The first 3D printed mouthpiece to treat sleep apnoea
A new 3D printed device is set to end the suffering for thousands of sleep apnoea patients. CSIROresearchers and Australian dental company, Oventus has created a mouthpiece on a 3D printer which prevents dangerous pauses in breath during sleep.
Sleep apnoea occurs when the air passage in the throat becomes blocked while sleeping which causes people to stoping breathing. And in severe cases, this event can happen hundreds of times per night. About 5% of the world population have sleep apnoea, which can lead to high blood pressure, stroke, irregular heartbeats, heart attacks and diabetes.
According to CSIRO, the 3D printed monthpiece has a 'duckbill' which extends from the mouth like a whistle and divides into two separate airways. It allows air to flow through to the back of the throat, avoiding obstructions from the nose, the back of the mouth and tongue.
CSIRO printed the monthpiece from titanium and then coated with a medical grade plastic.
"When Oventus came to CSIRO with this idea, we were really excited. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless and the fact that we can now design and print a completely customised mouthpiece for patients is revolutionary." said John Barnes, CSIRO's 3D printing expert.
"It's an exciting prospect for people suffering from the debilitating disorder and the design offers significant benefits which cannot be achieved with more traditional manufacturing techniques."
This 3D printed device is believed to be a lot better than the current solutions out there. In addition, it can also be customised for each patient. Oventus CEO, Neil Anderson, said the key to the new 3D treatment was in the design.
"This new device is tailored to an individual's mouth using a 3D scan and is used only on the top teeth which make it more compact and far more comfortable." explained Mr. Anderson.
When patients visit their dentist, an impression or CT scan of their mouth is taken and that information, combined with Oventus' device file, can be used to print out 3D models of the monthpiece.
"The new 3D printed mouthpiece bypasses all obstructions by having airways that deliver air to the back of the throat and it will also stop patients from snoring," Mr Anderson said.
The 3D printed mouthpiece is expected to be available to patients next year.