Tongue suction restraint device, tongue suction restraint device manufacturing kit, and method for manufacturing tongue suction restraint device

Abstract

The tongue suction restraint device is provided with: an upper fixing part which can be fixed with respect to the palate of a user when placed in the oral cavity of the user; a ring-shaped contact part that comes into contact with the hard palate of the user when placed in the oral cavity; a recess formed on the inside of the contact part and forming a closed space between the recess and the hard palate in a state where the entire circumference of the contact part is in contact with the hard palate; a suction unit that communicates with the recess and applies negative pressure to the closed space from the outside; and a tongue suction part which is formed at a position facing the tongue of the user when placed in the oral cavity, is provided with a suction hole communicating with the recess, and sucks the tongue by means of negative pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tongue suction restrictor, a manufacturing kit for a tongue suction restrictor, and a method for manufacturing a tongue suction restrictor. Background Art

[0002] The specification of Chinese Patent No. 211796633 discloses a tongue restrictor for radiotherapy. The tongue restrictor has an outer tube and an inner tube, and a bottom plate is welded to the bottom of the outer tube. Suction holes for sucking the tongue are provided at the bottom of the bottom plate. By horizontally moving the outer tube and the inner tube relative to each other, the overall length of the tongue restrictor is adjusted according to the conditions of different patients. In addition, the tongue restrictor has a mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is aligned with the teeth in the oral cavity to stably hold the tongue restrictor in the oral cavity. The tongue is restricted by sucking the tongue by using negative pressure acting through the suction holes. In addition, International Publication No. 2009 / 064914 discloses a tongue lifting device for dealing with sleep apnea. Summary of the Invention Technical Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] In Japan, about 5,000 people are affected by tongue cancer every year. Half of them are in the early stage. There are only a few facilities for brachytherapy for early tongue cancer in Japan, which cannot meet the needs of early tongue cancer. Therefore, the current situation is that surgical resection has become the de facto standard treatment. In the case of surgical resection, the 5-year survival rate of early tongue cancer exceeds 80%. On the other hand, in the case of a large surgical resection range, problems such as speech disorders, a sense of disharmony in the oral cavity, and aesthetic problems in quality of life (QOL) may occur.

[0004] On the other hand, it is known that stereotactic radiotherapy is effective for early lung cancer, and the applicable diseases are gradually expanding. However, stereotactic radiotherapy has not yet reached practical use in the head and neck cancer region. It is considered that early tongue cancer is surrounded by muscles with a high tolerance dose and can well adapt to stereotactic radiotherapy, but since the tongue is easily movable, it is difficult to appropriately restrict the tongue. It is considered that there is still room for improvement even in the case of a tongue restrictor as in the above-mentioned existing examples.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to appropriately restrict the tongue in order to improve the irradiation accuracy of radiation when performing stereotactic radiotherapy on the tongue. Technical Solution for Solving the Problem

[0006] The tongue suction retainer according to the first technical solution has: an upper fixing portion that can be fixed to the user's upper jaw when placed in the user's oral cavity; an annular abutting portion that abuts against the user's hard palate when placed in the oral cavity; a concave portion formed inside the abutting portion, and a closed space is formed between the concave portion and the hard palate in a state where the entire circumference of the abutting portion abuts against the hard palate; a suction portion communicating with the concave portion for applying negative pressure to the closed space from the outside; and a tongue suction portion formed at a position facing the user's tongue when placed in the oral cavity, provided with suction holes communicating with the concave portion, and sucking the tongue through the negative pressure.

