Extraoral holder for intraoral measurements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (100) worn on the body and intended for a dental sensor, comprising a holding element (103) for holding the dental sensor in or at the mouth of a person (107); and a support element (105) for supporting the holding element (103) on the body of the person (107).

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] EXTRAORAL HOLDER FOR INTRAORAL MEASUREMENTS

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a body support device for a dental sensor and a method for supporting a dental sensor.

[0005] Lactate measurements are performed through blood tests, during which blood is drawn at set intervals at various performance levels. The lactate levels are then determined for the various blood samples. Only trained personnel are permitted to take the blood samples. The blood samples can be contaminated by sweat, distorting the measured values. This conventional procedure is painful and only allows for spot measurements. However, measurements in saliva allow for continuous and painless measurement of lactate levels, thus increasing the significance of lactate measurements for the athlete.

[0006] Current measurements of parameters such as lactate in saliva either involve taking random samples. For short measurements such as a lactate test, which typically only takes about half an hour and is usually performed only two to three times a year, this method is impractical.

[0007] The technical object of the present invention is to perform a continuous measurement in or on a person's oral cavity. This object is achieved by the subject matter according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a body-worn device for a dental sensor, comprising a holding element for holding the dental sensor in or on a person's mouth; and a carrier element for supporting the holding element on the person's body. This body-worn device can be used, for example, to enable continuous measurements in saliva. The body-worn device allows values ​​in the saliva or in the intraoral area to be continuously monitored over a period of a few minutes to hours.

[0009] In a technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, it includes a dental sensor. This offers the technical advantage of allowing dental measurements, such as measuring lactate levels in saliva, to be performed in a simple manner.

[0010] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-wearing device, the dental sensor is located at the tip of the holding element. This offers the technical advantage that the dental sensor can be easily inserted into the oral cavity and is comfortable to wear there.

[0011] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-wearing device, the dental sensor is attached to the holding element in an interchangeable manner. This offers the technical advantage that the dental sensor can be easily replaced for cleaning. The dental sensor can be replaced for spot measurements by simply plugging and unplugging it. Therefore, it does not need to be worn all the time, for example, or it can be swapped for a different dental sensor between individual measurement points. Different parameters can also be recorded sequentially, such as a lactate value first and then a glucose value.

[0012] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the body-wearing device, the dental sensor comprises an electrochemical or enzymatic dental sensor, or a pH sensor, a lactate sensor, a glucose sensor, an alcohol sensor, an O2 sensor, a CO2 sensor, a CO2 sensor, a V02Max sensor, a respiration rate sensor, a noise sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a humidity sensor, a potassium sensor, a sodium sensor, a chloride sensor, a cortisol sensor, a calcium sensor, a sulfate sensor, a microphone, and / or a VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) sensor. This offers the technical advantage that suitable parameters can be measured sequentially or simultaneously.

[0013] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the holding element is formed by a wire or a plastic rod. This offers the technical advantage that the holding element can be easily adapted to the individual requirements of a user.

[0014] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the support element is flexible. This offers the technical advantage that the support element can be easily adapted to the individual requirements of a user.

[0015] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the holding element comprises a fluid tube for a dental sensor. This enables the technical advantage that the fluid tube can serve as a suction tube to extract saliva during the measurement and ensure wetting of the dental sensor. The suction device maintains a flow of saliva to the dental sensor 101. Furthermore, an exchange of saliva on the sensor surface is ensured.

[0016] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the fluid hose includes a replaceable headpiece. This offers the technical advantage that it can be replaced quickly and easily to ensure the necessary hygiene.

[0017] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the headpiece includes openings through which saliva can be suctioned out. This offers the technical advantage that the saliva can be effectively suctioned out through these openings.

[0018] In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the support element is formed by a headset, glasses, or headgear. This offers the technical advantage of increasing the wearing comfort for the user and the acceptance of the body-supporting device. In a further technically advantageous embodiment of the

[0019] Body support device are the holding element and the

[0020] The support elements are detachably connected to each other. This offers the technical advantage that the individual parts of the body support device can be easily replaced.

[0021] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, it comprises an energy storage device for supplying the dental sensor with electrical energy. This offers the technical advantage of eliminating the need for an external energy source and external cables to power the dental sensor. This also enables measurements during which the user is not in the same location, such as during a sprint or while jogging.

[0022] In another technically advantageous embodiment of the body-supporting device, the support element can be attached to the person's head or body. This offers the technical advantage that the body-supporting device does not need to be held, leaving the user's hands free during the measurement. This also increases the comfort of wearing the body-supporting device.

