HK1186371A - Teat device for preventing snoring and other habits - Google Patents

Description

Suction device for preventing snoring and other habits

Technical Field

The invention relates to a suction device for preventing habits such as snoring, breathing, pounding, grinding, and biting, and for training and treating oral functions.

Background

Snoring refers to breathing-related noise that develops during sleep due to the flutter of a relaxed jail and/or due to the subsidence of the tongue and jaw. Snoring is therefore often accompanied by an open mouth condition and mouth breathing. Snoring is often associated with the sleeping person's position. Snoring may also occur when nasal breathing is obstructed and may be exacerbated by alcohol consumption, overweight, excessive fatigue, etc.

It is known that a conventional pacifier (Schnuller) is suitable for suppressing snoring in many cases. The pacifier has a rigid mouth shield (mundshuld) which is fixed to a suction body made of a soft elastic material. The oral shield is a molded body made of plastic, and the sucking body is made of latex or silicon rubber. In use, the oral shield is positioned in front of the lips of the user to prevent the pacifier from being swallowed. The placement of the oral shield in front of the lips of the user may in some cases be perceived as disturbing.

Furthermore, jaw-nose rails already exist which prevent the mandible from sinking and hold it in the correct position during sleep, so that the tongue does not retract and cause breathing noise or even block the airway.

Also known are vestibular plates or frames which are placed in the buccal vestibule, i.e. the space between the lips and the anterior teeth, and thus prevent mouth breathing. The contour of the inner side of the vestibular plate/vestibular shelf may serve as a toy for the tongue. Due to the triggered swallowing reflex, the tongue will press against the anterior teeth and the vestibular plate/shelf and be positioned there due to the created negative pressure. The free space of the trachea is expanded and the jawbone is dampened from vibrating. Thereby preventing the occurrence of snoring. The bioplastic material softens as it warms up in the mouth and can conform to the individual's buccal cavity.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from this, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved suction appliance for preventing habits such as snoring, mouth breathing, sucking, grinding, biting, and for training/treating mouth functions.

This object is achieved by a suction appliance having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the suction device are given in the dependent claims.

The suction device according to the invention for preventing certain habits such as snoring, mouth breathing, sucking, grinding teeth, biting teeth and for training/treating oral functions comprises an oral vestibular shield which is at least partially made of a flexible flat material.

The basis for the effectiveness of this new type of suction appliance is the innate and important suction reflex. This reflex occurs up to older adults if the proper suction is introduced into the oral cavity. After all, people eat by sucking. People use the tongue and suck the soft and chewy moist food on the tongue into a porridge for swallowing food into the esophagus. The tongue's contact with the sucking body or the mouth closure achieved by the buccal shield triggers the sucking reflex. During this sucking process, a posterior seal of the mouth can occur. With the lifting of the back of the tongue and the contraction of the palatine sail, the flow of air through the mouth and thus also the fluttering snoring is suppressed. Unlike conventional pacifiers, this new sucking appliance provides two important advantages. The outwardly visible and hard labial shield is replaced by an oral vestibular shield which is arranged invisibly behind the lips and which is at least partially made of a flexible and therefore comfortable to wear flat material. The adaptation of the buccal shield to the buccal vestibule does not result in an externally visible alteration of the mouth. The buccal shield can be formed very thinly, if appropriate even in the form of a thin-walled membrane. This thin and flat buccal shield is mucocompatible, compliant and unobtrusive from the outside. In particular the buccal shield does not cause lip changes with lordotic deformation and does not have a comforting nipple-like appearance as does the traditional buccal plates. The suction appliance is thus aesthetically designed and is particularly suitable for use in companion relations.

Furthermore, such a suction appliance is more effective than a conventional pacifier, since snoring is additionally suppressed by the front mouth seal (mundschluss). The lips guarantee and intensify this effect, the lips surrounding the buccal shield as a response to its contact stimulus and in order to ensure a sucking effect. A flexible buccal shield made of a flat material conforms to the surfaces of the teeth and gums and seals the mouth outward in cooperation with saliva and mucous membranes. During sucking, a negative pressure is thereby created in the mouth. If the mouth is sealed at the back by tongue-to-palate contact and closed at the front by labial contact and by the fit of the buccal shield on the mucosa, the tongue can perform its piston-like motion. The retracted mandible is then spontaneously advanced along with the tongue and lower lip to achieve the desired mouth closure (lip contact), i.e., the desired positional relationship of the two jaws with respect to each other and the tongue in contact with the anterior palate. The mouth breathing, which thus generates noise, is not noticeable in relation to quiet nasal breathing.

The snoring-preventing or at least snoring-reducing effect of the breathing apparatus is therefore based on a dual effect, namely an active mouth seal in the upper rear part of the oropharynx (esophageal seal) and an active front mouth seal in the vestibule (Mundschluss). This dual effect prevents mouth breathing, including preventing noisy vibrations of the soft palate, by reflex contraction of muscles (lip, tongue, neck, esophageal and many others).

