Patent ID: 8491303

Claim:
An oral appliance retention system, comprising: a platform sized for insertion within a mouth of a subject, the platform having a support with at least a first conductor and a second conductor; a power supply in electrical communication with the first and second conductors; a retention device having an abutment configured to be secured within the mouth, one or more shape memory elements secured along an exterior surface of the the abutment with each element having a portion which extends radially relative to the abutment when the elements are in a locking configuration; and a crown defining an opening sized to receive the one or more shape memory elements secured along the abutment, the crown having a first location and a second location positioned for contact with the first conductor and the second conductor in a corresponding manner such that each of the conductors is in electrical communication with the one or more shape memory elements when in contact with each respective location, wherein the one or more shape memory elements are secured against the opening in the crown in the locking configuration and are actuatable upon application of heat, electrical or electromagnetic energy to transition from the locking configuration to a low-profile configuration where each portion remains contracted.