, for example, a biocompatible metal or hard plastic.

#FIGS. 2 through 5 illustrate more detailed views of example vertical positioning and forward adjustment mechanisms associated with mechanism 30. Hook 60 and lower platform 50 preferably have cooperating shapes to position lower arch 20 relative to upper arch 10. End 62 of hook 60 may snap, click, or otherwise lock into recess 52 of lower platform 50, such that suitable force is needed to remove end 62 from recess 52, or end 62 may be freely removable from recess 52. In one embodiment, the cooperating shapes of lower platform 50 and hook 60 precisely position lower arch 20 vertically relative to upper arch 10 to precisely determine an opening of the user's lower jaw. Hook 60 and lower platform 50 may be collectively referred to as a vertical positioning mechanism for lower arch 20. In one embodiment, a substantially rounded recess 52 formed in lower platform 50 acts as a socket to receive a substantially rounded end 62 of hook 60. Recess 52 of lower platform 50 is adapted to receive and position end 62 of hook 60 to pull lower arch 20 forward to facilitate improved breathing. Substantially rounded end 62 of hook 60 may be substantially spherical, as shown, or may have any other suitable substantially rounded shape. Use of the modifier “substantially” is intended to make it clear that true mathematical roundness, as in a true circle or sphere, is not required and that a substantially rounded end 62 or a substantially rounded recess 52 may have any suitable curved profiles. Furthermore, although a substantially rounded end 62 and a substantially rounded recess 52 are primarily described and may be preferred in certain circumstances, the present invention contemplates any suitable cooperating shapes for end 62 and recess 52 depending on the embodiment. Lower platform 50 may be fully integral to, permanently coupled to, or separate and removable from lower arch 20. Unless otherwise clear from the context, lower platform 50 may be deemed a part of lower arch 20, whether or not lower platform 50 is integral to lower arch 20, such that lower arch 20 may be said to include recess 52.