I have a very small item in mind that could potentially save all of us a lifetime of annoyance with all these other products.  It's just an idea and I am not totally sure exactly how valid the idea is, but it would be by far the easiest, most cost effective treatment in many many ways.

Assuming a human being could eventually adapt to his/her gag reflex being stimulated all night (which I believe is true), one could use an oval shaped open-framework made out of the proper material (plastic, metal, ect.) and lodge it into their airway to keep it open all night.  It would have to be the perfect size and shape to make sure it didn't get swallowed or sucked into the trachea, and it would have to minimize the surface area in contact with the soft tissue, to avoid irritation of those very sensitive, mucous producing tissues.

I understand that on a mass scale, this item would be a liability nightmare to put on the market, what with its invasive approach and all.  But, on a person by person scale, I believe people might be able to comply with this after a time of difficulty no doubt.  Just think about the convenience and cost.

What is the next step for my idea?    What are your thoughts?

There's stuff like that already on the market for airway management during anesthesia.

This is a rerun from August 2005:

Hi Guys!!
OK, I must apologize, I've been holding out on you, there is is an oral device out there that is 100% effective for the control of snoring and sleep apnea.  No question, period.  Will work in the most difficult airway and severe OSA.  It's been around for years, is approved by the FDA, but not for use in OSA.  For that matter, not outside the hospital, but that's a minor issue.

It's called the Laryngeal Mask Airway.  It looks like this:


And it works thusly:


In order to apply this device, and I'll try to keep this as non-technical as I can, all you have to shove it all the way down your throat.  Literally.  The LMA covers your tracheal opening and completely protects your airway from OSA, snoring, rain, snow, sleet, everything.  Seriously.

On the other hand, if you think a mask is uncomfortable, wait'll you try this.  And oops!  You still have a mask, anyway.

OK, this a tongue-in-cheek solution here, in case someone really wanted to try this, but here's the point in these oral devices.  These snore aids on the market all kinda fiddle with the teeth, tongue and jaw, and hopefully indirectly keep the airway open during sleep.  Most don't at all. Maybe some can, sometimes and in some people.  The only way to know for sure is to get a sleep study with the device in place.
The only device that will be 100% effective will be a device that directly affects the structures in question.  And there's no way that can be done without being quite invasive.  Or downright dangerous if done under a "treat yourself at home" program.
In re:  that Aveo, all the wording in that ad sounds a little tricky, it seems like it's just a snoring device, but they want to sell to the OSA market.  I didn't see any links to clinical trials in there, but I'd like to read any scientific data they might have had, if there was anything pertinent.  But if you've got OSA, especially severe OSA, don't use this device at all unless you have approval from your physician to do so.

Quote:

Assuming a human being could eventually adapt to his/her gag reflex being stimulated all night

Hey, y'know, there's 500 people in the forum right now who can't stand a nasal mask.
What chance do you think something like that would have?
sleepydave

This is not even close to what I am saying.  I am very familiar with the LMA, being a paramedic and all.

Picture this:  A round, ball-shaped device made out of metal wire that is a framework.  FRAME is the key word here.   It creates a frame work to support the collapsing airway.  It being made out of wire means you can breathe right through it and could never choke on it because the air simply moves right past its hollow, VOID structure.

Sorry for not being more detailed.