LOW PROFILE ARTICULATION JAW JOINT STABILIZER DEVICE

Abstract

The diagnosed soft tissue or brain injury component of concussions is generally defined by the symptoms of the temporal lobe manifestations. However, there is an undiagnosed structural fractured component of concussions occurring within the jaw joint complex which is the focus of this invention. A precise imaging technique and the powerful 3D Cone beam scanning technology, together, have revealed fractures in temporal bones of the jaw joint space which supports the temporal lobe of the brain. These fractures are the results of the lower jaw impact forces that cause concussions and this mechanism account for a large percent of the concussions arising in sports and military operations. These fractures have never been considered, diagnosed, or treated in the management of concussions. Fracturing temporal bones in the jaw joint that supports the temporal lobe will certainly produce the symptoms of temporal lobe manifestations. With early detection, these fractures can be more rapidly healed, eliminating many temporal lobe symptoms of concussions. The device of the present invention reduces the risk of the lower jaw impact concussion and temporal bone fractures, while enhancing the ability to speak and orally communicate.

Claims

1. A low profile jaw-joint therapeutic and protective device for protecting a wearer's lips, tongue, teeth, the vital cranial triad (VCT), and other oral structures within the full maxillary and mandibular arches of the mouth and unites the maxillary and mandibular arch and also protects the jaw-joint structures while enhancing clear speech, articulation, and sound production through the anterior airway space and by eliminating the labial flanges from under the mandibular and maxillary lips, that would interfere with the lip movements and the production of enhanced articulated audible sounds, and locks the mandibular condyle down and forward or away from the glenoid fossa, ear canal, and the floor of the temporal lobe, while increasing the glottis airway space which reduces snoring and enhances air-flow, comprising a) a U-shaped base having a bilateral posterior dental region in the mandibular and maxillary arches creates the opening for the anterior airway space and an anterior low profile dental region that covers the incisal edge up to the cervical third of the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth with integrated maxillary and mandibular posterior components having posterior flange areas that are generally positioned under the mandibular and maxillary buccal folds, whereby the flange areas are eliminated in the anterior region of the mandibular and maxillary arches and the incisal edges of the maxillary and mandible components have been strengthened and reinforced by the lingual locks, where the components are adapted for securement within the maxillary and mandibular arches of the mouth, whereby the mandibular component is offset downwardly and forwardly from the maxillary component that enhances the anterior airway space and the mandible is set in a protruding-like position; b) a full arch occlusal impact chamber in the maxillary and mandibular components of the base filled with a first and a second material where the first material is a thermoplastic material that softens when heated to a temperature greater than body temperature but less than or equal to 100 C. and rigidly stiffens when cooled so that the device can be a thermoplastic material that can be perfectly fitted in situ, and the second material used for the remainder of the device is a harder and more resilient material than the first material that is more heat resistant than the first material for dissipation and absorption of shock imposed upon the mandible, maxilla, head and facial structures; c) the maxillary component comprising lingual, and buccal walls projecting upwardly from the base forming with the base a maxillary channel for seating and protecting the maxillary teeth; d) an articulating rim in the lingual wall of the maxillary component in the interior dental region of the device to support the maxillary anterior teeth, and permitting the tongue of the wearer to be placed against the lingual surface of the anterior maxillary teeth for articulating speech; e) the maxillary and mandibular reinforced anterior components cover and support the incisal edge to the incisal edge up to the cervical third of the anterior teeth from canine to canine, thus preventing interference with the lips during speech; f) the mandibular component comprising lingual and buccal walls downwardly from the base forming with the base a mandibular channel for seating and protecting the mandibular teeth, and the reinforced mandibular deep labial flange or lingual lock to support and guide the mandible such that the mandible is in an engineered functionally protected prognathic position creating a force attenuating recoil space of the jaw-joint; and g) a functional air passageway from canine to canine in the anterior of the integrated component to facilitate breathing, expectorating, and speaking; wherein the reinforced anterior dental regions of the maxillary and mandibular components and the posterior components bilaterally maintain the framework and shape of the device and dissipate and absorb shocks imposed upon the wearer's head.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the anterior airway space increases of the device eases of mouth breathing, enhances the electrolyte balance often impaired by the vigorous activities of sports and exercise.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces the risk of lower jaw impact concussions and fractures of the temporal bones associated with the condyle of the lower jaw having the ability to impact the temporal bones at the base of the skull, caused by the impact of sports, military training and operations, and the like

