Sleep bruxism reduction method and system

Abstract

A sleep bruxism reduction system constituted of: a bruxism detection apparatus configured to detect sleep bruxism in a user; an odor dispensing device; and a control unit, wherein the control is unit is configured, responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in the user by the bruxism detection apparatus, to control the odor dispensing device to dispense a predetermined amount of odorous material, thereby reducing sleep bruxism in the user.

Description

SLEEP BRUXISM REDUCTION METHOD AND SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates substantially to the field of sleep disorders, and more particularly to sleep bruxism.BACKGROUND

[0002] Sleep bruxism is a repetitive jaw muscle activity characterized by clenching or grinding of the teeth and / or bracing or thrusting the mandible during sleep. It mainly occurs during NREM sleep and is clinically different from wake bruxism. Bruxism might be a causal factor of various pain symptoms and functional limitations such as muscular pain and tooth wear.SUMMARY

[0003] Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of prior art systems and methods. This is provided in some examples by a sleep bruxism reduction system comprising a bruxism detection apparatus configured to detect sleep bruxism in a user; an odor dispensing device; and a control unit.

[0004] In some examples, the control is unit is configured, responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in the user by the bruxism detection apparatus, to control the odor dispensing device to dispense a predetermined amount of odorous material.

[0005] Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description.

[0006] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, governs. As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" mean "at least one" or "one or more" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As utilized herein, “and / or” means any one or more of the items in the list joined by “and / or”. As an example, “x and / or y” means any element of the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y) } . In other words, “x and / or y” means “x, y or both of x and y”. As someexamples, “x, y, and / or z” means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x, z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}.

[0007] Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by anyone of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

[0008] In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of embodiments of the instant inventive concepts. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the inventive concepts, and “a” and “an” are intended to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

[0009] As used herein, the term "about", when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, a temporal duration, and the like, is meant to encompass variations of + / -10%, more preferably + / -5%, even more preferably + / -1%, and still more preferably + / -0.1% from the specified value, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed devices and / or methods.

[0010] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, but not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout.

[0012] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause ofproviding what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

[0013] In the drawings:

[0014] FIG. 1A illustrates a high-level perspective view of a sleep bruxism reduction system, in accordance with some examples of the disclosure;

[0015] FIG. IB illustrates the system of FIG. 1 A in a partially different arrangement; and

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a high-level flow chart of a sleep bruxism reduction method, in accordance with some examples of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph showing results of a study utilizing the method of FIG. 2.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EXAMPLES

[0018] In the following description, various aspects of the disclosure will be described. For the purpose of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the different aspects of the disclosure. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure may be practiced without specific details being presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the disclosure. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. In order to avoid undue clutter from having too many reference numbers and lead lines on a particular drawing, some components will be introduced via one or more drawings and not explicitly identified in every subsequent drawing that contains that component.

[0019] FIG. 1A illustrates a high-level perspective view of a sleep bruxism reduction system 1. In some examples, sleep bruxism reduction system 1 comprises: a bruxism detection apparatus 10; an odor dispensing device 20; a control unit 30; and a memory 40. In some examples, sleep bruxism reduction system 1 further comprises a sleep stage detection apparatus 45. FIG. 1A also illustrates a user 50.

[0020] In some examples, odor dispensing device 20 is configured to controllably dispense one or more odors to the ambient air. In some examples, odor dispensing device 20 comprises one or more reservoirs (not shown) containing one or more releasable odorous material. In some examples, odor dispensing device 20 dispenses the material as a mist and / or a spray. In some examples, odor dispensing device 20 comprises any suitable mechanisms for dispensing the odorous material, such as one or more nebulizers. One illustrative example of an odor dispensing device 20 can be the Aroma Shooter, commercially available from Aromajoin Corporation of Kyoto, Japan. In some examples, odor dispensing device 20 comprises an opening 25, and the odor is released through opening 25.

[0021] In some examples, control unit 30 comprises one or more processors, and memory 40 has stored therein a plurality of instructions that when read by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform various instructions, as will be described below. In some examples, control unit 30 comprises any suitable device, including, without limitation: one or more processors; one or more FPGAs; one or more microprocessors; one or more integrated circuits; or the like.

[0022] In some examples, memory 40 comprises any suitable type of memory, including, without limitation: RAM; PROM; EPROM; EEPROM; ROM; flash memory; solid state memory; or the like.

