Intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection equipment, and relates to the technical field of tongue muscle pressure detection. Comprising an array type sensing assembly, and the array type sensing assembly comprises an array type Hall sensor, a middle elastic body and a magnetic film which are sequentially connected from bottom to top; the array type Hall sensor comprises a substrate layer, a plurality of graphene active parts are uniformly arranged on the substrate layer in an array mode, and metal electrodes are arranged on the peripheral sides of the graphene active parts. The device further comprises a handheld assembly, and the handheld assembly is connected with the array type sensing assembly. The array type sensing assembly is integrally soft and can fully combine with the deformation characteristic of human skin, and the multiple graphene active parts are arranged in an array and matched with the vertical periodic magnetization magnetic film, so that the force resolution, the sensitivity, the linearity, the hysteresis and the like are greatly improved; and a basis is provided for subsequent clinical experiments such as tongue muscle pressure test and marketization application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tongue muscle pressure detection, and in particular to an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device. Background Art

[0002] The tongue is the primary muscular organ in the oral cavity. Its movement and posture play an important role in maintaining oral function, the health of the dental and maxillofacial system, and life activities such as swallowing and pronunciation. The coordination of tongue muscle strength and function not only affects the normal growth and development of children's teeth and jaws, oral occlusion, and changes in swallowing function, but is also directly related to the maintenance of swallowing function in the elderly. Weakened tongue muscle strength is the main cause of oral weakness. In recent years, abnormal tongue function has received widespread attention in multiple clinical fields, and an objective and convenient technical means is urgently needed to achieve accurate measurement of tongue muscle strength and functional training.

[0003] Tactile pressure sensors currently play an important role in orthodontics, prosthodontics, general practice, and healthcare. Magnetic tactile sensors based on Hall effect sensors and magnetic thin films are gaining increasing attention due to their simplicity, low cost, and multi-dimensional sensing capabilities. However, these tactile sensors still face numerous challenges. For example, their sensitivity and flexibility need to be improved, and fully flexible magnetic tactile pressure sensors have limitations in their ability to sense position in the oral cavity. Furthermore, they suffer from poor reproducibility of results and limited clinical feasibility of measurement equipment, making it difficult to accurately measure tongue muscle strength. Traditional assessment methods suffer from high variability in results, limited functionality, reliance on operator experience, and a lack of real-time feedback. Consequently, an efficient, standardized, and repeatable tongue strength assessment system is still lacking.

[0004] Specifically, the balloon method is currently used clinically, such as the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) and Tongueometer, which use pressure sensors to record the force applied by the tongue on the palate, providing an objective basis for diagnosis and treatment. In addition to device measurements, dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electromyography (EMG), and digital measuring spoons can also be used to assess tongue movement and muscle activity. However, these methods often have the following problems: ① Limited measurement methods: Previous methods for measuring tongue muscle strength relied primarily on pressure sensors to record the force applied by the tongue against the palate. IOPI devices suffer from issues such as ball slippage, discomfort, and high cost, limiting their use in children and some patients. While Tongueometers have addressed some of these shortcomings, they remain relatively uncommon and are highly operator-dependent.

[0005] ② Insufficient precision: When using existing equipment for measurement, the front and back tongue pressure increases between the first and second measurements, so there is still room for improvement in precision.

[0006] ③ Lack of unified standards and poor clinical reproducibility: Tongue muscle strength measurement results are easily affected by factors such as the patient's head posture, oral cavity size, and visual feedback. Due to the lack of unified operating standards, different research institutions and doctors may use different operations and indicators, affecting data reliability and comparability. This lack of unified standards limits the promotion and application of tongue muscle strength measurement technology and also affects the personalized customization of orthodontic treatment plans.

[0007] ④ Single analysis method: Current tongue muscle assessment equipment is mostly used independently, lacks analysis of the relationship between it and the teeth and jaw structure, and cannot be continuously monitored and tracked during the treatment process.