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces the risk of concussions and temporal bone fractures occurring as the result of head impacts while wearing headgear which compresses the condyle of the lower jaw into the temporal bones at the base of the skull when positioning or snapping the headgear in place, reducing the risk of concussions in military maneuvers by reducing harmful amounts of over pressure from blast waves which occurs in training field exercises and military maneuver.

5. the device of claim 4, wherein wearing the device with properly worn heavy Kevlar helmets eliminate the constraints and stress produced on the jaw joint which adds to the comfort of long term wearing of properly positioned and secured helmet which will increases the safety net of helmet wearing for long periods of time and will reduce the mortality rate of the soldiers and the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces the direct access that the condyle of the lower jaw has to the temporal lobe of the brain and prevents the mandibular condyle from being driven onto the temporal bone and the ear canal, preventing fractures of these delicate structures.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces the recoiling energy from a fixed cheek rising position of a rifle butt that is directly transferred to the jaw joint structure upon rifle firings, during sniper training and other military combat maneuvers where multi rifle firing is required, hence reducing the cognitive symptoms experienced by these soldiers which includes headaches, facial pain, ear aches and loss of hearing that accompany multiple rifle firing.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein wearing the device will enhance the ability of multiple rifle firing with greater accuracy by eliminating the cognitive symptoms.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is used in rotary wing aviation by pilots being plagued with what is now diagnosed as noise induced hearing loss, however, this device reduces the condyle from tapping against the temporal bone, caused by the continuous vibrational and signal impact forces of the rotary engine, these forces are absorbed by the device and hence will reduce the temporal tapping mechanism which causes osteogenic bone changes that impair the movement of the ossicles of the ear which will induce hearing loss, much of the hearing loss experienced by the rotary engine pilot can be attributed to the condyle tapping the temporal bones of the skull and ear canal.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the device acting against with the g force acceleration of the fixed wing aviation which causes condyle compression against the temporal bone, that unknowingly can fractures these thin bones in the unprotected jaw joint space, transfers these compressive forces from the jaw joint space to the teeth and the device, thereby increasing communication, comfort and functional capacity of the aviator.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the device, will eliminate the forces of acceleration that cause clenching, straining, pain, fatigue and compression fractures of the jaw joint structure resulting in headaches, impaired function and can potentially lend the pilot into a state of unconsciousness.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the device, will enable many pilots traveling in a straight plane of direction of Mach 1.5 acceleration and above to better enhance their maneuverability in the radical direction of changes associated with the forces of inertia that are applied with the radical maneuverability of the fixed wing aircraft demonstrated by thrust vectoring capability and the like, while enhancing the ability for clearer speech

