Tongue muscle stimulator
By employing a three-point positioning structure and flexible electrode mounting components on the tongue muscle stimulator, the problem of deviation during oral muscle movement in existing tongue muscle stimulators has been solved, achieving stable electrode contact and reducing foreign body sensation, thereby improving treatment efficacy.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422813818.7
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing tongue muscle stimulators are prone to deviating from the genioglossus muscle during use due to oral muscle movements, which affects the treatment effect.
The device employs a three-point positioning structure, including positioning components that cooperate with the central incisors and the two posterior molars, as well as a posterior tooth crown, combined with an electrode mounting component designed with flexible materials to ensure stable contact between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle.
This improved the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator, reduced the feeling of a foreign body, ensured effective contact between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle, and enhanced the treatment effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN223615004U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of medical device technology, specifically relating to a tongue muscle stimulator. Background Technology
[0002] Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-disordered breathing disorder characterized by snoring, apnea, and daytime sleepiness. During sleep, the patient's upper airway muscle regulation function decreases, causing partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway, leading to reduced ventilation. Reduced ventilation may increase the incidence of heart attacks, heart failure, hypertension, stroke, and other diseases.
[0003] Currently, obstructive sleep apnea is mainly treated with genioglossus muscle stimulation therapy. The principle is that when the genioglossus muscle is electrically stimulated, it will cause the tongue to protrude forward, so as to avoid upper airway obstruction caused by the tongue moving backward.
[0004] Genioglossus muscle stimulation therapy is mainly achieved through a tongue muscle stimulator held in the mouth. However, existing tongue muscle stimulators are mainly positioned by contacting the genioglossus muscle with electrodes or by combining contact with the genioglossus muscle with the posterior braces on both sides and the molars. But in actual use, it has been found that due to the involuntary movement of the muscles in the patient's mouth, the position of the tongue muscle stimulator will shift, causing the stimulation position to deviate from the genioglossus muscle and affecting the treatment effect. Utility Model Content
[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a tongue muscle stimulator that is not easily moved after positioning. It achieves three-point positioning of the tongue muscle stimulator and the teeth by forming a first positioning element that cooperates with the central incisor and a posterior tooth sleeve that cooperates with the two posterior molars on the mounting part, so as to avoid the tongue muscle stimulator moving under the action of oral muscles and affecting the effect of stimulation therapy.
[0006] To achieve the above and other related objectives, this utility model provides a tongue muscle stimulator, including a detachable mounting component on the lower teeth and an electrode device for providing electrical stimulation to the genioglossus muscle. The mounting component includes a main body and posterior tooth sleeves formed at both ends of the main body. The electrode device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, both of which are connected to a stimulator via wires. The first and second electrodes are respectively mounted on two posterior tooth sleeves and are configured to face the genioglossus muscle at opposite lateral sides. A first positioning element is formed on the mounting component to cooperate with the central incisors for positioning, and the posterior tooth sleeves and the first positioning element are made of rigid or highly elastic materials. Because the tongue muscle stimulator can be positioned and installed at the central incisors and the two posterior molars, the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator is effectively improved, avoiding the tongue muscle stimulator from shifting back and forth under the action of oral muscles and affecting the treatment effect.
[0007] Preferably, the outer wall of the posterior brace includes a tooth-fitting wall that fits against the periphery of the teeth and a gingival-fitting wall that fits against the periphery of the gums; since the outer wall of the posterior brace can extend into the gap between the inner wall of the oral cavity and the periphery of the gums, the possibility of rotation of the mounting component is effectively reduced, further ensuring the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator.
[0008] Preferably, two electrode mounting pieces are disposed opposite each other on the inner sidewalls of the two posterior braces; the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively disposed on the two electrode mounting pieces.
[0009] Preferably, the electrode mounting component has a first contact surface that abuts against the genioglossus muscle and a second contact surface that abuts against the upper surface of the floor of the mouth; the first contact surface is used to mount the corresponding electrode, and the area of the first contact surface is always not less than the area of the corresponding electrode, so as to ensure that the electrode can always be completely in contact with the genioglossus muscle.
[0010] Preferably, the electrode mounting component includes an extension arm that extends obliquely toward the genioglossus muscle and a support arm located below the extension arm; the inner end of the extension arm is connected to the inner end of the support arm, and the connection is smoothly transitioned; the first contact surface is disposed on the extension arm, and the second contact surface is disposed on the support arm; thus, when the patient's tongue moves up and down involuntarily within a small range, the electrode mounting component can deform with the movement of the tongue to ensure that the electrode on the first contact surface can always be completely in contact with the genioglossus muscle.
[0011] Preferably, the bending arm formed by the extension arm and the support arm is made of a flexible material; at least one partition arm is provided between the extension arm and the support arm from the outside to the inside, so that a buffer cavity is formed between the partition arms and between the partition arm and the bending arm, which not only ensures the fit between each electrode and the genioglossus muscle during use, but also reduces the foreign body sensation during use.