[0023] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 comprises an electromyography (EMG) device 60. In some examples, EMG device 60 comprises: one or more EMG electrodes 62; and a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30. The term "EMG electrode", as used herein, means an electrode used for detecting EMG signals, and this is not meant to provide any structural limitations to the electrode. In some examples, EMG device 60 comprises two pairs of EMG electrodes 62, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0024] In some examples, a first pair of EMG electrodes 62 is placed along the right masseter muscle of user 50 and a second pair of EMG electrodes 62 is placed along the left masseter muscle of user 50. It is noted that the illustrated placement of EMG electrodes 62 are not meant to be limiting, and EMG electrodes 62 can be placed in other locations on user 50 without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0025] In some examples, each pair of EMG electrodes 62 produce a respective bipolar EMG channel. The connections between EMG electrodes 62 and control unit 30 are not shown, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, EMG electrodes 62 are connected to control unit 30 either wirelessly of via wires.

[0026] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 further comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) device 70. In some examples, ECG device 70 comprises: one or more ECG electrodes 72; and a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30. The term "ECG electrode", as used herein, means an electrode used for detecting ECG signals, and this is not meant to provide any structural limitations to the electrode. In some examples, ECG device 70 comprises three ECG electrodes 72, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0027] In some examples, a first ECG electrode 72 is placed under the left collarbone of user 50, a second ECG electrode 72 is placed under the right collarbone of user 50 and the third ECG electrode 72 is placed on the left hip of user 50. In some examples, ECG electrodes 72 produce an ECG lead II. It is noted that the illustrated placement of ECG electrodes 72 are not meant to be limiting, and ECG electrodes 72 can be placed in other locations on user 50 without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0028] The connections between ECG electrodes 72 and control unit 30 are not shown, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, ECG electrodes 72 are connected to control unit 30 either wirelessly of via wires.

[0029] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 further comprises a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30 that processes the outputs of EMG device 60 and ECG device 70.

[0030] In some examples, sleep stage detection apparatus 45 comprises an electroencephalogram (EEG) device 80. In some examples, EEG device 80 comprises: one or more EEG electrodes 82; and a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30. The term "EEG electrode", as used herein, means an electrode used for detecting EEG signals, and this is not meant to provide any structural limitations to the electrode. In some examples, EEG device 80 comprises three EEG electrodes 82, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0031] In some examples, a pair of EEG electrodes 82 is placed one the forehead of user 50, at positions C3 and C4, to form a bipolar prefrontal EEG channel, and a third EEG electrode 82 is placed on over a mastoid of user 50, at position F3, to form an EEG reference channel. It is noted that the illustrated placement of EEG electrodes 82 are not meant to be limiting, and EEG electrodes 82 can be placed in other locations on user 50 without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0032] The connections between EEG electrodes 82 and control unit 30 are not shown, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, EEG electrodes 82 are connected to control unit 30 either wirelessly of via wires.

[0033] In some examples, sleep stage detection apparatus 45 comprises an electrooculography (EOG) device 90. In some examples, EOG device 90 comprises: one or more EOG electrodes 92; and a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30. The term "EOG electrode", as used herein, means an electrode used for detecting EOG signals, and this is not meant to provide any structural limitations to the electrode. In some examples, EOG device 90 comprises two EOG electrodes 92, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way.

[0034] In some examples, a first EOG electrode 92 is placed in the vicinity of the right eye of user 50 and second EOG electrode 92 is placed in the vicinity of the left eye of user 50. In some examples, each EOG electrode 92 is placed about 1cm above, or below, the respective eye, and about 1cm lateral to the respective eye. In some examples, EOG electrodes 92 form a bipolar EOG channel. It is noted that the illustrated placement of EOG electrodes 92 are not meant to be limiting, and EOG electrodes 82 can be placed in other locations on user 50 without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0035] The connections between EOG electrodes 92 and control unit 30 are not shown, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, EOG electrodes 92 are connected to control unit 30 either wirelessly of via wires.

[0036] In some examples, sleep stage detection apparatus 45 further comprises a respective portion of the instructions controlling control unit 30 that processes the outputs of EEG device 80 and EOG device 90.

