UPDATE: Oventus have successfully completed clinical trials on the sleep apnoea mouthguard. The device is now available through clinicians in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, the Gold Coast and Cairns. To find out more visit the Oventus website: http://oventus.com.au/
Our 3D printing experts have been on the grind with dental company Oventus to help over a million Aussies suffering from sleep apnoea breathe easy and stop snoring—their bed buddies might just thank us too.
The team have created the first 3D printed mouth piece, which allows air to flow through to the back of the throat, avoiding obstructions from the nose, the back of the mouth and tongue. Is there anything 3D printing can’t do?
Up close and personalised: The 3D printed mouthguard.
This is how it works: A patient’s mouth is scanned to create a mini ‘road map’ of the mouth. This scan is then transformed into a CAD file and can be fed through our 3D printer.
Eight hours later, ta-da! A perfectly fitting, titanium mouthguard.
Sounds super comfortable right? It actually is. The device is coated in medical grade plastic, making it easy to wear and leaving not a metal mouth in sight.
Sleep apnoea occurs when the air passage in the throat becomes blocked during sleep and causes people to stop breathing. In severe cases, people can suffer hundreds of events per night and one of the biggest symptoms? Snoring.
The breakthrough mouthguard has a ‘duckbill’ which extends from the mouth like a whistle and the sides of the guard divide into two separate airways.
Since it is used only on the top teeth it is more compact than treatments on the market, which include devices that push the lower jaw forward to open up the airway or in more severe cases; a face mask which creates a continuous flow of air.
Our 3D printing expert, John Barnes, said the technology is opening new doors for treatments of a range of medical issues globally.
“When Oventus came to us 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.
“We can print up to ten of these in a print run, which takes about 8 hours. 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.”
Time to say goodbye to snoring. Image: Flickr/wolfhunter
The device is undergoing further trials and is expected to be available to patients next year.
Thanks to 3D printing, we can say goodnight to sleep apnoea.
And goodbye to snoring.
* * *
CSIRO’s additive manufacturing facility, Lab 22, is currently being used to manufacture a range of prototype products including biomedical implants, automotive, aerospace and defence parts for Australian industry.
Media: Angela Beggs | angela.beggs@csiro.au | 03 9545 2977 | 0477 337 920
24th May 2014 at 12:21 pm
I have severe sleep apnoea and would love to take part in any trials for the mouthgaurd. Thanks
26th May 2014 at 9:12 am
Hi Joseph, thanks for your interest. We’re not looking for participants at this stage, but we’ll let you know if anything changes. In the meantime you can keep an eye on the Oventus website for any updates.
Cheers,
Steph
23rd May 2014 at 11:10 pm
Can we get involved in the clinical trials for this device
26th May 2014 at 9:14 am
Hi Dominique, we’re not looking for any participants to undergo trials at this stage, but keep an eye on the Oventus website for any updates.
Cheers,
Steph
23rd May 2014 at 8:35 pm
Could this be used with false teeth?
26th May 2014 at 9:22 am
Hi Suz, it sure can. The mouthguard is scanned to fit around the teeth area – real or fake.
Cheers,
Steph
22nd May 2014 at 5:48 pm
i have been using the mas for 5 yrs with good results, but it needs adjustment at least twice per year as the jaw tendons lenghthen over time.side effects for me are biting the lip due to the jaw not realigning properly…..can be very painful.cant wait to purchase this product.
will it be covered by private healthcover??
i paid $1000 & got got $900 back for mas, thanks & good luck with it !!
23rd May 2014 at 10:37 am
Hi John,
These details are yet to be determined, but stay tuned at http://oventus.com.au/.
Cheers,
Steph
22nd May 2014 at 9:20 am
Hi,
I have been a chronic migraine sufferer since I was 13yrs old I am now 46 and on a regime of 8 panadine forte a day just to keep them at a level that I can function and work, I also have snored since I was a kid. I only weigh 68 kgs. After seeing your article on the news last night I am extremely interested in becoming part of your study. I have tried everything for my migraines including Botox and hydrocortisone into the base of my skull, and every preventative on the market. Please help me.
22nd May 2014 at 11:19 am
Hi Toni, we’re not currently performing any trials but the product should be available for patients next year. In the mean time, you can keep an eye on the Oventus website for any updates.
Cheers,
Steph