Patents Assigned to SOMNICS, INC.
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Patent number: 11712363Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Tung-Ming Yu, Yin-Ruei Chen
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Patent number: 11406526Abstract: This invention provides devices and systems and methods therefrom for properly controlling negative pressure applied to oral cavity, facilitating breathing and treating sleep apnea and snoring. The systems comprise a negative pressure system providing a vacuum source and an oral device comprising a shield, a tube passing through the shield, a flexible negative pressure deliverable part connected to the shield or the tube, an optional tongue protector, where the negative pressure deliverable part is conformable to the contour of the upper palate. Negative pressure is delivered to the front and back zones inside the oral cavity via the negative pressure deliverable part to eliminate air space in the oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen, Ming-Jian You, Wen-Yen Huang
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Patent number: 11311692Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Publication number: 20200352776Abstract: This invention provides an adjustable oral interface for adapting a user's oral anatomy to deliver a negative pressure generated by an oral negative-pressure therapy system. The adjustable oral interface comprises a shield adapted for being situated between a user's lips and front teeth, a negative pressure deliverable part coupled with the shield, and a tube fluidly communicated between the negative pressure deliverable part and a negative pressure generation source. The negative pressure deliverable part is adapted for being adjustably situated at a space between the user's tongue and upper palate so as to be conformable to the contour of the upper palate, whereby the adjustable oral interface delivers negative pressure via the negative pressure deliverable part to the front and back of the user's oral cavity to eliminate air space between the tongue and the upper palate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu CHEN, Tung-Ming YU, Yin-Ruei CHEN
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Patent number: 10772756Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes upper and lower jaw braces and a tongue-engaging member. The upper and lower jaw braces are connected so that the lower jaw brace is advanced in an anterior direction relative to the upper jaw brace when the upper and lower jaw braces are closed together. A partial vacuum is drawn in the oral cavity and the vacuum and lower jaw displacement together control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan L. Podmore, John Edwards Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10646671Abstract: Systems and methods for improving airway patency are disclosed. An oral device is positioned in the oral cavity and applies a negative pressure to the oral cavity. The oral device has pressure delivery ports directed toward an anterior surface of the soft palate when positioned therein. The negative pressure generates an air flow out of the oral cavity. A pressure tube is coupled to the oral device to provide the applied negative pressure. A pressure source is coupled to the pressure tube to generate the applied negative pressure. A collector is coupled to the pressure tube and/or pressure source to collect liquid, typically saliva, from the air flow out of the oral cavity. The collector is disposed outside of the oral cavity and coupled to the oral device.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edward Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10638971Abstract: The present invention provides methods for characterizing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients in the treatment of OSA, and devices thereof. The methods comprise measuring polysomnography of said patients; analyzing polysomnography, and determining a characteristic of the polysomnography and selections of suitable treatments based on the patterns.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2015Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Somnics, Inc. (USA)Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Chen-Ning Huang
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Patent number: 10426905Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for improving airway patency are provided. A medial surface of the patient's tongue is constrained with a tongue constraint of an oral device placed in the oral cavity to generate a clear region between the medial surface and the hard palate. The clear region is in fluid communication with the soft palate. The tongue constraint has superior surface and inferior surfaces configured to generate the clear region. Negative pressure is applied within the oral cavity to hold the soft palate in a position in which the airway is at least partially open. The negative pressure is applied through one or more ports of the oral device. The one or more ports remain unobstructed by the tongue when the negative pressure is applied. The applied negative pressure causes the soft palate and tongue form a seal whereby the patient's airway is substantially fluidly isolated from the clear region.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Matthias Vaska, Jonathan Podmore, John Edward Crowe, Sean Christopher Daniel
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Patent number: 10245175Abstract: Systems for maintaining a vacuum in a patient's oral cavity comprises an oral device, a vacuum control system, and an assembly including first and second tubes for connecting the vacuum control system to the oral device. The oral device has an internal plenum, and a vacuum is drawn in the plenum by a vacuum pump connected by a first tube of the tubular assembly. The vacuum is maintained by an air source which is connected to the plenum by the second tube of the tubular assembly. By maintaining a constant circulating air bleed through the oral device and the connecting tubes, saliva may be removed from the system and collected in a saliva trap located before the vacuum pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Jonathan Podmore, Nicholas R. Vitale, John Edwards Crowe, Matthias Vaska
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Patent number: 10166140Abstract: An oral negative-pressure therapy system includes a container and absorbent insert for the container. The container includes a baffle inside an interior of the container. A fluid passageway extends along the baffle for delivering fluid (e.g., a mixture of air and saliva) into the container. The absorbent insert for absorbing liquid (e.g., saliva) in the container may is over the baffle. At least one of the baffle and the absorbent insert is configured to maintain a fluid flow path between the baffle and the absorbent insert to maintain fluid communication between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the container. The absorbent insert and/or the container may be designed and constructed to burst air bubbles in the aspirated liquid. In one or more embodiments, the absorbent insert is replaceable so that a spent absorbent insert can be replaced with a new, fresh absorbent insert.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2015Date of Patent: January 1, 2019Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Chung Chu Chen, Chen Ning Huang, Tung Ming Yu, Yin Ruei Chen, Chih Jung Lee, Chin Jen Lin, Ming Tsung Kuo
