A swallowing training aid

Abstract

The application discloses a swallowing training auxiliary device, which comprises a connecting piece, oral cavity air bags, cheek air bags, a gas filling and discharging device and a communication valve; the oral cavity air bags are arranged in the oral cavity of a human body; the cheek air bags are two in number and are connected to the connecting piece after being communicated with each other at the end portions close to the connecting piece; the two cheek air bags are arranged in the two sides of the cheeks; the gas filling and discharging device is connected to the connecting piece and is used for inflating and discharging the air of the cheek air bags and the oral cavity air bags; the communication valve is arranged on the connecting piece and is used for controlling the on-off of the communication between the gas filling and discharging device and the oral cavity air bags, the communication between the gas filling and discharging device and the cheek air bags and the communication between the oral cavity air bags and the cheek air bags, so that the oral cavity air bags and the gas filling and discharging device, or the cheek air bags and the gas filling and discharging device, or the oral cavity air bags and the cheek air bags are in the communicated state. The swallowing training auxiliary device can be used for the mouth opening movement and the cheek puffing movement and can make the mouth opening movement and the cheek puffing movement be alternately performed in linkage, so that the training effect is improved and the recovery time is shortened.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to training devices, and more specifically to a swallowing training aid device. Background Technology

[0002] Dysphagia refers to structural and / or functional impairment of organs such as the jaw, lips, tongue, soft palate, pharynx, and esophagus caused by various factors such as disease and aging, resulting in the inability to safely and effectively move food from the mouth to the stomach. If left untreated, it can lead to complications such as aspiration, aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration, and may even worsen the disease's outcome, increasing mortality and disability rates. The normal swallowing process is functionally divided into the cognitive phase, oral preparation phase, oral phase, pharyngeal phase, and esophageal phase. When dysphagia occurs, timely screening and assessment should be conducted to determine the stage of the dysphagia and provide targeted rehabilitation training.

[0003] Swallowing function training is a complex process that requires normal sensory abilities, proper muscle coordination, and some brain control. Commonly used methods include: facial muscle and lip movements; tongue movements; swallowing reflex training; and dry swallowing training.

[0004] Facial and lip muscle training mainly consists of mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises. However, existing mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises are very simple in structure and can only be performed individually, which increases the number of rehabilitation steps and prolongs the rehabilitation time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a swallowing training aid device that can be used for mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, and can make mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises alternately, thereby improving the training effect and shortening the rehabilitation time.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a swallowing training aid device, comprising:

[0007] Connectors;

[0008] An oral airbag, connected to the connector, is used to be placed inside the human oral cavity;

[0009] There are two cheek airbags, which are symmetrically located on the left and right sides of the oral cavity airbag. The ends of the two cheek airbags near the connector are connected to each other and then connected to the connector. The two cheek airbags are used to be placed in the cheeks on both sides.

[0010] An inflation / de-inflation device, connected to the connector, is used to inflate and de-inflate the cheek airbag and the oral airbag; and

[0011] A connecting valve is provided on the connector to control the connection and disconnection between the inflation / depression device and the oral cavity airbag, between the inflation / depression device and the cheek airbag, and between the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag, so that the oral cavity airbag and the inflation / depression device, or the cheek airbag and the inflation / depression device, or the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag are in a connected state.

[0012] Furthermore, the connecting valve includes a valve body and an adjusting assembly. The valve body has a hollow component with three first vent holes, and the three first vent holes are arranged sequentially at 90° circumferentially with the central axis of the valve body as the center.

[0013] The connector is a hollow component. The valve body is rotatably disposed inside the connector, and the outer wall of the valve body is rotatably and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the connector. The connector has three second vent holes, and the three second vent holes correspond one-to-one with the three first vent holes and are connected. The oral cavity airbag, the inflation and deflation device, and the air nozzle of the cheek airbag are respectively connected to the three second vent holes through air tubes.

[0014] The adjustment component is disposed on the valve body and is used to adjust the connection and disconnection between the three first vent holes of the valve body and the three second vent holes of the connector, so that the oral airbag is in communication with the inflation and deflation device, or the cheek airbag is in communication with the inflation and deflation device, or the oral airbag is in communication with the cheek airbag.

[0015] Furthermore, the adjusting assembly includes a rotating rod disposed on the valve body and rotatably extending through the connector, and the rotating rod is provided with a handle.

