A swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles

Abstract

The present invention proposes a swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles, and relates to the technical field of swallowing disorder rehabilitation devices. The swallowing rehabilitation device includes a mandibular support, a neck support, a main control system and a control panel, and auxiliary accessories, wherein the mandibular support and the neck support are made of memory alloy, connected by a damping shaft to form the main body of the device, and the outside of the main body is a medical filler, the main control system and the control panel include a monitoring system, a pressure regulating module, a temperature regulating module, an alarm module, a massage system and a mobile terminal, which can monitor and adjust in real time according to the pressure in the airbag, the degree of muscle tension, and the temperature sensor, and give feedback when abnormal conditions occur and give an alarm prompt, which can achieve close contact with the skin, massage the mandibular and cervical muscles, and dual cold and hot stimulation, avoiding the risk of oral mucosal damage and reflux of gastric acid and digestive fluid caused by excessive stimulation of the pharynx, so that patients can receive safe and effective rehabilitation treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of dysphagia rehabilitation devices, and in particular to a dysphagia rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of mandibular and neck muscles. Background Art

[0002] Swallowing disorder, also known as dysphagia or difficulty swallowing, refers to the obstruction of food from the mouth to the stomach. It will not only affect the patient's food intake and nutrient absorption, but also may cause food or liquid to enter the trachea and lungs by mistake, increasing the risk of pneumonia and respiratory infections in patients. In severe cases, it may be life-threatening. At present, rehabilitation training is the main measure for the treatment of dysphagia. Generally, cold stimulation or needle stimulation is used, both of which have a relieving effect. Although needle stimulation can quickly improve the damaged area, it may cause patients to become dependent on it. Once the treatment is interrupted, the disorder will rebound, often accompanied by pain, discomfort, and even infection, and the doctor's operating techniques are more stringent. In contrast, cold stimulation has better efficacy. It is not only simple to operate, but also reduces the tension of the oral muscles, helps relax the muscles, and improves their flexibility. At present, people have conducted a lot of exploration in the development of rehabilitation devices for the treatment of dysphagia based on the stimulation of the pharyngeal muscles:

[0003] Patent CN202222856901.3 discloses an adjustable ice stimulation stick for dysphagia, including: a handle, an adjustment rod, a metal lining, a drawstring slot, a connecting part, an adjustment drawstring, an adjustment groove wheel, an adjustment ratchet, a control grip, a torsion spring, a reset button, and an ice stimulation head. The treatment stick has a novel structure, and the bending angle can be adjusted according to the patient's needs when performing ice stimulation in the oral cavity, and has the advantages of accurate positioning and convenient operation. However, the stimulation form of the ice stimulation stick is relatively single.

[0004] Patent CN202321605246.2 discloses an individualized swallowing sensation therapeutic device, including: a container for storing flavor liquid, a temperature regulating device, a supply device connected to the container, a spray device containing an insertion portion and a remote control handle, and a control device, wherein the insertion portion has a nozzle and a vibration module. The device can be used in cold stimulation therapy, which can greatly reduce damage to the patient's oral mucosa or aspiration. However, the end of the therapeutic device is relatively small, and can only perform cold stimulation. The functionality is relatively simple, and the efficiency of treating patients with swallowing disorders is low.

