# US 8,770,196 B2 · System and method for treating patient with obstructive sleep apnea > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,196 B2 - Document ID: US8770196B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/662,602 - Filed: 2010-04-26 - Published: 2010-08-19 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-19 - Assignees: ResMed Limited - Applicants: Gregory Robert Peake; Gregory Scott Smart; Robert Edward Henry; Christopher John Baxter - Inventors: Gregory Robert Peake; Gregory Scott Smart; Robert Edward Henry; Christopher John Baxter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770196B2 ## CPC - A61F 5/566: {Intra-oral devices} - A61M 16/00: Devices for influencing the respiratory system of patients by gas treatment, e.g. ventilators (iron lungs A61H31/02); Tracheal tubes - A61M 16/022: {Control means therefor} - 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) - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea includes providing MAD therapy via an adjustable mandibular advancement device structured to advance the position of the patient's lower jaw, providing CPAP therapy via a mask system structured to deliver a supply of pressurized air to a patient, and selectively adjusting the mask system and/or the mandibular advancement device to alternate and/or balance between CPAP therapy and MAD therapy. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising: providing a mask system with an air delivery conduit that extends over the patient's head; fitting the mask system to the patient's head; adjusting the mask system to promote opening of the patient's upper airways; and adjusting the position of the mask system to cause the angle of the patient's neck to change. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the mask system includes adjusting the mask system to tilt the patient's head back. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, further comprising reducing the length of the air delivery conduit that extends over the patient's head to tilt the patient's head back. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adjusting the mask system includes forcing the mask system away from the patient's lower jaw. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising raising the mask system to cause the upper airway to open. ### Claim 6 A system for treating obstructive sleep apnea, comprising: a mask system adapted to deliver a supply of pressurized air to a patient; and a mechanism provided to the mask system that promotes opening of the patient's upper airways in use wherein the mechanism is structured to adjust the position of the mask system to cause the angle of the patient's neck to change. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the mask system includes a nasal mask, full-face mask, nasal and mouth mask, and/or nasal prongs. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the mask system includes an air delivery conduit that, in use, extends over the patient's head. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system according to claim 8, wherein the mechanism is coupled to the air delivery conduit, the mechanism structured to reduce the length of the air delivery conduit to, in use, tilt the patient's head back. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism is structured to adjust the mask system to, in use, tilt the patient's head back. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism is structured force the mask system away from the patient's lower jaw. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The system according to claim 6, wherein the mechanism is structured to raise the mask system to cause the upper airway to open. ### Claim 13 A full-face mask system for use in respiratory therapy, comprising: an upper region configured to cover at least the patient's nose; a lower region pivotably connected to the upper region and proximal to the patient's lower jaw; and a biasing mechanism positioned at a pivot point of the lower region, wherein the biasing mechanism is constructed and arranged to bias the lower region into sealing engagement with the patient's face. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A full-face mask system according to claim 13, wherein the biasing mechanism is positioned below a headgear attachment region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) A full-face mask system according to claim 13, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a spring. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) A full-face mask system according to claim 13, wherein the biasing mechanism includes more than one spring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A full-face mask system according to claim 13, wherein the biasing mechanism is constructed and arranged to bias the lower region against the patient's face. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) A full-face mask system according to claim 13, wherein the pivot point is located between the upper and lower regions. ### Claim 19 A full-face mask system for use in respiratory therapy, comprising: an upper region; a lower region proximal to the patient's lower jaw and configured to sealingly engage around the patient's mouth, the lower region being pivotably mounted with respect to the upper region to allow movement of the patient's lower jaw; and a biasing mechanism constructed and configured to pivot the lower region with respect to the upper region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A full-face mask system according to claim 19, wherein the upper region is configured to sealingly engage with the patient's face. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A full-face mask system according to claim 19, wherein the biasing mechanism is configured to bias the lower section away from the patient's face.