[0007] When the tongue suction retainer is placed in the user's oral cavity, it is fixed to the user's upper jaw by the upper fixing portion, and the annular abutting portion abuts against the user's hard palate. In a state where the entire circumference of the abutting portion abuts against the hard palate, a closed space is formed between the concave portion inside the abutting portion and the hard palate. A suction portion communicates with the concave portion, and when negative pressure is applied to the closed space from the suction portion, the abutting portion is adsorbed to the hard palate. In addition, the negative pressure acts on the tongue suction portion through the suction holes. Therefore, the surface of the tongue is attracted and constrained by the tongue suction portion. In particular, the structure described in International Publication No. WO2009 / 064914 does not have the technical solution of a tongue suction retainer having a concave portion formed inside the abutting portion, and a closed space is formed between the concave portion and the hard palate in a state where the entire circumference of the abutting portion abuts against the hard palate. Thus, the movement of the tongue can be appropriately suppressed, and therefore, it becomes easy to perform stereotactic radiotherapy for tongue cancer.

[0008] In the tongue suction retainer according to the second technical solution, which is based on the first technical solution, the upper fixing portion can be fixed to the teeth of the user's upper jaw.

[0009] In this tongue suction retainer, the upper fixing portion can be fixed to the teeth of the user's upper jaw. Therefore, the tongue suction retainer can be accurately placed in the user's oral cavity.

[0010] In the tongue suction retainer according to the third technical solution, which is based on the first technical solution, it further has a lower fixing portion that can be fixed to the teeth of the user's lower jaw.

[0011] This tongue suction retainer further has a lower fixing portion that can be fixed to the teeth of the user's lower jaw. Therefore, it can be placed in the user's oral cavity more stably.

[0012] In the tongue suction retainer according to the third aspect, there is a convex portion that protrudes from the inner peripheral portion of the lower fixing portion, and a pocket for allowing a part of the tongue to enter is formed between the convex portion and the tongue suction portion. The suction hole is also provided in the portion of the lower fixing portion where the pocket is formed.

[0013] In this tongue suction retainer, a pocket is formed between the convex portion provided on the inner peripheral portion of the lower fixing portion and the suction portion. By allowing a part of the tongue, such as a tumor, to enter this pocket, the tumor can be wrapped by the tongue suction retainer. As a result, air artifacts on the lower jaw side can be reduced, and it becomes easier to observe the tumor with MRI.

[0014] In addition, the suction hole is also provided in the portion of the lower fixing portion where the pocket is formed. Therefore, even inside the pocket, the tongue can be suctioned, and the adhesion between the tongue and the tongue suction retainer can be improved.

[0015] The tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit according to the fifth aspect includes: an upper fixing portion material for forming an upper fixing portion according to the dental mold of the user's upper jaw, and for forming an annular abutting portion and a concave portion. The upper fixing portion is mounted and fixed to the teeth of the user's upper jaw. The annular abutting portion abuts against the user's hard palate, and the concave portion forms a closed space between the concave portion and the hard palate inside the abutting portion in a state where the abutting portion abuts against the entire circumference of the hard palate; a tongue suction portion material mounted on the back side of the concave portion for forming a tongue suction portion facing the user's tongue; and a lower fixing portion material mounted on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing portion for forming a lower fixing portion. The lower fixing portion is mounted and fixed to the teeth of the user's lower jaw. The tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit can form a suction hole and a suction portion. The suction hole communicates from the concave portion to the tongue suction portion, and the suction portion communicates with the concave portion for applying negative pressure to the closed space from the outside.

[0016] In this tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit, the upper fixing portion is formed by the upper fixing portion material, and the tongue suction portion is formed by the tongue suction portion material on the back side of the concave portion of the upper fixing portion. Further, the lower fixing portion is made by the lower fixing portion material on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing portion. Thus, it is possible to easily manufacture a tongue suction retainer corresponding to each user.

[0017] The manufacturing method of the tongue suction retainer according to the sixth technical solution uses the tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit according to the fifth technical solution, including: a process of forming an upper fixing part from the upper fixing part material according to the dental mold of the upper jaw of the user, the upper fixing part being worn and fixed to the teeth of the upper jaw of the user; a process of forming a tongue suction part facing the tongue of the user on the back side of the concave part of the upper fixing part from the tongue suction part material; a process of forming a lower fixing part on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing part from the lower fixing part material, the lower fixing part being worn and fixed to the teeth of the lower jaw of the user; a process of forming a suction hole and a suction part, the suction hole communicating from the concave part to the tongue suction part, and the suction part communicating with the concave part for applying negative pressure to the closed space from the outside.