[0005] In addition, current swallowing therapy equipment can only provide cold stimulation in the oral cavity. If the stimulation is slightly longer or deeper, it will cause the patient's pharyngeal muscles to contract and reflex vomiting reaction, causing the patient to terminate treatment and fail to achieve the effect of rehabilitation treatment. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the problems existing in the prior art in treating dysphagia, the purpose of the present invention is to provide patients with a swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles, avoiding the discomfort caused by stimulation in the oral cavity, and achieving dual stimulation of massage and hot and cold on the lesion site, thereby improving the patient's swallowing function. In order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0007] A swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles includes a mandibular support, a neck support, a main control system and a control panel, and auxiliary accessories; the mandibular support and the neck support are made of memory alloy, and the two are connected to form a device body through a damping shaft, and the outside of the memory alloy is a medical filler; the medical filler fixes the stimulation tube and the air vent; the main control system and the control panel include a monitoring system, a pressure regulating module, a temperature regulating module, an alarm module, a massage system and a mobile terminal; the stimulation tube has three chambers, namely, an inflation chamber, a warm water chamber, and a cold water chamber, wherein the inflation chamber is connected to an air bag, and there is an air valve on the head to transport gas and blow up the air bag, and the other two chambers are separated by the air bag to effectively isolate the cold water chamber and the warm water chamber heat transfer; the cold water chamber and the warm water chamber are both connected to the refrigeration bag and the heating bag, and physiological saline is circulated and transported by a micro water pump. The warm water chamber is used to transport hot physiological saline, and the cold water chamber is used to transport cold physiological saline; a number of massage heads are fixed to the airbag by embedded means. The embedded method can reserve massage head holes when designing the airbag. The massage heads can be directly embedded into these holes and fixed by specific fixing structures (such as screws and buckles). The massage heads can also be designed as an integrated part of the airbag. This embedded method can achieve a perfect combination of the massage head and the airbag, and improve the comfort and effect of the massage; but no massage head is set at the airbag at the trachea and artery in the neck to avoid the risk of damaging the trachea and artery.

[0008] Furthermore, the mandibular support and the cervical support main body support are memory alloys, and the types of memory alloys include but are not limited to a combination of two or more metals such as copper, zinc, gold, cadmium, nickel, aluminum, and titanium. The phase change temperature of the memory alloy is 36-45°C, which is lower than the phase change temperature. The shape of the memory alloy is U-shaped. When the heating capsule reaches the phase change temperature or above, the shape of the memory alloy is O-shaped. As the temperature changes, the two shapes can be converted to each other. Once started, the device first enters a preheating state, and the physiological saline in the heating capsule quickly rises to about 37°C. The memory alloy senses the phase change temperature and changes from U-shaped to O-shaped. After use, turn off the hot and cold stimulation buttons and the massage button, and the device will immediately enter a rapid cooling state. The cold physiological saline in the refrigeration capsule enters the heating capsule, reaches the phase change temperature of the memory alloy, and changes from O-shaped to U-shaped, which can achieve the effect of easy wearing and taking off and firmly fitting the skin; the outside of the memory alloy is a medical filler, and the material of the medical filler includes but is not limited to medical silicone rubber, polyurethane, and polyethylene.

[0009] Furthermore, the temperature regulating module regulates the temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration bag and the heating bag. The refrigeration bag and the heating bag are separated by a vacuum barrier, and both have temperature probes, water outlets and water inlets. The water outlets and water inlets are connected to the two ends of the cold water chamber and the warm water chamber. When the temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration bag is higher than 10°C, the refrigeration mode is automatically started to maintain the low temperature of the saline solution, and the temperature of the saline solution in the heating bag is maintained at 40-45°C. When the temperature is lower than 40°C, the heating mode is automatically started, and the heating wire starts to heat and transfer heat to the saline solution to maintain its set temperature. The lowest temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration mode is 4°C, and the highest temperature of the saline solution in the heating mode is 45°C. Under the action of the micro water pump, the refrigeration bag and the heating bag circulate and transport cold and hot saline solutions, which not only reduces the burden of medical staff in replacing saline solutions, but also effectively prevents the mixing of cold and hot water, meeting the needs of the device for cold and hot stimulation.

[0010] Furthermore, the temperature regulating module has a rapid cooling function. The physiological saline in the refrigeration bag and the heating bag is quickly mixed through a mixing valve under the action of a micro water pump to reduce the temperature in the heating bag and realize the change of the memory alloy from O-type to U-type.

[0011] Furthermore, the pressure regulating module monitors the pressure of the air bag in the stimulation tube of the swallowing rehabilitation device in real time through the pressure sensor, and automatically adjusts the fit with the skin.

[0012] Furthermore, the stimulation tube penetrates the entire surface of the medical filler, and penetrates most tightly at the trachea and artery in the neck, thereby enhancing the cold and hot stimulation to make up for the defect that massage stimulation cannot be performed there because there is no massage head to avoid damaging the neck artery and trachea.

[0013] Furthermore, the alarm module will automatically collect information from the temperature regulation module, the pressure regulation module and the massage system, and when any abnormality is found in comparison with the information in the healthy state, it will immediately send an alarm signal to the mobile terminal and stop the device, in order to avoid damage to the skin caused by overcooling or overheating of the saline solution or excessive massage force.

