Anti-snoring devices and methods

• US 6,748,951 B1
• Filed: 06/13/2003
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Xomed Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Bruno Schmidt
• Inventors: Schmidt, Bruno
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Michael A.
• Application Number:
  US10/460,349
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 128/846, 128/848, 128/859-862, 602/902, 606/199, 606/204.25, 433/6
• US Class Current: 128/848
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 5/566 Intra-oral devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 602/902 Antisnoring or mouth closing devices

Abstract

A first method for inhibiting snoring includes at least one layer of adhesive that is applied to a soft pallet to prevent vibration of the soft pallet. A second method employs a transdermal patch having an astringent or muscle-contracting drug thereon that is applied to the soft pallet. In a third method, the astringent or muscle-contracting drug is snorted by the user. In a fourth method, the astringent or muscle-contracting drug is applied to the soft pallet by an atomized nasal spray. In a fifth embodiment, a thin electrical device is positioned against the hard pallet in electrical communication with a pair of closely spaced apart electrodes that abut the soft pallet. A low, safe current between the electrodes stiffens the soft pallet and prevents it from fluttering. A denture-like device may be used to hold the thin electrical device in place.

Claims

1. A device that inhibits snoring, comprising:

a transdermal patch pretreated with a muscle-contracting compound;

said transdermal patch disposed in overlying relation to a soft pallet;

whereby said muscle-contracting compound causes contraction of said soft pallet so that said soft pallet does not flutter when a user is breathing.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said compound is an astringent.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said compound is a muscle-contracting drug.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said compound is released over a preselected period of time.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said transdermal patch is bioabsorbable.