Apparatus for Improved Breathing

Abstract

An apparatus for improved breathing is provided. The apparatus may include an improved oral appliance, an improved mask, an improved coupler to couple an oral appliance to a mask, and/or a combination of these improvements.

1 - 118 . (canceled) 
     
     
         119 . A dental device comprising:
 a first arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch, the first arch having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the first arch is inserted in the user's mouth;   a first coupler coupled to the first arch along the midline of the arch, a portion of the first coupler configured to be inside the user's mouth when the first arch is inserted in the user's mouth;   a second arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of the user's second dental arch, the second arch having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the second arch is inserted in the user's mouth;   a second coupler coupled to the second arch along the midline of the second arch, the second coupler configured to extend anterior to the user's second dental arch when the second arch is inserted in the user's mouth; and   a flexible tension element configured to removably engage the second coupler and the first coupler, the tension element configured to maintain a forward position of the first arch relative to the second arch.   
     
     
         120 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the first coupler comprises:
 a post coupled to the first arch, the tension element configured to engage the post; and   a cap configured to engage the post, the cap configured to prevent the tension element from disengaging from the post when the cap and the tension element are both engaged with the post.   
     
     
         121 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the second coupler comprises:
 a flange coupled to the second arch;   a post coupled to the flange, the tension element configured to engage the post; and   a cap configured to engage the post, the cap configured to prevent the tension element from disengaging from the post when the cap and the tension element are both engaged with the post.   
     
     
         122 . The dental device of  claim 121 , wherein the cap is configured to removably engage the post. 
     
     
         123 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the tension element defines a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to engage the first coupler, the second aperture configured to engage the second coupler. 
     
     
         124 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the first arch comprises:
 a frame comprising:
 a left occlusal portion configured to be positioned proximate at least one of a left bicuspid or a left molar of the user; 
 a right occlusal portion configured to be positioned proximate at least one of a right bicuspid or a right molar of the user, wherein the frame defines an open space between the left occlusal portion and the right occlusal portion, the space configured to be positioned proximate an incisor of the user; and 
 a flange coupled to the left occlusal portion and the right occlusal portion, the flange extending substantially perpendicular and mesial to the left and right occlusal portions; and 
   a thermoplastic moldable tray coupled to the frame.   
     
     
         125 . The dental device of  claim 124 , wherein the thermoplastic moldable tray extends beyond a lingual edge of the left occlusal portion in a lingual direction and a lingual edge of the right occlusal portion in a lingual direction. 
     
     
         126 . The dental device of  claim 124 , wherein the thermoplastic moldable tray extends beyond a posterior edge of the left occlusal portion in a posterior direction and a posterior edge of the right occlusal portion in a posterior direction. 
     
     
         127 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the tension element allows for lateral movement of the first arch relative to the second arch when the tension element is engaged with both the first and second couplers. 
     
     
         128 . The dental device of  claim 119 , wherein the tension element is configured to exert a tensile force that pulls the first arch forward relative to the second arch when the tension element is engaged with both the first and second couplers. 
     
     
         129 . A dental device comprising:
 a first arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of a user's dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the first arch is inserted in the user's mouth;   a first coupler coupled to the first arch along the midline of the arch;   a second arch configured to engage at least some of the teeth of the user's second dental arch and having a midline that aligns substantially with the anterior midline of the user's mouth when the second arch is inserted in the user's mouth;   a second coupler coupled to the second arch;   a first tension element configured to removably engage the second coupler and the first coupler, the first tension element configured to maintain a forward position of the first arch relative to the second arch.   
     
     
         130 . The dental device of  claim 129  further comprising:
 a third coupler coupled to the second arch; and 
 a second tension element configured to removably engage the third coupler and the first coupler, the second tension element configured to maintain a forward position of the first arch relative to the second arch. 
 
     
     
         131 . The dental device of  claim 130 , wherein the second and third couplers are spaced substantially equidistant from the midline of the second arch. 
     
     
         132 . The dental device of  claim 129 , wherein the first coupler comprises:
 a post coupled to the first arch, the first tension element configured to engage the post; and   a cap configured to engage the post, the cap configured to prevent the first tension element from disengaging from the post when the cap and the first tension element are engaged with the post.   
     
     
         133 . The dental device of  claim 132 , wherein the cap is configured to removably engage the post. 
     
     
         134 . The dental device of  claim 129 , wherein the first tension element defines a first aperture and a second aperture, the first aperture configured to engage the first coupler, the second aperture configured to engage the second coupler. 
     
     
         135 . The dental device of  claim 129 , wherein the first arch comprises:
 a frame comprising:
 a left occlusal portion configured to be positioned proximate at least one of a left bicuspid or a left molar of the user; 
 a right occlusal portion configured to be positioned proximate at least one of a right bicuspid or a right molar of the user, wherein the frame defines an open space between the left occlusal portion and the right occlusal portion, the space configured to be positioned proximate an incisor of the user; and 
 a flange coupled to the left occlusal portion and the right occlusal portion, the flange extending substantially perpendicular and mesial to the left and right occlusal portions; and 
   a thermoplastic moldable tray coupled to the frame.   
     
     
         136 . The dental device of  claim 135 , wherein the thermoplastic moldable tray extends beyond a lingual edge of the left occlusal portion in a lingual direction and a lingual edge of the right occlusal portion in a lingual direction. 
     
     
         137 . The dental device of  claim 135 , wherein the thermoplastic moldable tray extends beyond a posterior edge of the left occlusal portion in a posterior direction and a posterior edge of the right occlusal portion in a posterior direction. 
     
     
         138 . The dental device of  claim 129 , wherein the first tension element allows for lateral movement of the first arch relative to the second arch when the first tension element is engaged with both the first and second couplers. 
     
     
         139 . The dental device of  claim 129 , wherein the first tension element is configured to exert a tensile force that pulls the first arch forward relative to the second arch when the first tension element is engaged with both the first and second couplers.