Dysphagia training aid

Abstract

The dysphagia training device comprises a tongue muscle training assembly, the tongue muscle training assembly comprises a tongue muscle training ball, fixing plugs are fixedly connected to the two sides of the tongue muscle training ball, inner connecting pieces are installed on the two sides of the tongue muscle training ball through the two fixing plugs respectively, and each inner connecting piece comprises a connecting shaft. The two connecting shafts are clamped to the outer portions of the two fixing plugs respectively, the outer portions of the two connecting shafts are connected with outer connecting pieces through torsional springs, the other ends of the outer connecting pieces on the two sides are fixedly connected with elastic pipes, and the other ends of the two elastic pipes are fixedly connected with buccal muscle training assemblies. Rotation of the tongue muscle training device is limited through the torsional spring, so that a patient can perceive the training range, after the tongue of the patient does not push the tongue muscle training ball any more, the tongue muscle training ball is driven by the torsional spring to automatically reset, and the patient can conduct training of the next period conveniently.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of medical rehabilitation equipment technology, and in particular to a swallowing disorder trainer. Background Technology

[0002] Dysphagia refers to the process by which food cannot be safely and effectively transported into the stomach due to damage to the structure and / or function of organs such as the jaw, lips, tongue, soft palate, pharynx, and esophagus. Tongue muscle training is particularly important for patients with dysphagia because the tongue plays a key role in the swallowing process. It can mix food and push the bolus. Insufficient tongue muscle strength or poor coordination can affect the initiation of swallowing and the transport of the bolus. Corresponding training can enhance tongue muscle strength and improve its coordination, thereby helping patients restore normal swallowing function, reduce the risk of aspiration, and promote the improvement of their eating ability.

[0003] The main exercise method for tongue muscle training involves patients voluntarily licking their upper and lower palates. However, due to weak tongue muscle function, patients often struggle to accurately perceive their tongue muscle movements and lack objective references to measure whether the movements are performed correctly. Furthermore, some patients have weak tongue muscle strength or poor motor control due to swallowing disorders, making it difficult to perform the movements precisely even if they know the correct method. In addition, without supervision and correction from medical staff or rehabilitation therapists, incomplete licking can easily occur. Incomplete licking restricts the range of motion of the tongue muscles, failing to fully stimulate the corresponding muscle areas and hindering the effective improvement of tongue muscle strength. Moreover, insufficient contact between the tongue and the upper and lower palates can affect the establishment and strengthening of swallowing-related nerve reflexes, which is detrimental to the perfection of the swallowing reflex arc.

[0004] Based on the above viewpoints, those skilled in the art have provided a swallowing disorder trainer to address the aforementioned problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a swallowing disorder trainer that can limit the rotation of the tongue muscle trainer through a torsion spring, thereby allowing the patient to perceive the range of training.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a swallowing disorder trainer, comprising a tongue muscle training component, wherein the tongue muscle training component comprises a tongue muscle training ball, both sides of the tongue muscle training ball are fixedly connected to fixing plugs, and both sides of the tongue muscle training ball are respectively equipped with inner connecting members through two fixing plugs, each inner connecting member comprising a connecting shaft, the two connecting shafts being respectively engaged with the outside of the two fixing plugs, the outside of the two connecting shafts being connected to outer connecting members through torsion springs, the other end of the two outer connecting members being fixedly connected to an elastic tube, and the other end of the two elastic tubes being fixedly connected to a cheek muscle training component.

[0007] Furthermore, the elastic tube is made of an elastic material.

[0008] Furthermore, the cheek muscle training component includes a cheek muscle training ball, the top of which is provided with a one-way water inlet valve for one-way water inlet, and the external connector includes an external connector plate, the outer side wall of which is equipped with a one-way drain valve for one-way drainage.

[0009] Furthermore, an upper compression protrusion ring is fixedly connected to one end of the connecting shaft near the outer connecting member, a seepage plate is fixedly connected inside the outer connecting member, a compression spring is fixedly connected to one side wall of the seepage plate near the inner connecting member, a lower compression protrusion ring that cooperates with the upper compression protrusion ring is fixedly connected to the other end of the compression spring, and the drain check valve is disposed between the seepage plate and the lower compression protrusion ring.

