Equipment for measuring static force application of perioral muscle

Abstract

The utility model relates to equipment for measuring static force application of perioral muscles, which is suitable for evaluating functions of the perioral muscles and acquiring force application data of the muscles. The device comprises a supporting structure, a soft air bag, a breather pipe and a pressure sensor, the supporting structure is configured to be matched with the oral cavity area of a subject, and the soft air bag is fixed to the anterior tooth area of the supporting structure and connected with the pressure sensor through the breather pipe. A subject applies force to the soft air bag through perioral muscles, the pressure sensor measures gas pressure changes in the air bag and converts the gas pressure changes into corresponding applied force, and a real-time monitoring function is provided. The device is compact in design, high in measurement precision and simple and convenient to use, and can be applied to scenes such as perioral muscle function evaluation and simulation model data acquisition.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for measuring the force exerted by perioral muscles, particularly for measuring the force exerted by external oral muscle groups (such as the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscles). This device is primarily used in oral medicine, rehabilitation training, and oral function assessment, and is especially suitable for evaluating the force exerted by perioral muscles or the mechanical interaction between teeth and dental instruments during oral function training and treatment. This technology can also be used in the design and debugging of dental diagnostic equipment and in oral health assessment. Background Technology

[0002] Perioral muscles, particularly the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscles, are essential components of oral function, participating in basic physiological activities such as chewing, swallowing, and phonation. Accurate measurement of the force exerted by these muscles is crucial for the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of oral function. Currently, traditional methods for measuring perioral muscle strength mainly rely on pressure sensors, mechanical sensors, or electromyography. However, these methods often suffer from insufficient accuracy, complex operation, and space limitations, failing to accurately assess the magnitude of muscle force or provide efficient and convenient monitoring.

[0003] In existing technologies, diaphragm pressure sensors are widely used for measuring oral force, but their accuracy is relatively low and cannot meet the requirements for high-precision measurement. Especially in the confined space and complex environment of the oral cavity, diaphragm sensors struggle to provide sufficient accuracy and stability. Furthermore, some advanced devices require sensors to be embedded in oral appliances (such as braces and vestibular shields), which involves long development cycles, cumbersome debugging processes, and significant technical challenges.

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, this utility model proposes a new equipment design scheme.

[0005] This solution integrates a support structure and a soft airbag with an external pressure sensor. It measures gas pressure to reflect the static force exerted by the perioral muscles, offering high accuracy, ease of operation, and low cost. By employing a high-precision integrated pressure sensor, this device can accurately measure the force exerted by the subject's perioral muscles in real time, overcoming accuracy issues in existing technologies and avoiding limitations imposed by the oral cavity. This makes the device more suitable for clinical applications and daily rehabilitation training. Utility Model Content

[0006] This invention discloses a device for measuring static force exerted by perioral muscles. The device includes a support structure, a soft air bladder, an air tube, and a pressure sensor. The support structure is made of PU material and is shaped to fit within the subject's oral cavity and conform to the subject's cheek muscle area. The two ends of the support structure are located in the subject's first molar region, with a gap of 1-3 mm between them, avoiding direct contact with the molars while ensuring the stability and comfort of the device. The support structure is designed to be approximately 2 mm thick, providing sufficient rigidity to support the soft air bladder while also possessing a degree of flexibility to adapt to different subjects' oral structures.

[0007] The soft airbag is installed in the anterior tooth region of the support structure, shaped to cover the labial area of ​​the subject's anterior teeth. Its upper and lower boundaries are located between the maxillary and mandibular frenulum, respectively, and its lateral boundaries extend to the left and right canines, respectively. The soft airbag is made of medical-grade polyurethane film, with a natural thickness of 2-10 mm after inflation, which can be adjusted according to actual needs to ensure precise fit with the subject's oral cavity. The soft airbag is fixed to the support structure by bonding or welding, forming an integrated structure to ensure stability when the subject applies force.

[0008] The soft airbag is connected to the external area via a venting tube. One end of the venting tube is connected to the soft airbag, while the other end is integrated with a pressure sensor. A one-way check valve is installed in the venting tube to ensure unidirectional gas flow and prevent interference from external air pressure on the measurement results. The diameter of the venting tube is designed to be 2-4 mm to balance smooth airflow with the need for miniaturization of the device.

[0009] The pressure sensor is an integrated pressure sensor with a measurement range of 0-5 kPa and an accuracy of ±0.25% of full scale, capable of measuring the gas pressure within the ventilation tube in real time. By converting the gas pressure value measured by the pressure sensor into the force exerted by the subject's perioral muscles on the soft airbag, the magnitude of the applied force can be accurately calculated, and the data can be displayed or recorded in real time. The gas pressure within the soft airbag is directly proportional to the magnitude of the perioral muscle force exerted. This design allows for precise assessment of the subject's perioral muscle function, particularly in rehabilitation training and functional assessment.

