Abstract: A mouthpiece device and method for helping human users with congested sinuses breathe freely through their mouths while sleeping while minimizing the risks of dry mouth and drooling. The device fits between the user's jaws and is configured to apply a gentle jaw and lip opening pressure sufficient to at least partially open a sleeping user's jaw and lips while the jaw and lip muscles are relaxed. At the same time, the device is configured to so that when the user, while still sleeping, activates their jaw or lip muscles to swallow, this action overcomes the gentle opening force, allowing the user to easily swallow without conscious effort. Methods of configuring the device shape and opening forces are also taught. These include using implanted sensors, processors, and actuators configured to optimize the opening forces according to user physiology; and/or wireless connection to external sensing and control devices.

Abstract: A mouthpiece device and method for helping human users with congested sinuses breathe freely through their mouths while sleeping while minimizing the risks of dry mouth and drooling. The device fits between the user's jaws and is configured to apply a gentle jaw and lip opening pressure sufficient to at least partially open a sleeping user's jaw and lips while the jaw and lip muscles are relaxed. At the same time, the device is configured to so that when the user, while still sleeping, activates their jaw or lip muscles to swallow, this action overcomes the gentle opening force, allowing the user to easily swallow without conscious effort. Methods of configuring the device shape and opening forces are also taught. These include using implanted sensors, processors, and actuators configured to optimize the opening forces according to user physiology; and/or wireless connection to external sensing and control devices.