Orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with MEMS sensor

Abstract

The invention provides an orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) sensors, which comprises a plurality of internal terminal systems packaged on a flexible printed circuit board and an external host system connected through wireless network signals, and the internal terminal systems are integrally mounted in an invisible orthodontic appliance diaphragm or an invisible orthodontic appliance resin accessory. The MEMS flexible diaphragm can also be manufactured into an independent MEMS flexible diaphragm which can be used for orthodontic force measurement; wherein the internal terminal system comprises an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) chip assembly and an antenna, and the ASIC chip assembly comprises an ASIC chip and an MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) sensor array connected with the ASIC chip; compared with the prior art, the invention has the following beneficial effects: the MEMS sensor array which is small in size and easy to integrate is utilized to realize multi-point stress measurement on each tooth at the same time, pressure information of the teeth of a user is collected through the MEMS sensor array and then is sent to the ASIC chip, the ASIC chip sends the information to the computer, and the computer is connected with the MEMS sensor array. Therefore, the stress condition of the teeth can be monitored in real time in the correction process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of orthodontic pressure real-time detection devices, and in particular to an orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrating a MEMS sensor. Background Art

[0002] At present, the incidence of malocclusion in my country is as high as 74%, with 1.036 billion patients. The base number is huge, and the harm of malocclusion cannot be underestimated. It not only affects the facial development of individuals, resulting in impaired facial beauty, but also has a negative impact on oral health. Malocclusion can lead to uneven teeth and increase the risk of periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis and tartar. In addition, malocclusion can also affect oral functions, such as chewing and pronunciation, making communication and eating in daily life difficult. More importantly, malocclusion can cause psychological obstacles to patients, affect self-confidence and interpersonal relationships, and have a long-term impact on personal mental health. The main population for dental correction is mainly concentrated in two age groups: 6-19 years old ( Functional needs) and 20-40 years old (aesthetic needs + good economic foundation). Although these two age groups occupy the main part of the orthodontic market, the overall correction rate of the population is only 0.43%, far below the actual demand. With the improvement of people's living standards and the enhancement of oral health awareness, more and more people are beginning to pay attention to dental correction. The growth rate of China's orthodontic market far exceeds that of the United States and the world, with an annual compound growth rate of 15.3%. It is estimated that by 2030, my country's orthodontic correction rate will increase to 1.69%, and the number of orthodontic cases will increase to 11.32 million. In the next 10 years, my country's orthodontic market will maintain an annual compound growth rate of 14%, and is expected to reach 200 billion in 2030.

[0003] Traditional orthodontic correction mainly includes metal braces, lingual braces, ceramic braces, etc., but they are prone to cause gingivitis, caries, and oral hygiene problems such as hidden food residues and bacteria, and are not comfortable, with a high frequency of follow-up visits and a long time for each visit. Invisible braces are a new type of orthodontic correction technology that has advantages in aesthetics, hygiene, comfort, convenience, effect prediction, and compliance. It is expected that invisible orthodontic indications will cover 80% of malocclusions by 2030, and a large number of potential users will benefit in the future; however, at the clinical level, orthodontic correction technology cannot monitor the stress of teeth in real time during the correction process, and the correction effect mainly depends on the doctor's experience and feeling, and it is difficult to ensure the accuracy and effectiveness of the correction. Although some correction systems are used for experimental measurements, the huge mechanical structure and wired circuit system cannot meet the clinical needs of wearable and real-time tooth force monitoring. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art mentioned above, an object of the present invention is to provide an orthodontic pressure real-time detection device with an integrated MEMS sensor, so as to solve the problem that the bulky mechanical structure and wired circuit system in the prior art cannot meet the clinical needs of wearable and real-time tooth force monitoring.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0006] A real-time detection device for orthodontic pressure with integrated MEMS sensors, comprising a plurality of internal terminal systems packaged on a flexible printed circuit board and an external host system connected via a wireless network signal, wherein the internal terminal system is integrated and installed in an invisible braces diaphragm or an invisible braces resin attachment, and can also be made into an independent MEMS flexible diaphragm that can be used for orthodontic force measurement; wherein the internal terminal system comprises an ASIC chip assembly and an antenna, the ASIC chip assembly comprises an ASIC chip and a MEMS sensor array connected to the ASIC chip, the ASIC chip comprises an analog-to-digital converter, the analog-to-digital converter is used for collecting and converting multi-channel signals, the ASIC chip also comprises a digital core module, a bandgap reference circuit, a processing unit and a phase-locked loop circuit, the digital core module, the bandgap reference circuit, the processing unit and the phase-locked loop circuit are used for processing and transmitting information of the MEMS sensor array.

