Anti-snoring devices and methods

Abstract

A first method for inhibiting snoring includes at least one layer of adhesive that is applied to a soft pallet to prevent vibration of the soft pallet. A second method employs a transdermal patch having an astringent or muscle-contracting drug thereon that is applied to the soft pallet. In a third method, the astringent or muscle-contracting drug is snorted by the user. In a fourth method, the astringent or muscle-contracting drug is applied to the soft pallet by an atomized nasal spray. In a fifth embodiment, a thin electrical device is positioned against the hard pallet in electrical communication with a pair of closely spaced apart electrodes that abut the soft pallet. A low, safe current between the electrodes stiffens the soft pallet and prevents it from fluttering. A denture-like device may be used to hold the thin electrical device in place.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method that inhibits scoring, comprising the step of spraying a soft pallet with a non-toxic adhesive that increases the rigidity of said soft pallet when said adhesive cures.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of repeating said spraying step at least once after said first-sprayed adhesive has cured to further increase the rigidity of said soft pallet.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of spraying said soft pallet with a bioabsorbable adhesive.  
     
     
         4 . A device that inhibits snoring, comprising: 
 a transdermal patch pretreated with a muscle-contracting compound;    said transdermal patch disposed in overlying relation to a soft pallet;    whereby said muscle-contracting compound causes contraction of said soft pallet so that said soft pallet does not flutter when a user is breathing.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said compound is an astringent.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said compound is a muscle-contracting drug.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said compound is released over a preselected period of time.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said transdermal patch is bioabsorbable.  
     
     
         9 . A method for inhibiting snoring, comprising the step of providing a muscle-contracting compound in powdered form, positioning said powder near a user's nostrils, and said user abruptly breathing in so that the muscle-contracting compound is applied to the soft pallet region of the user.  
     
     
         10 . A method for inhibiting snoring, comprising the step of spraying a muscle-contracting compound in atomized mist form on a soft pallet of a user so that the soft pallet is stiffened by the muscle-contracting compound and thus does not flutter as the user breathes.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus that inhibits snoring, comprising: 
 a thin electrical device including a DC power source;    a first and a second conductor extending from said thin electrical device;    a first electrode formed on a distal free end of said first conductor and a second electrode formed on a distal free end of said second conductor;    said first and second electrodes being disposed in electrically conducting relation to a soft pallet;    said first electrode being in electrical communication with said DC power source and said second electrode being in communication with an electrical ground so that a small, safe current is established between said first and second electrodes;    whereby said small, safe current causes stiffening of said soft pallet and whereby said stiffening inhibits fluttering of said soft pallet and thus inhibits snoring.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said first and second conductors are electrically insulated.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 a soft plastic web that overlies a hard pallet of a user and that retains said thin electrical device between said web and said hard pallet; and    a teeth-engaging device that supports said web and that has a groove adapted to receive the upper teeth of said user;    whereby said upper teeth of said user are positioned in said groove and whereby said web holds said thin electrical device in contacting relation to said hard pallet.    
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein said teeth-engaging device and said web are adapted to be adhered to said upper teeth and hard pallet, respectively.