[0010] Furthermore, the surface of the tongue muscle training ball is provided with several resistance grooves to increase resistance.

[0011] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0012] 1. In this utility model, the rotation of the tongue muscle trainer is restricted by the torsion spring, so that the patient can perceive the training range. When the patient's tongue stops pushing the tongue muscle training ball, the tongue muscle training ball will automatically reset under the action of the torsion spring, so that the patient can start the next training cycle.

[0013] 2. In this utility model, the single-sided seepage valve fixedly installed on the connecting shaft can squeeze the water in the elastic tube by pushing the tongue muscle training ball with the tongue, which will drive the torsion spring to squeeze. When the pressure reaches a certain limit, the torsion spring will return to its original position, and a small amount of water will seep out through the seepage plate to the single-sided drain valve. This single-sided drain valve will not allow the patient's saliva to enter the water pipe through the valve, and the amount of water discharged each time is small, preventing the patient from choking.

[0014] 3. In this utility model, the elastic tube can not only change the width of the water pipe to suit the oral cavity width of different patients, but also the elastic deformation of the elastic tube can drive the cheek muscle training ball to push the cheek muscle back and forth as the teeth open and close to train the cheek muscle. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is an overall view of a swallowing disorder training device proposed in this utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a top view of a swallowing disorder trainer proposed in this utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is an isometric side sectional view of a swallowing disorder trainer proposed in this utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged diagram of point A in the diagram;

[0019] Figure 5 This is a partial exploded view of a swallowing disorder training device proposed in this utility model.

[0020] Legend:

[0021] 1. Tongue muscle training component; 2. Inner connector; 3. Cheek muscle training component; 4. Elastic tube; 5. Outer connector; 6. Drainage check valve;

[0022] 11. Tongue muscle training ball; 12. Resistance groove; 13. Fixing plug;

[0023] 21. Connecting shaft; 22. Upper extrusion protrusion ring;

[0024] 31. Cheek muscle training ball; 32. Water injection check valve;

[0025] 51. External connecting plate; 52. Drainage plate; 53. Compression spring; 54. Lower compression protrusion ring. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] Reference Figure 1-5 This utility model provides an embodiment of a swallowing disorder trainer, including a tongue muscle training component 1, which includes a tongue muscle training ball 11. Fixing plugs 13 are fixedly connected to both sides of the tongue muscle training ball 11. Inner connecting parts 2 are installed on both sides of the tongue muscle training ball 11 via two fixing plugs 13. Each inner connecting part 2 includes a connecting shaft 21, which is respectively engaged with the outside of the two fixing plugs 13. Outer connecting parts 5 are connected to the outside of the two connecting shafts 21 via torsion springs. Elastic tubes 4 are fixedly connected to the other ends of the outer connecting parts 5 on both sides. These elastic tubes 4 have good elastic deformation capabilities, can withstand external forces within a certain range and deform, and can return to their original shape after the external force disappears, such as existing technologies like PE elastic tubes.

[0028] The other ends of the two elastic tubes 4 are fixedly connected to a cheek muscle training component 3. The cheek muscle training component 3 includes a cheek muscle training ball 31. The top of the cheek muscle training ball 31 is provided with a one-way water inlet valve 32 for one-way water inlet. The one-way water inlet valve 32 allows water to flow in one direction and prevents it from flowing in the opposite direction. The outer connector 5 includes an outer connecting plate 51. A one-way drain valve 6 for one-way drainage is installed on the outer side wall of the outer connecting plate 51. When the water flows in the specified direction, the drain valve 6 opens under the action of fluid pressure, and the water flows smoothly out. When the water flow attempts to flow in the opposite direction, the valve automatically closes to prevent water backflow and to prevent saliva and other oral secretions from entering the elastic tubes 4. The end of the connecting shaft 21 near the outer connector 5 is fixedly connected to an upper extruder. The pressure ring 22 and the inner connecting plate 51 are fixedly connected to a permeable plate 52. The permeable plate 52 is usually made of polymer material and has uniformly distributed fine pores on its surface. These pores can both allow water to pass through and filter impurities. A compression spring 53 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the permeable plate 52 near the inner connecting member 2. The compression spring 53 has a certain elastic coefficient and can deform when it is compressed by external force to store energy. When the external force is removed, it can return to its original shape. The other end of the compression spring 53 is fixedly connected to a lower compression ring 54 that cooperates with the upper compression ring 22. A drain check valve 6 is set between the permeable plate 52 and the lower compression ring 54. The tongue muscle training ball 11 has several resistance grooves 12 on its surface to increase resistance.