[0007] In one embodiment of the present invention, the output end of the MEMS sensor array is connected to the input end of the corresponding analog-to-digital converter, the output end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the processing unit, the reference voltage input end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the output end of the bandgap reference circuit, and the reference clock input end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the first output end of the phase-locked loop. The MEMS sensor array in this technical solution collects the pressure information of the user's teeth and sends it to the analog-to-digital converter, which converts the information and sends it to the processing unit.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the phase-locked loop circuit includes a phase-locked loop, the digital core module is connected to the output end of the processing unit, the reference clock input end of the digital core module is connected to the third output end of the phase-locked loop, and the reference clock input end of the processing unit is connected to the second output end of the phase-locked loop. The processing unit in this technical solution processes the pressure information of the user's teeth collected by the MEMS sensor array and sends it to the digital core module.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the MEMS sensor array includes multiple MEMS sensors, the MEMS sensors are pressure sensors or strain sensors, the analog-to-digital converter is an 8-16 bit ADC, the bandgap reference circuit adopts a self-biased structure, and the phase-locked loop is a fully digital phase-locked loop.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ASIC chip further includes a full-wave rectifier and a power management module, wherein the full-wave rectifier is connected to the power management module, the full-wave rectifier is used to receive wireless energy, and the power management module is used to store wireless energy and provide power for other modules included in the remaining ASIC chips.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ASIC chip further includes a radio frequency circuit, a low noise amplifier and a storage unit, which work in conjunction with the digital core module, the bandgap reference circuit, the processing unit and the phase-locked loop circuit, and are all used to process, store and transmit information of the MEMS sensor array.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ASIC chip also includes an ultra-wideband system, which is used for transmitting signals. The ultra-wideband system is connected to the digital core module, the reference clock input end of the ultra-wideband system is connected to the fourth output end of the phase-locked loop, and the ultra-wideband system is an ultra-wideband system with a ping-pong structure based on synchronous pulse position modulation.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the external host terminal system includes a wireless energy transmitting module, a signal receiving module and a computer, the wireless energy transmitting module is connected to the full-wave rectifier, the signal receiving module is connected to the ultra-wideband system, the wireless energy transmitting module is used to supply energy to the internal terminal system, the signal receiving module and the computer are used for receiving, processing, controlling and displaying signals, the wireless energy transmitting module in this technical solution is used to transmit wireless energy to the full-wave rectifier, and the ultra-wideband system is used to send signals to the signal receiving module.

[0014] As described above, the real-time orthodontic pressure detection device with integrated MEMS sensor of the present invention has the following beneficial effects: the present invention utilizes a small and easy-to-integrate MEMS sensor array to simultaneously realize multi-point force measurement for each tooth, and collects the pressure information of the user's teeth through the MEMS sensor array and sends it to the ASIC chip, and the ASIC chip sends its information to the computer, so that the force condition of the teeth can be monitored in real time during the correction process, intelligent orthodontic treatment can be realized, and adverse reactions caused by excessive orthodontic force can be avoided; and the present invention adopts invisible braces that are easy to disassemble and clean, avoiding the problems of poor hygiene, poor comfort, high frequency of subsequent visits and long visit time in traditional orthodontic correction. Therefore, the present invention can effectively solve the problem that the clinical correction effect mainly depends on the doctor's experience, and the existing orthodontic force measurement devices are usually large and cannot be integrated inside the oral cavity, the measurement is cumbersome and time-consuming, and real-time monitoring cannot be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the overall principle and structure of a real-time orthodontic pressure detection device with an integrated MEMS sensor disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 Shown is a schematic diagram of an internal terminal system in a real-time orthodontic pressure detection device with integrated MEMS sensor disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic diagram of an ultra-wideband system UWB in a real-time orthodontic pressure detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 Shown is a schematic diagram of an analog-to-digital converter SAR ADC in a real-time orthodontic pressure detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram showing that the invisible orthodontic attachment in the real-time orthodontic pressure detection device with integrated MEMS sensor disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention is installed on the user's teeth;