[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device that can objectively quantify tongue muscle strength and assist in tongue function training. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device to solve the problems existing in the prior art. The present invention adopts pressure sensor matrix technology and proposes a magnetic tactile sensor structure based on an array-type Hall sensor combined with a vertical periodic magnetized magnetic film. The graphene-based Hall sensor is designed as an array structure, and a vertical periodic magnetized magnetic film is used at the same time, which effectively suppresses the lateral magnetic field interference and improves the surface magnetic field concentration, thereby enabling accurate quantitative measurement of tongue strength. It can also effectively quantify the impact of tongue muscle function on dental arch development and the efficacy of orthodontics, restoration, general practice diagnosis and treatment, and elderly health care, providing a scientific basis for the individualization of treatment strategies and efficacy evaluation. In addition, the present invention can realize real-time interaction and training feedback mechanism, fully combine multi-dimensional intervention needs such as behavioral guidance and personalized training, and significantly improve the treatment effect.

[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions: An intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device includes an array sensor assembly, wherein the array sensor assembly includes an array Hall sensor, an intermediate elastic body, and a magnetic film connected in sequence from bottom to top; The array type Hall sensor comprises a substrate layer, on which a plurality of graphene active elements are uniformly arrayed, and metal electrodes are arranged around the graphene active elements; It also includes a handheld component, which is connected to the array sensor component.

[0011] Furthermore, the graphene active element is cross-shaped, and metal electrodes are provided on four sides of the cross-shaped graphene active element.

[0012] Furthermore, the substrate layer is made of PET material.

[0013] Further, the magnetic film adopts a vertical periodic magnetization magnetic film.

[0014] Further, the intermediate elastomer adopts Ecoflex 00-30 material.

[0015] Further, it also includes array reading circuit, ADC analog-digital conversion module, MCU information processing module and WiFi transmission module connected in sequence, and the array Hall sensor is electrically connected with the array reading circuit.

[0016] Further, the substrate layer is uniformly provided with 9 graphene active components, and the 9 graphene active components are uniformly arranged in the form of 3 3.

[0017] Further, the handheld assembly includes a spoon handle and a spoon body, an end surface of the spoon body close to the upper jaw is a curved surface, and an end surface of the spoon body away from the upper jaw is a plane.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the present application has the following beneficial effects: 1. In terms of materials, graphene with flexibility and high carrier mobility is selected as the active material of the Hall sensor, and PET is selected as the flexible substrate to ensure the softness of the entire device.

[0019] 2. In terms of structural design, the array Hall sensor is designed in combination with the deformation characteristics of human skin, so that it has reliable response ability under the tongue muscle pressure.

[0020] 3. In terms of magnetic film design, by comparing the magnetic field distribution law of the traditional vertical magnetization magnetic film and the vertical periodic magnetization magnetic film, the vertical periodic magnetization magnetic film has more advantages in local magnetic field concentration and transverse interference suppression, and is suitable for working with the array sensor assembly, so that the measurement accuracy is higher.

[0021] The present application constructs a full-flexible tongue muscle tactile pressure sensor array structure, which has a large performance improvement in force resolution, sensitivity, linearity, hysteresis, etc., and provides a basis for subsequent clinical experiments and market application of tongue muscle pressure testing; compared with the use of three-dimensional pressure sensors, the present application realizes high spatial resolution based on a single-axis array Hall sensor.

[0022] The tongue muscle pressure test range can be adjusted according to the performance optimization of the equipment, including the array Hall sensor structure, the intermediate elastomer Young's modulus, the magnetic film magnetic field strength, etc., so that the equipment can adjust the detection performance of the tongue muscle pressure according to the needs, is suitable for different people, and increases the practicability of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an array sensor component of an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device in the present invention.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an array-type Hall sensor of an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device in the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the array sensor component inside the oral cavity of an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device in the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a handheld component of an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device in the present invention.

[0027] Figure 5 This is the simulation result of the magnetic flux density of the traditional perpendicular magnetized magnetic film in the z-axis direction.

[0028] Figure 6 This is the simulation result of the magnetic flux density of the vertically periodically magnetized magnetic film in the z-axis direction.

[0029] Figure 7 A comparison of the magnetic fields above the z-axis between a conventional perpendicularly magnetized magnetic film and a perpendicularly periodically magnetized magnetic film.

