Tongue strength evaluation system and method

Abstract

The invention discloses an apparatus for evaluating the tongue strength of a subject during a sucking event. The apparatus includes an insert positioned within a nipple element to provide an output in response to deformation of the nipple element during a sucking event. The output is at least one of resistive force exerted against the subject's tongue and movement measurement of deformation force exerted on the nipple element during the sucking event. The apparatus is configurable to evaluate nutritive sucking (NS) or non-nutritive sucking (NNS) capabilities of the subject. The insert may be a sensing device, a compliance element, an intermediate device or a combination of these. A coupling device is configured to position the insert relative to the nipple element and/or to receive output from the insert. A method is further disclosed, which includes evaluating tongue strength of a subject during NS or NNS and using inserts providing increasing levels of resistive force to exercise the subject's tongue.

Description

[0001] cross reference [0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 490,892, filed May 27, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application 61 / 578,004, filed December 20, 2011, which are hereby Incorporated herein in its entirety. technical field [0003] The present invention relates to the field of biomechanics, more specifically tongue movement and force assessment. Background technique [0004] Measuring the movement and force of an infant's tongue during sucking on a bottle nipple or pacifier presents several challenges including, for example, the limited infant oral space available for direct measurement and the interaction of motor-controlled feedback mechanisms induced at the tongue interface, available for pacifier instruments The limited amount of space required for interaction with the teat instrument that can affect natural feeding patterns and obtain accurate and precise measurements of the tongue in contact with the teat engagement sur...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Intake before achieving full oral feeding, number of esophageal feedings, and effects on growth and weight gain were outcomes that were not favorably associated with NNS, and the effect of NNS on other oral feeding outcomes was unclear

Current measurement and assessment methods are lacking and currently existing methods are subjective in nature and provide limited empirical evidence on infant feeding and swallowing estimates

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