[0023] According to a second aspect, the technical problem is solved by a method for wearing a dental sensor. The method according to the invention comprises the steps of holding the dental sensor in or on a person's mouth by a holding element; and supporting the holding element on the person's body by a support element. This method achieves the same technical advantages as the body-wearing device.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0025] They show:

[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a worn body support device for a dental sensor;

[0027] Fig. 2 is a graphical representation of exemplary measurement results of a lactate measurement with a body-carrying device for a dental sensor;

[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of a body support device for a dental sensor;

[0029] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a body support device for a suction hose; and

[0030] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a method for wearing a dental sensor.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a body-wearing device 100 for a dental sensor, which is worn on the head by a user. The body-wearing device 100 comprises a holding element 103 for holding a dental sensor in or on the mouth of a person 107 and a carrier element 105 for supporting the holding element 103 on the body of the person 107. The carrier element 105 can be designed as a bracket with which the body-wearing device 100 can be attached to the ear of the person 107. In general, the carrier element 105 is any element with which the force of the holding element 103 can be transmitted to the body. The holding element 103 is attached to the carrier element 105 and designed to hold a dental sensor in or on the mouth of a person 107.

[0032] The dental sensor, which can be attached to the holding element 103, can be used, for example, for continuous measurements in the saliva of a person 107, such as a salivary lactate test. During a lactate measurement with the body-supporting device 100, the person 107 sits, for example, on an ergometer 109 and wears the body-supporting device 100 with the support element 105 on their head. The holding element 103 is connected to the support element 105 and holds the dental sensor in the mouth of the person 107.

[0033] The dental sensor can then measure the lactate levels of the person 107 depending on the performance of the person 107 on the ergometer 109. Such measurements in the saliva with the body-supporting device 100 allow a continuous and painless measurement of the lactate levels of the person 107. The results can be used to determine the current fitness and to create an optimal training plan for the person 107.

[0034] The dental sensor can be designed to measure other parameters that are relevant for athletes or other target groups. Likewise, multiple dental sensors can be attached to the holding element 103, for example, using a sensor holder. If sufficiently small dental sensors are used, attaching one or more dental sensors is technically easy to implement. Readout electronics for the signals from the dental sensor can be arranged outside the mouth of the person 107. This reduces the space required in a user's mouth, as the readout electronics and the dental sensor are used separately. The associated readout electronics can be designed to any size and power consumption. This increases the possible uses of the available dental sensors. The dental sensor and the readout unit are physically connected via cables.The reading electronics can be carried by a user on a belt or in a trouser pocket.

[0035] Fig. 2 shows a graphical representation of exemplary measurement results from a lactate measurement using the body-worn device 100 for the dental sensor. Continuous and painless measurement in saliva allows for the obtaining of meaningful lactate and heart rate values ​​111 and 113 of the subject depending on the achieved performance. This also increases the significance of the lactate measurements for the athlete or their respective trainer.

[0036] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a body-supporting device 100 for a dental sensor 101. The extraoral support element 105 can be designed in the form of a headset with attachment options to the body, a headband, glasses, or headgear, such as a cap or hat. The support element 105 can be made of plastic.

[0037] The holding element 105 is formed, for example, by a metal wire or a plastic bracket that is mechanically connected to the support element 105. The holding element 103 can be rotatably connected to the support element, for example, via a ball joint. This allows the body support device 100 to be easily adapted to the anatomical characteristics of the user.

[0038] The holding element 103 has a fixation device 115 for securing the dental sensor 101 at any location in the mouth. The fixation device 115 can, for example, be a flexible wire on which the dental sensor 101 is arranged and which can be arranged anywhere in the mouth of the person 107. The fixation device 115 is connected to the holding element 105. It is also possible to attach the dental sensor 101 to one or more teeth using a wire or plastic bracket, a temporary adhesive that detaches after a certain period of time, or suction cups as the fixation device 115.

[0039] Since attachment in the mouth of the person 107 is designed for a short period of time, i.e., from a few minutes to a few hours, no custom-made support surface is required. The dental sensor 101 can also be connected to the support element 105 via a holding element 105, which is designed similarly to a tobacco pipe. There is no risk of swallowing, since the dental sensor 101 and its cabling are connected to the support element 105 via the fixation device 115 and the holding element 103.

[0040] An interface 117 serves to supply the dental sensor 101 with power and ensure data exchange with the readout electronics. The cables for this interface 117 can run inside the body-supporting device 100, thus preventing accidental snagging. It is also possible for the interface 117 to be wireless. For this purpose, an electrical circuit can be provided that includes a power source and an interface for wireless data transmission.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a body-supporting device 100 on which a suction tube 119 is arranged. The suction tube 119 can be attached to the body-supporting device 100 instead of the dental sensor 101 to suction saliva from the mouth. The suction tube 119 can comprise a replaceable head 121, which can be replaced after a measurement to ensure hygiene. The head 121 contains openings through which the saliva is suctioned from the mouth. The head 121 of the suction tube 119 can have the same fastening devices described above for the dental sensor 101 without a suction device. The head 121 is formed, for example, by a plastic insert.