[0037] Although control unit 30 and memory 40 are illustrated in FIG. 1A as being contained within odor dispensing device 20, this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. IB, control unit 30 and memory 40 are provided in a standalone device 35, and is in communication with a control input of odor dispensing device 20.Operation

[0038] FIG. 2 illustrates a high-level flow chart of a sleep bruxism reduction method, in accordance with some examples of the disclosure. The method of FIG. 2 will be described in relation to sleep bruxism reduction system 1, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way, and the method can be performed by any suitable system without exceeding the scope of the disclosure.

[0039] In some examples, each EMG channel is preprocessed using a Notch filter at about 50 Hz, and then filtered through a bandpass filter of about 20 to 300 Hz. In some examples, the ECG channel is preprocessed using a Notch filter at about 50 Hz and then filtered through a bandpass filter of about 0.3 to 70 Hz. In some examples, each of the EEG and EOG channels is filtered through a bandpass filter of about 0.3 to 35 Hz.

[0040] In some examples, in stage 1000, bruxism detection apparatus 10 is configured to detect bruxism events when user 50 is asleep. In some examples, in order to measure jaw activity of user 50, an Average Rectified Value (ARV) channel is calculated by averaging the absolute values output by the EMG channels of EMG device 60. In some a Heart Rate (HR) channel is calculated by applying a Hamilton segmenter on the output of the ECG channel.

[0041] In some examples, a bruxism event is detected based at least in part on the output of the EMG electrodes 62. In some examples, detection of a bruxism event is further based on the output of the ECG electrodes 70.

[0042] In some examples, detection of a bruxism event from the output of the EMG electrodes 62 is in relation to a predetermined baseline. In some examples, an EMG baseline is determined by determining the value of the ARV channel described above when user 50 clenches their jaws together as hard as they can. This value is referred to herein as the maximum voluntary clench (MVC) value. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred if the ARV value exceeds a predetermined threshold valuein relation to the baseline. In some examples, the predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the MCV value. In some examples, the predetermined percentage is about 5%. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred only if the ARV value exceeds the predetermined threshold value a plurality of times within a predetermined window.

[0043] In some examples, the EMG values are not compared to a baseline. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred if the ARV value exceeds a predetermined threshold value not related to a baseline.

[0044] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred based on the ARV value of the EMG channels, but only if there is a detected increase in the heart rate of user 50. In some examples, an increase in the heart rate of user 50 is determined by: determining the current heart rate of user 50 from the ECG channel; and comparing the current heart rate to the average heart in a preceding predetermined time period. In some examples, the preceding time period is about 20 minutes.

[0045] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 classifies a bruxism event into one of a plurality of classifications:A. Tonic bruxism event - Defined as a continuous EMG burst between 2 and 8 seconds;B. Phasic bruxism event - At least three consecutive EMG bursts between 0.25 to 2 seconds each and separated by a maximum of 3 seconds; andC. Mixed bruxism event - A combination of tonic and phasic activity bruxism events

[0046] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred only if the EMG values are increased for at least a predetermined time period, optionally about 2 seconds. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, bruxism detection apparatus 10 determines that a bruxism event has occurred only if the EMG values are increased for no more than a predetermined time period, optionally about 90 seconds. In some examples, as described above, bruxism detection apparatus 10 detects the sleep stage of the user. In some examples, the sleep stage is detected over a predetermined time period, optionally about 30 seconds. In some examples, optionally based on the detected sleep stage, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not detect bruxism events, or excludes detected bruxism events,before the user has been continuously asleep for a predetermined time period, optionally at least 10 minutes. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not detect bruxism events, or excludes detected bruxism events, during a predetermined period that the user is awake. In some examples, the predetermined wake period is at least 3 minutes. It is noted that bruxism event often occur during micro-awakenings, shorter than the predetermined period.

[0047] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not detect bruxism events, or excludes detected bruxism events, that are shorter than a predetermined time period or longer than a predetermined time period. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not detect bruxism events, or excludes detected bruxism events, that are shorter than 2 second. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not detect bruxism events, or excludes detected bruxism events, that are longer than 90 seconds. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 breaks each event into predefined segments, such as 1-second segments, and determines the variance of the EMG signal during the segment and the variance of the EMG signal during the detected bruxism event. In some examples, in the event that the determined variance of the EMG signal during the segment is less than 15 times the detected variance of the EMG signal over the entire detected bruxism event, and the segment is at the start or end of the event, bruxism detection apparatus 10 does not store this segment as part of the event.

