Patents Assigned to AirWay Technologies, LLC
  • Patent number: 11628087
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes an upper arched frame, an upper moldable tray coupled to the upper arched frame, a lower arched frame, and a lower moldable tray coupled to the lower arched frame. The upper arched frame includes a first tab and a second tab being positioned, with respect to each other, on opposite sides of a plane substantially bisecting the upper arched frame. The lower arched frame includes a third tab extending from the lower arched frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair E. McAuley
  • Patent number: 11426304
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes an upper arch, a lower arch, and an electronic device. The upper arch is configured to be positioned within a user's mouth proximate the user's maxillary dentition when the upper arch is positioned in the user's mouth. The lower arch is configured to be positioned proximate the user's mandibular dentition when the lower arch is positioned in the user's mouth. The electronic device is coupled to one or more of the upper arch and the lower arch, the electronic device configured to monitor a feature of the environment proximate one or more of the upper arch and the lower arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair McAuley
  • Patent number: 10736770
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair Edwin McAuley
  • Patent number: 10596026
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair Edwin McAuley
  • Patent number: 10596027
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair Edwin McAuley
  • Patent number: 10376408
    Abstract: An oral appliance includes an upper arch, a lower arch, and an electronic device. The upper arch is configured to be positioned within a user's mouth proximate the user's maxillary dentition when the upper arch is positioned in the user's mouth. The lower arch is configured to be positioned proximate the user's mandibular dentition when the lower arch is positioned in the user's mouth. The electronic device is coupled to one or more of the upper arch and the lower arch, the electronic device configured to monitor a feature of the environment proximate one or more of the upper arch and the lower arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: W. Keith Thornton, Alastair Edwin McAuley
  • Publication number: 20150045926
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a custom medical mask formed for a particular user from a three-dimensional electronic model includes a body formed from a polymerized photopolymer material. An interior surface of the body is configured to seat on the particular user's face and comprises a physical embodiment of a three-dimensional electronic model corresponding to unique facial features of the particular user. According to another embodiment, a method of creating a three-dimensional electronic model for use in forming a custom medical mask for a particular user includes scanning a portion of the particular user's face using an electronic scanning device, generating a three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face based on the scanning, and transmitting the three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face for use in forming the custom medical mask for the particular user from a photopolymer using a stereolithography apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8874251
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a custom medical mask formed for a particular user from a three-dimensional electronic model includes a body formed from a polymerized photopolymer material. An interior surface of the body is configured to seat on the particular user's face and comprises a physical embodiment of a three-dimensional electronic model corresponding to unique facial features of the particular user. According to another embodiment, a method of creating a three-dimensional electronic model for use in forming a custom medical mask for a particular user includes scanning a portion of the particular user's face using an electronic scanning device, generating a three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face based on the scanning, and transmitting the three-dimensional electronic model of the portion of the particular user's face for use in forming the custom medical mask for the particular user from a photopolymer using a stereolithography apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8783261
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a dental attachment that includes an anchoring element configured to be outside the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further includes a second arch. The dental device further includes a flexible tension element including a substantially planar surface extending along the longitudinal axis of the flexible tension element, the flexible tension element configured to couple to the second arch proximate to the midline of the second arch and to couple to the anchoring element outside the user's mouth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8671946
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device includes an arched frame configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusal surface of a user's dental arch such that the arched frame extends beyond the cuspids of the user's dental arch. The arched frame defines a plurality of apertures, and the arched frame includes an adjustment mechanism. The dental device further includes a moldable tray coupled to the arched frame. The moldable tray engages the plurality of apertures and includes a channel configured to engage at least some of the teeth of the user's dental arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8662084
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a universal oral appliance is provided. The universal oral appliance comprises an arched frame configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusal surface of a user's dental arch such that the arched frame extends beyond the cuspids of the user's dental arch when the arched frame is inserted in the user's mouth. The arched frame comprises a universal coupler configured to removably engage a dental attachment. The universal coupler comprises a substantially planar surface proximate to and extending across the midline of the arched frame. The universal coupler further comprises a first rail coupled to a first end of the substantially planar surface, and a second rail coupled to a second end of the substantially planar surface. The first rail, second rail, and substantially planar surface form a slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8607796
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an apparatus for coupling an oral appliance to a gas delivery device includes a post, a swivel, and first and second opposing clamps. The post includes a base configured to couple to the oral appliance; a first arm extending from the base and defining a channel extending along a portion of the first arm; and a second arm extending from the base, extending substantially parallel to the first arm, the second arm defining a channel extending along a portion of the second arm. The swivel is substantially spherical and is configured to position the gas delivery device. The first clamp is configured to engage and slide along the channel defined by the first arm and the second clamp is configured to engage and slide along the channel defined by the second arm. The first and second opposing clamps are together configured to position and secure the location and orientation of the swivel relative to the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8573224