[0018] In this manufacturing method of the tongue suction retainer, it is possible to easily manufacture a tongue suction retainer corresponding to each user by using the tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit. Advantages of the Invention

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the irradiation accuracy of the radiation during the positioning radiotherapy of the tongue. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the upper side of the tongue suction retainer according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 It is a perspective view of the lower side of the tongue suction retainer according to the first embodiment. Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the usage state of the tongue suction retainer according to the first embodiment. Figure 4 It is a view showing the tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit. Figure 5 (A) thereof is a cross-sectional view showing the upper fixing part. Figure 5 (B) thereof is a cross-sectional view showing a state where a tongue suction part is formed on the back side of the concave part in the upper fixing part. Figure 5 (C) thereof is a cross-sectional view of the tongue suction retainer according to the second embodiment in which a lower fixing part is formed on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing part. Figure 6 It is a perspective view of the lower side of the tongue suction retainer according to the third embodiment. Figure 7 It is a cross-sectional view of the usage state of the tongue suction retainer according to the third embodiment. Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view of the usage state of the tongue suction retainer according to the fourth embodiment. Detailed implementation mode

[0021] Hereinafter, a mode for implementing the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. Components denoted by the same reference numerals in the respective drawings mean the same or equivalent components. In addition, descriptions and reference numerals that are repeated in the embodiments described below may sometimes be omitted. In addition, the drawings used in the following description are all schematic, and the dimensional relationships of the respective elements shown in the drawings, the ratios of the respective elements, the number of holes, etc. are not necessarily the same as those in reality. In addition, the dimensional relationships of the respective elements and the ratios of the respective elements are not necessarily the same between multiple drawings.

[0022] [First Embodiment] In Figures 1 to 3 , the tongue suction restraint device 10 according to the present embodiment is, for example, a spacer that is placed in the oral cavity 12 of a patient, which is an example of a user, during MRI diagnosis of an inflammatory disease of the tongue 28 or during stereotactic radiotherapy for tongue cancer, and is used to suck and restrain the tongue 28. The tongue suction restraint device 10 includes an upper fixing portion 14, a contact portion 16, a concave portion 18, a suction portion 22, a tongue suction portion 24, and a lower fixing portion 26.

[0023] The upper fixing portion 14 is a component that can be fixed to the upper jaw 32 of the patient when placed in the oral cavity 12 of the patient. The upper fixing portion 14 may also be configured to be fixed to the teeth 33 of the upper jaw 32 of the patient. In addition, the upper fixing portion 14 may also be a so-called dental appliance made by molding the teeth 33 of the upper jaw 32 of each patient.

[0024] The contact portion 16 is an annular portion that contacts the hard palate 36 of the patient when placed in the oral cavity 12 of the patient. The concave portion 18 is formed inside the contact portion 16 and forms a closed space 38 between the contact portion 16 and the hard palate 36 in a state where the contact portion 16 contacts the entire circumference of the hard palate 36. Here, the contact between the contact portion 16 and the hard palate 36 means that the contact portion 16 contacts a part including the hard palate 36, and does not prevent contact with parts other than the hard palate 36, such as the soft palate.

[0025] The suction portion 22 is a portion that communicates with the concave portion 18 and applies a negative pressure to the closed space 38 from the outside. As an example, the suction portion 22 is a through hole that penetrates from the front surface corresponding to between the upper and lower front teeth of the upper fixing portion 14 and the lower fixing portion 26 to the concave portion 18. The suction portion 22 can, for example, apply a negative pressure to the closed space 38 from the outside by connecting a suction catheter 42.

