Development of an auto-positioning mandibular protruder for treatment of sleep apnea

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The project will develop an adaptive controlled mandibular protruder (ACMP). The ACMP is a medical device that will be used for the treatment of the 40+ million people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and high upper airway resistance. ACMP is an oral appliance designed and developed by Dr. John Remmers who is widely recognized as the founder of modern sleep apnea treatment (CPAP). Dr. Remmers ongoing work in this field has highlighted a need for new devices and management process that address low compliance issues associated with primary treatment options like CPAP. While oral appliances are not a new concept in the management of obstructive sleep apnea, current appliances, are known to cause dental and mandibular joint problems as a result of the forces needed to maintain the mandible in a fixed position throughout the night. The ACMP will respond to a number of measured physiologic parameters, continually optimizing the position of the mandible and minimizing the total forces applied to the mandible. The ACMP is expected to improve the therapeutic efficacy of dental devices, while minimizing side effects, such as tooth movement. The final development of the device will take advantage of technological advancements in miniaturization and physiologic monitoring, and produce an advanced prototype ready for regulatory testing at the end of the requested funding term.