Auto-adjusting mandibular repositioning device for in-home use

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a form of respiratory dysfunction that affects 20% of adults in the world. Among the first-line treatments that are used to mitigate the effects of OSA are continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and mandibular repositioning devices (MRD). Although CPAP provides a more efficacious therapy than MRDs, recent studies suggest that both are comparable in overall effectiveness due to greater patient preference and adherence to MRD therapy. In this paper, we present the Auto-Positioner, a novel add-on for MRDs that adjusts the extent to which the mandible (lower jaw) is advanced in response to respiratory signals indicating labored breathing during sleep, and to changes in sleeping position known to affect individual patient's airway patency.

I. Introduction

OSA is a form of respiratory dysfunction affecting 20% of adults worldwide [1] and is caused by a collapse of the soft tissue surrounding the upper airway, thereby obstructing airflow during sleep. To prevent asphyxiation, the patient arouses to increase respiratory effort by shifting from a deeper to a lighter stage of sleep. These cycles of collapse- obstruction-arousal can happen hundreds of times over the course of a single night and have multiple long-term negative effects on the patient's health. Patients are at an increased risk of cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and metabolic syndromes such as hypertension, stroke and diabetes [2]. Many patients experience excessive daytime sleepiness and impaired cognitive function. If untreated, the average life span of a patient with obstructive sleep apnea has been estimated to be 20 years shorter than the average life span of the general population [3]. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, many of these risks can be reduced to give the patient more fulfilling wakening hours and overall better health.