| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to a coupling device for use with a dental appliance, including a pivot mount adapted for attachment to a first splint with a generally forward facing axis with respect to the user of the dental appliance when in use; a fixed mount adapted for attachment to a second splint of the dental appliance; and a link arm coupled to the pivot mount for pivotal movement about said axis, the link arm extending transverse to said axis to engage with said fixed mount in a slideable coupling that allows a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension. The present invention also relates to a device for coupling first and second splints in a mandibular repositioning appliance, including: a pivot mount attached to the first splint with a generally forward facing axis with respect to the user of the appliance when in use; a fixed mount attached to the second splint; and a link arm coupled to the pivot mount for pivotal movement about said axis, the link arm extending transverse to said axis to engage with said fixed mount in a slideable coupling that allows a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension. The present invention further relates to a mandibular repositioning appliance, including: a first splint with a first connecting member attached to a side thereof; a second splint with a second connecting member attached to a side thereof; and a link arm coupled to the first connecting member for pivotal movement about a generally forward facing axis with respect to the appliance when in use, the link arm extending transverse to said axis to engage with said second connecting member in a slideable coupling that allows a range of relative movement in said transverse dimension. The present invention also relates to a coupling device for use with a dental appliance, including: a first connecting member supporting an elongate position adjustment member having an external screw thread formation such that the position adjustment member is able to freely rotate about its elongate axis; a second connecting member having a projecting flange formation; and a coupling link member having a through-hole with an internal screw thread formation to engage with the positioning adjustment member, and a coupling bar with a slot formation extending transverse to the axis of the through-hole for engagement with the projecting flange of the second connecting member. The present invention finally relates to the use of the coupling device; device for coupling first and second splints in a mandibular repositioning appliance or the mandibular repositioning appliance of the earlier aspects (i) to treat; alleviate and/or prevent snoring, sleep apnoea and other sleep disorders; certain types of temporal mandibular dysfunction or in temporal mandibular joint pain treatment; (ii) for orthodontic treatment; (iii) in post pharyngeal operations and examinations; or (iv) to retain the mandible in a forward opening position for other therapeutic purposes. |
