If you’ve ever had to wear a breaking mask of any kind, then you’ll know that they tend to not be on the comfortable side. This is because they are mass produced and made for the average users, so they’re not always going to fit everyone. They can cause sores around the nose, or not seal tightly around the face, reducing their effectiveness. 3D scanning and 3D printing technology has already provided a few solutions to this problem, but a Brisbane-based startup called Oventus developed a customizable titanium mouth device called the O2Vent that helps the patient breathe without obstruction, and for some patients eliminates the need for a CPAP machine entirely.
“Using CAD software to create a 3D drawing of the patient’s mouth and bite, Oventus then uses 3D printing technology to manufacture a custom-made medical-grade mouthguard from titanium,” the company describes.
As Australia’s government agency for scientific research, CSIRO often works closely with businesses and startups looking to use advanced technology to develop and manufacture new and innovative products. The first prototype for the O2Vent was 3D printed in titanium at CSIRO’s Lab 22 Innovation Centre located in Victoria using an Arcam metal 3D printer. As one of Australia’s leading facilities for metal additive manufacturing, Lab 22 has helped develop several world-first medical breakthroughs, including 3D printed prosthetic devices for patients all over Australia and in Europe. CSIRO’s help and access to Lab 22 was invaluable to the development and production of the O2Vent device.
“Oventus is a company with a unique oral mouthguard device that can help people globally who suffer from obstructive sleep apnoea and snoring,” said Chairman Drc Mel Bridges. “I’m proud to be part of this company and our leadership team, who are all experienced in the commercialisation and global roll out of medical devices, as it starts out on a new phase of growth as an ASX listed company.”
Here is an explanation of how the O2Vent (previously called Clearway) device works:
This week thanks to the involvement of CSIRO, Oventus Medical was just listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The newly public company was able to raise more than $12 million AUS ($9 million USD) in its initial public offering, which the company plans to reinvest into the commercialization and global distribution of their O2Vent sleep apnea device. Just this April Oventus was able to secure the approval of the FDA, so the O2Vent can now be sold in the US and the $50 billion global sleep disorder market. Currently it is estimated that 37 million Americans suffer from problems caused by snoring and sleep apnea, and Oventus hopes that their device will disrupt the multi-billion-dollar market. Let’s discuss further over in the Oventus Medical & 3D Printed Sleep Apnea Prototypes forum at 3DPB.com.