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the device will reduce the acceleration headaches and the concussive forces experienced by the aviation pilots that occur during catapulting release of the plane from 0 to 160 miles per hour rate of acceleration in two seconds and also with the controlled crash introduced by the arresting hook, bringing the aircraft traveling at 150 miles per hour to zero in 2 seconds.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device will enhance the involuntary clenching mechanism which incorporates muscular strength and endurance, also enhancing oxygen intake as the result of breathing through the mouth while clenching the teeth, which increases the proficiency, peak performance and outcome of the exercise or physical activity and reduces the exercise induced headaches.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device by stabilizing the jaw against the contrecoup lateral forces of a punch prevents the impact side of the punch from being driven medially onto the internal carotid canal and jugular foramen at the base of the skull, preventing the injuries to the internal carotid artery, the vagus nerve, hypoglossal nerve, spinal accessory nerve and glossopharyngeal nerves.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device reduces fractures of the anterior wall of the ear canal which will impair hearing and affect general balance.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the device, will minimize the damage profile and remodeling of the temporal bone of the glenoid fossa which is now seen and diagnosed in the jaw joint injury profiles.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the device by producing a down and forward repositioning of the mandible is translated into the jaw joint space by creating a very stable and protective margin of safety between the mandibular condyle and the temporal bones of the skull.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the device, locks and unites the mandibular and maxillary arches to create the strongest and most stable physical head and jaw posture for the physically punishing head impact forces and jaw joint stress loads of sports, physical therapy and rehabilitations, exercise, military training and related field operations.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the military training and related field operations are selected from the group consisting of the gravitational forces of accelerations, the blast wave phenomena of explosions, the vibrational and signal forces of the rotary wing aircraft, the compressive jaw joint forces of helmet retention, the inertia forces of fixed wing aircraft maneuverability and the like.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] FIG. 1 is the internal cranial view of the skull.

[0041] FIG. 2 is the Williams scan view of the skull illustrating the critical relationship between the condyle of the lower jaw to the middle cranial and temporal bones of the skull.

[0042] FIG. 3 is the jaw joint impact injury of an auto accident with deployment of the airbag.

[0043] FIG. 4 is the second jaw joint impact injury of an auto accident caused by the head impacting against the head rest.

[0044] FIG. 5 is the jaw joint image of lateral sagittal scan without a mouth guard in place.

[0045] FIG. 6 is the jaw joint image of lateral sagittal scan with a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in place.

[0046] FIG. 7 is the mid-sagittal scan view without a mouth guard in place.

[0047] FIG. 8 is the mid-sagittal scan view with a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in place.

[0048] FIG. 9 is an occlusal or top view of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a frontal view of the low profile of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of invention.

[0050] FIG. 11 is the lingual view of the low profile of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of invention.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a frontal view of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in place showing the device covers the incisal edge up to the cervical third of the teeth, anterior airway space and buccal flanges.

[0052] FIG. 13 is a side view of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in place showing occlusal impact chambers of the upper and lower arches, anterior airway space and buccal flanges.

[0053] FIG. 14 is the mid-sagittal view of a mouth guard in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in place showing the occlusal impact chambers, anterior airway space and the mandibular lingual lock which secure the repositioning of mandibular arch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein.

[0055] It has been surprisingly found that this mouth guard device can achieve multi-tasking by not only providing protection to the oral cavity, jaw joint, and enhancing the teeth clenching reflex mechanism (TCRM) but also can enhance speech communication while wearing the device

