Innovation, Design, and Development of a Novel Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Prevention Device

Individuals suffering from sleep-related breathing disorders, such as sleep apnea, exhibit moderate to excessive snoring which is often ignored or neglected. This neglect can increase the risk of more severe health problems such as stroke, hypertension, chronic heart failure, diabetes, and many others. Moreover, an Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) episode – characterized by periodic and repetitive collapsing of the upper airway during sleep – can be life threatening. Although solutions exist to treat sleep-related breathing disorders like OSA, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and oral appliances including Mandibular Advancement Devices (MADs), there are several issues relating to cost, comfort, and convenience with the products that are on the market today.

This applied design research project will explore the continued development of a novel snoring and obstructive sleep apnea prevention device that will address these issues. It will build upon initial concepts previously explored to advance a design solution that addresses the needs of the target user, the possibilities of technology, and the requirements of the business. This project will also explore ways to increase awareness of such issues along with the new solution being proposed. Both objectives will be addressed through an iterative, cyclical methodology including four main

Faculty Supervisor:

Tim Haats

Student:

Partner:

JK Lakshmipat University

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Advanced Manufacturing; Education

University:

Carleton University

Program: