FR2852508A1 - Snore, apnea and hypo apnea reducing device, has two inclined planes constructed on posterior part of cap splints, and at one level of occlusive faces of pre-molar and molar of upper and lower jaws - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has two cap splints (1) at upper and lower jaws, respectively. Two inclined planes (2, 3) are constructed on the posterior part of cap splints. A set of bands (6) are fixed with respective hooks (4, 5) at left and right sides to link the cap splints. The inclined planes are at the level of occlusive faces of pre-molar and molar of upper and lower jaws.

Description

The present invention relates to a device on

  measure which involves advancing the lower jaw during sleep, in order to widen the pathways of the pharyngeal zone and to stop or reduce snoring, apneas and hypopneas.

  Snoring, apnea and hypopnea during sleep are anomalies and nuisances that are still too often overlooked and particularly widespread. They are caused, during sleep, by a decrease in muscle tone, which causes a narrowing of the pharyngeal area (soft palate, uvula, base of the tongue). The passage and the quantity of air required becomes more difficult and rapid, which generates turbulence in the inspired air and causes snoring, or even apnea (blockage of the pharyngeal zone) FIG. 1. These very frequent symptoms can have serious consequences: daytime tiredness and drowsiness, loss of memory and attention, and, in the long term in some cases, strokes and high blood pressure. It is also an embarrassment for the entourage.

  The tailor-made device according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. According to a first characteristic, it in fact comprises two thermoformed aligners on the upper and lower dental arches with an elevation to the right and to the left of anteroposterior inclination at the premolars and molars for the lower jaw, and an inversion of elevation to the right. and on the left at the premolars and molars for the upper jaw. The two gutters are connected to each other by propulsive elastic bands. 30 The two gutters placed in the mouth of the user will bring the upper and lower inclined planes into contact, and, these linked to the tension of the propulsive elastics will advance the lower jaw forward and therefore , cause enlargement of the pharyngeal area. Fig 2.

  This device, which takes up very little space in the mouth of the user, has the advantage of leaving a large space for the tongue, of allowing complete mobility of the lower jaw and of maintaining good speech.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. Figure 1 shows the illustration of a narrowing of the pharyngeal area during sleep.

  Figure 2 shows the illustration of the advancement of the lower jaw and the opening for better passage of air at the pharyngeal area, thanks to the device.

  Figure 3 shows in left profile the device of the invention.

  Referring to Figure 3, the device comprises two thermoformed gutters (1) for measuring the dental arch of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, with plates for thermoplastic shaping 1.5 mm thick. The plates once thermoformed on the dental arches are cut along the contour of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars) and entirely on the vestibular sides of the incisors and canines of the two jaws.

  On the gutters (1) are made of self-curing resin 20 planes (2) with an anteroposterior inclination at the occlusal surfaces of the premolars and molars respectively on the right and left side of the dental arch for the lower jaw. The highest part of the planes (2) is at the level of the first premolar and the lowest part is at the level of the posterior molar, respectively on the right and on the left of the lower jaw.

  Planes (3) with an inverted inclination to planes (2) are made of self-curing resin at the level of the occlusal surfaces of the premolars and molars respectively on the left and right side of the dental arch of the upper jaw. The highest part of the planes (3) is at the level of the molars and the lowest part at the level of the first premolars, respectively to the right and to the left of the upper jaw.

  The retentive hooks (4) of rounded shape at their ends are fixed with resin on the groove (1) of the upper jaw, respectively on the right and on the left at the buccal surface of the first premolars.

  The retentive hooks (5) of rounded shape at their ends are fixed with resin on the groove (1) of the lower jaw, respectively on the right and on the left at the buccal surface of the first molar.

  The hooks (4 and 5) support an elastic (6) of propulsive force respectively on the right and on the left.

  These elastic bands (6) placed on the hooks (4 and 5) connect the two gutters (1) to one another and cause contact between the inclined planes (2 and 3) simultaneously on the right and left side.

  The tension of the elastic bands (6) on the one hand and the contact of the inclined planes (3 and 4) between them on the other hand, cause the lower jaw to be propelled forward (7) without effort.

  The device according to the invention is particularly intended for people who snore, who have apneas during sleep.

Claims (4)

  1) Tailor-made device for advancing the lower jaw in order to widen the pharyngeal zone and prevent snoring, hypopneas and apneas during sleep, characterized in that it comprises two aligners (1) 5 thermoformed on each of which are made two planes (2) of an anteroposterior inclination, the highest part of the planes (2) being at the level of the first premolar and the lowest part of the planes (2) at the level of the molars for the lower jaw and two planes (3) with an inverted inclination, the highest part of the planes (3) being at the molars and the lowest part of the planes (3) at the level of the first premolars for the upper jaw.   2) Device according to claim (1) characterized in that the inclined planes (2 and 3) are located at the occlusal faces of the premolars and molars of the upper and lower jaws.   3) Device according to claim l or claim 2 characterized in that the gutters have hooks (4 and 5), fixed on inclined planes (2 and 3) and that these hooks (4 and 5) receive elastic (6 ) of propulsive force on the right and left side and connect the two gutters (1).   4) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gutters (1) are cut along the contour of the posterior teeth (premolars and molars) and entirely on the vestibular faces of the incisors and canines of the two jaws.