The suction device according to the invention is suitable in principle for persons suffering from Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome (OSAS) and whose snoring sleep problems are mainly associated with structural and functional defects of the oronasal cavity. Furthermore, the suction device additionally assists patients with sleep disorders with other or additional illnesses, including apneas. Included herein are diseases such as: alcoholism, obesity, endocrine disorders, metabolic problems, cardiovascular disease, etc. The suction appliance described herein may also function in conjunction with otolaryngological, medical, psychological, dental and other departments.

The buccal shield is preferably generally made of a flexible, flat material. The invention also includes embodiments in which the buccal shield is made only partially of a flexible flat material. The invention comprises in particular an embodiment in which the buccal shield is made of a flexible, flat material in the edge region and of a harder material in the central region. The invention also comprises an oral shield which is made of a flexible, flat material in the edge region and of a harder material in the inner regions. If the buccal shield is made only partially of a flexible, flat material, it may be constructed integrally of one material or of multiple materials. When only a single material is used for the production, the flexible and the rigid region can be realized with different material thicknesses. When made of multiple materials, the soft and hard regions may be achieved by different softness or hardness compositions.

According to one embodiment, the suction device comprises a soft elastic suction body which protrudes from the inside of the buccal shield and is connected to the buccal shield at its base. The suction body, in combination with the rest of the suction device, triggers the suction reflex, thereby particularly contributing to the advantageous effects described above. In sucking, the material of the soft elastic suction body is repeatedly extended back in comparison with the food prepared for the swallowing process. Furthermore, the arrangement in which the suction body prevents contact between the teeth with the upper jaw and the lower jaw prevents the occurrence of bruxism and tooth-biting.

The sucking appliance may be used to prevent or abstain from the habit of sucking a finger (or other item), similar to that when using a pacifier (Schnuller).

The therapeutic use of special suction cups for improving breathing, sucking, swallowing and speech functions, known as speech disorder correction and other therapies, can likewise be achieved with the suction cup according to the invention, and can sometimes even be more effective or simple.

According to one embodiment, the suction body has a cavity which is accessible through an opening in the outer side of the buccal shield. This particularly flexible structure promotes the sucking and sucking effect. According to a further embodiment, the suction body has a nipple and a neck which is connected at one end to the nipple and at the other end to the buccal shield. The nipple has a larger cross-section relative to the neck, thereby enhancing the sucking effect. The neck is better positioned between the teeth due to its smaller cross-section.

According to another embodiment, the suction body has an orthodontic shape. Orthodontic suckers are characterized by a nipple which has a convex curvature on the upper side facing the palate, a rearwardly and upwardly extending ramp on the lower side facing the tongue, and a curvature which is concave in the ramp. Alternatively, a round cherry-shaped nipple can also be produced, but this shape is not as beneficial for the design of the invention as a nipple with an orthodontic shape. The orthodontic absorber and the suction body with the rounded cherry-shaped nipple are preferably closed at the distal end.

According to one embodiment, the closed-distal suction body has a length in the direction of its longitudinal axis of 20 to 35 mm. The suction body may be selected within the above range according to age or mouth size or mouth shape.

According to one embodiment, the suction body and/or the hollow vestibular shield have at least one bowl-shaped recess. The bowl-like depression is preferably closed and is formed by an inner curvature of the wall of the suction body and/or of the buccal shield. The bowl-like recess serves as a suction cup which, depending on the positioning, can be attached to the tongue, palate, mucous membrane or gum. Furthermore, the recess improves and ensures the defined attachment and positioning of the suction appliance and the tongue. The bowl-like depression can in particular be a large inversion or depression in the surface of the suction body and/or of the buccal shield. In the region of the bowl-shaped depression, the suction body and/or the buccal shield are/is configured to be elastic. Here, the bowl-shaped recess has the same wall thickness as the adjoining regions of the suction body and/or the buccal shield. Further, the bowl-shaped recess may also have a thinner wall thickness than the adjacent region.

According to a preferred embodiment, the suction body has said bowl-shaped recess in the face which, in use, is intended to be adjacent to the tongue, and/or in the face which, in use, is intended to be adjacent to the palate, and/or the buccal shield has said bowl-shaped recess in the face which, in use, is intended to face the gingiva and/or the lips and the mucous membranes of the cheeks. This embodiment makes it possible to achieve adhesion between the tongue or the tongue upper surface and the suction body and/or between the mucous membrane and the suction body and/or between the gums and/or the lips and the buccal mucous membrane and the buccal shield. Such a suction appliance may be provided with one or more bowl-like recesses at one or different of the aforementioned positions.

