Field of the Invention

The in.ven.tioB relates to a device and method for snoring and sleep apnoea treatment and. more particularly, but not exclusively, to a mouthpiece which advances the mandible of a user to assist the user to breathe ambient air during sleep.

Background of the Invention

The applicant has identified the following problems existing in relation to sleep apnoea, snoring, and existing products for treating these conditions.

The clinical problem:

» During sleep, particularl when lying on the back, the lower jaw drops down and backwards causing the tongue to fall backwards along with the uvula and soft palate, thereby obstructin the airway.

• This causes cessation of breathing and decrease in available oxygen (Oxygen saturation)

• In response, receptors pick up the oxygen de-saturation, resulting in a deep inspiration (a deep breath), which in turn eauses the soft palate and uvula to vibrate and Gutter,

• This process ultimately produces a variety of snoring sounds (Primary Snoring). In more severe cases, it produces cessation of breathing and associated choking and gasping during slee (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea)

• The issues associated with this process run along a spectrum, ranging from social/marital concerns related to the disruptive noise of snoring through to more severe health problems and behaviours associated with. Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

• Research suggest that 40% of males and 10% of females experience disruptive snoring, while 9% of males and 2% of females over the age of 20 experience Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, indicating a significant problem for society. The social problem:

• Snoring has been shown to severely disrupt marital/family relationships.

• 80% of people who present to clinicians are sent by their partners due to persistent snoring, which regularly interrupts their partner's sleep ~ to ail extent that partners must often sleep in another room,

• Snoring is sometimes called 'a disease of listeners'.

The health problem:

Snoring and sleep apnoea have been shown to result in:

• Fragmented, unrefreshing sleep

• Severe tiredness on waking

• Excessive daytime sleepiness

• Atrial fibrillation

» Heart attack

» Stroke

• Sudden death

• Cognitive (memory) impairments

» Depression, hypertension and/or anxiety

These medical signs and symptoms have been shown, to cause impaired quality of life, impaired work/school performance and increased work-related accidents and motor vehicle accidents (up to 1/3 of all transport incidents are caused by excessive sleepiness resulting from OS A).

Problems with current products on the market.*

• There are a number of existing products on the market to address snoring and mild sleep apnoea, including custom-fitted mandibular advancement splints, rubberised boil and bite devices, nasal valves, nasal strips, and nasal/throat, surgery. The applicant has found that existing products do not deliver all of the following benefits: clinically effective outcomes, affordable cost, ease of use, comfort and eas accessibility without measurement/fitting by a clinician.

For -example, the biggest competitor category is the custom-fitted mandibular advancement splint. While splints of this kind can be relativel effective for mild to moderate sleep apnoea, they mus be custom -fitted and constructed by a dental technician, making them relatively costly, particularly as mere may be no public health system rebate, and only minimal rebate from dental health, care funds. In addition, the fact that the splint requires fitting by a dentist and constructio by a dental technician- means that it is time-consuming and onerous to access treatment. Another product is the boil and bite type device. They are easil accessible online, and usually low cost. However, as the device is placed into boiling water and then •pushed down over all of the teeth, it sometimes causes burning of the oral tissues. Often, if the bite or occlusion is irregular, placement of these devices is very difficult and they may not fit well. They often dislodge at night. The compliance of use and efficacy of these devices is then poor. Also, there are limited or no clinical trials on these products, so their efficacy remains uncertain.

The CPAP device is relatively expensive and is typically only used for moderate to severe slee apnoea.

Nasal and throat surgery are options* but are expensive, extremely painful and rarely used these days for snoring and mild sleep apnoea.

Nasal valves are also expensive and have limited clinical evidence of their effectiveness.

Nasal Strips have limited or no clinical value for snoring and sleep apnoea.

As a result, there is a gap in the market for a low cost, highly effective, easily accessible product.