[0030] Among them, 1-array type Hall sensor; 11-substrate layer; 12-graphene active component; 13-metal electrode; 2-intermediate elastomer; 3-magnetic film; 4-array type reading circuit; 5-ADC analog-to-digital conversion module; 6-MCU information processing module; 7-WiFi transmission module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The technical solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] Example 1

[0033] Combine Figure 1-Figure 7 The present invention provides an intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device, including an array sensor component, wherein the array sensor component includes an array Hall sensor 1, an intermediate elastic body 2 and a magnetic film 3 connected in sequence from bottom to top. In this embodiment, the structure of the array Hall sensor 1, the Young's modulus of the intermediate elastic body 2, and the magnetic field strength of the magnetic film can be adjusted as needed; the array Hall sensor 1 includes a substrate layer 11, on which a plurality of graphene active elements 12 are uniformly arrayed, and metal electrodes 13 are provided on the circumferential side of the graphene active elements 12; and a handheld component is also included, which is connected to the array sensor component.

[0034] The array type Hall sensor 1 is manufactured based on MEMS technology to formulate process flow and prepare devices, and finally the device is packaged and characterized and tested.

[0035] In this embodiment, 9 graphene active elements 12 are uniformly arranged in an array on the substrate layer 11. The 9 graphene active elements 12 are arranged in a 3 3, in some other embodiments, it can be arranged evenly in 2 2, 4 4. The graphene active elements are arranged in a uniform square array.

[0036] It also includes an array reading circuit 4, an ADC analog-to-digital conversion module 5, an MCU information processing module 6 and a WiFi transmission module 7 electrically connected in sequence. The array Hall sensor 1 is electrically connected to the array reading circuit 4, and the WiFi transmission module 7 is used to transmit information data to the receiving software; the array reading circuit 4, the ADC analog-to-digital conversion module 5, the MCU information processing module 6 and the WiFi transmission module 7 can all be integrated into the handheld component.

[0037] As an optimization, the handheld assembly includes a spoon handle and a spoon body, the end surface of the spoon body close to the upper jaw is a curved surface, and the end surface of the spoon body away from the upper jaw is a flat surface.

[0038] Schematic diagram of the array sensor component inside the mouth Figure 3 As shown, the voltage signal of the array sensor component is conditioned by the array reading circuit 4, and the analog-to-digital conversion is completed by the ADC analog-to-digital conversion module 5. The digital quantity is transmitted to the MCU information processing module 6 for processing, and then the data is transmitted through the WiFi transmission module. Finally, the real-time monitoring of the tongue muscle pressure is realized by the receiving software APP.

[0039] Specifically, the graphene active element 12 is cross-shaped, and metal electrodes 13 are provided on four sides of the cross-shaped graphene active element 12 .

[0040] The substrate layer 11 is made of PET material; the intermediate elastomer 2 is made of Ecoflex00-30 material; the overall structure is soft, which solves the problem of the tongue muscle pressure detection sensor having high-precision sensing ability while maintaining flexible deformation ability.

[0041] The magnetic film 3 is a perpendicular periodic magnetization magnetic film.

[0042] The magnetic field of the magnetic film in the z-axis is enhanced to improve the sensitivity of the tactile sensor. Figure 5 and Figure 6 The following are the simulation results of the magnetic flux density in the z-axis direction of the traditional perpendicular magnetization magnetic film and the perpendicular periodic magnetization magnetic film. Figure 7The figure shows the distribution of the magnetic field above the magnetic film surface. Compared to traditional perpendicular magnetized films, the perpendicular periodic magnetized film, through a periodic magnetic domain arrangement design, maintains the perpendicular magnetization direction while maintaining a regular distribution of the magnetic field in the z-axis direction. This periodic structure forms a closed magnetic loop through the alternating arrangement of magnetic poles, effectively suppressing the dispersion of the transverse magnetic field, thereby reducing the lateral dispersion of magnetic lines of force and improving the effective utilization of the magnetic field in the z-axis direction. Therefore, the perpendicular periodic magnetized film was selected as the first layer structure of the magnetic tactile pressure sensor.

[0043] This invention overcomes the limitations of traditional measurement methods and fully leverages the advantages of the matrix design of Hall pressure sensors, significantly improving the accuracy and precision of measurements and filling a gap in previous research in this field. The application of this device provides a more accurate and comprehensive assessment tool for orthodontic treatment and rehabilitation training of the tongue muscles of the elderly, which is of great significance for improving treatment outcomes. Furthermore, the invention can be directly applied clinically, providing doctors with accurate tongue muscle strength measurement data, thereby guiding the development and implementation of orthodontic and rehabilitation treatments and improving treatment outcomes.

