Putting sleep apnoea to bed with 3D printed mouthguard
A new 3D printed mouthguard is set to end the suffering for thousands of sleep apnoea patients.
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The challenge
Solving sleep problems with 3D printing
Sleep apnoea occurs when the air passage in the throat becomes blocked during sleep and causes people to stop breathing.
In severe cases, people can suffer hundreds of events per night.
An estimated one million Australians suffer from the disorder, which can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks and diabetes. This number is expected to increase due to growing obesity levels and an aging population.
Traditional treatments can be problematic for patients, with issues such as chronic jaw pain, teeth loosening, teeth wear, ongoing adjustment or nasal obstruction causing many to stop wearing their device.
Better treatments that overcome these limitations would benefit the growing number of sleep apnoea sufferers worldwide.
Our response
Teaming up with dental experts to deliver
Using a 3D scanner to map a patient's mouth, our researchers and Australian dental company, Oventus, can now print a mouthpiece which prevents dangerous pauses in breath during sleep.
Printed from lightweight titanium and coated with a medical grade plastic, the breakthrough mouthpiece is customised for each patient.
The world-first device has a 'duckbill' which extends from the mouth like a whistle and divides into two separate airways. It allows air to flow through to the back of the throat, avoiding obstructions from the nose, the back of the mouth and tongue.
The device is effective as a standalone technology or can be combined with a continuous positive airway pressure machine for more advanced treatment.
The O2Vent™ Device is now available to patients in Australia through Oventus clinics, as a more effective and comfortable alternative to current products on the market.
In clinical trials, the O2Vent™ Device showed a 50 to 90 per cent reduction in Apnoea Hypopnea Index (or API, which indicates the severity of sleep apnoea) in 75 per cent of patients. It was found to be more effective than other oral appliances and has an effect on oxygen levels comparable to continuous positive airway pressure technology.
Following these successful trial results, Oventus plans to take the device to the rest of the world, targeting the growing number of moderate to severe sufferers of sleep apnoea.
The average cost of a full O2Vent™ treatment program is around $2,000 including consultation, device and follow up appointments. Rebates are available from private health insurers.
Please note, we do not distribute the mouthguards. Please contact Oventus for all product enquiries.
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