According to one embodiment, the suction body of the suction device has a distal opening. The suction body preferably expands towards the opening of the distal end. The expansion of the distal opening of the suction body is preferably cup-shaped or trumpet-shaped. An opening at the distal end of the suction body is adapted to receive the tip of the user's tongue. This embodiment and the bowl-shaped depression described act analogously on the sucking reflex or sucking reflex which occurs as a result of the stimulation and advantageously on the attachment and positioning of the sucking implement to the tongue. Furthermore, the suction device has a high acceptance for the user due to the special shape of the suction body. According to a preferred embodiment, the suction body is smooth and/or the outer edge of the opening is rounded. According to a further embodiment, the suction body has a neck and only one section of the suction head connected to the neck, which section has the distal opening. This section of the nipple preferably corresponds to an orthodontic suction body or a proximal section of a nipple having a cherry-shaped suction body, which lacks a distal section of the suction body.

According to another embodiment, the opening is closed by a closure releasably held on the buccal shield. In principle, when the user closes his lips, a sucking effect can also be achieved without the closure in a sucking appliance having an opening for the distal end of the sucking body and an opening for the sucking body in the buccal shield. If the user has difficulty closing the lips, the closure is such that the tongue can still generate a negative pressure. The closure member is releasably retained on the buccal shield so that it can be installed and removed when desired. The closure may be pressed into the opening of the buccal shield, for example like a button. The closure may have a closure plate with a push-button type protrusion which can be push-button pressed into the opening of the buccal shield. The buccal shield or the suction body may have a groove or channel for receiving a flange on the protrusion. The closure panel of the closure may sealingly fit onto the outside of the buccal shield. The closure plate may be made of a film-like, flexible material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the suction body with the distal opening has a length in the direction of its longitudinal axis of 15 to 25 mm.

According to another embodiment, the suction body has a maximum width of 20 to 30 mm. According to a further embodiment, the neck of the suction body has a width of 15 to 25mm in its narrowest point and/or a height of 7 to 10 mm.

According to another embodiment, the opening in the buccal shield has a width of 13 to 20mm and/or a height of 5 to 8 mm.

The data described above relate to the placement of the suction appliance in the mouth of the user, wherein the width is measured in the horizontal direction and the height is measured in the vertical direction.

According to one embodiment, the buccal shield has a contour adapted to the anatomical structure of the buccal cavity. So that the suction appliance can be worn comfortably and avoids irritation of the oral mucosa.

According to another embodiment, the buccal shield has an elongated profile. The buccal shield preferably has a length such that it extends laterally at least to the premolars.

According to another embodiment, the contour of the buccal shield is waisted/thinned on the gingival margin in the adjacent region of the labial frenum (tailllieren). Irritation of the labial frenulum is avoided by such a recess. According to one embodiment, the buccal shield has a V-shaped depression on the upper side and/or lower side in the region of the waist.

According to another embodiment, the buccal shield has a rounded contour on the outer edge in the peripheral direction. Thereby achieving an adaptation to the anatomy of the vestibular folds of the buccal vestibule. According to a preferred embodiment, the buccal shield has an edge region which tapers towards the periphery. Whereby said edge region is particularly soft and compliant.

The buccal shield has a finger biscuit (or cat tongue biscuit) shaped contour. This results in an elongated shape which is waisted in the adjacent region of the labial ligament and rounded at the outer edge.

According to one embodiment, the buccal shield has a maximum dimension in the transverse direction of 80 to 140mm, and/or a minimum dimension at the waist of 15 to 35mm and/or a maximum dimension on both sides next to the waist of 25 to 50 mm. The above ranges of sizes are suitable for wearers of different age groups or oral shapes or oral sizes. Furthermore, the buccal shield can be tailored to fit the individual by tailoring.

Most users do not need to fit and can wear the vestibular shield of the oral cavity with a maximum dimension in the transverse direction of 115 to 135mm and/or a minimum dimension in the waist of 15 to 25mm and/or a maximum dimension on both sides of the waist of 22.5 to 37.5 mm.

The buccal shield, which is made of a flexible flat material, can be adapted to the respective wearer. For this purpose, the buccal shield can be cut out, for example, with scissors or a knife or a punch. The material of the buccal shield must be chosen accordingly.

According to one embodiment, the buccal shield has at least one marking line spaced apart from the edge of the buccal shield and having a contour adapted to the anatomy of the buccal vestibule and/or to the contour of the buccal shield. The marking lines can provide assistance to the wearer in adapting the buccal shield in such a way that the marking lines define a cut line along which the buccal shield can be cut short. If the buccal shield has a contour that is adapted to the anatomy of the buccal vestibule, the marking line can follow the contour of the buccal shield in parallel. The buccal shield may be provided with a plurality of marker lines to enable adaptation to different shapes and/or sizes of the buccal vestibule. The marking line may be an interrupted or continuous line.