[0014] Furthermore, the massage system uses AI algorithm technology to analyze and identify the contours of the neck and jaw and the degree of muscle tension, and adjust the working strength of the massage head. The AI ​​algorithm technology captures and integrates the patient's physical reactions and various data during the massage process, such as muscle tension and skin temperature, in real time by integrating multiple sensors (such as pressure sensors and temperature sensors), dynamically adjusts the massage strategy and strength, improves the accuracy and comfort of the massage, and ensures maximum treatment effect.

[0015] Furthermore, the auxiliary accessories are located at both ends of the swallowing rehabilitation device, and their form is not limited to a combination of one or more structures such as Velcro, elastic bandages, hook adjustment buckles, and magnetic suction. When worn, the device can be adjusted to an appropriate size according to the patient's neck circumference, fit the neck stably, is suitable for a wide range of people, and also helps to improve the patient's wearing comfort.

[0016] Furthermore, the chin rest and the neck rest are connected as a whole via a damping shaft. With the cooperation of the damping shaft, the chin rest can not only stably support and fit the chin tightly, but also can perform opening and closing movements smoothly and stably.

[0017] Furthermore, the component structural gasket of the damping shaft has increased its wear resistance during use after certain treatment. The treatment method may be to add one or more elements such as carbon, molybdenum, and chromium to the metal material in a ratio of 0.6% to 20% to form a hard phase to increase the hardness of the gasket; or the metal material may be subjected to a heat treatment process such as solution treatment, precipitation treatment, quenching treatment, isothermal treatment, or the metal material may be surface modified by spraying, nitriding, and carburizing to form a coating with better hardness and wear resistance on its surface. The treatment method for improving the wear resistance of the gasket is not limited to a combination of one or more of the above methods. After the wear-resistant treatment of the gasket, the service life of the damping shaft is extended, thereby extending the life of the device.

[0018] Furthermore, the temperature regulating module, the pressure regulating module, the alarm module and the mobile terminal together constitute a monitoring system and a massage system, and the monitoring system and the massage system are regulated by the main control system and the control panel at the same time.

[0019] The beneficial effects brought by the technical solution provided by the present invention are as follows:

[0020] The swallowing rehabilitation device provided by the present invention maintains the temperature of cold / hot stimulation, delivers circulating saline, provides a stable temperature medium, and uses the massage head to massage the contact muscle groups to relax the mandibular and neck muscles. The dual stimulation enhances the effect of treating swallowing disorders.

[0021] It can stimulate the mandible and neck outside the pharynx, which not only avoids excessive stimulation of the pharynx that may cause gastric acid and digestive fluid to reflux into the esophagus, causing discomfort and pain, but also does not cause damage to the oral mucosa, allowing patients to receive safe and effective rehabilitation treatment while improving comfort.

[0022] The rehabilitation device provided by the present invention has the characteristics of comfortable and stable support, lightness and simple operation. The memory alloy is used according to the plasticity of the neck curve to better adapt to the patient's neck shape, so that the swallowing rehabilitation device can fit the skin while maintaining stable support force; the setting of the air holes reduces the weight of the device; the physiological saline used for cold / hot stimulation can be recycled. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. It should be understood that the following drawings only show certain embodiments of the present invention and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For ordinary technicians in this field, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0024] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a swallowing rehabilitation device proposed by the present invention;

[0025] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the swallowing rehabilitation device proposed by the present invention;

[0026] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the damping shaft at the connection between the mandibular support and the cervical support;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the stimulation tube;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the stimulation tube;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of medical fillers from the outside to the inside;

[0030] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of signal transmission.

