Surgery – Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants – Antisnoring device
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-16
2001-10-23
Brown, Michael A. (Department: 3764)
Surgery
Body protecting or restraining devices for patients or infants
Antisnoring device
C128S859000, C128S846000, C602S902000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305376
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to medical and dental appliances, and more particularly to a device and method for improving breathing and method for fitting same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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 inserted into a user's mouth for extending the user's lower jaw forward, possibly in conjunction with a face mask for supplying air to the user. These devices open the breathing passageway more fully to allow easier breathing through the nose and mouth.
As technology continues to advance and users continue to demand increased comfort and performance, improving the breathing of users has become increasingly important. Previous devices for improving breathing have included upper and lower arches that are connected together outside a user's mouth and then inserted into the user's mouth as an integrated unit to position the user's lower jaw forward. Although these devices may treat some breathing problems, these devices do not sufficiently treat more serious conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea, while also allowing the user or a clinical professional to adjust the position of the user's lower jaw after the arches have been inserted into the user's mouth. Furthermore, these devices do not allow the forward and vertical positions of the lower jaw to be adjusted independently and relatively easily. Moreover, these devices are often unwieldy and uncomfortable for the user with respect to insertion into the user's mouth and subsequent use after insertion into the user's mouth. As a result of these and other deficiencies, such devices and methods for improving breathing are inadequate for the needs of many users.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, disadvantages and problems associated with devices for improving breathing and methods for fitting such devices have been substantially reduced or eliminated.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a device for improving the breathing of a user includes an upper arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's upper teeth, a lower arch adapted to receive at least some of the user's lower teeth, and an engager that engages the lower arch. An adjustor adjusts the engager forwardly relative to the upper arch. A slotted plate couples the adjustor to the upper arch and adjustably positions the lower arch vertically relative to the upper arch.
Important technical advantages of the present invention include providing a device for improving breathing that a user or clinical professional may adjust relatively easily to more optimally fit the user so as to provide increased comfort and performance. The present invention allows the position of the lower arch to be adjusted both forwardly and vertically relative to the upper arch, and allows the forward and vertical positions of the lower arch to be adjusted independently, according to particular needs. Furthermore, the present invention allows the forward and vertical positions of the lower arch to be adjusted while the device is inserted into the user's mouth. As a result, a user or clinical professional may adjust the relative positions of the lower arch and upper arch relatively easily to provide increased fit, comfort, and performance in treating breathing disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea. Other important technical advantages are apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, description, and claims.
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Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Brown Michael A.
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