[0010] In some embodiments, the device includes a data processing system for receiving and processing gas pressure data output by the pressure sensor, thereby assessing the force exerted by the subject's perioral muscles.

[0011] In some embodiments, the device further includes a display system for displaying real-time pressure data or trends in the intensity of the subject's perioral muscle exertion.

[0012] This invention overcomes the measurement error problems caused by space limitations or insufficient sensor accuracy in existing technologies. Through the adjustable inflation function of the soft airbag, this device can adapt to different oral anatomy structures of subjects, ensuring a close fit between the soft airbag and the subject's oral cavity, thereby obtaining more stable and accurate measurement results. It can be widely used in fields such as oral medicine, bite force measurement, rehabilitation training, and oral health assessment, providing experimental data support for the diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of oral dysfunction in subjects. Attached Figure Description

[0013] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the device of this utility model.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the device of this utility model being worn inside the mouth of the subject. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific implementation methods. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this application based on the content disclosed in this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of this application, and not all embodiments. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific implementation methods, and the details in this specification can also be modified or changed based on different perspectives and applications without departing from the technical spirit of this application. It should be particularly noted that, unless otherwise specified, the following embodiments and their features can be combined with each other.

[0017] In implementing this utility model, those skilled in the art can adjust the implementation method, structure, or function according to actual needs. All possibilities not specifically described in this embodiment are within the scope of protection of this application. It is worth noting that the features in the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and can be adjusted or changed in actual applications. Through the technical solutions provided by this application, those skilled in the art should understand that different implementation methods can be flexibly combined according to specific applications and needs.

[0018] It should be particularly noted that the embodiments described below are merely typical examples of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. The scope of protection of this utility model shall be determined by the scope defined in the claims. Any modifications and alterations not explicitly disclosed in this application but obvious to those skilled in the art shall still fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0019] Furthermore, the illustrations provided in the following embodiments are for illustrative purposes only. The illustrations only show components related to this application and are not drawn according to the actual number, shape, or size of the components in the actual implementation. In actual implementation, the shape, quantity, proportion, etc. of each component can be adjusted according to specific design requirements, and the layout of the components may also be more complex.

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the specific structure and usage of this utility model, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the embodiments and accompanying drawings. Figure 1 As shown, the device of this utility model includes a support structure (101), a soft airbag (102), a ventilation tube (103), and a pressure sensor (104). The various parts are connected by bonding, mechanical snap-fitting, or a combination of both to form an integrated structure. The attached drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not drawn to scale.

[0021] In one embodiment, the support structure (101) is shaped to fit the oral anatomy of the subject, with its two ends located in the first molar region, maintaining a gap of 1-3 mm to ensure that the device does not exert pressure on the molars during wear, while ensuring the stability and comfort of the device. The support structure (101) is made of polyurethane (PU) material, which has good flexibility and sufficient rigidity, with a thickness of approximately 2 mm to minimize the feeling of a foreign body while providing support. The two sides of the support structure are curved to conform to the cheek muscle area to improve fixation, and its surface is smooth to reduce friction.

[0022] In one embodiment, a soft air bladder (102) is provided in the anterior tooth region of the support structure (101). The shape of the soft air bladder is configured to cover the labial region of the subject's anterior teeth. The upper and lower boundaries of the soft air bladder are located between the maxillary and mandibular frenulum, respectively, and the lateral boundaries extend to the left and right canines. The soft air bladder (102) is fixed to the support structure (101) by bonding or welding to form an integrated structure, ensuring that the soft air bladder will not shift during use. The soft air bladder is made of medical-grade polyurethane film with a thickness of approximately 0.3 mm, which has good elasticity and durability. After inflation, its natural thickness can be adjusted to 2-10 mm to adapt to different oral cavity shapes of subjects.

[0023] In one embodiment, the soft airbag (102) is connected to the external oral region via a ventilation tube (103). One end of the ventilation tube (103) is connected to the soft airbag, and the other end is integrated with a pressure sensor (104). The ventilation tube has a diameter of 3 mm and its length can be adjusted according to actual needs, generally between 30-50 mm. It is made of medical-grade silicone tubing, which is both flexible and durable. A one-way check valve is installed in the ventilation tube (103) to ensure the single direction of gas flow and avoid interference from external environmental pressure on the measurement results. Through the branching design of the ventilation tube, an air source can be connected to the soft airbag to adjust its inflation state.

