Healthcare Engineering Project: Biodegradable Tongue-Stabilising Sticker for Sleep Apnoea

Project Overview

This healthcare engineering project presents a novel solution for positional sleep apnoea - a biodegradable tongue-stabilising sticker designed as a portable, discreet alternative to traditional CPAP machines. The product addresses key user needs around safety, comfort, and travel-friendliness while providing symptom reduction without interfering with natural oral function.

Design Process

A wide range of initial concepts were generated to tackle sleep apnoea, including positional aids and oral devices, before the biodegradable tongue-stabilising sticker emerged as the most promising through structured evaluation. Designed to adhere to the floor of the mouth and gently anchor the tongue, the patch consists of three biodegradable, biocompatible layers optimised for mucoadhesion, comfort, and overnight dissolution.

Materials such as chitosan, CMC, and glycerol provide strength and flexibility while supporting oral health. Ergonomic and application factors shaped the patch's dimensions and packaging, with compact, hygienic, and intuitive solutions developed to suit a diverse user base and travel use.

Key Features

• Packaging allows for compact and hygienic storage, addressing a high-value performance characteristic for customer needs.
• Materials consider user interaction with the product, with beetroot added to signpost which side attaches to the gum versus the tongue.
• Xylitol was incorporated to promote saliva production, addressing the common dry mouth symptom of traditional sleep apnoea machines.
• Manufacturing has been theoretically proven as feasible using existing materials and processes with appropriate adjustments.
• The multi-layered construction supports structural integrity and timed biodegradation.
• Ergonomic sizing ensures broad user accessibility.

Evaluation & Future Work

The final design was assessed against 59 criteria in the Product Design Specification, with most essential requirements either fully or partially met, particularly in safety, portability, ease of use, and comfort. The concept successfully delivers on the primary aim of reducing positional obstructive sleep apnoea symptoms by stabilising tongue position.

Future work should address:

• User testing to analyze interaction, application, comfort levels, and potential size/fit adjustments.
• Material testing to ensure the product lasts for a full night's sleep (8 hours on average).
• Research on dissolution time variations between individuals based on characteristics like temperature and sleep position.
• Primary research with consumers to validate the estimated retail price range.
• Addressing allergen risks associated with chitosan to ensure universal compatibility.

Conclusion

The product presents a viable, portable solution for managing positional sleep apnoea when traditional CPAP machines are not an option, addressing a significant market gap. While the design is theoretical, it provides a foundation for future solutions that offer discreet, user-friendly alternatives to cumbersome sleep apnoea devices.

Initial costing calculations demonstrate the feasibility of bringing the design to bulk production, with materials and processes selected allowing for a retail price and profit margin reflective of industry standards.