Mandible support device for use with a positive airflow pressure device

Abstract

A mandible support device for use with the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of a patient includes a first tray configured to engage one or more of the maxillary teeth, a second tray configured to engage one or more of the mandibular teeth, and a spacer having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface is coupled to the first tray and the second surface is coupled to the second tray. The spacer is configured to position the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation.

1 . An assembly for use with a patient having an obstructive sleep condition, the assembly comprising:
 an air pump configured to provide positive pressure air;   a mask configured to receive air from the air pump; and   a mandible support device including
 a first tray, wherein the first tray includes a base wall configured for placement adjacent the occlusal surfaces of one or more maxillary teeth of the patient, a front wall configured for placement adjacent the facial surfaces of one or more maxillary teeth of the patient, and a rear wall configured for placement adjacent the lingual surfaces of one or more maxillary teeth of the patient, and wherein the front wall is between approximately 0.6 mm and approximately 1.1 mm thick, 
 a second tray, and 
 a spacer having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, wherein the first surface is coupled to the first tray, and wherein the second surface is coupled to the second tray. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray, the second tray, and the spacer are all one subassembly positionable completely within a mouth of the patient during use. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the mandible support device is configured to allow a user to form a lip seal when the mandible support device is positioned completely within the patient's mouth during use. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first tray is spaced a distance from the second tray to form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer is configured to position the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer is configured to restrict advancement of the second tray beyond the centric occlusion position. 
     
     
         7 . A mandible support device for use with the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of a patient, the mandible support device comprising:
 a first tray configured to engage one or more of the maxillary teeth;   a second tray configured to engage one or more of the mandibular teeth; and   a spacer having a body with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and wherein the first surface is coupled to the first tray and the second surface is coupled to the second tray, and wherein the spacer is configured to position the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation.   
     
     
         8 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tray is spaced a first distance from the second tray to form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         9 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the spacer is at least partially positioned within the gap. 
     
     
         10 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tray includes a base wall configured to engage the occlusal surface of one or more of the maxillary teeth, and wherein the first surface is coupled to the base wall of the first tray. 
     
     
         11 . The mandible support device of  claim 10 , wherein the second tray includes a base wall configured to engage the occlusal surface of one or more of the mandibular teeth, and wherein the second surface is coupled to the base wall of the second tray. 
     
     
         12 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the spacer includes a first body coupled to both the first tray and the second tray and a second body coupled to both the first tray and the second tray. 
     
     
         13 . The mandible support device of  claim 12 , wherein the first tray is substantially U-shaped having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first body is coupled to the first tray proximate the first end, and wherein the second body is coupled to the first tray proximate the second end. 
     
     
         14 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tray includes a base wall configured for placement adjacent the occlusal surfaces of one or more teeth, a front wall configured for placement adjacent the facial surfaces of one or more teeth, and a rear wall configured for placement adjacent the lingual surfaces of one or more teeth, and wherein the front wall is between approximately 0.6 mm and approximately 1.1 mm thick. 
     
     
         15 . The mandible support device of  claim 7 , wherein the first tray, the second tray, and the spacer are all one subassembly positionable completely within a mouth of the patient during use. 
     
     
         16 . The mandible support device of  claim 15 , wherein the subassembly is configured to permit the patient to form a lip seal thereover. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a mandible support device, the method comprising:
 forming a first tray configured to engage one or more maxillary teeth of a patient;   forming a second tray configured to engage one or more mandibular teeth of the patient;   coupling a base wall of the first tray configured for placement adjacent the occlusal surfaces of one or more maxillary teeth to a first surface of a spacer; and   coupling a base wall of the second tray configured for placement adjacent the occlusal surfaces of one or more mandibular teeth to a second surface of the spacer, wherein a normal to the first surface of the spacer is directionally opposite to a normal of the second surface of the spacer.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 forming a first impression of one or more maxillary teeth in the first surface of the spacer;   forming a second impression of one or more mandibular teeth in the second surface of the spacer;   orienting the first tray relative to the first surface using the first impression; and   orienting the second tray relative to the second surface using the second impression.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein coupling the base wall of the first tray to the first surface of the spacer and coupling the base wall of the second tray to the second surface of the spacer positions the first tray and the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation. 
     
     
         20 . A mandible support device for use with the maxillary teeth and mandibular teeth of a patient, the mandible support device comprising:
 a first tray configured to engage one or more of the maxillary teeth;   a second tray configured to engage one or more of the mandibular teeth; and   a spacer means configured to position the first tray relative to the second tray in a centric occlusion orientation.