[0026] The tongue attracting portion 24 is a portion formed at a position facing the patient's tongue 28 when placed in the oral cavity 12. The tongue attracting portion 24 is provided with one or more suction holes 24A communicating with the recess 18, and the tongue 28 is attracted by the negative pressure acting on the closed space 38. The tongue attracting portion 24 is, for example, located on the back surface of the recess 18. In addition, in order to improve the restraint on the tongue 28, the tongue attracting portion 24 is, for example, a surface curved into a concave shape in a cross-sectional view, but may also be other shapes.

[0027] The lower fixing portion 26 is a portion that can be fixed to the teeth 35 of the patient's lower jaw 34, for example, can be fixed to the teeth 35 of the patient's lower jaw 34. The lower fixing portion 26 may also be composed of a compound that deforms in accordance with the teeth 35 of the lower jaw 34 when the upper and lower teeth 33, 35 are in occlusion. In addition, the lower fixing portion 26 may also be made by molding the teeth 35 of each patient's lower jaw 34 in the same manner as the upper fixing portion 14.

[0028] The abutting portion 16, the recess 18, and the tongue attracting portion 24 are made of, for example, a hard resin, and the upper fixing portion 14 is joined around the abutting portion 16. The lower fixing portion 26 is adhered to the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing portion 14.

[0029] (Function) This embodiment is configured as described above, and its function will be described below. In Figure 3 , when the tongue attracting and restraining device 10 according to this embodiment is placed in the patient's oral cavity 12, it is fixed to the patient's upper jaw 32 by the upper fixing portion 14, and the annular abutting portion 16 abuts against the patient's hard palate 36. Specifically, the upper fixing portion 14 can be fixed to the teeth 33 of the patient's upper jaw 32. In addition, the lower fixing portion 26 can be fixed to the teeth 35 of the patient's lower jaw 34. Therefore, the tongue attracting and restraining device 10 can be accurately and stably placed in the patient's oral cavity 12.

[0030] In a state where the entire circumference of the abutting portion 16 abuts against the hard palate 36, a closed space 38 is formed between the recess 18 inside the abutting portion 16 and the hard palate 36. The suction portion 22 communicates with the recess 18. For example, when negative pressure is applied to the closed space 38 from the outside through the suction portion 22 using a catheter 42, the abutting portion 16 is adsorbed to the hard palate 36. In addition, this negative pressure acts on the tongue attracting portion 24 through the suction holes 24A. Therefore, the surface of the tongue 28 is attracted and restrained by the tongue attracting portion 24. As a result, the movement of the tongue 28 can be appropriately suppressed, and thus the irradiation accuracy of the radiation during radiotherapy for positioning the tongue 28 can be improved. In addition, for example, it is easy to observe the tongue 28 by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)).

[0031] [Tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit] In Figure 4 , Figure 5 , the tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit 21 is a kit for manufacturing the tongue suction retainer 20 ([ Figure 5 's (C)) according to the second embodiment. In addition, in Figure 4 , Figure 5 , the names and reference numerals of the parts not shown correspond to the parts marked with the same reference numerals in the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

[0032] In Figure 4 , the tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit 21 has an upper fixing part material 44, a tongue suction part material 46, and a lower fixing part material 48, and these materials are, for example, packaged together.

[0033] The upper fixing part material 44 is a material for forming the upper fixing part 14 according to the dental mold of the patient's upper jaw 32, and the upper fixing part 14 is worn and fixed to the teeth 33 of the patient's upper jaw 32. In addition, the upper fixing part material 44 is a material for forming the annular abutting part 16 and the concave part 18, and the abutting part 16 abuts against the hard palate 36 of the patient. In a state where the abutting part 16 abuts against the entire circumference of the hard palate 36, a closed space 38 is formed between the concave part 18 and the hard palate 36 inside the abutting part 16.

[0034] The tongue suction part material 46 is a material for forming the tongue suction part 24 that faces the patient's tongue 28 by being installed on the back side of the concave part 18.