According to one embodiment, the buccal shield has at least one bite strip on one side. The sucking device with or without a sucking body can be provided with a bite strip. The buccal shield may be configured to have a single bite strip in the center which, in use, extends past the incisal edge of the wearer in the transverse face. In the buccal shield with or without a suction body, a plurality of, for example three, bite strips can also be provided in the transverse plane. In this case, it is preferred that one bite strip is provided on each of the different sides of the longitudinal section on the buccal shield, while the third bite strip is centrally located. If the suction device has no suction body, the central bite strip can be arranged in the same plane as the two lateral bite strips. In a suction device with a suction body, the bite strip can be located above and/or below the suction body.

The suction body and/or the bite strip can be connected to the buccal shield by suitable fastening means. Preferably, the suction body and/or the bite strip are connected integrally to the buccal shield, for example by gluing or welding. The suction body and/or the bite strip and the buccal shield are preferably initially produced as a single component from a coherent material.

According to a further embodiment, the suction body and/or the buccal shield and/or the bite strip are made of natural rubber (made of latex) and/or of silicone rubber and/or thermoplastic elastomers and/or growth-promoting plastics. The suction body and/or the buccal shield and/or the bite strip can be made of a single material component or of a plurality of material components.

In one embodiment, the one or more bite strips can be made of the same or different material separately from the suction device and mechanically coupled to the suction device as a supplement/extension. This is achieved, for example, by pressing a pin or a web with an end-side widening (for example a pin head or a retaining plate) connected to the bite strip into an opening (hole or slit) of the buccal shield. In a further embodiment, a plurality of bite strips arranged centrally or on both sides can be separate from each other and combined with each other as a single bite strip element and be made of another material and be mechanically combined with the suction device.

Furthermore, the suction body and/or the buccal shield and/or the bite strip can be provided with reinforcements in particularly heavily loaded areas, for example reinforcing strips embedded in the suction body or, if appropriate, in the buccal shield. The bite strip may be a mouth guard bite strip which does not or does not significantly deform when a user bites on it. Furthermore, the bite strip can also be designed as a bite strip, wherein the bite strip consists of a soft and/or plastically deformable material, which the wearer can bite into, at least on the outer side of the bite of the wearer. Furthermore, the suction body can have one or more wedge-shaped depressions (grooves) on the inner side, which depressions make the suction body more flexible, for example as described in WO2008154968a 1.

The suction body and/or the buccal shield preferably have a wall thickness of 0.5 to 3mm, more preferably 1 to 2 mm. The outer dimensions of the bite strip preferably have a wall thickness (height) of 4 to 8mm, a length of 20 to 30mm and a width of 8 to 12 mm. The wall thicknesses of all components of the suction device (buccal shield, suction body and bite strip) can also be designed differently depending on the design, because the materials mentioned differ from the dimensions mentioned.

According to another embodiment, the suction device is produced by dipping or injection molding.

The invention also relates to a template consisting of a flat material, said template having contours and/or marking lines adapted to the anatomy of the buccal cavity. The user can firstly put the template into the oral vestibule, and when the template is comfortable to wear, the outline of the oral vestibule shield is matched with the outline of the template. If the template is not immediately comfortable to wear, the user can cut the template, if necessary along the scribe lines, until the template optimally matches. The template can then be used as a cropping aid for fitting the buccal shield.

According to a further embodiment, the template can have an elongated and/or waisted and/or rounded profile at the ends and/or a marking line. Preferably the template has a finger biscuit-shaped outline and/or a logo line. Furthermore, the template preferably has different marking lines which facilitate the cutting of different contours.

The template is preferably composed of a material that is inert and insensitive to moisture. Preferably, the template is composed of a material that is perceptually as similar as possible to the buccal shield. Preferably the template is composed of the same material as the buccal vestibular shield. For example, the template consists of plastic or plastic film.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a kit with a plurality of templates having different contours and/or different marking lines. The user may select the appropriate template and then select a suction implement that matches the template after the test strip. For this purpose, suction devices with differently sized buccal shields and/or differently shaped buccal shields can be provided, wherein the different buccal shields each provide one template of the kit. This arrangement can be easily established by the user by means of matching markings of the suction device and the matching template.

Finally, the invention relates to a kit having a suction device according to the invention and at least one template according to the invention. The user can select the appropriate template or appropriately tailor the template and transfer the contour of the template to the buccal shield of the sucking appliance.

The suction device according to the invention can be designed according to the indication (molar, mouth breathing with or without snoring, etc.) and according to the acceptance of the wearer. As such, the suction appliance may be configured to: with or without a suck body; with or without bite bars; with or without a nipple; having a nipple on the suction body only, on the buccal shield only or on both the nipple and the buccal shield; with or without a sign line; with or without a template. All combinations are possible and may be provided as an alternative to the user or the treating physician.