[0020] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Shown is a schematic diagram of the array design on each surface of independent MEMS flexible diaphragms that can be used for orthodontic force measurement in the orthodontic pressure real-time detection device with integrated MEMS sensors disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following describes the embodiments of the present invention through specific examples, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0022] See also Figure 1 to Figure 2 The present invention provides an orthodontic pressure real-time detection device with an integrated MEMS sensor, comprising a plurality of internal terminal systems packaged on a flexible printed circuit board and an external host system connected via a wireless network signal. The internal terminal system can be installed in an invisible orthodontic appliance diaphragm pressed according to the shape of teeth after being flexibly packaged, or can be embedded in an invisible orthodontic accessory bonded to the teeth, or can be made into an independent MEMS flexible diaphragm that can be used for orthodontic force measurement; wherein, the external host system comprises a wireless energy transmitting module, which can provide the required energy for the internal terminal system, and the external host system also comprises a signal receiving module and a computer, which are responsible for receiving, processing, controlling and displaying various signals.

[0023] The internal terminal system includes an ASIC chip component and an antenna. The ASIC chip component includes an ASIC chip and a MEMS sensor array connected to the ASIC chip. The full name of the ASIC chip is a MEMS sensor array application-specific integrated circuit chip. The ASIC chip includes a full-wave rectifier and a power management module. The full-wave rectifier and the power management module are used to receive and store wireless energy. In addition, the ASIC chip also includes an analog-to-digital converter ADC. The analog-to-digital converter is used to realize the acquisition and conversion of multi-channel signals. The ASIC chip also includes a digital core module, a bandgap reference circuit BGR, a processing unit, a phase-locked loop circuit PLL, a radio frequency circuit, a low-noise amplifier LNA and a storage unit. Through the coordinated work between the digital core module, the bandgap reference circuit, the processing unit, the phase-locked loop circuit, the radio frequency circuit, the low-noise amplifier and the storage unit, the information of the MEMS sensor array is processed, stored and transmitted. Finally, the ASIC chip also includes an ultra-wideband system UWB. The ultra-wideband system is connected to the signal receiving module. The ultra-wideband system ensures the effective transmission of the signal.

[0024] exist Figure 1In the dotted box on the lower side, for each tooth, an ASIC chip component specifically used to monitor stress is built using a flexible circuit. Each ASIC chip component is equipped with multiple MEMS sensors and an ASIC chip to ensure that the stress conditions of the teeth can be fully and accurately detected. The output end of the MEMS sensor is connected to the input end of the corresponding analog-to-digital converter to ensure accurate data transmission, and the output end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the processing unit. After deep processing by the processing unit, the data is transmitted to the digital core module. The digital core module is also connected to the ultra-wideband system. As the core processing unit of the entire system, the digital core module sends the data through the ultra-wideband system, thereby ensuring efficient data processing and transmission.

[0025] When the internal terminal system is a MEMS flexible diaphragm that can be used for orthodontic force measurement, this can be applied in many scenarios, such as measuring the force of the invisible braces on the teeth, the force of the lips or cheek muscles on the teeth, the force of the tongue on the teeth, and the force of external loads on the teeth or craniofacial structures. When the internal terminal system is an invisible braces accessory that integrates a MEMS pressure sensor, this method can integrate the MEMS pressure sensor into an invisible braces accessory, and indirectly measure the force of the invisible braces on the teeth through the force of the invisible braces on the accessory. In addition, the invisible braces accessory can detect the force in the three-dimensional direction of the teeth by designing arrays on each surface. If it is a MEMS flexible diaphragm, the pressure and force distribution trend can be detected. For details, please refer to Figures 5 to 7 .

[0026] In addition, the phase-locked loop plays an important role in this system. The first output of the phase-locked loop is connected to the reference clock input of the analog-to-digital converter to ensure the precise synchronization of data sampling. The second, third and fourth outputs of the phase-locked loop are respectively connected to the reference clock input of the processing unit, the digital core module and the ultra-wideband system, further ensuring the stable operation of the entire system. The wireless energy transmission module is connected to the full-wave rectifier to provide continuous and stable energy for the system. The full-wave rectifier is then connected to the power management module to ensure a continuous supply of power to other modules included in the ASIC chip. The output of the bandgap reference circuit is connected to the reference voltage input of the analog-to-digital converter, which not only provides an accurate reference voltage for the analog-to-digital converter, but also further improves the accuracy of data acquisition.

