ADAPTIVELY CONTROLLED MANDIBULAR POSITIONING DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE DEVICE

摘要

The present invention relates to systems and methods for automatically and continuously regulating the amount of mandibular displacement to an optimal value during obstructive sleep apnea treatment. Obstructive sleep apnea therapy is implemented by a device (22) which automatically reevaluates an applied mandibular displacement and continually searches for a minimum displacement required to adequately distend a patient's pharyngeal airway. The minimum optimal displacement varies with body position, stage of sleep throughout the night, the patient's body weight, and whether alcohol or sleeping medicine has been ingested.