Automated, snore activated electro-mechanical mandibular advancement device
View Patent ↗An automated mandibular advancement device (MAD) is described for the treatment of sleep disorders involving the occlusion of upper airway gas flow during sleep; one example being obstructive sleep apnea. In embodiments, a MAD projects the lower jaw forward only after the patient has fallen asleep. Embodiments of the may track patient sleep parameters for later review by the patient and/or the treating physician to assess the quality of sleep and efficacy of the treatment regime. An actuator placed laterally within a band allows the integral microprocessor to actuate the lower jaw tray forward upon sensing of snoring activity (or upon exceeding a pre-set timer threshold).
1. A mandibular advancement device for abating sleep disorders, comprising:
a maxillary jaw tray configured to fit over a plurality of upper teeth of a patient;
a mandibular jaw tray configured to fit over a plurality of lower teeth of a patient;
an electro-mechanical actuator connecting said maxillary and mandibular jaw trays; and comprising a cart that moves linearly in response to the expansion or contraction of a nitinol wire assembly, and a protruding arm configured to ratchet a ratchet gear with each actuation; and
a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensor, said microcontroller configured to, in response to an occurrence of a predetermined event, send a signal to an actuator indicating that the mandibular jaw tray should extend.
2. A method for treatment of sleep disorders comprising:
manufacturing a mandibular advancement device by: (a) generating a three-dimensional profile of a patient's upper and lower teeth; (b) creating maxillary and mandibular jaw trays based upon said profile, and connecting said maxillary and mandibular jaw trays with an actuator whose movement is based on the expansion or contraction of a wire assembly, and comprises a protruding arm configured to ratchet a ratchet gear with each actuation; (c) providing a microcontroller in communication with at least one sensor, said microcontroller configured to, in response to the occurrence of a predetermined event, send a signal to said actuator indicating that the mandibular jaw tray should extend;
providing said mandibular advancement device to a patient;
receiving data from said microcontroller relative to the patient's sleep patterns; and
transmitting data to said microcontroller to implement a treatment profile.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said actuator further comprises biocompatible polymer or elastomer for protecting said microcontroller.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein said data includes one of: total duration of use, frequency of use, number of actuations, and number of physiological events.
5. A device for treating sleep disorders comprising:
a maxillary jaw tray configured to fit over the upper teeth of a patient;
a mandibular jaw tray configured to fit over the lower teeth of a patient;
actuator for connecting said maxillary and mandibular jaw trays, said actuator comprising a cart that moves linearly in response to the expansion or contraction of a nitinol wire assembly, and a protruding arm configured to ratchet great with each actuation; and
means for detecting a predetermined event and directing said actuator means to extend the mandibular jaw tray.