[0012] Preferably, the main body is formed with a second positioning element that cooperates with the lips for positioning, further improving the stability of installation.
[0013] Preferably, the second positioning element is a connector electrically connected to the stimulation applicator. The connector is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode via wires, and the wires between the connector and each electrode are embedded in the mounting component to prevent the wires from being exposed and bitten off by teeth.
[0014] Preferably, the main body is an arc-shaped sheet structure disposed between the outer periphery of the teeth and the inner wall of the oral cavity to reduce the feeling of a foreign object during use.
[0015] Preferably, the main body is made of a flexible material to further reduce the feeling of foreign objects when using it.
[0016] As described above, the tongue muscle stimulator of this utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0017] 1) In addition to the two posterior braces that cooperate with the posterior molars on both sides for positioning, the tongue muscle stimulator of this utility model also has a first positioning component that cooperates with the central incisors. This achieves three-point positioning of the tongue muscle stimulator with the lower teeth, preventing the tongue muscle stimulator from moving under the involuntary action of the oral muscles and ensuring the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator. In addition, the outer wall of the posterior braces has a gingival fitting arm that can extend into the gap between the inner wall of the oral cavity and the peripheral gingiva, making the tongue muscle stimulator less prone to deflection and further ensuring the installation firmness.
[0018] 2) The main body of the installer adopts an arc-shaped sheet structure that can be placed between the outer periphery of the teeth and the inner wall of the oral cavity, which can effectively reduce the feeling of foreign objects when using it; in addition, the main body is preferably made of flexible material, which can further reduce the feeling of foreign objects when using it.
[0019] 3) The main body of the electrode mounting piece adopts a bending arm that can follow the deformation of the oral muscles, which can ensure the fit between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle during use and avoid changes in the contact area between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle from affecting the patient's experience. In addition, when the bending arm is made of flexible material, at least one partition arm can be set between the extension arm and the support arm of the bending arm. This not only ensures the fit between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle during use, but also reduces the feeling of foreign body, thereby reducing the impact on the patient's sleep. Attached Figure Description
[0020] Figure 1 This is a first-person perspective view of the mounting components in a tongue muscle stimulator.
[0021] Figure 2 This is a stereoscopic view of the components installed in the tongue muscle stimulator from a second-person perspective.
[0022] Figure 3 This is a top view of the tongue muscle stimulator.
[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first contact surface on the bending arm.
[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second contact surface on the bending arm.
[0025] Figure 6 This is a rear view of the mounting component in another embodiment.
[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures
[0027] Mounting component 1, main body 11, posterior brace 12, tooth aligning wall 121a, gingival aligning wall 121b, first positioning component 13, second positioning component 14, electrode mounting component 15, first contact surface 15a, second contact surface 15b, extension arm 151, support arm 152, separator arm 153, first electrode 21, second electrode 22. Detailed Implementation
[0028] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification.
[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 6 It should be understood that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of this invention, should still fall within the scope of the disclosed technical content. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of this invention.
[0030] like Figure 6 As shown, the tongue muscle stimulator of this utility model includes a mounting piece 1 detachably mounted on the lower teeth and an electrode device mounted on the mounting piece 1. The electrode device includes a first electrode 21, a second electrode 22, and a stimulator connected to each electrode via wires. The tongue muscle stimulator can be removably installed in the patient's oral cavity via the mounting piece 1. In this case, the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are configured to face the genioglossus muscle on its opposite lateral side, so as to apply electrical stimulation to the genioglossus muscle through the electrodes, causing the tongue to protrude forward and ensuring that the upper airway is open. For ease of description, in the following embodiments, when the tongue muscle stimulator is installed in the oral cavity, the length direction of the tongue is defined as the anterior-posterior direction, the width direction of the tongue is defined as the lateral direction, and the thickness direction of the tongue is defined as the posterior-posterior direction. Based on this, in Figure 6 In the diagram, the top and bottom sides of the paper represent the front and back directions, the left and right sides represent the left and right directions, and the inside and outside sides represent the bottom and top directions.
[0031] See the preferred structure of mounting component 1. Figure 1 and Figure 2The device includes an overall arc-shaped main body 11 and posterior dental sleeves 12 formed at both ends of the main body 11. The two posterior dental sleeves 12 can be fitted onto the posterior molars on both sides, and a first electrode 21 and a second electrode 22 are respectively installed so that the first electrode 21 and the second electrode abut against the left and right sides of the genioglossus muscle. A first positioning member 13 is formed in the middle of the main body 11 to cooperate with and position the central incisor, so as to restrict the forward movement of the mounting member 1. The posterior dental sleeves 12 and the first positioning member 13 can be made of rigid materials such as metal or hard plastic, or they can be made of highly elastic materials such as TPU and TPE, and there is no limitation on this. In this embodiment, the posterior dental sleeves 12 and the first positioning member 13 are preferably made of TPU material to improve the installation comfort while ensuring the stability of the installation.