[0048] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 analyzes the signals to detect noisy electrodes. In some examples, this is performed by determining the variance of the EMG signal during the event and multiplying the variance by a predetermined value, optionally 15. In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus counts the number of peaks in the EMG signal during the event and calculates the variance in the timing of the detected peaks. In the event that the peak timing variance is less than 15 times the EMG signal variance, bruxism detection apparatus 10 excludes the detected bruxism event as noise.

[0049] In some examples, bruxism detection apparatus 10 stores information regarding the detected bruxism events in memory 40.

[0050] In some examples, in stage 1010, control unit 30 is configured, responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in user 50 by bruxism detection apparatus 10, to control odor dispensing device 20 to dispense a predetermined amount of odorous material. In some examples, the dispensed odor is an unpleasant odor. In one illustrative example, the dispensed odor simulates the smell of rotten fish, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. Insome examples, the unpleasant odor can be any unpleasant odor, including, but not limited to: any rotten food; methane; burned products; or the like. In some examples, the odor is selected such that the dispense thereof causes a reduction in sleep bruxism, as will be described further below.

[0051] The term "unpleasant odor", as used herein, means an odor that is commonly understood to be unpleasant. It has been previously proposed that odors can be generally categorized into 10 basic odor qualities: fragrant; woody / resinous; fruity (non-citrus); chemical; minty / peppermint; sweet; popcorn; lemon; pungent; and decayed. In some examples, the unpleasant odor can be found in the category of "pungent" and / or "decayed". In some examples, an unpleasant odor is such that when smelling the odor it typically causes a negative emotional reaction in most people.

[0052] In some examples, the predetermined amount of odorous material is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 10 - 20 seconds. In some examples, the predetermined amount of odorous material is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 15 - 17 seconds. It is noted that the amount of odorous material dispensed is dependent on the amount of time that the odorous material remains in the air.

[0053] In some examples, as described above, the odorous material is dispensed only after then end of the bruxism event. As described above, in some examples, a bruxism event is determined as occurring only if elevated EMG values are present for less than a predetermined time period (e.g., 8 seconds). Thus, dispensing the odorous material only after the predetermined time period can prevent the possibility of dispensing odor during a falsely detected bruxism event.

[0054] Although a single odor dispensing device 20 is illustrated, this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, a plurality of odor dispensing devices 20 are provided, and positioned in different locations in relation to user 50. In some examples, upon detection of a bruxism event, control unit 30 controls each of the odor dispensing devices 20 to dispense the predetermined amount of odorous material.

[0055] In some examples, detection of bruxism events, and subsequent dispensing of odorous material is performed during the course of the night.

[0056] Although the above has been described in relation to examples where bruxism events are detected based on ARV values of the EMG channels, this is not meant to be limiting in any way, and other method of analyzing EMG data can be used for detecting bruxism events. In some examples, memory 40 has stored therein one or more neural-network based models trained to detect bruxism events based on EMG data, and further optionally ECG data. In some examples, the neural-network based models are stored in an external network, such as in a cloud server, and control unit 30 is in communication with the external network.

[0057] Although the above has been described in relation to examples where bruxism events are detected based at least in part on values of EMG signals, this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In some examples, additionally or alternatively, bruxism events can be detected by other means.

[0058] In some examples (not shown), bruxism detection apparatus 10 can comprise one or more microphones, and bruxism detection apparatus 10 is configured to detect a bruxism event based on a noise detected by the microphone, optionally within a predetermined frequency range.

[0059] In some examples (not shown), bruxism detection apparatus 10 can comprises one or more cameras, and bruxism detection apparatus 10 is configured to detect a bruxism event based on detected movement of the jaw of user 50, in accordance with predetermined parameters.

[0060] In some examples (not shown), bruxism detection apparatus 10 can comprises one or more radar device, and bruxism detection apparatus 10 is configured to detect a bruxism event based on detected movement of the jaw of user 50, in accordance with predetermined parameters.

[0061] In some examples, in stage 1020, sleep stage detection device 45 is configured to detect the current sleep stage of user 50. In some examples, sleep stage detection device 45 is configured to differentiate between a REM sleep stage and an NREM sleep stage. In some examples, sleep stage detection device 45 is configured to differentiate between different NREM sleep stages.

[0062] In some examples, sleep stage detection device 45 is configured to detect the sleep stage of user 50 based at least in part on the output of the EEG channel of EEG device 80. Insome examples, sleep stage detection device 45 is further configured to detect the sleep stage of user 50 based on the output of the EOG channel of EOG device 90.