[0035] The lower fixing part material 48 is a material for forming the lower fixing part 26 by being installed on the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing part 14, and the lower fixing part 26 is worn and fixed to the teeth 35 of the patient's lower jaw 34.

[0036] The tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit 21 can form a plurality of suction holes 24A and a suction part 22. The plurality of suction holes 24A communicate from the concave part 18 to the tongue suction part 24, and the suction part 22 communicates with the concave part 18 and is used to apply negative pressure to the closed space 38 from the outside.

[0037] In addition, each material is, for example, a resin material such as resin or composite for forming each part, but it can also be a preformed resin component. However, each material is not limited to these materials (resin), and includes, for example, wax and silicone resin.

[0038] [Manufacturing method of tongue suction retainer] The manufacturing method of the tongue suction retainer 20 uses, for example, the above-mentioned tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit 21. This manufacturing method includes: The step of forming the upper fixing portion 14 from the upper fixing portion material 44 according to the dental mold of the upper jaw 32 of the patient ( Figure 5 of (A)), wherein the upper fixing portion 14 is worn and fixed to the teeth 33 of the upper jaw 32 of the patient; The step of forming the tongue suction portion 24 opposed to the tongue 28 of the patient on the back side of the concave portion 18 in the upper fixing portion 14 from the tongue suction portion material 46 ( Figure 5 of (B)); The step of forming the lower fixing portion 26 on the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing portion 14 from the lower fixing portion material 48 ( Figure 5 of (C)), wherein the lower fixing portion 26 is worn and fixed to the teeth 35 of the lower jaw 34 of the patient; and The step of forming the suction hole 24A communicating from the concave portion 18 to the tongue suction portion 24 and the suction portion 22 communicating with the concave portion 18 for applying negative pressure to the closed space 38 from the outside ( Figure 5 of (C)).

[0039] In the step of forming the upper fixing portion 14 according to the dental mold of the upper jaw 32, a dental mold is obtained using a molding material, and a dental mold model is made using plaster. At this time, when thickening in a dome shape is performed at a portion corresponding to the hard palate, it is suitable for forming Figure 5 the concave portion 18 of (A). When the sheet formed from the upper fixing portion material 44 is heated using a vacuum former, adsorbed to the dental mold model, and cured, the upper fixing portion 14 having the concave portion 18 can be obtained.

[0040] In the step of forming the tongue suction portion 24 on the back side of the concave portion 18 of the upper fixing portion 14, for example, a member having the tongue suction portion 24 formed using the tongue suction portion material 46 is adhered to the back side of the concave portion 18 of the upper fixing portion 14. It is also possible to apply a thick tongue suction portion material 46 to the back side of the concave portion 18 of the upper fixing portion 14 and then cure it.

[0041] In the step of forming the lower fixing portion 26 on the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing portion 14, for example, the lower fixing portion material 48 softened by heating is piled on the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing portion 14, and the upper fixing portion 14 is placed on the upper jaw 32 of the patient ( Figure 3 ), and the patient is allowed to gently bite it, whereby the dental mold of the lower jaw 34 can be left on the lower fixing portion material 48. In addition, it is also possible to prepare members obtained by pre-forming the lower fixing portion material 48 in multiple sizes to match the lower jaw 34 and select according to the patient.

[0042] Then, in the final process, a plurality of suction holes 24A communicating from the concave portion 18 to the tongue suction portion 24 are formed, and a suction portion 22 communicating with the concave portion 18 and for applying a negative pressure to the closed space 38 from the outside is formed.

[0043] In Figure 5 (A) thereof, the tongue suction restraint manufacturing kit 21 forms the upper fixing portion 14 through the upper fixing portion material 44. Next, in Figure 5 (B) thereof, the tongue suction portion 24 is formed through the tongue suction portion material 46 on the back side of the concave portion 18 of the upper fixing portion 14. Next, in Figure 5 (C) thereof, the lower fixing portion 26 is fabricated through the lower fixing portion material 48 on the lower jaw 34 side of the upper fixing portion 14. And the suction holes 24A and the suction portion 22 penetrating from the concave portion 18 to the tongue suction portion 24 are formed.