Examples of the inventio seek to provide an improved method and device for tieatment of snoring and sleep apnoea which overcomes or at. least alleviates disadvantages associated with existing methods and devices. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sleep apnoea treatment device comprising a mouthpiece including a vestibular locator and an airway conduit, the vestibular locator being adapted for positioning in the mouth vestibule of a user interposed between the lips and teeth of the user, the vestibula locator supporting the airway conduit in place relative to the user's mouth wit the airway conduit extending between the lips of the user whereby the airway conduit maintain fluid communication of the mouth vestibule with ambient air to facilitate the user breathing said ambien air through the airway conduit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sleep aphoea. treatment device intended for breathing ambient air, the device comprising a mouthpiece including a vestibular locator and an airway conduit, the vestibular locator being adapted for positioning in the mouth vestibule of a user interposed between the lips and teeth of the user, the vestibular locator supporting the airway conduit in place relative t the user's mouth with the airway conduit extending between the lips of the user whereby the airway conduit maintains fluid communication of the mouth vestibule with ambient air to facilitate the user breathing said ambient air through the airway conduit.

Preferably; the vestibular locator is a flange having an inner surface and an outer surface. More preferably, the airway conduit extends through the flange, In a preferred, form, the device includes a formation for engagement wit a lower jaw of the user to retain the lower jaw in a forward position. More preferably, the formation is adapted to be engaged with the lower jaw of the user to retain the lower jaw in a plurality of forward, positions selectable by the user. Even more preferably, the plurality of selectable forward positions range in a degree of advancement of the tower jaw relative to the upper jaw. Preferably, the formation includes a retaining protrusion. More preferably, the formation includes a plurality of retaining protrusions. Preferahly, the device includes an abutment for abutting the upper jaw such that force imparted to the device from the lower jaw is transferred to the upper j aw. I preferred form, the airway conduit terminates to minimise protrusio beyond the lips of the user. More preferably, the airway conduit terminates at an openings and the opening is supported by the face of the user, Even more preferably, the opening is formed in a mask portion of the device, and the mask portion abuts an external surface of the user's face suiTOundmg the user's mouth.

Preferably, the slee apnoea treatment, device includes an arcuate bite platform to distribute force to the teeth of the wearer. More preferably, the arcuate bite platform extends either side of the airway conduit. In one form, the arcuate bite platform extends as a shelf from the inner surface of the vestibular locator. The arcuate bite platform may be formed ^' of a solid ledge at either side of the airway conduit. Preferably, the arcuate bite platform is integrally formed as a unitary structure with the mouthpiece. More preferably, the arcuate bite platform is arranged t support jaws of the wearer apart by rear- teeth of the wearer so as to prevent the jaws from closing the airway conduit, In one example, the arcuate bite platform is configured to contact all teeth of the wearer.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating sleep apnoea, including a device as described above, and a medicament for increasing oxygen saturation of the user's blood.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of treating sleep apnoea including the steps of wearing a sleep apnoea treatment device as described above, and breathing ambient air through the sleep apnoea treatment device while sleeping. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention., there is provided a method of treating sleep apnoea including the steps of a user selecting from a range of predetemiiiied sizes of sleep apnoea treatment devices from a retail outlet, and the user wearing the selected sleep apnoea treatment device, wherein each of the sleep apnoea treatment, devices i said range of predetermined sizes is a sleep apnoea treatment device as described above.

Brief Descrrp tkm of the Drawings The invention is described, by wa of non-limitin example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 show a anterior view of a mouthpiece in accordance with an example of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a posterior view of the mouthpiece of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a top view of the mouthpiece, depicted with a support fla in place; Figure 4 shows a posterior view of the support flap;

Figure 5 shows a perspective rear view of a mouthpiece in accordance with another example of the present in ven tion; Figure 6 shows top view of the mouthpiece of Figure 5;

Figure 7 shows a front perspective view of a mouthpiece in accordance with another example of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a rear perspecti ve view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7; Figure 9 shows a rear view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7; Figure 10 shows a top view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7; Figure 11 shows a bottom view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7 ;

Figure 12 shows a. side view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7; Figure 13 shows a front view of the mouthpiece of Figure 7;

Figure 14 shows a front view of a two-part device in accordance with another example of the present invention, comprising a mouthpiece and a mask portion, in a disassembled condition; Figure 15 shows a rear view of the two-part device of Figure 14;

Figure 16 shows the mouthpiece of the two-part device in situ in a mouth of a user;

Figure 17 shows the mouthpiece in situ in the mouth of the user, with the mask portion coupled to the mouthpiece;

Figure 18 shows a top view of the mouthpiece shown .in Figures 5 and 6;

Figure 1 shows a side view of the mouthpiece shown in Figure 5 and 6: and

Figure.20 shows a rear view of the mouthpiece shown In Figures 5 and 6. Detailed Description Figures 1 to 4 show a slee apnoea treatment device which is simple, relatively inexpensive, non-customised, self-adaptable and self-fitting. The device is an mtra-oral appliance for the management of snoring and mild sleep apnoea. Advantageously, the device is in the form of a stand-alone mouthpiece which is not connected to a ventilation machine which results in a lower expense and also greater adherence by the user. The device advances the mandible of the user during sleep to facilitate breathing of ambient air by the user through the device.

