Facial alignment system

Abstract

A facial alignment system that includes a first mask portion and a rear portion. The rear portion includes a tightening mechanism mounted thereon that includes first and second tightening members that extend from the rear portion to the mask portion. The first and second tightening members are configured to exert a tightening force on the first mask portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A facial alignment system for reshaping at least a first facial feature that includes bone or cartilage associated therewith from a current state to a target state, the system comprising:
 a first mask portion that includes a main body portion and a first nose portion, wherein the main body portion includes first and second cheek portions, wherein the first nose portion is monolithically formed with the main body portion and the first nose portion protrudes outwardly from the main body portion, wherein the first mask portion includes a first mask portion pressure zone that is located in the first nose portion, wherein the first mask pressure zone has a first shape that is configured to exert pressure on the first facial feature such that the bone or cartilage associated with the first facial feature is reshaped a first amount, and   a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a tightening mechanism that includes first and second tightening members that extend between the rear portion and the first mask portion, and wherein the first and second tightening members are configured to exert a tightening force on the first mask portion.   
     
     
         2 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second tightening members are removably attached to the first mask portion. 
     
     
         3 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  wherein the rear portion is configured to span a user's occipital bone. 
     
     
         4 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  wherein the first mask portion includes first and second connection members, wherein the first tightening member is connected to the first connection member and the second tightening member is connected to the second connection member. 
     
     
         5 . The facial alignment system of  claim 4  wherein the tightening mechanism includes a rotary dial, wherein when the rotary dial is rotated the first and second tightening members are pulled. 
     
     
         6 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  wherein the tightening mechanism is mounted on the rear portion. 
     
     
         7 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  wherein the first mask portion includes a second pressure zone that is not located in the nose portion. 
     
     
         8 . The facial alignment system of  claim 7  wherein the second pressure zone has a first shape that is configured to exert pressure on a second facial feature such that bone or cartilage associated with the second facial feature is reshaped a first amount. 
     
     
         9 . The facial alignment system of  claim 1  further comprising a pressure measurement system. 
     
     
         10 . The facial alignment system of  claim 9  wherein the pressure measurement system includes at least one measurement device secured to an inner surface of at least one of the first mask portion and the rear portion. 
     
     
         11 . The facial alignment system of  claim 10  wherein the at least one measurement device is positioned in a pressure zone on the first mask portion. 
     
     
         12 . A method for reshaping a first facial feature that includes bone or cartilage associated therewith from a current state to a target state, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) obtaining a mask assembly that includes a first mask portion and a rear portion, wherein the rear portion includes a tightening mechanism mounted thereon, wherein the tightening mechanism includes first and second tightening members that extend from the rear portion to the first mask portion, wherein the first mask portion includes a main body portion and a first nose portion, wherein the main body portion includes first and second cheek portions, wherein the first nose portion is monolithically formed with the main body portion and the first nose portion protrudes outwardly from the main body portion, wherein the first mask portion includes a first mask portion pressure zone that is located in the first nose portion, wherein the first mask pressure zone has a first shape that is configured to exert pressure on the first facial feature, and   (b) activating the tightening mechanism such that the first and second tightening members exert a first tightening force on the first mask portion, wherein the bone or cartilage associated with the first facial feature is reshaped a first amount from the current state to a second state.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of activating the tightening mechanism such that the first and second tightening members exert a second tightening force on the first mask portion, wherein the bone or cartilage associated with the first facial feature is reshaped a second amount from the second state to a third state. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the rear portion is configured to span a user's occipital bone. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising the steps of:
 modeling a patient's head to provide a first model,   making a first change to a first feature on the first model to provide a second model, and   creating a first mask portion using the second model, wherein the first mask portion includes a first pressure zone in a first state.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the steps of:
 making a second change to the first feature on the second model to provide a third model, and 
 creating a second mask portion using the third model, wherein the second mask portion includes the first pressure zone in a second state. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of modeling the patient's head includes the steps of taking a mold of the patient's head and creating the first model using the mold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the step of modeling the patient's head includes the step of scanning or measuring the patient's head and providing the first model using computer software.