[0044] Thus, in this manufacturing method, it is possible to easily fabricate a tongue suction restraint corresponding to each patient by using the tongue suction restraint manufacturing kit 21.

[0045] [Third Embodiment] In Figure 6 , Figure 7 the tongue suction restraint 30 according to this embodiment has a convex portion 52 that protrudes from the inner peripheral portion 26A of the lower fixing portion 26, and a pocket 50 for allowing a part of the tongue 28 to enter is formed between the convex portion 52 and the tongue suction portion 24.

[0046] The convex portion 52 is formed, for example, in a shelf shape inward from a position substantially at the lower end of the inner peripheral portion 26A of the lower fixing portion 26. Considering the influence on the tongue 28, the edge of the convex portion 52 is formed in a curved shape, for example. The position and shape of the convex portion 52 can be appropriately changed according to the position and size of the tumor 28A of the tongue 28.

[0047] The suction holes 24A are also provided in the portion of the lower fixing portion 26 where the pocket 50 is formed. That is, the concave portion 18 and the pocket 50 communicate through the suction holes 24A.

[0048] In this embodiment, a pocket 50 is formed between the convex portion 52 provided on the inner peripheral portion 26A of the lower fixing portion 26 and the suction portion 22. By allowing a part of the tongue 28, for example, the tumor 28A, to enter into this pocket 50, the tumor 28A can be wrapped by the tongue suction restraint. As a result, the air artifact on the lower jaw side can be reduced, and it is easy to observe the tumor 28A by MRI.

[0049] In addition, the suction holes 24A are also provided in the portion of the lower fixing portion 26 that forms the pouch 50. Therefore, even inside the pouch 50, the tongue 28 is suctioned, and the tight adhesion between the tongue 28 and the tongue suction retainer can be improved.

[0050] Regarding other parts, they are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, for the same parts, the same reference numerals are marked in the drawings and the description is omitted.

[0051] [Fourth Embodiment] In Figure 8 this, the tongue suction retainer 20 according to the present embodiment is provided with, in addition to the tongue suction portion 24 that suctions the tongue 28 inside the oral cavity 12 during placement, a tongue suction portion 54 that suctions the front end portion 28B of the tongue 28 and pulls out and restrains the front end portion 28B outside the oral cavity 12. Specifically, a protrusion 56 having a closed space 58 inside is provided at a position more forward than the leading edge of the upper fixing portion 14 (in front of the oral cavity 12 in the patient's placement state). The lower surface of the protrusion 56 serves as the tongue suction portion 54. The suction portion 22 for applying negative pressure from the outside leads to the recess 18 (closed space 38) and the closed space 58. The tongue suction portion 54 and the closed space 58 communicate through the suction holes 54A. The tongue suction portion 54 is located at a position in front of the teeth 35 of the lower jaw 34 in the placement state. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate the tumor formed in the front end portion 28B with high precision in a state where the front end portion 28B of the tongue 28 extends outside the oral cavity 12.

[0052] Regarding other parts, they are the same as those in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. Therefore, for the same parts, the same reference numerals are marked in the drawings and the description is omitted.

[0053] According to the present disclosure, an improved tongue suction retainer, a tongue suction retainer manufacturing kit, and a method for manufacturing a tongue suction retainer can be provided.

[0054] [Other Embodiments] As described above, an example of an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof. In addition, it is possible to use the embodiments of the present disclosure for other uses such as tongue fixation other than radiotherapy. For example, the tongue suction retainers 10, 20, 30, 40 can also be used for radiotherapy by conventional irradiation (general irradiation that does not conform to the definition of stereotactic radiotherapy), intensity-modulated radiotherapy, electron beam therapy, proton beam therapy, carbon beam therapy, or FLASH (registered trademark) irradiation as a future therapy.