    Abstract: A method for forming a custom-molded oral appliance for positioning a user's jaw proximate to centric occlusion is disclosed. The method includes heating a thin sheet of material comprising a polycaprolactone polymer. The thin sheet of material is positioned within the user's mouth. The user's jaw is positioned proximate to centric occlusion. The thin sheet of material is molded around at least respective portions of the user's upper and lower dental arches such that each of the respective portions of the user's upper and lower dental arches form respective impressions on opposite sides of the thin sheet of material. The thin sheet of material is transitioned to a substantially non-deformable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Airway Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8444415
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring mandibular position is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first slide operable to adjustably couple to a second slide, such that the second slide is operable to travel in a direction substantially parallel to a long axis of the first slide, and an indicator configured to indicate a location of the second slide relative to the first slide in the direction substantially parallel to the long axis of the first slide. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism coupled to the first slide and the second slide, the adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the distance between the first slide and the second slide in a direction substantially orthogonal to the long axis of the first slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8356603
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes a body, a threaded member, a hook, and a receiver. The body comprises a front stop, a rear stop, and a guide extending between the stops. The threaded member couples between the stops and rotates relative to the body. The hook couples to the guide, comprises a threaded passage and an arm that engages a lower arch, and travels in a forward direction along the guide to adjust the position of the lower arch. The receiver couples to the lower arch and comprises a shelf that engages the arm of the hook. The apparatus may include an extender coupled to the receiver and providing a shelf that is more rearward than the shelf of the receiver. The apparatus may include a post that couples the apparatus to another device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Publication number: 20120298110
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, forming a custom medical mask includes, while an oral appliance is positioned in a user's mouth to receive the user's teeth and is coupled to an orientation device, applying an impression material over the device and the user's face, such that the impression material conforms to the device and to the user's unique facial features. The impression material may be removed together with the device and a cast may be created using the impression material together with the device as a mold, such that the cast conforms to the impression material and the device. A deformable material may be applied to the cast to form a custom medical mask for the user, such that the deformable material conforms to the cast. The custom medical mask is custom-fitted to the user's unique facial features and custom-oriented to the user's teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8316857
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in treating a breathing condition includes a first dental arch, a second dental arch, two bodies coupled to the first dental arch, and two receivers coupled to the second dental arch. The first dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. The second dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. Each body includes a front stop, a rear stop, a threaded member, and a hook. The threaded member is configured to be coupled between the front stop and rear stop of the body and configured to rotate relative to the body. The hook comprises a threaded passage configured to engage the threaded member, and an arm configured to engage a second dental arch. The hook is configured to travel between the front stop and rear stop of the body in response to rotational adjustment of the threaded member to adjust the lower dental arch relative to the upper dental arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Patent number: 8316858
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes an oral appliance, a mask, and a tensioning device. The oral appliance is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth and a mask. The mask is configured to deliver gas to the wearer. The mask includes a chamber configured to cover the wearer's mouth. The chamber is at least partially enclosed by an interior of the mask. The tensioning device couples the mask to the oral appliance and includes a flexible tension element at least partially disposed between the oral appliance and the mask and within the chamber. The flexible tension element is configured to apply a tensile force between the mask and the oral appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Publication number: 20120255560
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device comprises an arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user' s mouth. The dental device further comprises a dental attachment that comprises an anchoring element configured to be outside the user's mouth when the arch is inserted in the user's mouth. The dental device further comprises a second arch and a second anchoring element coupled to the second arch along the midline of the second arch. The dental device further comprises a tension element configured to engage the second anchoring element and to couple to the anchoring element outside the user's mouth when the second arch is inserted in the user's mouth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton
  • Publication number: 20120255559
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a dental device is provided. The dental device comprises an arched frame configured to be positioned proximate to the occlusal surface of a user's dental arch such that the arched frame extends beyond the cuspids of the user's dental arch. The arched frame defines a plurality of apertures, and the arched frame comprises an adjustment mechanism. The dental device further comprises a moldable tray coupled to the arched frame. The moldable tray engages the plurality of apertures and comprises a channel configured to engage at least some of the teeth of the user's dental arch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: AirWay Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: W. Keith Thornton