More specifically, Figures 1 to 4 show a sleep apnoea treatment device 10 comprising a mouthpiece 12 including a vestibular locator 14 and an airway conduit 16. The vestibular locator 14 is adapted for positionin in the vestibule of a user interposed between the lips and teeth of the user, the vestibular locator 14 locating/supporting the airway conduit 16 in place relative to the user's mouth with the airway conduit 36 extending between the lips of the user. The airway conduit 16 maintains fluid communication of the mouth, vestibule with ambient air to facilitate the user breathing said ambient, air through the airway conduit 16. Advantageously, the device 10 does not require connection to a machine to drive pressurised air into the user's mouth - rather, the device 10 is used to facilitate the breathing of ambient air surrounding the user's mouth at ambient pressure.

With reference to Figure 1 which shows a anterior view of the device 10 and Figure 2 which shows a posterior view of the device 10, the vestibular locator 14 is a flange 18 having an inner surface 20 and an outer surface 22. The airway conduit 16 extends through the flange 18. When in use, the inner surface 20 of the flange 18 may abut against a front surface of teet of the user and the outer surface 22 may abut against an inside of the lips of the user.

With reference to Figure 2, the device 10 includes a formation 24 for engagement with a lower jaw of the user to retain the lower jaw in a forward position. The formation 24 may be adapted to be engaged with the lower jaw of the use to retain the lower jaw in a plurality of forward positions selectable b the user. The plurality of selectable forward positions may range in a degree of ad vancemen of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw. The formatio 24 may include a retaining protrusion or, more preferably, a pluralit of retaining protrusions. In one form, the formation 24 may include a plurality of flexible protrusions over which the teeth of the lower jaw may be selectively engaged to allow the mandible to be positioned in two positions, including a first positio which is slightly forward (3mm to 4mm from a normal position) and a second, position which is further forward (5mm to 9m from the normal position).

The device 10 may include an abutment 26 for abutting the upper jaw such that force imparted to the device 10 from, the lower jaw is transferred to the upper jaw by the abutment 26, The abutment 26 may be in the form of a flexible wall which is configured to po ition the front upper teeth of the upper jaw.

The airway conduit 16 may terminate to minimise protrusion beyond the lips of the user. With reference to Figure 3, the airway conduit 16 may terminate at an opening 28, and the opening 28 may be supported b the face of the user. More specifically, the opening 28 may be fanned in a mask portion 30 of the device 10, and th mask portion 30 ma abut an. external surface of the user's face surrounding the user's mouth. The mask portion 30 may be in the form of a flexible flap which is able to be resiliently snapped forward to facilitate fitment of the device 10 and is able to be snapped rearward into the position shown in Figure 3 such that the mask portion 30 abuts the users face. Specifically, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the mask portion 30 may include side wings 32 which extend either side of the opening 28, the wings 32 curving inwardly toward the face of the user so as to cover the device 10 and to snap rearwardly over the mouth, lips and cheeks of the user. The mask portion 30 also may be provided with apertures 34 for ventilation. The flexible flap also holds the upper and lower jaw together through suction on the upper and lower lips and adjacent skin above the upper lip, below the lower lip and bilaterally at the side of the lips, thereb preventing the lower jaw from dropping during sleep.

Also as shown in Figure 3, the device 10 may include a connector 36 between the flange 18 and the masked portion 30, and the airway conduit 1.6 may include a rear portion 38 which extends rearwardly behind the flange 18 such that, in use, the rear portion 38 sits between the upper teeth and the lower teeth of the user. The rear portion 38 may also have mounted thereon protrusion 40 for locating the front top teeth of the user.

