Intelligent auxiliary swallowing and training device

Abstract

The invention designs an intelligent auxiliary swallowing and training device. The intelligent real-time adjustment auxiliary swallowing device comprises a retention module and a control module, wherein the retention module comprises a 3D printing transparent tooth socket, a flexible tongue pressure receptor and a spring storage box; the palate support module is in contact with the soft palate and is used for supporting the palate muscles of the user; the spring is connected with the retention module and the palate support module; the sensor module comprises a pressure sensor and a displacement sensor and is used for monitoring the pressure of the palatal muscle and the position of the soft palate; the controller generates a control signal at least based on the parameters from the sensor module; the electrical stimulation module is used for receiving the control signal from the controller and generating an electrical stimulation waveform; the one or more electrodes are electrically connected with the electrical stimulation module and provide electrical stimulation for the palatal muscle of the user; the device is characterized in that the pressure sensor and the displacement sensor are used for sensing the force value and activity of the palate muscle, the controller outputs an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate the palate muscle, the spring passively lifts the soft palate, and the flexible tongue pressure receptor senses the start of the swallowing action.

Description

An intelligent swallowing aid and training device Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and more specifically, to the design of an intelligent swallowing aid and training device. Background Technology

[0002] Swallowing is a highly complex neuromuscular process, coordinated and controlled by the swallowing center in the brainstem, and dependent on the complete function of multiple cranial nerves, including the trigeminal nerve, facial nerve, glossopharyngeal nerve, vagus nerve, and hypoglossal nerve. When the brain is damaged due to external trauma such as traumatic brain injury caused by car accidents or impacts, cerebrovascular accidents such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, or congenital factors such as cerebral palsy, the above-mentioned neural pathways may be interrupted or dysfunctional, leading to neurogenic dysphagia.

[0003] A common and serious complication of neurogenic dysphagia that significantly impacts quality of life is nasal regurgitation. Normally, during swallowing, the soft palate muscles (mainly the tensor veli palatini and levator veli palatini) involuntarily contract and rise, contacting the posterior pharyngeal wall to close the nasopharynx and prevent food and liquids from entering the nasal cavity from the mouth. In patients with nerve damage, the neural commands controlling soft palate movement cannot be effectively transmitted, resulting in weak, incomplete, or incorrectly timed soft palate closure. This allows swallowed food to retrograde into the nasal cavity during the pharyngeal phase of swallowing. This not only causes choking, nasal discomfort, and an increased risk of infection, but in severe cases can lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration, greatly endangering the patient's health. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an intelligent assisted swallowing and training device, which solves the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an intelligent assisted swallowing device and training device, comprising a fixation module, a palate support module, a sensor module, an electrical stimulation module, and a controller module. The fixation module is provided with a flexible tongue pressure sensor in the contact area with the posterior part of the palatal fold, and a palate support module is provided in the contact area with the soft palate. The sensor module and the electrical stimulation module are provided on the contact surface between the palate support module and the soft palate. The fixation module and the palate support are connected by a detachable spring, and the sensor module and the electrical stimulation module are respectively connected to the controller module through wires.

[0006] Furthermore, the retention module includes a flexible tongue pressure sensor, a 3D-printed retention dental brace, and a spring storage box.

[0007] Furthermore, a latching device is provided inside the spring storage box to control the opening or closing of the spring storage box.

[0008] Furthermore, the palate support module includes an internal metal reinforcing wire, a middle layer of resin, and an outer soft lining material.

[0009] Furthermore, the sensor module is equipped with a pressure sensor and a displacement sensor.

[0010] Furthermore, the controller is equipped with sensors to collect data, a processor to process the data, and an electrical stimulation generator.

[0011] Furthermore, the spring is a replaceable part, and different elastic springs can be replaced as needed.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0013] 1. By analyzing the data from pressure and displacement sensors, springs suitable for different patients can be selected to help patients regain some swallowing function.

[0014] 2. The electrical stimulation generator releases electrical stimulation from low to high intensity through one or more electrodes, and obtains feedback through pressure and displacement sensors to find the appropriate electrical stimulation intensity for different stages.