[0032] The installation component 1 provided in this application can achieve three-point positioning with the lower teeth through two posterior tooth braces 12 and a first positioning component 13, which effectively ensures the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator and avoids the tongue muscle stimulator from shifting due to the involuntary movement of the tongue, thus affecting the stimulation effect.
[0033] To further improve installation stability, such as Figure 2 As shown, the outer wall of the posterior brace 12 includes a tooth cladding wall 121a that conforms to the periphery of the tooth and a gingival cladding wall 121b that conforms to the periphery of the gingiva. In this way, the outer wall of the posterior brace 12 can penetrate into the gap between the periphery of the gingiva and the inner wall of the oral cavity, reducing the possibility of the posterior brace 12 rotating out of the posterior molar.
[0034] To reduce the feeling of a foreign body, the main body 11 is an arc-shaped sheet-like structure or an arc-shaped linear structure disposed between the outer periphery of the tooth and the inner wall of the oral cavity; there is no limitation on this. Figure 1 As shown, the main body 11 in this embodiment preferably adopts an arc-shaped sheet structure. In this case, the first positioning member 13 is an inner bending member located on the main body 11, and the inner bending member and the main body 11 enclose and form a receiving groove for accommodating the central incisor.
[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, the main body 11 has a fitting portion that matches the shape of the gingival periphery, thereby allowing the main body 11 to penetrate into the gap between the gingival periphery and the oral cavity wall to further enhance the installation stability of the tongue muscle stimulator.
[0036] The main body 11 has the following two embodiments depending on the materials used:
[0037] First embodiment:
[0038] The main body 11 is made of flexible materials such as silicone and fabric. Because the main body 11 is soft and easily deformable, it can not only adapt to patients with different mouth shapes, but also greatly reduce the feeling of foreign body and improve the patient's comfort.
[0039] Second embodiment:
[0040] The main body 11 is made of highly elastic materials such as TPU and TPE; the middle part of the main body 11 is provided with a thinning groove or notch to reduce the difficulty of bending the main body 11, thereby making it easier to adapt to patients with different mouth shapes.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a second positioning member 14 is formed in the middle of the main body 11 to cooperate with and position the lips. The second positioning member 14 is an outwardly bent member, and the outwardly bent member and the main body 11 enclose to form a lip receiving groove for accommodating the lower lip, so as to further increase the installation stability. The outwardly bent member and the innerly bent member are preferably integrally formed, and the outwardly bent member and the innerly bent member are made of rigid materials such as metal or hard plastic, or high elastic materials such as TPU and TPE.
[0042] In a more specific embodiment, the second positioning member 14 is a connector electrically connected to the stimulation applicator. The connector is electrically connected to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 via wires, and the wires between the connector and each electrode are embedded in the mounting member 1 to prevent the wires from being exposed and bitten off by teeth. Of course, the second positioning member 14 can also serve as a handle so that the user can operate it by gripping it with their fingers.
[0043] Because the genioglossus muscle is a fan-shaped muscle located under the tongue, therefore, as Figure 1 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, two electrode mounting pieces 15 that can extend under the tongue are arranged opposite each other on the inner sidewalls of the two posterior braces 12, and the electrode mounting pieces 15 are in contact with the genioglossus muscle; the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are respectively arranged at the positions where the two electrode mounting pieces 15 are in contact with the genioglossus muscle; in this embodiment, the electrode mounting piece 15 has a first contact surface 15a that abuts against the genioglossus muscle and a second contact surface 15b that abuts against the upper surface of the floor of the mouth; the first contact surface 15a is used to install the corresponding electrode, and the area of the first contact surface 15a is always not less than the area of the electrode, so as to ensure that the electrode fits as closely as possible to the genioglossus muscle.
[0044] In a preferred embodiment, such as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the electrode mounting component 15 includes an extension arm 151 extending obliquely towards the genioglossus muscle and a support arm 152 located below the extension arm 151; the lower end of the inner sidewall of the posterior brace 12 is connected to the outer end of the extension arm 151, and the inner end of the extension arm 151 is connected to the inner end of the support arm 152, with a smooth transition at the connection point, so that the extension arm 151 and the support arm 152 are connected to form a bent arm; a first contact surface 15a is provided on the extension arm 151, and a second contact surface 15b is provided on the support arm 152; since the electrode mounting component 15 has a bent arm structure as a whole, when the patient's tongue moves up and down involuntarily within a small range, the electrode mounting component 15 can deform with the movement of the tongue to ensure that the electrode on the first contact surface 15a can always be completely in contact with the genioglossus muscle, so as to avoid impedance changes caused by changes in the contact area between the electrode and the genioglossus muscle, thereby ensuring stimulation stability.
