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US 8,783,259 B2Granted
Oral appliance for improved nocturnal breathing
AssigneeCadwell Therapeutics, Inc.
InventorJamison Ross Spencer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An oral appliance includes a one-piece tray system that fits over the posterior teeth of the user and is custom-made or customized using lining material that conforms to the dentition of the wearer. The device may position the lower jaw in a slightly protruded position with respect to the upper jaw.
Claims17
An oral appliance for positioning the mandibular portion of the jaw with respect to the maxillary portion of the jaw, the oral appliance comprising a unitary tray including:
- a mandibular portion comprising:
- a first mandibular receptacle,
- a second mandibular receptacle oriented in spaced relation from the first mandibular receptacle, and
- a bridge member coupling the first mandibular receptacle to the second mandibular receptacle, wherein the first and second mandibular receptacles receive mandibular teeth;
- and
- a maxillary portion comprising:
- a first maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, wherein the first maxillary receptacle is coupled to the first mandibular receptacle;
- a second maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, wherein the second maxillary receptacle is coupled to the second mandibular receptacle;
- a first aperture formed in the first mandibular receptacle and the first maxillary receptacle, wherein the first aperture is defined by a through-hole providing fluid communication between the first mandibular receptacle and the first maxillary receptacle;
- and
- a second aperture formed in the second mandibular receptacle and the second maxillary receptacle, where the second aperture is defined by a through-hole providing fluid communication between the second mandibular receptacle and the second maxillary receptacle.
8 more elements
An oral appliance for opening the oro-pharyngeal airway of a wearer, the oral appliance comprising a unitary tray including:
- a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth;
- a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth;
- and
- an aperture for retention of lining material, the aperture extending through both the mandibular and maxillary receptacles,
- wherein the oral appliance supports a mandible such that it is vertically spaced from the maxilla and opens the oro-pharyngeal airway of the wearer,
- wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that the maxillary receptacle extends beyond a posterior edge of the mandibular receptacle to define a shoulder.
3 more elements
A dental system for opening the oro-pharyngeal airway of a wearer, the system comprising:
- a generally rigid tray having a unitary structure, the tray comprising:
- a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth;
- a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth;
- and
- an aperture for retention of lining material;
- and
- lining material operable to cure from a conformable state to a non-conformable state, wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that an anterior end of the mandibular receptacle extends beyond an anterior end of the maxillary receptacle to define a shoulder and wherein the aperture defines a through-hole extending from the mandibular receptacle to the maxillary receptacle;
- and the lining material extends through the aperture to mechanically connect to the tray.
5 more elements
A method of adjusting the positioning of mandible with respect to the maxilla, the method comprising:
- (a) obtaining an oral appliance comprising unitary tray including:
- a mandibular receptacle operable to receive mandibular teeth,
- a maxillary receptacle operable to receive maxillary teeth, and
- an aperture for retention of conformable material, the aperture extending through both the mandibular and maxillary receptacles, wherein the maxillary receptacle is offset from the mandibular receptacle such that an anterior end of the mandibular receptacle extends beyond an anterior end of the maxillary receptacle to define a shoulder and wherein the aperture for retention of conformable material is a through-hole aperture configured to retain the conformable material in a homogenous unit by creating a mechanical bond of conformable material via the through-hole aperture to the mandibular and maxillary receptacles;
- (b) applying a curable reline material to the receptacles of the oral appliance;
- (c) filling the aperture of the oral appliance with conformable material;
- (d) curing the reline material to solidify the material;
- and
- (e) positioning the oral appliance within the mouth of a wearer.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.