| 摘要 |
An anti-snore device as disclosed which is intended to alleviate benign loud snoring and to minimize mild to moderate sleep apnea disorders. The anti-snore device comprises a mouthpiece formed from a moldable thermal-plastic material having an upper surface portion which substantially covers the entire maxillary (upper) dentition and a lower surface portion which contacts substantially the entire mandible (lower) dentition of a user's mouth. In addition, the lower surface portion includes a downwardly extending flange intended to extend into the lingual (tongue side of the teeth) vestibule of a user in order to maintain a forward posture of the lower jaw. An airway passage is centrally located to permit adequate breathing through the mouthpiece if nasal blockage is present. An interior portion of the mouthpiece, surrounding the airway passage, is concave in shape to enable proper positioning of a user's tongue. The invention further includes a handle, preferably made from acrylic, used to aid in protecting the user during the initial fitting process. To assure the integrity of the airway slot during this fitting process, the handle includes a specifically shaped extension portion which may be fictionally secured in the airway passage while the entire mouthpiece may be maneuvered by a remote upper portion of the handle. |