^' The sleep apnoea treatment device 10 may be used with a medicament for increasing oxygen saturation of the user's blood. The sleep apnoea treatment device 1.0 may be used in a method of treating sleep apnoea which includes the steps of wearing the sleep apnoea treatment device 10 and breathing ambient air through the sleep apnoea treatment device while sleeping. Advantageously, as the device 10 is not connected to a machine for pumping pressurised air into the user, the user has greater freedom to move during sleeping, for example rolling in. bed, which may promote greater adherence of the user to the treatment. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the. external surface of the masked portion 30 may be curved so as to minimise interference with movement of the user during sleeping. The sleep apnoea treatment device 10 may be produced in a range of sizes which ma include a larger (Medium-Large) size and a smaller (Small-Medium) size available from a pharmacy or other ^■ retail outlet such that the user does not need to consult a dentist to obtain the product. In this way. the cost to the user in obtaining the product may be minimised to encourage the user to obtain the product. Accordingly, the method of treating sleep apnoea may include the user selecting for themselves from a range of predetermined sizes of slee apnoea treatment device from a retail outlet, and the user wearing the selected sleep apnoea treatment device.

With reference to Figures 5 to .17. there are shown other sleep apnoea treatment devices 10 in accordance with othe examples of the present invention. The devices shown in Figures 5 to 17 have features similar to the features of the device shown in Figures 1 t 4, and like features are indicated with like reference numerals. More specifically, the devices 10 shown in. Figures 5 to 17 differ most notably in that they are provided with an arcuate bite platform 42 to distribute force to the teeth of th wearer more broadly. In particular, with reference to Figure 5 to .13, the mouthpiece 12 ha an arcuate bite platform 42 which extends either side of the airway conduit. 16. In particular, the arcuate bile platform 42 extends as a shelf from the inner surface 20 of the vestibular locator 14. The arcuate bite platform 42 may be formed of a solid ledge at either side of the airway conduit 16 and ma be integrally formed as a unitary structure with the remainder of the mouthpiece 12. The .arcuate bite platform 42 may be arranged so as to support jaws of the wearer apart by rear teeth of the wearer so as to prevent the jaws from closing the airway conduit 16. I one form, the arcuate bite platform 42 may be configured to contact all teeth of the wearer.

Advantageously, the arcuate bite platform 42 may serve to prevent unwanted teeth movement. The arcuate bite platform 42 may be in the form of a simple flat shelf which is not specifically precision fitted to the teeth of the wearer - the mouthpiece 12 may be held i place by the gums of the wearer.

The mouthpiece 12 may be formed as a unitary part made from silicone. The silicone may be food grade silicone or medical grade silicone. Alternatively,, TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) material may be used. In examples of the invention, the material may have a shore hardness of between 20 and 40, and possibl between 25 and 35. The shore hardness is to be chosen such that the material is not too hard and not too soft. If the material is too hard, the mouthpiece may not fit around the gums, may cut the gums/frenum, may hurt the teeth, and may not allow the teeth to sink elastically into the material of the bite platform 42. On the other hand, if the material is too soft, the teet may make an impression in the mouthpiece 12 and/or the wearer may bite off part of the mouthpiece 12. It is preferable for the mouthpiece 12 to be comfortable without allowing the material to be bitten through. To protect/accommodate the ire n urn, the mask portion 30 may also be provided with a central indentation in an upper edge thereof, as shown in the drawings.

As can be seen in Figure » the mouthpiece 1.2 protrudes sufficiently forward from the vestibular locator 14 to support the lips of the wear er, as shown in Figure 16. The front protrusion may terminate in a flange 44 to assist in retaining the mask portion 30 shown in Figures 14, 15 and 1.7. Figures 18 to 19 show further views of the example shown in Figures 5 and 6, and the same reference numerals are used to identify features of the device 10, More specifically. Figure 18 shows a top view of the device 10, Figure 19 shows a side view of the device 10 and Figure 20 shows a rear view of the device 10,

Advantageously, in preferred example of the present invention:

• The product is a non-customised, self -fitted, self-adaptable intra-oral mandibular -advancement splint designed to manage snoring and mild sleep apnoea by delivering all of the following benefits: clinically effective outcomes, affordable cost, ease of use, comfort and easy accessibility without measurement fitting by a clinician.

» It is placed in the mouth inside the lips, resting gently over the front upper and lower teeth, just prior to sleep.