Drawings

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of embodiments. In the figure:

figures 1a to e show a suction appliance for a child or a wearer of small lumen size in front view (figure 1 a), side view from left (figure 1 b), vertical cross-sectional view from right (figure 1 c), top view (figure 1 d) and perspective view from obliquely above and from right (figure 1 e);

fig. 2a to e show a suction appliance for adolescents in a front view (fig. 2 a), in a side view from the left (fig. 2 b), in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 2 c), in a top view (fig. 2 d) and in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 2 e);

fig. 3a to e show a suction device for adults in a front view (fig. 3 a), a side view from the left (fig. 3 b), a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 3 c), a plan view (fig. 3 d) and a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 3 e);

FIG. 4 shows a sucking implement in the mouth in a longitudinal section of the wearer's face-skull;

fig. 5a to e show a suction device with a guard strip in a front view (fig. 5 a), in a side view from the left (fig. 5 b), in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 5 c), in a top view (fig. 5 d) and in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 5 e);

fig. 6a to e show a suction appliance with a buccal shield without a suction head in a front view (fig. 6 a), in a side view from the left (fig. 6 b), in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 6 c), in a top view (fig. 6 d) and in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 6 e);

fig. 7a to e show a suction device with a bowl-shaped recess in a front view (fig. 7 a), in a side view from the left (fig. 7 b), in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 7 c), in a top view (fig. 7 d) and in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 7 e);

fig. 8a to f show a suction appliance with a bowl-shaped recess in the suction head and a gap for a mouth guard in the buccal shield in a front view (fig. 8 a), a side view from the left (fig. 8 b), a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 8 c), a top view (fig. 8 d), a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 8 e) and the contour of the bowl-shaped recess in a closed section through a longitudinal section (fig. 8 f);

fig. 9a to f show the suction appliance of fig. 7 with an associated lateral bite strip in a front view (fig. 9 a), in a side view from the left (fig. 9 b), in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 9 c), in a top view (fig. 9 d), in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 9 e), and in a side view (fig. 9 f);

fig. 10a to e show a sucking appliance of the buccal vestibule without a nipple and with a slit for a bite strip in a front view (fig. 10 a), a side view from the left (fig. 10 b), a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 10 c), a top view (fig. 10 d) and a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 10 e);

fig. 11 shows a front view of a template for trimming the suction implement;

fig. 12a to g show a sucking implement with a suction body with an opening in the buccal shield and a distal opening in a front view (fig. 12 a), a side view from the left (fig. 12 b), with a closure in a vertical sectional view from the right (fig. 12 c), a closure in a top view (fig. 12 d), a closure in a front view (fig. 12 e), no closure in a perspective view from obliquely above and from the right (fig. 12 f), and no closure in a top view (fig. 12 g);

fig. 13 shows the suction appliance according to fig. 12 in a mouth in a longitudinal section through the skull of the wearer;

fig. 14 shows in elevation view an oral vestibular shield having a contour with a V-shaped waist.

Detailed Description

In the following description, corresponding parts of the different embodiments have the same reference numerals. Differently configured components having the same name are denoted by the same reference numeral followed by a decimal point and followed by another numeral, wherein the following numerals are different. According to fig. 1, a suction device 1.1 according to the invention has a nipple 2 which is integrally connected to a buccal shield 3 at the base.

The nipple 2.1 has a cavity 4 in the interior, which cavity can be accessed from outside the buccal shield 3 through an opening 5 of the buccal shield 3.

The suction body 2.1 has a nipple 6 and a neck 7 which is connected at one end to the nipple 6 and at the other end to the buccal shield 3. The suction body 2.1 is wider in a transverse plane (in a plane parallel to the drawing plane of fig. 1 d) than the neck 7 in the region of the nipple 6.

The nipple 6 has a bevel 8 on the underside. The upper nipple has a convex curvature 9.1 and is rounded in the transition region to the chamfer 8. The bevel 8 has a concave camber 9.2 or recess in the center. The neck 7 is rounded in the region of the connection to the nipple 6 and in the region of the connection to the buccal shield 3.

The suction body 2.1 has an orthodontic shape overall.

The suction body 2.1 has a dimension in the direction of its longitudinal axis or longitudinal section a of 23 mm. Its largest dimension in the transverse direction b is 21.4 mm. The wall thickness c is 1.4 mm.

The buccal shield 3 has a finger-biscuit-shaped contour 10. In the transverse direction, the buccal shield 3 has a dimension d of 98 mm. In the region of the waist 11 of the contour 10, the buccal shield 3 has a minimum dimension e of 30 mm. On both sides alongside the waist 11, the buccal vestibular shield 3 has a maximum dimension f of 45mm each. The wall thickness g of the buccal vestibular shield 3 is 1.4 mm. If desired, the wall thickness of the buccal shield may be different, for example tapering towards the periphery and stiffening towards the centre (around the nipple opening 5), but not necessarily thickening (in order to close the supporting flank by the lips or to prevent mandibular retraction).