[0016] Furthermore, the connecting valve also includes an indicating component. The top of the connector is respectively marked with a first mark and a second mark at the inlet positions of the oral airbag and the cheek airbag. The indicating component includes a pointer and a driver. The driver is mounted on the rotating rod. The pointer is connected to the driver. The driver can drive the pointer to rotate so that the pointer is aligned with the first mark and the second mark, respectively. At this time, the first air vent and the second air vent corresponding to the cheek airbag and the oral airbag are in a connected state.

[0017] Furthermore, the indicator component also includes a third identifier, which is disposed on the top of the connector and corresponds to the first identifier. When the pointer is aligned with the third identifier, the cheek airbag and the oral airbag are in a connected state.

[0018] Furthermore, the driver includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The driving wheel is sleeved on the rotating rod, and the driven wheel is rotatably disposed on the top of the connector and meshes with the driving wheel. The pointer is laterally disposed on the side wall of the driven wheel and extends radially along the driven wheel.

[0019] Furthermore, the connecting valve also includes a locking member, which is threadedly connected to the side wall of the connecting member. When the locking member is rotated, it extends into the connecting member and abuts against the rotating rod.

[0020] Furthermore, the inflation / deflation device includes an air cylinder, a piston, and a push rod. The air cylinder is connected to one of the first vent holes. The piston is slidably and sealed inside the air cylinder along the main shaft of the air cylinder. The push rod is connected to the piston and extends slidably from the tail end of the air cylinder.

[0021] Furthermore, the inflation / deflation device also includes a reset elastic element, which is disposed between the piston and the tail end of the air cylinder and can push the piston to move towards the front end of the air cylinder.

[0022] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0023] In the initial stages of training with the aforementioned swallowing training aid, when the patient needs to perform passive training, they hold the connector, insert the oral airbag into the mouth, and place the two cheek airbags on both cheeks respectively. Then, by adjusting the connecting valve, the air inlets of the cheek airbags are opened.

[0024] When the valve is closed, the oral airbag is connected to the inflation / deflation device. Then, the inflation / deflation device inflates or deflates the oral airbag, which passively opens and closes the mouth, allowing for oral movements. Similarly, by adjusting the connecting valve, the air inlet of the oral airbag is closed, connecting the cheek airbag to the inflation / deflation device. Then, the inflation / deflation device inflates or deflates the cheek airbag, which passively allows for cheek puffing movements. As training progresses...

[0025] When the patient's mouth and cheeks can perform some active movements in the later stages, a certain amount of gas is first inflated into the oral cavity air bladder. Then, the air inlet of the inflation / extraction device is closed through the connecting valve, so that the oral cavity air bladder and the cheek air bladder are in a connected state. When the mouth is closed, the gas in the oral cavity air bladder is forced into the cheek air bladder, which allows for cheek puffing. When the mouth is opened and the cheeks are closed, the gas in the cheek air bladder is forced into the oral cavity air bladder, which allows for mouth opening training. This achieves the goal of simultaneous mouth opening training and cheek puffing training, thereby improving the training effect and shortening the rehabilitation time.

[0026] This swallowing training aid is suitable for individuals with swallowing dysfunction during the oral preparation and oral phases. It can be used for mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, allowing for both individual mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, or simultaneous and coordinated exercises. Furthermore, it can be used for both passive and active training, achieving multiple uses, improving training effectiveness, and shortening rehabilitation time. It effectively strengthens the muscles of the lips and cheeks, thereby improving swallowing training results and reducing rehabilitation time. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the specific embodiments will be briefly described below. In all the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a swallowing training aid device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a swallowing training aid in which the inflation / deflation device and the oral cavity airbag are in communication.

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a swallowing training aid in which the inflation / deflation device and the cheek airbag are in a connected state.

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 1 The diagram shows a swallowing training aid in which the inflation / deflation device is closed and the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag are in communication.

[0032] Figure 5 for Figure 1 The image shown is a cross-sectional view of an air inflation / deflation device in a swallowing training aid.

[0033] Figure label:

[0034] 100. Attachment; 110. Second vent; 120. Marker 1; 130. Marker 2; 140. Marker 3;

[0035] 200. Oral airbag;

[0036] 300. Cheek air sacs;

[0037] 400. Inflation / vacuuming device; 410. Air cylinder; 420. Piston; 430. Push rod; 440. Reset elastic element;

[0038] 500, Connecting valve; 510, Valve body; 511, First vent; 520, Adjusting assembly; 530, Indicating assembly; 531, Pointer; 532, Driver; 5321, Driving wheel; 5322, Driven wheel; 540, Locking element. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The embodiments of the technical solution of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solution of the present invention and are therefore intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] Please see Figures 1 to 5 The present invention provides a swallowing training aid device, including a connector 100, an oral airbag 200, a cheek airbag 300, an inflation / deflation device 400, and a connecting valve 500, which can be used for active and passive training of mouth opening and cheek puffing movements to assist in the rehabilitation of swallowing function.