[0063] In some examples, the output of the EEG channel, and EOG channels are input into one or more respective neural-network based models trained on EEG and EOG data to differentiate sleep stages. One illustrative example of such a neural-network based model is the U-sleep neural network.

[0064] In some examples, control unit 30 dispenses the predetermined amount of odorous material, responsive to detection of a bruxism event, is further based at least in part on the detected sleep stage of user 50. In some examples, control unit 30 dispenses the predetermined amount of odorous material, responsive to detection of a bruxism event, only when user 50 is in an NREM sleep stage.

[0065] In some examples, control unit 30 does not dispenses the predetermined amount of odorous material, responsive to detection of a bruxism event, when user 50 is stages 1 or 2 of NREM sleep

[0066] It has been discovered by the inventors that performing such a method, as described above, can aid in the reduction of future bruxism events. Particularly, in some examples, using sleep bruxism reduction system 1, and / or the above described method, results in inhibition of sleep bruxism. In some examples, using sleep bruxism reduction system 1, and / or the above described method, results in the reduction of the number of sleep bruxism events. In some examples, these outcomes are achieved after a single night of use of sleep bruxism reduction system 1 and / or the above described method. In some examples, these outcomes are achieved after multiple nights of use of sleep bruxism reduction system 1 and / or the above described method.

[0067] FIG. 3 illustrates a graph showing results of a preliminary study performed with examples of the above described method, where the x-axis shows the subject number and the y-axis shows the mean change in the bruxism index, wherein the bruxism index is defined as the number of detected bruxism events per night / number of hours per night. The study included 17 participants, including 7 in the control group and 10 participants receiving the above described stimulation with rotten fish odor, denoted RF in the legend. In accordance with acceptable guidelines, detection of a sleep bruxism event was defined in relation to the MVC of the user measured before sleep. During the night, if the EMG values described above weregreater than about 5% of the measured MVC, and there was a 20% increase in the heart rate of the user in the second preceding the spike in the EMG signal, this was classified as a bruxism event.

[0068] The change in the bruxism index (BI change) was defined as:BI change = (BI_follow_up - BI_baseline) / BI_baseline EQ. 1 where BI_follow_up is the average bruxism index after the application of the above described method over 3 nights and BI_baseline is the average bruxism index for 3 nights before the application of the above described method. Valid nights for the study were defined as nights that included at least four hours of actual sleep as detected using the EEG and EOG channels.Some Examples of the Disclosed Technology

[0069] Some examples of above-described implementations are enumerated below. It should be noted that one feature of an example in isolation or more than one feature of the example taken in combination and, optionally, in combination with one or more features of one or more examples below are examples also falling within the disclosure of this application.

[0070] Example 1. A sleep bruxism reduction system comprising: a bruxism detection apparatus configured to detect sleep bruxism in a user; an odor dispensing device; and a control unit, wherein the control is unit is configured, responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in the user by the bruxism detection apparatus, to control the odor dispensing device to dispense a predetermined amount of odorous material.

[0071] Example 2. The system of any example herein, particularly example 1, wherein the odor is an unpleasant odor.

[0072] Example 3. The system of any example herein, particularly example 1 or 2, wherein the odor simulates the smell of rotten fish.

[0073] Example 4. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 1 - 3, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 10 - 20 seconds.

[0074] Example 5. The system of any example herein, particularly example 4, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 15 - 17 seconds.

[0075] Example 6. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 1- 5, wherein the bruxism detection apparatus comprises an electromyography (EMG) device, the detection of sleep bruxism based at least in part on an output of the EMG device.

[0076] Example 7. The system of any example herein, particularly example 6, wherein the bruxism detection apparatus further comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) device, the detection of sleep bruxism further based at least in part on an output of the ECG device.

[0077] Example 8. The system of any example herein, particularly example 7, wherein the detection of sleep bruxism is based at least in part on the output of the ECG device indicating an increase in a heart rate of the user.

[0078] Example 9. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 1- 8, further comprising a sleep stage detection apparatus configured to detect sleep stages of the user, wherein the control of the odor dispensing device to dispense the predetermined amount of odorous material is based at least in part on the detected sleep stage of the user.

[0079] Example 10. The system of any example herein, particularly example 9, wherein the sleep stage detection apparatus comprises an electroencephalogram (EEG) device.