[0031] Figure markings: 1-mandibular rest; 2-neck rest; 3-auxiliary accessories; 4-ventilation hole; 5-air bag; 6-main control system and control panel; 7-stimulation tube; 8-cold water chamber; 9-warm water chamber; 10-inflatable chamber; 11-air valve; 12-refrigeration bag; 13-heating bag; 14-massage head; 15-micro water pump; 16-vacuum barrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to be protected, but merely represents the selected embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, they all belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1-Figure 7As shown, a swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles disclosed in the present invention comprises a mandibular support 1, a cervical support 2, a main control system and a control panel 6, and auxiliary accessories 3. The auxiliary accessory 3 is in the form of Velcro, and the mandibular support 1 and the neck support 2 are made of memory alloy, which are connected as a whole through a damping shaft to form the main body of the device, and the memory alloy has medical fillers on the outside; the medical fillers fix the stimulation tube 7 and the air vent 4; the stimulation tube 7 has three chambers, namely the inflation chamber 10, the warm water chamber 9, and the cold water chamber 8, wherein the inflation chamber 10 is connected to the airbag 5 in the middle, and has an air valve 11 at the top to transport gas and blow up the airbag 5, and the other two chambers are separated by the airbag 5, and are respectively connected to the water inlet and outlet of the refrigeration bag 12 and the heating bag 13, and are respectively transported with cold / hot saline under the action of the micro water pump 15, and there is a vacuum interlayer 16 between the refrigeration bag 12 and the heating bag 13 to prevent heat transfer between the two bags; the massage head 14 is fixed by an embedded method at the airbag 5, but the massage head 14 is not set in the airbag 5 at the trachea and artery of the neck to avoid the risk of damaging the trachea and artery. The main control system and control panel 6 include a monitoring system, a pressure regulating module, a temperature regulating module, an alarm module, a massage system and a mobile terminal.

[0034] When using the swallowing rehabilitation device of the present invention, first add appropriate amount of physiological saline to the cooling bag 12 and the heating bag 13 respectively, use the pusher to inflate the inflation cavity 10 of the stimulation tube 7 at the air valve 11 until the air bag 5 has a certain bulge, wear it on the neck, bring the fur and thorny surfaces of the Velcro close together and press, fold the mandibular support 1 upward to fit the mandible. Turn on the switch button of the main control system and the control panel 6, the device first enters the preheating state, the physiological saline in the heating bag quickly rises to about 37°C, the memory alloy senses the phase change temperature from U-type to O-type, and then adjusts the Velcro according to the neck circumference and comfort; at the same time, the pressure sensor automatically adjusts the pressure of the air bag 5, and the pressure sensor senses the pressure change in the air bag 5 in real time to ensure the best effect of fitting with the skin. Then, press the hot and cold stimulation buttons and massage buttons on the main control system and the control panel 6, and the massage head in the airbag 5 starts working. At the same time, the refrigeration function is started, the temperature of the saline in the refrigeration bag 12 drops to 4°C, and the micro-water pump 15 transports the low-temperature saline to the cold water chamber 8 of the stimulation tube 7 to perform cold stimulation on the neck and mandible. After 5 minutes, the refrigeration function stops and the heating function is started. The temperature of the saline in the heating bag 13 is generated to 45°C, and the micro-water pump 15 transports the hot saline to the warm water chamber 9 of the stimulation tube 7 to perform heat stimulation on the neck and mandible. The hot and cold stimulation cycle is carried out. At the same time, the monitoring system monitors the pressure in the airbag 5, the temperature of the heating bag 13 and the refrigeration bag 12 in real time. Once the pressure in the airbag 5 exceeds 30cmH2O or the temperature of the refrigeration bag 12 is lower than 0℃ or the temperature of the heating bag 13 exceeds 50℃, the alarm module immediately sends an alarm signal to the mobile terminal and stops the device. After the device is closed, the device will immediately enter the rapid cooling state, and the cold saline in the refrigeration bag 12 will enter the heating bag 13, reaching the phase transition temperature of the memory alloy, and the memory alloy will immediately change from O-type to U-type. When the treatment is over, turn off the hot and cold stimulation button and the massage button, the device will also immediately enter the rapid cooling state, reach the phase transition temperature of the memory alloy, change from O-type to U-type, separate the fur and thorny surfaces of the Velcro, and take off the swallowing rehabilitation device.