[0041] The oral airbag 200 is connected to the connector 100 and is used to be placed inside the human oral cavity. In specific implementations, the oral airbag 200 may be made of silicone material.

[0042] There are two cheek airbags 300, which are symmetrically located on the left and right sides of the oral airbag 200, and the ends of the two cheek airbags 300 near the connector 100 are connected to each other and then connected to the connector 100. Similarly, the oral airbag 200 can be made of silicone material.

[0043] An inflation / deflation device 400 is connected to the connector 100 and is used to inflate and deflate the cheek airbag 300 and the oral airbag 200. A connecting valve 500 is provided on the connector 100 and is used to control the connection and disconnection between the inflation / deflation device 400 and the oral airbag 200, between the inflation / deflation device 400 and the cheek airbag 300, and between the oral airbag 200 and the cheek airbag 300, thereby ensuring that the oral airbag 200 is in a connected state with the inflation / deflation device 400, or the cheek airbag 300 is in a connected state with the inflation / deflation device 400, or the oral airbag 200 is in a connected state with the cheek airbag 300.

[0044] In the initial stage of training, when the patient needs to perform passive training, they hold the connector 100, place the oral airbag 200 into the mouth, and place the two cheek airbags 300 on both cheeks. Then, by adjusting the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the cheek airbag 300 is closed, connecting the oral airbag 200 with the inflation / deflation device 400. Subsequently, the inflation / deflation device 400 inflates or deflates the oral airbag 200, forcing the mouth to open and close, thus performing oral movements. Similarly, by adjusting the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the oral airbag 200 is closed, connecting the cheek airbag 300 with the inflation / deflation device 400. Subsequently, the inflation / deflation device 400 inflates or deflates the cheek airbag 300, thus forcing cheek puffing movements. As training progresses...

[0045] When the patient's mouth and cheeks can perform some active movements in the later stages, a certain amount of gas is first inflated into the oral cavity airbag 200. Then, through the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the inflation / deflation device 400 is closed, keeping the oral cavity airbag 200 and the cheek airbag 300 connected. When the mouth is closed, the gas in the oral cavity airbag 200 is forced into the cheek airbag 300, allowing for cheek puffing. When opening and closing the mouth, the gas in the cheek airbag 300 is forced into the oral cavity airbag 200, allowing for mouth opening training. This achieves the goal of simultaneous mouth opening and cheek puffing training, thereby improving training effectiveness and shortening rehabilitation time.

[0046] This swallowing training aid is suitable for individuals with swallowing dysfunction during the oral preparation and oral phases. It can be used for mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, allowing for both individual mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, or simultaneous and coordinated exercises. Furthermore, it can be used for both passive and active training, achieving multiple uses, improving training effectiveness, and shortening rehabilitation time. It effectively strengthens the muscles of the lips and cheeks, thereby improving swallowing training results and reducing rehabilitation time.

[0047] In this embodiment, the connecting valve 500 includes a valve body 510 and an adjusting assembly 520. The valve body 510 has a hollow component with three first vent holes 511, and the three first vent holes 511 are arranged in a 90° circumferential direction with the central axis of the valve body 510 as the center.

[0048] The connector 100 is a hollow component, and the valve body 510 is rotatably disposed within the connector 100, with the outer wall of the valve body 510 and the inner wall of the connector 100 rotatably and sealingly connected. The connector 100 has three second vent holes 110, which correspond one-to-one with and communicate with three first vent holes 511. The nozzles of the oral cavity airbag 200, the inflation / deflation device 400, and the cheek airbag 300 are respectively connected to the three second vent holes 110 via air tubes.

[0049] The adjustment component 520 is disposed on the valve body 510 and is used to adjust the connection and disconnection between the three first vent holes 511 of the valve body 510 and the three second vent holes 110 of the connector 100, so that the oral cavity airbag 200 is in communication with the inflation and deflation device 400, or the cheek airbag 300 is in communication with the inflation and deflation device 400, or the oral cavity airbag 200 is in communication with the cheek airbag 300.

[0050] In use, the opening and closing status between the three first vent holes 511 and the three second vent holes 110 of the valve body 510 can be adjusted by adjusting component 520, so that the oral cavity airbag 200 is connected to the inflation and depressurization device 400, or the cheek airbag 300 is connected to the inflation and depressurization device 400, or the oral cavity airbag 200 is connected to the cheek airbag 300.