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Patent number: 10159595Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Yin-Ruei Chen, Tung-Ming Yu, Chen-Ning Huang, Chung-Chu Chen
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Patent number: 10149782Abstract: This invention provides an oral interface mainly including a connecting channel, a collapsible chamber and a non-collapsible structure disposed inside the collapsible chamber. The connecting channel communicates between the collapsible chamber and a negative source. When a negative pressure environment is generated inside the collapsible chamber via being pumped by the negative pressure source, the non-collapsible structure supports the collapsible chamber so that there are fluid channels formed inside the collapsible chamber. The air inside a user's oral cavity can be pumped out via the fluid channels and the connecting channel. A negative pressure environment is hence formed inside the user's oral cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2013Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen
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Patent number: 10149783Abstract: This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection between the interface and mouth or teeth and prevents the interface from falling off. The oral interface also provides fixation between upper and lower lips (or tooth) and prevents opening of patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft palate in a forward direction, the patentcy of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth ad prevent air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Ching Shang, Marina Sirota, Zhen Yao
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Patent number: 10117773Abstract: An oral device for temporary placement in a patient's oral cavity includes a base and a tongue pocket. Partial vacuums are separately drawn through vertically oriented, tooth facing ports on the base and the tongue pocket in order to advance and control the position of the tongue in order to clear the patient's airway to reduce sleep apnea or treat other conditions.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventor: Jonathan L. Podmore
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Patent number: 10080855Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2016Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Publication number: 20170049606Abstract: The present invention provides a negative pressure generator comprising a vacuum pump having an intake end and an exhaust end, a soundproofing module having a compartment for accommodating the vacuum pump, the soundproofing module being configured to insulate noise and vibration generated when the vacuum pump is in operation, and a silencing tube module comprising a flexible intake tube having one open end communicating with the intake end of the vacuum pump and a flexible exhaust tube having one open end communicating with the exhaust end of the vacuum pump, the silencing tube module being configured to reduce noise generated at the intake end and/or the exhaust end of the vacuum pump when the vacuum pump is in operation. The negative pressure generator can provide a vacuum source to an oral interface device to favorably create a negative pressure environment in a user's oral cavity so that the patency of the user's upper airway is maintained.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2014Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: YIN-RUEI CHEN, TUNG-MING YU, CHEN-NING HUANG, CHUNG-CHU CHEN
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Patent number: 9387117Abstract: This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection between the interface and mouth or teeth and prevents the interface from falling off. The oral interface also provides fixation between upper and lower lips (or tooth) and prevents opening of patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft palate in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth ad prevent air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Ching Shang, Marina Sirota, Zhen Yao
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Patent number: 9339620Abstract: The present invention discloses a negative-pressure oral apparatus capable of relieving discomfort of soft tissues in the oral cavity and improving fixation of the oral apparatus to prevent the oral apparatus from falling off due to mouth opening. The oral apparatus is compact and elastic so that it fits various shapes and sizes of the oral cavity and is easy to be put on and taken off to provide convenience and safety to the user. In another embodiment, a method for maintaining a negative oral pressure and collecting liquid by coupling the oral apparatus to a liquid collecting apparatus capable of effectively providing the oral cavity with a negative pressure to expel liquid in the oral apparatus and deliver the liquid to an absorbing element in the liquid collecting apparatus so as to prevent liquid leakage or contamination.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Te-Yang Shen
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Patent number: 9138342Abstract: This invention provides an oral apparatus and method capable of alleviating or curing snore and obstructive sleep apnea by applying a negative pressure through a mini oral interface to the oral cavity. The mini oral interface creates a secure connection to mouth and prevents disengaging from patient's mouth during sleeping. The negative pressure pulls the tongue toward upper palate and also pulls the soft palate forward as well. By moving the tongue and the soft tissue in a forward direction, the patency of the upper airway near the pharynx is maintained to prevent sleep-disordered breathing. The negative pressure will pull the lips inward to close the mouth preventing air from entering the oral cavity from atmosphere. The negative pressure will also pull the soft palate into contact with the rear surface of the tongue to create a seal that prevents the air from entering the oral cavity through the nasal airway.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: SOMNICS, INC.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Marina Sirota
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Patent number: D871571Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: Somnics, Inc.Inventors: Chung-Chu Chen, Yin-Ruei Chen