[0024] In one embodiment, a pressure sensor (104) is used to measure the gas pressure within the ventilation tube (103) in real time, with a measurement range of 0-5 kPa and an accuracy of ±0.25% of full scale. The pressure sensor is connected to a data processing system via wires for recording and processing measurement data. The data processing system converts the gas pressure value into a static force exerted by the subject on the soft airbag through the perioral muscles and outputs the real-time measurement result. The pressure sensor housing is sealed to prevent external dust or moisture from affecting sensor performance.

[0025] Figure 2 The illustration shows the device of this invention worn inside the subject's mouth. The support structure (101) is located in the cheek muscle area, the soft airbag (102) covers the labial area of ​​the anterior teeth, and the air tube (103) is connected to the pressure sensor (104) outside the oral cavity. The pressure sensor is placed outside the subject's mouth. This design avoids the limitations of the oral cavity space while ensuring the stability and measurement accuracy of the device.

[0026] Before use, the pressure sensor (104) needs to be calibrated. Place the soft airbag (102) on a flat surface, and gradually apply a known weight into the airbag through the vent tube (103). Record the corresponding pressure sensor voltage output data and establish a calibration curve between voltage and pressure. Measure the weight of each weight three times and take the average value to improve accuracy.

[0027] When wearing the device, subjects should remain seated with their heads upright and facing forward. The soft airbag (102) is gently placed between the upper and lower lips, ensuring it is completely enveloped without discomfort, while the subject is instructed to open their teeth to avoid biting the airbag. During the experiment, subjects must complete three states: resting, slightly closed lips, and maximum voluntary lip closure. In the resting state, subjects relax their facial muscles for 5 seconds without applying pressure to record baseline data; in the slightly closed lips state, subjects apply minimal force to the airbag for 5 seconds; in the maximum voluntary lip closure state, subjects close their lips as tightly as possible for 5 seconds. Each state is repeated three times with a 1-minute interval to avoid muscle fatigue.

[0028] During the experiment, the pressure sensor (104) recorded the gas pressure changes in the ventilation tube in real time, generating a pressure curve. The data processing system used the previously established calibration curve to convert the voltage output of the pressure sensor into the actual pressure value (unit: kilopascal, kPa). For each state, the average pressure value was calculated by selecting the data from the middle 3 seconds when the pressure reached a steady state. The force exerted by the perioral muscles was further calculated using the formula F=P×A, where F is the force (Newtons, N), P is the average pressure value (Pascal, Pa), and A is the effective contact area of ​​the soft airbag (calculated from the size of the soft airbag after compression). The experimental data were processed using statistical analysis software, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the differences between different states, with the significance level set at p<0.05.

[0029] The device's structural details can be tailored to individual patient needs. For example, the thickness and size of the soft balloon can be adjusted by changing the inflation volume to ensure a suitable fit for different subjects; the length and bending radius of the airway can be optimized based on variations in the patient's oral cavity structure. The shape of the support structure can also be customized to meet the needs of different patients, improving wearing comfort and measurement stability.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely exemplary implementations. Those skilled in the art can obtain other implementations of this application based on the content of this application without creative effort, and all such implementations should be considered to fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for measuring static force of perioral muscles, characterized by, The device comprises: a support structure, which is shaped to fit in the oral cavity of a subject and has two sides to fit the cheek muscle area of the subject; a soft airbag, which is shaped to cover the labial area of the anterior teeth of the subject and is integrally connected with the support structure around its periphery to form an integrated structure; an air tube, which is in communication with the soft airbag at one end inside the mouth and is integrally designed with a pressure sensor at the other end outside the mouth; a pressure sensor, which is used to measure the gas pressure value in the air tube, and the gas pressure value is directly proportional to the force applied by the subject to the soft airbag through the perioral muscle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The support structure is made of PU material.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The two ends of the support structure are located in the first molar area of the subject, with a gap of 1-3 mm from the first molar area of the subject.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The soft airbag is made of medical-grade polyurethane film.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The upper and lower boundaries of the soft airbag in the anterior tooth area are located between the upper and lower lingual frenulum, respectively, and the two side boundaries are located between the left and right canine teeth, respectively.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The natural thickness of the soft airbag after inflation is 2-10 mm.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the support structure is less than the natural thickness of the airbag after inflation.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The surface of the support structure is formed with a thin film of soft material to improve the wearing comfort.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The air tube is provided with a one-way check valve.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The pressure sensor is an integrated pressure sensor, which can measure the gas pressure value in the air tube in real time and calculate the force applied by the perioral muscle of the subject according to the gas pressure value.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The measurement range of the pressure sensor is 0-5 kPa, and the accuracy is ±0.25% full scale.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein, The device includes a data processing system for receiving and processing the gas pressure data output by the pressure sensor, and further evaluating the force intensity of the perioral muscle of the subject.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein, The device further includes a display system for displaying real-time pressure data or the change trend of the force intensity of the perioral muscle of the subject.

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