BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to medical devices, and more particularly to a novel device inserted into the mouth to prevent or stop snoring.

2. Description of Prior Art

Snoring , including the most severe forms of snoring such as obstructive sleep apnea, is caused, in part, by relaxation of muscles during respiration while asleep. Various devices have been introduced to alleviate snoring. One device (U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,459 to Spiewak, 1987) provides pressure to the muscles, and another (U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,737 to Toone, 1990) provides an open mouth position. Other devices attempt to keep the tongue protruded, for example, the Samelson and Gardy devices, NJ Medicine, Vol. 88 No. 11 Nov. 1991. Still other devices (such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,330 to Dowling, 1987 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,533 to Mequignon, 1988) attempt to stop snoring by sound feedback. One device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,010 to Crossley, 1969) provides electrodes that attach to the skin of the neck via a neck band to shock the sleeper and condition him against snoring. One device, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,506 to Liberati, 1991) attempts to train the muscles to prevent snoring. Continuous positive air pressure breathing devices (U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310 to Sullivan, 1990) and surgery are currently used to treat severe snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device provides electrical stimulation to the muscles of the mouth, from inside the mouth, to induce contraction and tension of relaxed muscles, thereby eliminating snoring.

SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device allows for direct action to the muscles. There is no need for retraining of muscles, sound feedback, sleep interruption, or abnormal mouth positions or tongue protrusion positions.

SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device obviates the need for continuous positive air pressure breathing devices or surgery.

SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device can be configured as a self-contained battery-powered system that delivers electrical stimulation that can be adjusted for individual comfort.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view drawing of SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an embodiment of SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device with a self-contained, battery-powered, microminiaturized electronic stimulator.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGS. 1-3

A typical embodiment of my invention SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device is illustrated in FIG. 1 (perspective view) and FIG. 2 (plan view). Electrodes(12), which are supported by a molded denture-like device(10), make contact with the roof of the mouth , e.g., the hard palate, soft palate or upper nasal oral pharynx. The electrodes can be made of any conventional electroconductive material, including electroconductive rubber . The electrodes(12) are connected to internal wires(14), which are connected to external wires(16). The external wires(16) are connected to an external source of energy(18).

The plan view in FIG. 3 shows the device(10) alternatively constructed so that the internal wires(14). .,.!. are in turn connected to a battery-powered(24), switched(22), microminiaturized electronic stimulator unit(20).

OPERATION OF INVENTION

It is believed that snoring is caused, in part, by the relaxation of muscles during respiration while asleep. My SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device. .,.!. provides energized electrodes for delivering electrical stimulation. This stimulation induces contraction and tension of relaxed muscles thereby preventing or stopping snoring.

Electrical energy(18) is delivered to device(10) via external wires(16), transferred via internal wires(14) to electrodes(12). The energized electrodes induce contraction of muscles. Also, the electrical stimulation can induce rhythmic contraction waves that interfere with snoring rhythms. The device can be configured with a feedback mechanism (not shown) whereby snoring causes the onset of electrical stimulation.

Electrical energy can be provided via commercial transcutaneous electric nerve stimulator units (such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,721 to Toriu, 1990, or, U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,710 to Lee, 1991) attached to the wires(16). Alternatively, electrical energy can be provided via self-contained, battery-powered, microminiaturized stimulator units within SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device (FIG. 3); in this case, the device user controls and adjusts wave shape, amplitude, length, and frequency of the electrical stimulation, which can be intermittent or constant.

SUMMARY

SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device with built-in electrodes is inserted into the mouth for electromuscular stimulation, inducing muscle contraction and tension, thereby preventing or stopping snoring. Electrical stimulation can be provided via connections to an external source or via a self-contained, battery-powered, microminiaturized electronic unit. Electrical stimulation can be constant or intermittent, using any of a variety of wave forms, . .amplitude.!. amplitudes , . .length.!. lengths , and . .frequency.!. frequencies as required for individual comfort. The device itself and its electrodes can be made in a variety of shapes and with a variety of materials.

Conclusions, Ramifications and Scope of Invention

The novel use of electrodes within a denture-like plate or other apparatus makes a SNOPPER--The Snoring Stopper™ anti-snoring mouth device beneficial. While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of two preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, electrodes could be installed permanently through or between the teeth, or stimulation in this area can be prolonged to induce a beneficial long term hypotensive response. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.