[0045] In a more specific embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the bending arm formed by the extension arm 151 and the support arm 152 is made of flexible materials such as silicone; and at least one partition arm 153 is provided between the extension arm 151 and the support arm 152 from the outside to the inside, so that a buffer cavity is formed between the partition arms 153 and between the partition arm 153 and the bending arm, which not only ensures the fit between each electrode and the genioglossus muscle during use, but also reduces the foreign body sensation during use; in this embodiment, the outermost partition arm 153 is preferably made of a highly elastic material such as TPU.
[0046] In the production of the tongue muscle stimulator, injection molding is preferred. For example, when the main body 11 is made of silicone, the posterior brace 12, the first positioning member 13 and the second positioning member 14 are made of TPU, the bent arm in the electrode mounting member 15 is made of silicone, and the separator arm 153 is made of TPU, the wires connected to the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 are first placed in the main body injection mold to form the main body 11 with embedded wires; then, the posterior brace 12, the first positioning member 13 and the second positioning member 14 are formed on the main body 11 with embedded wires to obtain the first intermediate molded part; next, the bent arm is formed on the first intermediate molded part to obtain the second intermediate molded part; finally, the separator arm 153 is formed on the second intermediate molded part to obtain the final tongue muscle stimulator.
[0047] When using the tongue muscle stimulator, simply deform the mounting piece 1 and move it into the oral cavity while the tongue is raised, so that the two posterior tooth brackets 12 decibels are placed on the posterior molars on both sides, the first positioning piece 13 is positioned on the central incisors, and the second positioning piece 14 is positioned on the lower lip, thereby firmly installing the tongue muscle stimulator on the lower teeth; then, flatten the tongue and connect the stimulation applicator. The stimulation applicator provides stimulation current to the genioglossus muscle through the electrodes of the tongue muscle stimulator to keep the tongue protruding and avoid the tongue blocking the upper airway; since the tongue muscle stimulator is fixedly located on the lower teeth at three points, it is not easy to move under the action of oral muscles, ensuring smooth stimulation.
[0048] In summary, this utility model effectively overcomes the various shortcomings of the prior art and has high industrial application value.
[0049] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of this utility model. Any person skilled in the art can modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed in this utility model should still be covered by the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A tongue muscle stimulator, comprising a detachable mounting component (1) disposed on the lower teeth and an electrode device for providing electrical stimulation to the genioglossus muscle; the mounting component (1) comprising a body (11) and posterior dental sleeves (12) formed at both ends of the body (11); the electrode device comprising a first electrode (21) and a second electrode (22), both the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) being connected to a stimulator via wires; the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) being disposed on two posterior dental sleeves (12), and the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) being configured to face the genioglossus muscle at a position relative to the lateral side; characterized in that, The main body (11) is formed with a first positioning element (13) that cooperates with the central incisor for positioning, and the posterior brace (12) and the first positioning element (13) are made of rigid material or highly elastic material.
2. The tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer wall of the posterior brace (12) includes a tooth cladding wall (121a) that conforms to the periphery of the tooth and a gingival cladding wall (121b) that conforms to the periphery of the gingiva.
3. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Two electrode mounting pieces (15) are disposed opposite each other on the inner sidewalls of the two posterior braces (12); the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) are respectively disposed on the two electrode mounting pieces (15).
4. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electrode mounting component (15) has a first contact surface (15a) that abuts against the genioglossus muscle and a second contact surface (15b) that abuts against the upper surface of the floor of the mouth; the first contact surface (15a) is used to mount the corresponding electrode, and the area of the first contact surface (15a) is always not less than the area of the electrode.
5. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electrode mounting component (15) includes an extension arm (151) extending obliquely toward the genioglossus muscle and a support arm (152) located below the extension arm (151); the inner end of the extension arm (151) is connected to the inner end of the support arm (152) and the connection is smoothly transitioned; the first abutment surface (15a) is disposed on the extension arm (151) and the second abutment surface (15b) is disposed on the support arm (152).
6. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bending arm formed by the extension arm (151) and the support arm (152) is made of flexible material; at least one partition arm (153) is provided between the extension arm (151) and the support arm (152) from the outside to the inside.
7. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The main body (11) is formed with a second positioning element (14) that is positioned to cooperate with the lips.
8. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second positioning element (14) is a connector that is electrically connected to the stimulus applicator. The connector is electrically connected to the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) via wires, and the wires between the connector and each electrode are embedded in the mounting element (1).
9. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (11) is an arc-shaped sheet structure disposed between the outer periphery of the teeth and the inner wall of the oral cavity.
10. A tongue muscle stimulator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main body (11) is made of flexible material.