Systems, Devices, and Methods for Retaining Oral Devices for Airway Treatment

摘要

Systems, devices, and methods for retaining a treatment device in the patient's oral cavity through the course of treatment are provided. Retainer elements, which match the upper and lower teeth of the patient, are worn by the patient and coupled to the bite plate of the treatment device. The upper and lower retainer elements can be coupled to the bite plate or otherwise positioned relative to one another such that the lower teeth and mandible are advanced in the anterior direction, which helps maintain airway patency. The treatment device can also apply a vacuum to the oral cavity to help maintain airway patency.

主权项

1. An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity, said device comprising:
a base adapted to be held between the patient's upper and lower teeth, the base being shaped to accommodate the patient's tongue when held therebetween; a lip seal for retaining the oral device in the patient's oral cavity and adapted to be held between an inner surface of the patient's lips and an anterior surface of the patient's teeth; and at least one port adapted to be connected to a vacuum source to apply a partial vacuum in the patient's oral cavity, wherein at least one of the base or the lip seal is adapted to couple to at least one retainer element, the at least one retainer element being configured to couple and conform to the outer surfaces of at least one of the patient's upper or lower teeth.