The suction device 1.1 is made integrally of latex. In addition, it can also be made of silicone rubber or of a thermoplastic elastomer. The production from the latex can be carried out using the dipping method. The manufacture from silicone rubber or thermoplastic elastomers can be accomplished by injection molding. Furthermore, material combinations can be used, wherein different parts of the suction device can be composed of different materials. For example, the buccal shield 3 can consist of a thermoplastic elastomer and the suction body 2.1 of silicone rubber, wherein the parts can be injection-molded in such a way that they are connected to one another in a form-fitting manner. Furthermore, a securing strip, which is integrally connected to the buccal shield 3 and likewise consists of a thermoplastic elastomer, can be embedded in the suction body 2.1 made of silicone rubber.

The preceding description also applies to the following embodiments, if they are constructed accordingly. The differences of the further embodiment from the previous embodiment are specifically explained below.

The suction device 1.2 of fig. 2 differs from the previously described suction devices in that the suction body 2.2 has a dimension a in the longitudinal direction of 27 mm.

The suction device 1.3 according to fig. 3 differs from the previously described suction devices in that the suction body 2.3 has a dimension in its longitudinal direction of 33 mm.

According to fig. 4, the suction device 1 is arranged in the mouth of a user. The buccal shield 3 is disposed in the buccal cavity 12 and the suction body 2 is disposed between the teeth 13 and the palate 14.

The sucking reflex occurs with the posterior tongue rising and contracting and the palatal sail descending and contracting. Thus, an active mouth closure is achieved in the oropharynx at the rear. The soft palate closes with the posterior dorsum of the tongue so that nasal breathing, rather than oral breathing, can take place.

In addition, a reflective lip seal effect is created. The upper lip is now lowered and the lower lip is raised. The upper and lower lips surround or wrap the buccal shield 3. Thus, an active port closure at the front of the vestibule is achieved.

The anterior and posterior mouth seals prevent mouth breathing, including preventing noise-like vibration of the jawbar (snoring).

Another possible concomitant effect is strengthening or training of the muscles of the lips, voice and pharynx. This side effect is achieved on the basis of a learning effect in the suction activity, so that, if necessary, at least at times, breathing sounds and/or mouth breathing can also be suppressed without the use of a suction device.

Furthermore, the wearing of the suction device 1 also advances the retracted mandible and the tongue and lower lip. This facilitates the realization of the spacing for the necessary closure, i.e. lip-to-lip, mandibular-to-maxillary and tongue-to-palate contact. Oral breathing is inhibited in favor of nasal breathing.

Fig. 5 shows a suction device 1.4, which, in contrast to the suction device 1.2 of fig. 2, has a bite strip 15.1, 15.2 on both sides of the suction body 2.2 on the inner side of the buccal shield 3. The bite strips 15.1, 15.2 are fixedly connected to the suction device 1.2. In this embodiment, the bite strips 15.1, 15.2 are made integrally with the buccal shield 3 and from the same material as the buccal shield 3. The bite strips 15.1, 15.2 project approximately perpendicular to the buccal shield 3. The bite strips 15.1, 15.2 can also be designed to be longer or shorter. The suction device 1.4 is also configured to have the dimensions of the suction device 1.1 or 1.3 or another dimension.

The suction device 1.5 of fig. 6 differs from the suction device 1.2 of fig. 2 in that it has only the buccal shield 3 and no suction body. Optionally, the buccal shield 3 is thinned towards the edge region like the buccal shield 3 of the suction device 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3. The suction device 1.5 can also be configured to have the dimensions of the buccal shield 3 of the suction device 1.1 or 1.3 or other dimensions.

Fig. 7 shows a suction device 1.6, which, in contrast to the suction device 1.2 of fig. 2, has a bowl-shaped recess 16.1 in the center of the slope 8 of the nipple 6, which has an opening 16.12 in the slope, which serves as a suction cup. The bowl-shaped depression 16.1 is curved deeper inward than the concave curvature 9.2, so that the suction cup 16.1 can adhere to the back of the tongue after the air has been pressed out of the bowl-shaped depression 16.1.

Furthermore, the suction device 1.6 has further bowl-shaped recesses 16.2, 16.3, 16.4, 16.5 on the inner side of the buccal shield 3, which have openings on the inner side of the buccal shield 3, wherein the pairs of bowl-shaped recesses 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4, 16.5 are each arranged symmetrically to the longitudinal section and the pairs of bowl-shaped recesses 16.2, 16.4 and 16.3, 16.5 are each arranged symmetrically to the transverse section. The suction cups 16.2 to 16.5 can be attached to the gums and thereby enhance the sealing of the buccal cavity. The bowl-like depression 16.1 also induces the wearer to pluck with the tip of the tongue over the nipple 6.

