Patent ID: 7328698
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: A61F,A61M,Y10S

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for enhancing patency of a user's airway comprising: a first member adapted to contact a portion of a user; a second member adapted to be received at least partially within such a user's oral cavity in engagement with such a user's soft palate for retaining a portion thereof in a fixed position relative to such a user's upper or lower dentition; a first connecting assembly cooperable with the first member and the second member to maintain the fixed position of the first member relative to the second member during use of the apparatus, wherein the first connecting assembly is configured and arranged to provide selective adjustment of a relative positional relationship between the first member and the second member with respect to each other to control a position of a user's soft palate relative to an upper dentition; a motor connected to the first connecting assembly for moving the second member relative to the first member responsive to actuation of the motor; and a controller coupled to the motor, wherein the controller controls the actuation of the motor.