[0056] This device eliminates the mandibular and maxillary labial flanges extending under the lips and prevents impingement of the labial frenulum, however, creates the reinforced maxillary #14 and mandibular #15 anterior bite plates which secures and protects the incisal third of the maxillary #24 and mandibular #25 anterior incisal teeth (see drawings FIGS. 12, 13 & 14)). This component of the device eliminates the interference and irritation of the upper and lower lips produced when forming words, enhancing the production and clarity of sounds and articulation at variable high and low frequencies. The #14 & 15 (see FIGS. 10, 12, 13 & 14) shows the reinforced maxillary and mandibular flanges respectively covering the incisal edge up to the incisal third of the anterior teeth without the flange height being inserted under the lip, which interferes with speech; however, the posterior buccal flanges #18 &19 are present in the posterior area, which lends to the strength and stability of the device The posterior buccal flanges #18 & 19 seat between the cheeks and the teeth and may extend into the buccal fold (see FIGS. 11,12 &13). The posterior occlusal impression chamber #16 & 17 (see drawings, FIGS. 11, 13 & 14) creates the stabilizing impression of the maxillary and mandibular teeth. Clear enunciable and audible speech communication is essential for many potential wearers of protective intra-oral action devices, such as mouth guards and the like, for various collision sports and military events. This inability to clearly communicate while wearing the various intra-oral devices is vital to many activities and is the principal reasons that mouth guard devices are not and cannot be worn by many participants of high or low impact activities or military events. The LPAJJS device of the present invention reduces the risk of lower jaw impact concussions, knock-outs, and jaw joint fractures of the temporal bone by stabilizing and locking the lower jaw into the LPAJJS device, by way of the reinforced maxillary and mandibular anterior bite plates #14 & 15 which become the anterior occlusal impression chambers and the posterior occlusal impression chamber #16 & 17 together forming the bite registration and the mandibular lingual lock #21 (see drawing, FIGS. 9 through 14)), creating the significant safety space between the condyle #4 of the lower jaw and temporal bones #5 & 6 of the skull (see FIGS. 5 & 6). This is achieved by the upper and lower teeth being locked, into the anterior occlusal impression chamber #14 & 15 and into the posterior occlusal impression chambers #16 & 17 and the opening of the anterior airway space #11 working in concert with the mandibular lingual lock #21, which locks and holds the mandible in the stable position to prevents the distal movement and slamming of the condyles against the base of the temporal bones of the skull with the head and jaw impact of sports and combative military training. The created safety space between the condyle #4 and the glenoid temporal bone #6 (see FIGS. 5 & 6,) of the LPAJJS device also prevents the condyle from compressing against the temporal bones with the proper wearing of headgear and the four-point chinstrap retention system in place.

[0057] The headgear and chinstrap retention apparatus designs do not take into consideration the presence of the jaw joint structure or the protection of this vital joint. The chinstrap retention of the headgear creates the safety net for the headgear by preventing the roll-off mechanism and establishing the compliance of the Helmet Position Index (HPI). However, this proper chinstrap retention positioning of the headgear irritates, constrains, and injures the jaw joint structures by compressing the lower jaw onto the base of the skull. This positioning increases the injury potential for the temporal lobe of the brain and the jaw joint fractures while adding to the difficulty to the properly wearing of the headgear with the chin-strap in place for lengthy periods of time. Snapping the chin-straps to secure the helmet in place will produce irritation, fatigue, and headaches with many athletes and soldiers. The invention, by repositioning the lower jaw, takes the temporal bone out of harm's way, increasing strength, wear time, and the physical proficiency of the wearer.

[0058] Wearing the LPAJJS device as a component of Kevlar headgear protective device will enhance the HPI and the long term comfort of wearing the heavy Kevlar helmet with the chin strap retention system properly positioned without producing headaches, facial pain, irritations, and fatigue now experienced by many soldiers. This invention extends the wearing period of the properly positioned and retained Kevlar system increases the safety and welfare of the soldier, while enhancing his strength, performance, and proficiency. The LPAJJS device, therefore, introduces and expands a new safety net to headgear that can help reduce the mortality rate of soldiers. The soldier is the military's most valuable asset and the soldier's protection is a national responsibility.

[0059] Early diagnosis and treatment of jaw joint fractures can reduce sick time/down time and place the soldier back into military operations sooner and will have a positive economic impact on the care and ongoing rehabilitation of the brain injured individual.

[0060] In fixed wing aviation, the G forces exert injurious stress against the jaw joint structure. Pulling G's-causes compression, clenching, straining, pain, and fatigue of the jaw joint structure, which will produce headaches, impair aviation functions, and lend the pilot to the state of unconsciousness. G forces are the routine part of aerial combat. This understates the unnatural and physically punishing effects of forces 6.5 times that of gravity. To be able to withstand the G's while predicting the opponent's tactics and executing your own is the acid test of the fighter pilot. At this level of entry, jaw joint pathology is inevitable with various cognitive symptoms of headaches, facial pains, balance and the like.

[0061] These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.