• This will eradicate or reduce snoring, thereb reducing the extremely common conflict/tension between partners caused by the noise levels of snorers,. which interrupt partners' sleep.

« It will also eradicate or reduce mild sleep apnoea, thereby producing refreshing sleep, significantly reducing daytime tiredness/fatigue and reducing the risk of developing other serious health conditions.

• As a result, it will also increase quality of life, reduce impairment of work/school performance and decrease work-related and motor vehicle accidents.

Customer needs motivation

The ^■ primary customer needs/motivations are:

• As noted above, the primary customer need or motivatio is t alleviate the significant social problems caused by snoring noises, often resulting in the snoring partner having to sleep in a different, room or the listening partner suffering from sleep deprivation, fatigue, irritability and at times depression.

• In addition, the snorer him/herself often experiences even greater sleep deprivation, fatigue, cognitive impairment, and associated significant medical problems: (as noted above), all of which serve to motivate customer to seek improved quality of life through treatment.

• Once a customer has resolved to seek treatment, customers are often looking for solutions that are: Low cost; Easily accessible (over the counter rather than custom fitted via dental consultation); Highl effective; Comfortable to wear (big bulky devices have low adherence rates); Easy to use; and Portable,

Value of the product

The device will solve the following problems for consumers:

« It will eradicate or reduce snoring, thereby reducing the extremely common conflict/tension between partners caused by the noise levels of snorers, which interrupt partners' sleep.

• It will also eradicate or reduce mild to moderate sleep apnoea, thereby producing refreshing sleep, significantly reducing day time tiredness/fatigue and reducing the risk of developing other serious health conditions (e.g. heart attack, stroke, sudden death, depression, memory loss, as. noted above).

• As a result, it will also increase quality of life, reduce impairment, of work/school ^■ performance and decrease the likelihood of work-related accidents and motor vehicle accidents,

Competitive advantages / Differentiators

• Reduce cost: It will be inexpensive to purchase, as the design is uniquely simple and casy-t -produce from user-friendly, inexpensive materials - namely rubber/silicon. Also, the device does not need manufacturing by a dental technician or impressions, fitting and adjustments/titrations by a Dentist which are time-consuming and significantly increase costs.

Easy to access: It will be able to be purchased over the counter at pharmacies and online. It does not need fitting by a specialist, a it can be purchased i two different sizes, unlike other custom-fitted splints.

Easy to use: It doesn't require special fitting, boiling or customised manufacturing and can simply be purchased and worn immediately - unlike customised splints or boil-and-bite devices. This will also increase low adherence rates of other devices.

Portable: It is small, light and extremely portable ·· includin for travelling. Comfortable to wear: Compared to competitors (like custom-fitted splints), it is less bulky and causes minimal hyper salivation, oral dryness, tooth sensitivity, jaw/muscle pain or jaw joint disorders - all of which reduce adherence rates. This is because it is small, made of flexible rubber/silicon material and is primarily held by the lips and cheek muscles rather than the teeth like other splints (which is the source of the above-mentioned complaints).

Side effects: Due to its flexible make up, it avoids the usual side effect of custom fitted splints, such as tooth movement, permanent protrusion of the lower jaw, permanent changes in the bite, soreness in teeth and gums, and mild-severe temporomandibular disorders (jaw joint disorders). Similarly, the boil and bite process can result in associated side effects, including burning of the oral tissues. Adherence: Given enhanced comfort and reduced side effects, we anticipate much higher adherence rates than custom splints or boil and bite devices.

Efficacy: It is expected to be significantl more effective than boil and bite devices and nasal valves, and at least as effective (if not more) than customised splints.

Use with dentures: The present invention may be easil worn by patients wearing full upper and lower dentures or an uppe or a lower denture alone, whereas typical mandibular advancement splint are difficult (or even impossible) to fit on dentures. I summary, examples of the present invention will provide a sleep apnoea treatment device which is affordable, comfortable to wear, easy to access over the counter, has minimal side effects (e.g. jaw/tooth pain, burning), has high adherence rates, is easy to use, is highl effective for snoring and mild sleep apnoea, is portable, has no consumable parts, and places few or no restrictions on sleeping position.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited b any of the above described exemplary embodiments. The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter whic is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.