[0051] Specifically, the adjustment assembly 520 includes a rotating rod, which is mounted on the valve body 510 and rotatably extends through the connector 100. The rotating rod is provided with a handle.

[0052] By holding the handle and driving the rotating rod to rotate, the valve body 510 can be rotated, thereby controlling the opening and closing of the three first vent holes 511 and the three second vent holes 110.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting valve 500 further includes an indicating component 530. The top of the connector 100 is respectively provided with a first mark 120 and a second mark 130 at the inlet positions of the oral cavity airbag 200 and the cheek airbag 300. The indicating component 530 includes a pointer 531 and a driver 532. The driver 532 is disposed on a rotating rod. The pointer 531 is connected to the driver 532. The driver 532 can drive the pointer 531 to rotate so that the pointer 531 is aligned with the first mark 120 and the second mark 130 respectively. At this time, the first vent 511 and the second vent 110 corresponding to the cheek airbag 300 and the oral cavity airbag 200 are in a connected state.

[0054] When the rotating rod is rotated, the pointer 531 is driven to rotate simultaneously by the driver 532, so that the pointer 531 indicates the position of the second ventilation hole 110 corresponding to the oral cavity airbag 200 or the cheek airbag 300, indicating that the second ventilation hole 110 and the first ventilation hole 511 are in a corresponding communication state, and the oral cavity airbag 200 or the cheek airbag 300 can be inflated or deflated.

[0055] In a more preferred embodiment, the indicator component 530 also includes a third indicator 140, which is disposed on the top of the connector 100 and corresponds to the first indicator 120. When the pointer 531 is aligned with the third indicator 140, the cheek airbag 300 and the oral airbag 200 are in a connected state. By opening and closing the mouth, the gas can be switched between the cheek airbag 300 and the oral airbag 200, thereby achieving the purpose of training by coordinating opening the mouth and puffing out the cheeks.

[0056] Specifically, the driver 532 includes a driving wheel 5321 and a driven wheel 5322. The driving wheel 5321 is sleeved on the rotating rod, and the driven wheel 5322 is rotatably disposed on the top of the connector 100 and meshes with the driving wheel 5321. The pointer 531 is laterally disposed on the side wall of the driven wheel 5322 and extends radially along the driven wheel 5322.

[0057] When the rotating rod rotates clockwise, it drives the pointer 531 to rotate counterclockwise via the driving wheel 5321 and the driven wheel 5322, thus indicating the direction.

[0058] In a more preferred embodiment, the connecting valve 500 further includes a locking member 540, which is threadedly connected to the side wall of the connecting member 100. Rotating the locking member 540 causes it to extend into the connecting member 100 and abut against the rotating rod. In a specific implementation, the locking member 540 can preferably be a screw. Rotating the screw abuts against the side wall of the rotating rod to prevent accidental rotation of the rotating rod, which would affect the ventilation effect of the connecting valve 500.

[0059] In this embodiment, the inflation / deflation device 400 includes an air cylinder 410, a piston 420, and a push rod 430. The air cylinder 410 communicates with one of the first vent holes 511. The piston 420 is slidably and sealed within the air cylinder 410 along its main shaft. The push rod 430 is connected to the piston 420 and extends slidably from the tail end of the air cylinder 410. By driving the push rod 430, inflation or deflation can be performed.

[0060] Preferably, the inflation / deflation device 400 further includes a reset elastic element 440, which is disposed between the piston 420 and the tail end of the air cylinder 410 and can push the piston 420 to move towards the front end of the air cylinder 410.

[0061] When the hand is released, the piston 420 is driven to move towards the front end of the air cylinder 410 under the action of the reset elastic element 440, and automatically inflates the air cylinder.

[0062] How to use the above-mentioned swallowing training aid:

[0063] In the early stages of training, when the patient needs to perform active training, hold the connector 100, place the oral airbag 200 into the mouth, and place the two cheek airbags 300 on both cheeks. Then, by adjusting the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the cheek airbag 300 is closed, so that the oral airbag 200 is connected to the inflation and deflation device 400. Then, the inflation and deflation device 400 inflates or deflates the oral airbag 200, which can passively open and close the mouth and perform oral movements.

[0064] Similarly, by adjusting the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the oral cavity airbag 200 is closed, and the cheek airbag 300 is connected to the inflation and deflation device 400. Then, the inflation and deflation device 400 inflates or deflates the cheek airbag 300, which allows for passive cheek puffing exercises.