[0044] The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device disclosed in the present invention has many advantages: 1. Improved Measurement Accuracy: The accuracy of tongue pressure measurement influences the development of personalized treatment plans, which in turn impacts treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction. A matrix design of Hall-effect pressure sensors can significantly improve measurement accuracy. The MEMS sensors are distributed in a matrix, with the number of sensors adjusted as needed, enabling real-time, dynamic measurement of tongue pressure and tongue muscle movement, enabling comprehensive, real-time testing and further improving the accuracy of test results.

[0045] 2. Clinical Feasibility: The tongue muscle handle in this handheld tongue muscle pressure measurement and training device primarily consists of a spoon handle and a spoon body. The back of the spoon body is designed as a curved surface that matches the shape of the upper palate, while the front of the spoon body is designed as a flat surface. This allows the spoon body to fit more closely in the mouth, conforming to ergonomics. Furthermore, the device is compact and easy to use, making it suitable for a variety of populations (including but not limited to children, the elderly, patients with oral diseases, oral health promotion, individuals with speech disorders, and other oral muscle training applications). This provides doctors with a more convenient and patient-acceptable assessment tool, facilitating the promotion of this invention among different institutions and doctors.

[0046] 3. Establishing a unified standard: By providing standardized assessment parameters, this invention is expected to establish a unified, standardized tongue muscle measurement method and standard. This will facilitate comparison and verification between different research institutions and physicians, and promote the development of more accurate and efficient treatments.

[0047] 4. Promote the precision of orthodontic treatment: The proposal and implementation of the present application provide training programs for individual differences, which will promote the treatment from traditional empirical treatment to precise and personalized treatment. This handheld tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device can detect the timing changes of tongue pressure in real time, enabling doctors to more accurately determine the relationship between tongue dysfunction and tooth displacement, dental arch shape change, and occlusal disharmony, and to make dynamic adjustments and develop more personalized treatment plans. It can also be combined with an intelligent platform to facilitate tongue muscle training for patients, improve compliance, treatment effectiveness, and patient satisfaction.

[0048] 5. The tongue muscle pressure test range can be adjusted according to the performance of the device, including array Hall sensor structure, intermediate elastomer Young's modulus, and magnetic film magnetic field strength, so that the device can adjust the detection performance of tongue muscle pressure as needed, be suitable for different populations, and increase the practicality of the device.

[0049] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and does not limit the technical scope of the present application. Any minor modification, equivalent change, and modification made in accordance with the technical essence of the present application to the above embodiment still falls within the scope of the technical solution of the present application.

Claims

1. An intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device, characterized in that: The array sensor assembly includes an array Hall sensor, an intermediate elastic body and a magnetic film connected in sequence from bottom to top; The array type Hall sensor comprises a substrate layer, on which a plurality of graphene active elements are uniformly arrayed, and metal electrodes are arranged around the graphene active elements; It also includes a handheld component, which is connected to the array sensor component.

2. The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The graphene active component is cross-shaped, and metal electrodes are provided on the four sides of the cross-shaped graphene active component.

3. The intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate layer is made of PET material.

4. The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The magnetic film is a perpendicular periodic magnetization magnetic film.

5. The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate elastomer is made of Ecoflex00-30 material.

6. The intelligent tongue muscle pressure detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an array reading circuit, an ADC analog-to-digital conversion module, an MCU information processing module and a WiFi transmission module electrically connected in sequence. The array Hall sensor is electrically connected to the array reading circuit, and the WiFi transmission module is used to transmit information data to the receiving software.

7. The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The substrate layer is provided with 9 graphene active elements in a uniform array. The 9 graphene active elements are arranged in a 3 3 ways to arrange them evenly.

8. The tongue muscle pressure intelligent detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handheld assembly includes a spoon handle and a spoon body. The end surface of the spoon body close to the upper jaw is a curved surface, and the end surface of the spoon body away from the upper jaw is a flat surface.

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