[0055] The upper fixing part 14 can be fixed to the teeth 33 of the upper jaw 32 of the patient, but as long as it can be fixed relative to the upper jaw 32, the object to be fixed may not be the teeth 33 either.

[0056] The tongue suction restrictors 10, 20, 30 have a lower fixing part 26 that can be fixed to the teeth 35 of the lower jaw 34 of the patient, but may also have a structure without a lower fixing part as in the tongue suction restrictor 40 according to the fourth embodiment. Additionally, in the fourth embodiment, it may also have a lower fixing part 26 that can be fixed to the teeth 35 of the lower jaw 34.

[0057] Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the tongue suction restrictor is not limited to the above manufacturing method, and may also be a modeling method using 3D printing or the like, a resin molding technique, a machining technique, or the like.

[0058] The entirety of the disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-158216, filed on September 30, 2022, is incorporated herein by reference. All documents, patent applications, and technical specifications described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each individual document, patent application, and technical specification were specifically and individually described as being incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A tongue suction restraint, comprising: An upper fixing part that can be fixed relative to the user's upper palate when placed in the user's oral cavity; A ring-shaped abutting part that abuts against the user's hard palate when placed in the oral cavity; A concave part formed inside the abutting part, and a closed space is formed between the concave part and the hard palate in a state where the abutting part abuts against the entire circumference of the hard palate; A suction part that communicates with the concave part and is used to apply negative pressure to the closed space from the outside; And A tongue suction part formed at a position opposite to the user's tongue when placed in the oral cavity, provided with suction holes communicating with the concave part, and the tongue is suctioned by the negative pressure.

2. The tongue suction restraint according to claim 1, Wherein, The upper fixing part can be fixed to the teeth of the user's upper palate.

3. The tongue suction restraint according to claim 1, Wherein, The tongue suction restraint further has a lower fixing part that can be fixed to the teeth of the user's lower jaw.

4. The tongue suction restraint according to claim 3, Wherein, The tongue suction restraint has a convex part that protrudes from the inner peripheral part of the lower fixing part, and a pocket for allowing a part of the tongue to enter is formed between the convex part and the tongue suction part, The suction holes are also provided in the part of the lower fixing part where the pocket is formed.

5. A tongue suction restraint manufacturing kit, comprising: Upper fixing part material, which is used to form the upper fixing part according to the dental mold of the user's upper palate, and is used to form the abutting part and the concave part. The upper fixing part is worn and fixed to the teeth of the user's upper palate. The abutting part is ring-shaped and abuts against the user's hard palate. In a state where the abutting part abuts against the entire circumference of the hard palate, a closed space is formed between the concave part and the hard palate inside the abutting part; Tongue suction part material, which is installed on the back side of the concave part and is used to form a tongue suction part opposite to the user's tongue; and Lower fixing part material, which is installed on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing part and is used to form a lower fixing part. The lower fixing part is worn and fixed to the teeth of the user's lower jaw, The tongue suction restraint manufacturing kit can form suction holes and a suction part. The suction holes communicate from the concave part to the tongue suction part, and the suction part communicates with the concave part and is used to apply negative pressure to the closed space from the outside.

6. A manufacturing method of a tongue suction restraint, using the tongue suction restraint manufacturing kit according to claim 5, comprising the following steps: A step of forming an upper fixing part from the upper fixing part material according to the dental mold of the user's upper palate, and the upper fixing part is worn and fixed to the teeth of the user's upper palate; A step of forming a tongue suction part opposite to the user's tongue on the back side of the concave part of the upper fixing part from the tongue suction part material; A process of forming a lower fixing part from a lower fixing part material on the lower jaw side of the upper fixing part, the lower fixing part being worn and fixed to the teeth of the lower jaw of the user; A process of forming a suction hole and a suction part, the suction hole communicating from the concave part to the tongue suction part, the suction part communicating with the concave part for applying negative pressure to the closed space from the outside.

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