[0042] Furthermore, the dental sensor 101 can also be arranged in the replaceable head 121 or along the suction hose 119. The dental sensor 101 is connected to the readout electronics 123 and can be replaced. All other components of the body-supporting device 100, such as the readout electronics 123, the carrier element 105, or the holding element 103, can also be completely replaced if necessary.

[0043] The saliva is extracted via a suction device such as a pump 125. The suction device ensures that the dental sensor 101 is moistened with saliva and that the saliva is exchanged on the surface of the dental sensor 101. The pump 125 can regulate the amount of saliva or extract the saliva at set intervals. The extracted saliva is directed into a collection container 127 or disposed of directly down the drain.

[0044] If the dental sensor 101 is placed outside the mouth, it can also be replaced for occasional measurements by plugging and unplugging it. This allows the use of a dental sensor 101 that is not suitable for continuous measurements. By replacing the dental sensor 101 externally, the person 107 is not disturbed in their sporting activity during a performance test.

[0045] The body-supporting device 100 can also be equipped with additional devices, such as devices for delivering chemicals or medications that stimulate internal saliva flow. Suitable chemicals include citric or malic acid.

[0046] The body-supporting device 100 is easy to use. No assistance from dental technicians or dentists is required when attaching the body-supporting device 100. The body-supporting device 100 can be used by unskilled personnel or even by a user in private settings. This lowers the barrier to using the available dental sensors 101 for the user. The body-supporting device 100 enables simple measurements that deliver reliable results. Furthermore, companies, clinics, and scientific studies can thus test newly developed dental sensors 101 on people in a comparable manner. Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of a method for wearing a dental sensor.The method according to the invention comprises the steps of holding S101 the dental sensor 101 in or on the mouth of a person 107 by a holding element 103; and supporting S102 the holding element 103 on the body of the person 107 by a carrier element 105.

[0047] All features explained and shown in connection with individual embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter according to the invention in order to simultaneously realize their advantageous effects.

[0048] All method steps can be implemented by devices suitable for performing the respective method step. All functions performed by physical features can be a method step of a method.

[0049] The scope of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

[0050] LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0051] 100 body carrying device

[0052] 101 Dental sensor 103 Holding element

[0053] 105 support element

[0054] 107 people

[0055] 109 ergometers

[0056] 111 Lactate values ​​113 Heart rate values

[0057] 115 Fixation device

[0058] 117 Interface

[0059] 119 Suction hose

[0060] 121 interchangeable head 123 readout electronics

[0061] 125 pump

[0062] 127 collection containers

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. A body support device (100) for a dental sensor (101), comprising: a holding element (103) for holding the dental sensor (101) in or on the mouth of a person (107); and a carrier element (105) for supporting the holding element (103) on the body of the person (107).

2. Body support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the body support device (100) comprises a dental sensor (101).

3. Body support device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the dental sensor (101) is arranged at the tip of the holding element (103).

4. Body support device (100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the dental sensor (101) is replaceably attached to the holding element (103).

5. Body support device (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the dental sensor (107) comprises an electrochemical or an enzymatic dental sensor or a pH sensor, a lactate sensor, a glucose sensor, an alcohol sensor, an O2 sensor, a CO2 sensor, a CO2 sensor, a V02Max sensor, a respiratory rate sensor, a noise sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a conductivity sensor, a Humidity sensor comprises a potassium sensor, a sodium sensor, a chloride sensor, a cortisol sensor, a calcium sensor, a sulfate sensor, a microphone and / or a VOC sensor.

6. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (103) is formed by a wire or a plastic rod.

7. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (103) is flexible.

8. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (103) comprises a fluid hose (119) for a dental sensor (101).

9. The body support device (100) of claim 8, wherein the fluid hose (119) comprises a replaceable headpiece (121).

10. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the headpiece (121) comprises openings through which saliva can be sucked out.

11. Body-supporting device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (105) is formed by a headset, glasses, or headgear.

12. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element (103) and the carrier element (105) are detachably connected to one another.

13. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body support device (100) comprises an energy storage device for supplying the dental sensor with electrical energy.

14. Body support device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support element (105) can be fastened to the head or body of the person (107).

15. A method for wearing a dental sensor (101), comprising the steps of: Holding (S101) the dental sensor (101) in or on the mouth of a person (107) by a holding element (103); and Supporting (S102) the holding element (103) on the body of the person (107) by a carrier element (105).

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