[0065] As training progresses, when the patient's mouth and cheeks can perform some active movements in the later stages, a certain amount of gas is first inflated into the oral cavity airbag 200. Then, through the connecting valve 500, the air inlet of the inflation / deflation device 400 is closed, keeping the oral cavity airbag 200 and the cheek airbag 300 connected. When the mouth is closed, the gas in the oral cavity airbag 200 is forced into the cheek airbag 300, allowing for cheek puffing. When opening and closing the mouth, the gas in the cheek airbag 300 is forced into the oral cavity airbag 200, allowing for mouth opening training. This achieves the goal of simultaneous mouth opening and cheek puffing training, thereby improving training effectiveness and shortening rehabilitation time.

[0066] This swallowing training aid is suitable for individuals with swallowing dysfunction during the oral preparation and oral phases. It can be used for mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, allowing for both individual mouth opening and cheek puffing exercises, or simultaneous and coordinated exercises. Furthermore, it can be used for both passive and active training, achieving multiple uses, improving training effectiveness, and shortening rehabilitation time. It effectively strengthens the muscles of the lips and cheeks, thereby improving swallowing training results and reducing rehabilitation time.

[0067] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of the present invention.

Claims

1. A swallowing training aid, characterized in that, include: Connectors; An oral airbag, connected to the connector, is used to be placed inside the human oral cavity; There are two cheek airbags, which are symmetrically located on the left and right sides of the oral cavity airbag. The ends of the two cheek airbags near the connector are connected to each other and then connected to the connector. The two cheek airbags are used to be placed in the cheeks on both sides. An inflation / de-inflation device, connected to the connector, is used to inflate and de-inflate the cheek airbag and the oral airbag; and A connecting valve is provided on the connector to control the connection and disconnection between the inflation / depression device and the oral cavity airbag, between the inflation / depression device and the cheek airbag, and between the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag, so that the oral cavity airbag and the inflation / depression device, or the cheek airbag and the inflation / depression device, or the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag are in a connected state. The connecting valve includes a valve body and an adjusting assembly. The valve body has a hollow component with three first vent holes, and the three first vent holes are arranged sequentially at 90° circumferentially with the central axis of the valve body as the center. The connector is a hollow component. The valve body is rotatably disposed inside the connector, and the outer wall of the valve body is rotatably and sealingly connected to the inner wall of the connector. The connector has three second vent holes, and the three second vent holes correspond one-to-one with the three first vent holes and are connected. The oral cavity airbag, the inflation and deflation device, and the air nozzle of the cheek airbag are respectively connected to the three second vent holes through air tubes. The adjustment component is disposed on the valve body and is used to adjust the connection and disconnection between the three first vent holes of the valve body and the three second vent holes of the connector, so that the oral airbag is in communication with the inflation and deflation device, or the cheek airbag is in communication with the inflation and deflation device, or the oral airbag is in communication with the cheek airbag.

2. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting assembly includes a rotating rod disposed on the valve body and rotatably extending through the connector, and the rotating rod is provided with a handle.

3. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting valve also includes an indicating component. The top of the connector is respectively marked with a first mark and a second mark at the entrance positions of the oral cavity airbag and the cheek airbag. The indicating component includes a pointer and a driver. The driver is mounted on the rotating rod. The pointer is connected to the driver. The driver can drive the pointer to rotate so that the pointer is aligned with the first mark and the second mark, respectively. At this time, the first air vent and the second air vent corresponding to the cheek airbag and the oral cavity airbag are in a connected state.

4. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The indicator component also includes a third identifier, which is disposed on the top of the connector and corresponds to the first identifier. When the pointer is aligned with the third identifier, the cheek airbag and the oral airbag are in a connected state.

5. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driver includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel. The driving wheel is sleeved on the rotating rod. The driven wheel is rotatably disposed on the top of the connector and meshes with the driving wheel. The pointer is disposed laterally on the side wall of the driven wheel and extends radially along the driven wheel.

6. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The connecting valve also includes a locking element, which is threadedly connected to the side wall of the connecting member. When the locking element is rotated, it extends into the connecting member and abuts against the rotating rod.

7. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inflation / deflation device includes an air cylinder, a piston, and a push rod. The air cylinder is connected to one of the first vent holes. The piston is slidably and sealed inside the air cylinder along the main shaft of the air cylinder. The push rod is connected to the piston and extends slidably from the tail end of the air cylinder.

8. The swallowing training aid device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The inflation / deflation device also includes a reset elastic element, which is disposed between the piston and the tail end of the air cylinder and can push the piston to move towards the front end of the air cylinder.

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