[0027] Specifically, the working principle of the present invention is: import the 3D model data of the teeth into the computer software, perform tooth segmentation and design the step-by-step movement of the teeth according to the final target position. After the design is completed, the orthodontic process is divided into dozens of steps and a virtual model of tooth movement is formed for each step. During the production process, a sequence of tooth models is firstly printed by 3D printing, and then a pair of transparent film invisible braces are pressed on each pair of models by lamination technology, and the pressure of the invisible braces on the teeth is used to realize the tooth movement, thereby achieving the purpose of tooth movement. Patients can achieve each step of tooth movement by regularly changing to invisible braces, and gradually reach the correction goal. To ensure the effect of tooth correction, MEMS sensors are integrated with invisible braces to monitor the pressure during tooth orthodontics. The MEMS sensor array converts the pressure signal into an analog electrical signal and enters the corresponding analog-to-digital converter ADC. The analog-to-digital converter ADC performs synchronous quantization according to the reference clock frequency, obtains the quantized digital code for output, and then the processing unit performs deep processing on the pressure information of the user's teeth collected by the MEMS sensor array and sends it to the digital core module. The digital core module further processes the pressure information and sends it to the signal receiving module through the ultra-wideband system. The signal receiving module receives the pressure information and displays it on the computer.

[0028] More specifically, in the entire architecture, the full-wave rectifier and the power management module are used to convert the input wireless energy source into an ultra-low noise voltage that can be used for the operation of various modules inside the chip. The power management module supplies power and provides reference for the signal processing unit inside the ASIC chip, and is composed of a high-gain wide-input operational amplifier, a power tube, and a feedback unit. The bandgap reference circuit BGR is used to provide the necessary voltage reference and current bias for the analog circuit part of the entire ASIC chip. The bandgap reference circuit BGR adopts a self-biased structure to save redundant circuit overhead and adds m-bit trimming technology (for example, m=4 can achieve 16 steps of fine adjustment capability). It can generate accurate reference voltage, and by increasing the n-bit EN control terminal for feedback coefficient adjustment, the required dynamically adjustable reference voltage value can be generated through later debugging, and a wider and more flexible sensor impedance range can also be matched during application. The phase-locked loop PLL provides a reference clock for the analog-to-digital converter ADC, the processing unit, the digital core module, and the ultra-wideband system UWB.

[0029] To further explain, the ultra-wideband system UWB is mainly composed of control logic including delay-locked loop DLL and two groups of all-digital pulse generation modules. CLOCK and REF_CLK are input into DLL to generate precise delay, and then output two groups of signals DATA_A, CLK_A and DATA_B, CLK_B through control logic with DATA signal, and then output pulses through pulse generation module. Pulse generation module A generates valid pulses on the rising edge of "CLK_A", and "DATA_B" flips at the same time, making pulse generation module B become "waiting for transmission". Next, pulse generation module B works and pulse generation module A prepares, so that all reverse "CLK" are valid and no false pulses are generated. For details, please refer to Figure 3 .

[0030] In order to generate accurate delay, a delay line with a delay-locked loop (DLL) reference is designed. A delay line consisting of M / 4 delay cells is used to achieve a 90-degree phase shift, where M is the number of delay cells in the template delay line. The control voltage of the DLL is mirrored by the four delay lines to obtain a precisely delayed clock signal. The input ports of the unused delay lines are switched to ground. In this design, M=50. Since the reference clock is 200MHz and has a period of 5ns, the delay of each delay cell is 100ps. Current-controlled inverters are used as delay cells due to their low static power consumption.

[0031] Furthermore, the model of the analog-to-digital converter in this embodiment is a 12-bit SAR ADC. The analog-to-digital converter ADC quantizes multiple MEMS sensors in the sensor array. If one analog-to-digital converter ADC is used to convert the data of one MEMS sensor, it will consume too much area and I / O structure, and increase power consumption. In order to save circuit area and reduce power consumption, it is necessary to use a digital core to control the analog-to-digital converter ADC to convert the data of multiple MEMS sensors in sequence. The converted data is processed and stored in a data register, and then sent to an external host system by an ultra-wideband system (UWB) for signal processing, control and display. Please refer to 4 for details.