The suction body 6 can be provided on the upper side 9.1 with a bowl-like depression which effects attachment to the palate.

Fig. 8 shows a suction device 1.7, which, in contrast to the suction device 1.6 of fig. 7, has a more pronounced cup-shaped depression 16.12 on the slope 8 of the suction body 6, the cup-shaped depression 16.12 being of omega-shaped design in longitudinal section, so that it has a smaller cross section in the region of its opening 16.1.4 in the slope 8 than in the region arranged more within the suction head 6.

The suction device 1.7 differs from the suction device 1.6 in that the buccal shield 3 has slits 17.1, 17.2 on both sides of the suction body 2.2 for pressing in the bite strip. That is, the user can selectively use the suction device 1.7 without or with a bite strip. Furthermore, there are no bowl-shaped recesses 16.2 to 16.5 in the buccal shield 3 of the suction appliance 1.7 and no bowl-shaped recesses on the upper side 9.1 of the nipple 6 (not shown). An alternative configuration, not shown, of the suction device 1.7 has a bowl-shaped recess 16.2 to 16.5 and also a bowl-shaped recess on the upper side 9.1 on the nipple 6.

According to fig. 9, the suction device 1.7 of fig. 8 is provided with snap strips 18.1, 18.2. Each bite strip 18.1, 18.2 has a web 19.1, 19.2 on one end face, which carries a retaining plate 20.1, 20.2 on the end face. Instead of the connecting plates 19.1, 19.2, a plurality of pins can also be provided, on the end side of which a holding plate is provided or which are each provided with its own holding plate.

The retaining plates 20.1, 20.2 are guided through the slits 17.1, 17.2 of the buccal shield 3, so that the webs 19.1, 19.2 are arranged in the slits 17.1, 17.2, the retaining plates 20.1, 20.2 bearing on the rear side and the bite strips 18.1, 18.2 bearing on the front side of the buccal shield 3.

The bite bars 18.1, 18.2 may be bite bars and/or mouth guard bite bars. The bite strip can be adapted to the shape of the user's teeth by biting. If appropriate, the bite strips 18.1, 18.2 can have the property that they allow biting after a brief temperature increase (for example in a boiling water bath) and their shape is retained after cooling (in a cold water bath).

The buccal shield 3 or the suction device 1.8 in fig. 10 differs from the buccal shield 3 or the suction device 1.5 in fig. 6 in that it is provided on both sides of the longitudinal section with slits 17.1, 17.2 extending in the transverse section for the purpose of pressing in the bite strip. The buccal shield 3 can be used by the user without a bite strip or with a bite strip, as desired. The bite strips 18.1, 18.2 shown in fig. 9 can be used.

Fig. 11 shows a template 21 with a finger-cookie shaped edge profile. The template 21 also has differently shaped marking lines 22.1, 22.2 at a distance from the edge profile.

The template 21 may be placed on the buccal shield 3, said buccal shield 3 initially having an arbitrary shape. The outer edges or marker lines 23.1, 23.2 of the template 21 can be used to cut the buccal shield 3 with scissors.

The suction device 1.9 of fig. 12 differs from the suction device 1.7 of fig. 8 in that the suction body 6.1 does not have a distal portion of the suction body 6. The suction body 2.4 has a distal opening 22. Furthermore, the suction body 2.4 has an opening 5 in the buccal shield 3.

The suction body 2.4 expands in a cup-like manner adjacent to its neck 7 toward the distal opening 22. In a horizontal sectional view (in the transverse plane when the suction appliance is arranged in the mouth of the wearer), the expansion of the transverse plane increases first strongly adjacent to the neck 7 and, in the vicinity of the distal opening 22, increases slowly. In a vertical sectional view (in longitudinal section), the suction body 2.4 expands approximately uniformly or asymmetrically from the neck 7 toward the distal opening 22, with the upper side arching longer and more strongly than the lower side (fig. 12 b).

A closure element 23 can be pressed into the opening 5 of the buccal shield 3. The closure 23 has a closure plate 24 and a push button 25 which has a radial expansion or flange 26 at the distal end. The closure element 23 is preferably made of the same material as the suction device 1.9.

The closure 23 can be pressed into the opening 5. The push button 25 is now pressed into the buccal shield 3 and/or the suction body 2.4, thereby ensuring that the closure 23 fits securely in the suction body 2.4. According to fig. 12c, the suction device 1.9 has a circumferential groove or other depression 27 in the buccal shield 3 and/or the suction body 2.4 next to the opening 5, into which depression the radial extension 26 of the push button 25 can be pressed.

