63 results about "Right hard palate" patented technology

An airway condition of a patient is treated by selecting an implant sized to be implanted within a soft palate of the patient. The implant has a tissue-engaging member sized to be implanted within the soft palate near a trailing end of the soft palate to oppose relative movement between the tissue-engaging member and surrounding tissue of the soft palate. The implant further has an elongated tether member with a first end secured to the tissue-engaging member. The implant is placed within the soft palate with the tissue-engaging member implanted within tissue of the soft palate near the trailing end and with the tether member extending from the first end to a second end near a hard palate of the patient. The second end of the tether is secured to the hard palate.

Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the palatal tissue. An implant is positioned within at least a portion of the soft palate and may be secured to other surrounding, less mobile structures such as the hard palate or the mucosa overlying the hard palate. The implant may be manipulated to displace at least a portion of the soft palate in an anterior or lateral direction, or to alter the tissue tension or compliance of the soft palate.

Methods and tools are disclosed for inserting an implant device that treats snoring and apnea of a patient by altering the position of a soft palate. Methods and tools can make an incision in patient's soft and hard palate to create a cavity that can house the implant. The tools can have visually observable markings that can be aligned with the incision, thus controlling the depth of the cavity. A needle having an incision edge can be used to make an incision in patient's soft palate. The needle can be bent into a suitable longitudinal shape to allow easier access and visualization of the process. A blade that makes the cavity in the tissue can be housed inside a channel in the needle. The tools may have stoppers to prevent excessive extension and retraction of the blade thus preventing an excessive cavity depth. Some tools may also house the implant device, which may be implanted after the cavity is formed.

An orthodontic distalizing apparatus comprises at least one force generating element positioned intermediate a force dissipating element secured to the hard palate and / or alveolar ridge and a first tooth (e.g., a molar) that is being distalized. The at least one force generating element is positioned to apply a distalizing force on the molar in a direction substantially along a longitudinal axis of the dental arch and at a low level of the basal gingiva. The at least one force generating element may be configured to prevent inadvertent disassembly thereof during installation, adjustment and / or conversion of the apparatus between an active and a passive state. In addition, the at least one force generating element may be configured to be reversibly convertible between an active state and a passive state without requiring removal of the device from the patient's mouth. Moreover, the at least one force generating element may be configured to provide a continuous activation force of substantially constant magnitude during distalization of the molar. The apparatus may also be constructed so that the force dissipating element is connected to at least one anchoring tooth by a slidable coupling that absorbs all reaction forces transmitted substantially along a direction of the longitudinal arch. A second force dissipating element may be positioned intermediate the force dissipating element and a second tooth (e.g., a bicuspid) to facilitate the closing of any gaps that are created following distalization of the molar. A method of converting an orthodontic distalizing apparatus between an active and a passive state is also provided.

A device for snoring and obstructive sleep apnea treatment has an oral elastic glove portion adapted to removably cover a free moving portion of a user's tongue. Three vacuum suction cups are used to attach the device to the hard palate and the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the tongue in order to hold the device in place without allowing the tongue to move backwards. A vacuum creating cannula and a syringe attached to a tip of the device to create a vacuum once the device in positioned in the user's mouth. In addition, a balloon is provided to prevent soft palate vibrations. A skin attachment pad is removably attached to the user's face close to the mouth and holds the end of a string provided to secure the tongue glove from moving during sleep or be accidentally swallowed.

A therapeutic apparatus for strengthening the tongue. The device is a water-filled unit comprised of clear tube with two bulbs on each end. The exerciser is activated in the mouth by pressing the pressurized bulb with the tongue against the hard palate. A floating indicator in the tube offers visual feedback and elevates as the tube is compressed. The device is adjustable in difficulty. The presenting invention is simple in design and operation. It has limited moving or articulating parts, requires no customization, is non-electrical, can be operated with one hand and is inexpensive to manufacture. The Tongue Press Oral Exerciser is an affordable means of strengthening swallowing and speech intelligibility.

The present invention is a safe, inexpensive, easy to use and effective anti-snoring and anti-sleep apnea treatment device. The device has a vertical and horizontal bar. The horizontal bar is placed inside the mouth, behind or between the molar teeth with palatine and tongue shelves to prevent snoring and movement of the tongue backwards. The device is tethered to the hard palate by vacuum cups to prevent the movement of the tongue backwards during sleep to prevent sleep apnea. The proximal end of the vertical bar is anchored to string at the distal end with hook and loop fabric closure adhesive attachment and to the lips outside the mouth to prevent the accidental swallowing and aspiration of the device; and at the same time holds the tongue and device firmly in the mouth. The device is provided with canula with three way stopcocks to deliver supplemental oxygen and therapeutic agents.

A device for mitigation of temporomandibular joint disorder with lingual tooth surface contact surface, hard palate conformity, anterior pad, and pad wings.

A pacifier that simulates the natural shape, structure and consistency of a mother's breast. The pacifier includes a teat portion with a nipple and areola attached to a mouth shield. The teat portion has a length such that it bears against the hard palate of a baby in use.