Claims

1. A swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles, characterized in that: The swallowing rehabilitation device includes a mandibular support, a neck support, a main control system and a control panel, and auxiliary accessories; The mandibular support and the neck support are made of memory alloy, and the two are connected by a damping shaft to form the main body of the device. The memory alloy is externally filled with medical fillers; the medical fillers fix the stimulation tube and the air holes, and from the outside to the inside of the skin contact surface, they are the stimulation tube, the cooling bag, the vacuum layer and the heating bag; The main control system and control panel include a monitoring system, a pressure regulating module, a temperature regulating module, an alarm module, a massage system and a mobile terminal; The stimulation tube has three chambers, namely, an inflation chamber, a warm water chamber, and a cold water chamber, wherein the inflation chamber is connected to an airbag in the middle, and there is an air valve at the head to transport gas and blow up the airbag. The other two chambers are separated by the airbag and are both used to transport saline solution. The warm water chamber is used to transport hot saline solution, and the cold water chamber is used to transport cold saline solution. Several massage heads are fixed at the airbag through embedded means. The embedded method can reserve holes for massage heads when designing the airbag, or the massage heads can be integrated with a part of the airbag. However, no massage heads are set at the airbags at the trachea and arteries in the neck to avoid the risk of damaging the trachea and arteries.

2. A swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main support of the mandibular support and the cervical support is made of memory alloy. The types of memory alloy include but are not limited to a combination of two or more metals such as copper, zinc, gold, cadmium, nickel, aluminum, and titanium. The phase change temperature of the memory alloy is 36-45°C. Below the phase change temperature, the shape of the memory alloy is U-shaped. When the heating capsule at the memory alloy contact point is raised to above the phase change temperature, the shape of the memory alloy is O-shaped. As the temperature changes, the two shapes can be converted into each other. The outside of the memory alloy is a medical filler. The material of the medical filler includes but is not limited to medical silicone rubber, polyurethane, and polyethylene.

3. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature regulating module can adjust the temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration bag and the heating bag, and has a rapid cooling function. This function is achieved by installing a mixing valve between the refrigeration bag and the heating bag. The refrigeration bag and the heating bag are isolated by a vacuum barrier, and temperature probes, water outlets and water inlets are arranged inside. The water outlets and water inlets are connected to the two ends of the cold water chamber and the warm water chamber. The temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration bag is maintained at 0-10°C. When the temperature is higher than 10°C, the refrigeration mode is automatically started to maintain the low temperature of the saline solution. The temperature of the saline solution in the heating bag is maintained at 40-45°C. When the temperature is lower than 40°C, the heating mode is automatically started, and the heating wire starts to heat and transfer heat to the saline solution to maintain its set temperature. The lowest temperature of the saline solution in the refrigeration mode is 4°C, and the highest temperature of the saline solution in the heating mode is 45°C.

4. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure regulating module monitors the pressure of the air bag in the stimulation tube of the swallowing rehabilitation device in real time through the pressure sensor, and automatically adjusts the fit with the skin.

5. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stimulation tube penetrates the entire surface of the medical filler, and penetrates most tightly at the trachea and artery in the neck to enhance the effects of cold and heat stimulation.

6. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The alarm module automatically collects information from the temperature regulating module, the pressure regulating module and the massage system, and upon comparing the information with the information in the healthy state and finding any abnormality, immediately sends an alarm signal to the mobile terminal and stops the device.

7. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The massage system uses AI algorithm technology to analyze and identify the contours of the neck and jaw and the degree of muscle tension, and adjusts the working strength of the massage head.

8. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The auxiliary accessories are located at both ends of the swallowing rehabilitation device, and their form is not limited to a combination of one or more structures such as Velcro, elastic bandage, hook adjustment buckle, and magnetic attraction.

9. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mandibular support and the cervical support are connected as a whole through a damping shaft. The structural gasket of the damping shaft has been subjected to certain treatment to increase its wear resistance. The treatment method may be to add one or more elements such as carbon, molybdenum, and chromium to the metal material in a ratio of 0.6% to 20% to form a hard phase to increase the hardness of the gasket; or the metal material may be subjected to a heat treatment process such as solution treatment, precipitation treatment, quenching treatment, isothermal treatment, or the metal material may be subjected to surface modification by spraying, nitriding, and carburizing to form a coating with better hardness and wear resistance on its surface. The treatment method for improving the wear resistance of the gasket is not limited to a combination of one or more of the above methods.

10. The swallowing rehabilitation device based on dual stimulation of the mandibular and cervical muscles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature regulating module, the pressure regulating module, the alarm module and the mobile terminal together constitute a monitoring system and a massage system, and the monitoring system and the massage system are regulated by the main control system and the control panel at the same time.

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