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
4th January 2015 at 8:01 pm
My husband has suffered from sleep aponea for years and been using a cpap machine for over ten. Would love to find out more about your device as he still doesnt get a good nights sleep using machine. He cannot sleep at all without his cpap . Would love to take part in any fiture trials and very interested in all updates. Please reply. Desperate Queensland.
5th January 2015 at 2:17 pm
Hi Danilo,
Thank you for your comment. We have an update on this story that you can see here – https://blog.csiro.au/2014/12/18/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-good-nights-sleep/
In particular, there is some information at the bottom of the post for interested patients.
We hope things work out for you and your husband.
best
Carol Saab
Social media team
4th January 2015 at 7:57 pm
Hello,
I am a sleep apnoea sufferer and have tried everything other than surgery to help with the condition. I am lost as to what to do now as this is really starting to affect my wellbeing and family life. I saw on 7 News that you are conducting trials with a new product developed by Dr Chris Hart and I would be very willing to take part so that I can hopefully get my life back.
Please contact me if this is possible. I look forward to hearing back.
Kind Regards,
Todd Power
5th January 2015 at 2:39 pm
Hi Todd
Thank you for your comment. We have an update on this story that you can see here – https://blog.csiro.au/2014/12/18/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-good-nights-sleep/
In particular, there is some information at the bottom of the post for interested patients.
All the best.
Carol Saab
Social media team
22nd December 2014 at 4:46 pm
Hi- is this available yet please?
If so – where can I go to be fitted.
Thanks
Susan
23rd December 2014 at 11:57 am
Hi Susan
You will find some updated information on the device in our latest blog: https://blog.csiro.au/2014/12/18/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-good-nights-sleep/
Cheers
Nick
5th January 2015 at 2:44 pm
Hi Susan,
We have an update on this story that you can see here – https://blog.csiro.au/2014/12/18/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-a-good-nights-sleep/
In particular, there is some information at the bottom of the post for interested patients.
All the best.
Carol Saab
Social media team
23rd November 2014 at 5:14 pm
Hello,
Will this be available in the United States? If not, Can our dentist send the scans and data to get the mouthpiece created? How long can this process take?
Thanks,
Kevin
14th November 2014 at 9:29 am
Hi, this sounds a godsend to people like me who have to use a mask every night. Are you currently speaking to the British NHS about it being available over here? I have signed up to your newsletter so look forward to watching developments on this product.
cheers
Steve