The closure 23 is preferably composed of natural rubber and/or silicone rubber and/or elastomers and/or thermoplastic elastomers. The suction device 1.9 has apertures 17.1, 17.2 in the buccal shield 3 and can be provided with bite strips 18.1, 18.2 in the same way as the suction device 1.7 of fig. 9.

The bite strip is preferably composed of a material that conforms to the shape of the teeth.

Fig. 13 shows the suction device 1.9 in the mouth of a user. The tip of the tongue 13 engages in an opening 22 in the distal end of the suction body 2.4.

According to fig. 14, the buccal shield 3 preferably has an elongated contour which converges towards both ends. In the center, the buccal shield 3 has a waist which is formed by two V-shaped depressions 27 on both sides. The buccal shield 3 can be designed in this way in all embodiments.

Claims (28)

1. A suction appliance for preventing habits such as snoring, mouth breathing, sucking, grinding and biting teeth and for training or treating mouth functions, comprising an oral vestibular shield (3) which is at least partially composed of a flexible flat material.

2. The suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a soft elastic suction body (2) which protrudes from the inside of the buccal shield (3) and is connected on its base to the buccal shield (3).

3. The suction appliance according to claim 2, characterized in that the suction body (2) has a cavity (4) which is accessible through an opening (5) in the outer side of the buccal shield.

4. The suction appliance according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the suction body (2) has a nipple (6) and a neck (7) which is connected at one end to the nipple (6) and at the other end to the buccal shield (3).

5. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the suction body (2) has an orthodontic shape.

6. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the suction body (2) and/or the buccal shield (3) has at least one bowl-shaped recess (16).

7. The suction appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that the suction body (2) has the bowl-shaped recess (16) in a surface against which the tongue in use abuts and/or the bowl-shaped recess (16) in a surface against which the palate in use abuts and/or the buccal shield (3) has the bowl-shaped recess (16) in a surface facing the gingival or buccal mucosa in use.

8. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the suction body (2) has a distal opening (22).

9. The suction appliance according to claim 8, characterized in that the suction body (2) widens towards the distal opening (22).

10. The suction appliance according to one of claims 8 and 9 and 3, characterized in that the opening (5) in the buccal shield (3) is closed by a closure (23) which is releasably held on the suction appliance (1).

11. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the suction body (2) closed at the distal end has a dimension in the direction of its longitudinal axis of 20 to 35mm and the suction body (2) with the distal opening (22) has a dimension in the direction of its longitudinal axis of 15 to 25 mm.

12. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the buccal shield (3) has a contour (10) adapted to the anatomy of the buccal cavity.

13. The suction appliance according to claim 12, wherein the buccal shield (3) has an elongated profile.

14. The suction appliance according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the contour (10) of the buccal shield (3) has a waist (11) on the gingival-side edge in the vicinity of the labial frenulum in the upper and lower jaw, respectively.

15. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the buccal shield (3) has a contour (10) which is rounded in a circumferential direction over the entire trend.

16. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the buccal shield (3) has a finger-biscuit-shaped contour.

17. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the buccal shield (3) has a maximum dimension in the transverse direction of 80 to 140mm and/or a minimum dimension at the waist (11) of 15 to 35mm and/or a maximum dimension on both sides alongside the waist (11) of 25 to 50 mm.

18. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the buccal shield (3) has at least one marking line spaced apart from the edge of the buccal shield (3) with a course adapted to the changing anatomy of the buccal vestibule and/or to the contour of the buccal shield.

19. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it has at least one bite strip (15.1, 15.2) protruding from the inside of the buccal shield (3).

20. The suction device according to claim 19, characterized in that it has in the region of the front teeth and/or in the region of the side teeth in each case one bite strip (15.1, 15.2) projecting from the buccal shield.

21. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 2 to 20, characterized in that the suction body (2) and/or the bite strip (15.1, 15.2) are connected to the buccal shield (3) by a fastening structure or integrally.

22. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the suction body (2) and/or the buccal shield (3) and/or the bite strip (15.1, 15.2) and/or the closure element consist of natural rubber and/or silicone rubber and/or elastomers and/or thermoplastic materials.

23. The suction appliance according to one of the claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the suction appliance consists of a plurality of materials.

24. The suction device according to one of the claims 1 to 23, wherein the suction device is produced by dipping or injection molding.

25. A template (21) consisting of a flat material, having contours and/or marking lines (22) adapted to the anatomy of the buccal cavity.

26. Template (21) according to claim 25, wherein said template has an elongated and/or waisted and/or rounded profile at the ends and/or a marking line (22).

27. A kit of a plurality of templates (21) according to claim 25 or 26, having different contours and/or having different marking lines (22).

28. A kit with a suction appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 24 and at least one template (22) according to one of claims 25 to 27.