[0080] Example 11. The system of any example herein, particularly example 9 or 10, wherein the sleep stage detection apparatus comprises an electrooculography (EOG) device.

[0081] Example 12. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 9 - 11, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is dispensed only responsive to the detection of the user being in a non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stage.

[0082] Example 13. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 9 - 12, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is not dispensed responsive to the detection of the user being in stages 1 or 2 of NREM sleep.

[0083] Example 14. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 1 - 13, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises inhibiting sleep bruxism.

[0084] Example 15. The system of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 1 - 14, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises reducing the events of sleep bruxism.

[0085] Example 16. A sleep bruxism reduction method, the method comprising: detecting sleep bruxism in a user; responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in the user, dispensing a predetermined amount of odorous material.

[0086] Example 17. The method of any example herein, particularly example 16, wherein the odor is an unpleasant odor.

[0087] Example 18. The method of any example herein, particularly example 16 or 17, wherein the odor simulates the smell of rotten fish.

[0088] Example 19. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 16 - 18, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 10 - 20 seconds.

[0089] Example 20. The method of any example herein, particularly example 19, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 15 - 17 seconds.

[0090] Example 21. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 16 - 20, wherein the detection of sleep bruxism based at least in part on an output of an electromyography (EMG) device.

[0091] Example 22. The method of any example herein, particularly example 21, wherein the detection of sleep bruxism is further based at least in part on an output of an electrocardiogram (ECG) device.

[0092] Example 23. The method of any example herein, particularly example 22, wherein the detection of sleep bruxism is based at least in part on the output of the ECG device indicating an increase in a heart rate of the user.

[0093] Example 24. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 16 - 23, further comprising detecting sleep stages of the user, wherein the dispensing the predetermined amount of odorous material is based at least in part on the detected sleep stage of the user.

[0094] Example 25. The method of any example herein, particularly example 24, wherein the detection of the sleep is based at least in part on the output of an electroencephalogram (EEG) device.

[0095] Example 26. The method of any example herein, particularly example 22 or 23, wherein the detection of the sleep is based at least in part on the output of an electrooculography (EOG) device.

[0096] Example 27. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 22 - 24, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is dispensed only responsive to the detection of the user being in a non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stage.

[0097] Example 28. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 22 - 25, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is not dispensed responsive to the detection of the user being in stages 1 or 2 of NREM sleep.

[0098] Example 29. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 16 - 28, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises inhibiting sleep bruxism.

[0099] Example 30. The method of any example herein, particularly any one of examples 16 - 29, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises reducing the events of sleep bruxism.

[0100] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0101] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.

[0102] All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0103] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sleep bruxism reduction system comprising: a bruxism detection apparatus configured to detect sleep bruxism in a user; an odor dispensing device; and a control unit, wherein the control is unit is configured, responsive to the detection of a sleep bruxism event in the user by the bruxism detection apparatus, to control the odor dispensing device to dispense a predetermined amount of odorous material, thereby reducing sleep bruxism in the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the odor is an unpleasant odor.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the odor simulates the smell of rotten fish.

4. The system of any one of claims 1 - 3, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 10 - 20 seconds.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is selected such that the odor lingers in the ambient air for 15 - 17 seconds.

6. The system of any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the bruxism detection apparatus comprises an electromyography (EMG) device, the detection of sleep bruxism based at least in part on an output of the EMG device.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the bruxism detection apparatus further comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) device, the detection of sleep bruxism further based at least in part on an output of the ECG device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the detection of sleep bruxism is based at least in part on the output of the ECG device indicating an increase in a heart rate of the user.

9. The system of any one of claims 1 - 8, further comprising a sleep stage detection apparatus configured to detect sleep stages of the user, wherein the control of the odor dispensing device to dispense the predetermined amount of odorous material is based at least in part on the detected sleep stage of the user.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the sleep stage detection apparatus comprises an electroencephalogram (EEG) device.

11. The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the sleep stage detection apparatus comprises an electrooculography (EOG) device.

12. The system of any one of claims 9 - 11, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is dispensed only responsive to the detection of the user being in a non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stage.

13. The system of any one of claims 9 - 12, wherein the predetermined amount of odor is not dispensed responsive to the detection of the user being in stages 1 or 2 of NREM sleep.

14. The system of any one of claims 1 - 13, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises inhibiting sleep bruxism.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 - 14, wherein the reducing sleep bruxism comprises reducing the events of sleep bruxism.

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