[0032] The present invention utilizes a small and easily integrated MEMS sensor array to simultaneously measure the multi-point force on each tooth, and collects the pressure information of the user's teeth through the MEMS sensor array and sends it to the ASIC chip, which sends the information to the computer, thereby being able to monitor the force conditions of the teeth in real time during the correction process, realizing intelligent orthodontic treatment, and avoiding adverse reactions caused by excessive orthodontic force; and the present invention adopts invisible braces that are easy to disassemble and clean, avoiding the problems of poor hygiene, poor comfort, high frequency of subsequent visits and long time for visits in traditional orthodontic correction, so the present invention can effectively solve the problem that the clinical correction effect mainly depends on the doctor's experience, and the existing orthodontic force measurement devices are usually large and cannot be integrated inside the oral cavity, the measurement is cumbersome and time-consuming, and real-time monitoring is impossible.

[0033] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. All equivalent modifications or changes made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical ideas disclosed in the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A real-time orthodontic pressure detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor, characterized in that: It includes a plurality of internal terminal systems packaged in a flexible printed circuit board and an external host system connected to the internal terminal system via a wireless network signal, and the internal terminal system is integrated and installed in the invisible orthodontic appliance membrane or in a resin attachment bonded to the teeth, and can also be made into an independent MEMS flexible membrane that can be used for orthodontic force measurement; The internal terminal system includes an ASIC chip assembly and an antenna, the ASIC chip assembly includes an ASIC chip and a MEMS sensor array connected to the ASIC chip, the ASIC chip includes an analog-to-digital converter, and the analog-to-digital converter is used for collecting and converting multi-channel signals. The ASIC chip also includes a digital core module, a bandgap reference circuit, a processing unit and a phase-locked loop circuit, and the digital core module, the bandgap reference circuit, the processing unit and the phase-locked loop circuit are used to process and transmit information of the MEMS sensor array.

2. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The output end of the MEMS sensor array is connected to the input end of the corresponding analog-to-digital converter, the output end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the processing unit, the reference voltage input end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the output end of the bandgap reference circuit, and the reference clock input end of the analog-to-digital converter is connected to the first output end of the phase-locked loop.

3. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The phase-locked loop circuit includes a phase-locked loop, the digital core module is connected to the output end of the processing unit, the reference clock input end of the digital core module is connected to the third output end of the phase-locked loop, and the reference clock input end of the processing unit is connected to the second output end of the phase-locked loop.

4. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: in, The MEMS sensor array includes a plurality of MEMS sensors, the MEMS sensors are pressure sensors or strain sensors, the analog-to-digital converter is an 8-16 bit ADC, the bandgap reference circuit adopts a self-bias structure, and the phase-locked loop is a fully digital phase-locked loop.

5. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ASIC chip also includes a full-wave rectifier and a power management module. The full-wave rectifier is connected to the power management module. The full-wave rectifier is used to receive wireless energy. The power management module is used to store wireless energy and provide power for other modules included in the remaining ASIC chips.

6. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ASIC chip also includes a radio frequency circuit, a low noise amplifier and a storage unit, which work in conjunction with the digital core module, the bandgap reference circuit, the processing unit and the phase-locked loop circuit, and are all used to process, store and transmit information of the MEMS sensor array.

7. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 5, characterized in that: The ASIC chip also includes an ultra-wideband system, which is used for transmitting signals. The ultra-wideband system is connected to the digital core module, the reference clock input end of the ultra-wideband system is connected to the fourth output end of the phase-locked loop, and the ultra-wideband system is an ultra-wideband system with a ping-pong structure based on synchronous pulse position modulation.

8. The orthodontic pressure real-time detection device integrated with a MEMS sensor according to claim 7, characterized in that: The external host terminal system includes a wireless energy transmitting module, a signal receiving module and a computer. The wireless energy transmitting module is connected to the full-wave rectifier, and the signal receiving module is connected to the ultra-wideband system. The wireless energy transmitting module is used to supply energy to the internal terminal system, and the signal receiving module and the computer are used for receiving, processing, controlling and displaying signals.

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