[0029] Working principle: After filling the swallowing disorder trainer with water through the one-way valve 32, adjust the trainer to the most suitable size for the patient's oral cavity width via the elastic tube 4. Insert the cheek muscle training ball 31 into the left and right sides of the oral cavity. Driven by the elastic tube 4, the cheek muscle training ball 31 tends to expand outward. The patient restricts the cheek muscle training ball 31 by tightening the cheek muscle group, thereby training the cheek muscle group. At the same time, the elastic tube 4 can adapt to the oral cavity of different patients. The tongue licks the resistance ridge 12, causing the tongue muscle training ball 11 to rotate. The rotation of the tongue muscle training ball 11 drives the upper compression protrusion ring 22 connected to the connecting shaft 21 to rotate through the fixing plug 13. When ring 22 rotates, the protruding teeth on the outside of the upper squeezing protruding ring 22 drive the lower squeezing protruding ring 54 to squeeze towards the water seepage plate 52, thereby causing the water stored in the elastic tube 4 to spray out from the drain one-way valve 6. Since the rotation angle of the upper squeezing protruding ring 22 is small, and some of the water flow will be pushed back into the cheek muscle training component 3, it fully ensures that the amount of water sprayed at one time is small, avoiding the patient from choking on water during training. The patient can choose to accumulate the sprayed water in the mouth according to their own situation and swallow it when appropriate to complete the swallowing training. When the patient's tongue no longer pushes the tongue muscle training ball 11, the tongue muscle training ball 11 will automatically reset under the action of the torsion spring so that the patient can start the next cycle of training.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A dysphagia trainer, characterized by: The utility model provides tongue muscle training assembly (1) including tongue muscle training ball (11), both sides of tongue muscle training ball (11) are fixedly connected with fixed plug (13), both sides of tongue muscle training ball (11) are installed with inner connecting piece (2) respectively through two fixed plug (13), inner connecting piece (2) includes connecting shaft (21), two connecting shafts (21) are clamped outside two fixed plug (13) respectively, the outside of two connecting shafts (21) is connected with outer connecting piece (5) through torsional spring, both sides outer connecting piece (5) another end is fixedly connected with elastic pipe (4), two elastic pipe (4) another end is fixedly connected with buccinator muscle training assembly (3).

2. A dysphagia trainer according to claim 1, characterised in that: The elastic pipe (4) is made of elastic material.

3. A dysphagia trainer according to claim 1, wherein: The buccinator muscle training assembly (3) includes a buccinator muscle training ball (31), the top of the buccinator muscle training ball (31) is provided with a water injection one-way valve (32) for one-way water injection, the outer connecting piece (5) includes an outer connecting plate (51), the outer connecting plate (51) is provided with a drainage one-way valve (6) for one-way drainage.

4. A dysphagia trainer according to claim 3, wherein: The connecting shaft (21) is fixedly connected with an upper extrusion convex ring (22) at one end close to the outer connecting piece (5), the outer connecting plate (51) is fixedly connected with a water seepage plate (52) inside, the water seepage plate (52) is fixedly connected with an extrusion spring (53) on one side wall close to the inner connecting piece (2), the other end of the extrusion spring (53) is fixedly connected with a lower extrusion convex ring (54) matched with the upper extrusion convex ring (22), and the drainage one-way valve (6) is arranged between the water seepage plate (52) and the lower extrusion convex ring (54).

5. The dysphagia trainer of claim 1, wherein: The tongue muscle training ball (11) is provided with a plurality of resistance lines (12) on the surface for increasing resistance.

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