[0015] 3. During use, by repeatedly stopping the current stimulation for short periods and analyzing the sensor data, the patient's palatal muscle function recovery level can be assessed in real time, and the treatment plan can be adjusted to achieve the best results for the patient. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the palate support module of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the retention module of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a magnified schematic diagram of the sensor module of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for generating an auxiliary rehabilitation program for dysphagia according to the present invention.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Retention module; 2. Palate support module; 3. Sensor module; 4. Electrical stimulation module; 5. Removable spring; 6. Wire; 7. Controller; 11. 3D printed retention brace; 12. Spring storage box; 13. Flexible tongue pressure sensor; 21. Internal metal reinforcing wire; 22. Middle layer resin; 23. Soft lining material; 31. Pressure sensor; 32. Displacement sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0023] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Neurogenic dysphagia affects food intake and nutrient absorption, and may also cause choking, nasal discomfort, and an increased risk of infection. In severe cases, it can lead to aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and dehydration, greatly endangering the patient's health. Most existing palatopharyngeal swallowing devices are rigid devices. Because the degree of damage to the palatal neuromuscular system varies from patient to patient, rigid devices lack personalized design requirements, cannot perform active training, and cannot adjust the training intensity in real time according to the actual situation.

[0025] In this regard, in the first aspect, the present invention provides an intelligent real-time adjustable assisted swallowing device, as shown in FIG1. ​​The intelligent real-time adjustable assisted swallowing device of the present invention includes: a fixation module, a palatal support module, a sensor module, a controller, an electrical stimulation module, and a spring. The device can be used to assist velopharyngeal closure and can simultaneously perform active and passive training of the palate / palatine muscles.

[0026] The retention module is manufactured using 3D printing technology. The specific steps are as follows: a 3D scanner is used to accurately scan the user's maxillary dentition and palate tissues. Professional 3D reconstruction software is used to post-process the collected scan data to generate a 3D model of the retention module. The solid model is then formed using a 3D printer.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the retention module integrates two main functional components: a flexible tongue pressure sensor and a spring storage box. The flexible tongue pressure sensor is positioned in the contact area between the tongue and the hard palate during swallowing to detect changes in pressure exerted by the tongue on the hard palate in real time, thereby accurately determining the initiation moment of the swallowing action. The spring storage box is located in the posterior region of the hard palate and is used to store and secure the spring, thus achieving a stable connection between the retention module and the spring.

[0028] The palate support module is encapsulated in food-grade silicone and integrates a three-layer composite structure, as shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the palate support module has several sensor mounting positions, electrode mounting positions, and a spring mounting position. Different components can be selectively assembled to adapt to the personalized training needs of different users. In an optional embodiment, those skilled in the art can flexibly select suitable sensor types according to the actual application scenario, including, for example, miniature displacement sensors, miniature pressure sensors, etc.

[0029] Furthermore, the palate support module is equipped with electrical stimulation modules in different areas. The electrodes of the modules can be applied to the corresponding muscles of the palate to provide electrical stimulation, thereby achieving electrical stimulation output of different areas and intensities. This enables precise regional auxiliary training and fully covers the differentiated training needs of different users.

[0030] The sensor module, used to collect information on the movement of the soft palate, is positioned in the corresponding contact area between the palate support module and the soft palate. Furthermore, the sensor module includes multiple displacement and pressure sensor sampling points to achieve complete acquisition of pressure signals and displacement data from the user's palate region. In one embodiment, the sensor may be a flexible sensor adapted to the movement pattern of the soft palate to improve acquisition accuracy.

[0031] Furthermore, the aforementioned fixation module, pressure sensor, displacement sensor, and electrical stimulation module are all electrically connected to the controller. The controller enables precise control of the intensity of electrical stimulation in different regions of the electrodes, and simultaneously performs a series of functions such as the acquisition, transmission, processing, and display of pressure and displacement data.

[0032] In one embodiment, the controller includes a signal conversion module, a correction module, a display module, and a signal output module connected in sequence, as shown in Figure 4. The signal conversion module converts the analog signals collected by the sensor module into processable digital signals. The correction module performs filtering, calibration, and other data processing on the converted digital signals to ensure data accuracy. Furthermore, the display module displays real-time palatal pressure and displacement data during a single swallow, presented synchronously on a unified timeline, allowing users to intuitively understand their palatal muscle movement capabilities and then tailor training to their individual abilities. The signal output module transmits the control signals generated by the controller to the electrical stimulation module for electrical stimulation training.

[0033] In one embodiment, the controller can be powered by household power or a universal battery. In an alternative embodiment, those skilled in the art can add a Bluetooth module for data transmission. In an alternative embodiment, gold nanowire electrodes can be used to ensure the long-term stability of the sensor, and the wires can be fabricated using an etching process.

