US 12,213,906 B2
Dental appliance for treatment of sleep apnea
R. Joseph Magness, Orem, UT (US)
Filed by R. Joseph Magness, Orem, UT (US)
Filed on Jul. 24, 2015, as Appl. No. 14/808,807.
Application 14/808,807 is a continuation in part of application No. 14/321,648, filed on Jul. 1, 2014, granted, now 10,080,680.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/028,860, filed on Jul. 25, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/901,696, filed on Nov. 8, 2013.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/841,682, filed on Jul. 1, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2016/0022474 A1, Jan. 28, 2016
Int. Cl. A61F 5/56 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 5/566 (2013.01) [A61F 2005/563 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for relieving symptoms related to sleep apnea, the method comprising:
obtaining a dental appliance comprising
an upper portion comprising a first base and a first feature, the first base shaped to engage upper teeth of a patient, the first feature securing to an anterior area of the first base and comprising one of a protrusion and a concave surface forming a concavity,
a first engagement mechanism located at a front, lateral center of the upper portion,
a lower portion comprising a second base and a second feature, the second base shaped to engage lower teeth of the patient, the second feature securing to an anterior area of the first base and comprising the other of the protrusion and the concave surface,
a second engagement mechanism located at a first side of the lower portion,
a third engagement mechanism located at a second, opposite side of the lower portion, and
at least one biasing member formed of an elastomeric material;
applying the appliance to the patient so that
the upper portion moves with the upper teeth,
the lower portion moves with the lower teeth,
the at least one biasing member engages each of the first, second, and third engagement mechanisms and extends from the second engagement mechanism to the first engagement mechanism and from the first engagement mechanism to the third engagement mechanism, and
a mechanical interference between the at least one biasing member and the first engagement mechanism laterally anchors a portion of the at least one biasing member to the first engagement mechanism;
biting, by the patient, down on the appliance;
entering, by the protrusion during the biting, the concavity and abutting the concave surface at a point of contact; and
transferring a majority of a force associated with the biting through the point of contact.