[0034] When using this device for training, first, position and install the retention module in the maxillary dentition. Then, select a suitable medium-elasticity spring and connect the retention module to the palate support module. The user performs an active swallowing motion. During this process, the pressure sensor integrated into the palate support module collects real-time pressure data on the palate, while simultaneously, the displacement sensor accurately collects the displacement parameters of the soft palate. Both data streams are transmitted to the controller in real-time via a preset transmission link. The controller filters, calibrates, and analyzes the received raw sensor data, then displays the processed pressure and displacement data on the corresponding display module, linked along the same timeline. The user can combine the displayed content with their own sensory feedback during swallowing, and through the user interface, independently select and set the appropriate electrical stimulation intensity level and target stimulation location. Furthermore, during training, the user can dynamically monitor whether the actual application location and intensity parameters of the electrical stimulation meet the training requirements through the real-time data presented on the display module. If any deviation exists, it can be fine-tuned immediately through the controller, ensuring the targeted and safe nature of the training.

[0035] When palate displacement and pressure are difficult to detect during swallowing, the controller can receive pressure data from a flexible tongue pressure sensor to determine the timing of palate muscle contraction and perform high-intensity electrical stimulation training until the palate sensor can collect data that meets the processing requirements.

[0036] Before using the device, first select a medium-force spring. If the displacement sensor data remains high throughout a complete swallow, replace it with a lower-force spring. If the displacement sensor data remains low throughout a complete swallow, replace it with a higher-force spring until the displacement sensor data changes from low to high throughout a complete swallow. At this point, use the spring with that force value for training.

[0037] When conducting training, the user first selects a spring with a suitable force value and completes the assembly. Then, the user manually presets the initial electrical stimulation intensity. After setting, the controller and electrical stimulation device of the device are activated, putting it into working mode. The user can combine the actual data fed back from the sensors at each position to select electrodes at different locations and flexibly adjust the electrical stimulation intensity for personalized training. In one specific embodiment, after a period of systematic training, if the pressure data collected by all pressure sensors during swallowing is lower than the force value of the currently used spring, it indicates that the user's palatal muscle strength has reached the current training stage goal. At this point, a spring with a smaller force value is replaced to achieve higher intensity and greater extent of muscle training, gradually improving the training effect.

[0038] In summary, the training device of this invention not only allows for targeted training of different positions of the palate, improving training specificity, but also enables training for users who have almost lost their velopharyngeal closure function by using data from a flexible tongue pressure sensor to determine the swallowing process. Furthermore, the use of springs with varying force values ​​can rapidly improve velopharyngeal closure problems, significantly reducing the risk of choking, nasal discomfort, and infection for users.

[0039] Furthermore, the training method of the present invention also includes the following: upon completion of training, the controller automatically generates a training report in response to a training termination signal. This training report covers detailed data of the user's training session, specifically including key training parameters such as electrical stimulation intensity and pressure curve. Users can intuitively understand their training status and actual training effects through this training report, providing accurate data reference for parameter adjustments and program optimization in the next training session, ensuring the continuity and scientific rigor of the training.

[0040] In the description of this specification, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. Furthermore, the steps described above are for clarity only; in implementation, they can be combined into one step or some steps can be broken down into multiple steps, as long as they include the same logical relationships.

[0041] While this specification has shown and described numerous embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Many modifications, alterations, and alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in the practice of this invention.

Claims

1. An intelligent assisted swallowing and training device, characterized in that, The device includes a retention module (1), a palate support module (2) is provided at the soft palate contact point of the retention module (1), a sensor module (3) and an electrical stimulation module (4) are provided on the contact surface between the palate support module (2) and the soft palate, the retention module (1) and the palate support (2) are connected by a detachable spring (5), and the sensor module (3) and the electrical stimulation module (4) are respectively connected to a controller (7) through wires (6).

2. The intelligent assisted swallowing and training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The retention module (1) includes a 3D printed retention dental sleeve (11), a spring storage box (12) on its surface, and a flexible tongue pressure sensor (13) in contact with the posterior palatal fold.

3. The intelligent assisted swallowing and training device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The spring storage box (12) is equipped with a latching device inside to control opening or closing.

4. The intelligent assisted swallowing and training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The palate support module (2) includes an inner metal reinforcing wire (21), a middle layer of resin (22), and an outer soft lining material (23).

5. The intelligent assisted swallowing and training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor module (3) is equipped with a pressure sensor (31) and a displacement sensor (32) on its tissue surface.

6. The intelligent assisted swallowing and training device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The controller (7) is equipped with a signal conversion module (71), a correction module (72), a display module (73), and a signal output module (74).

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