Head bow of a device for determining the position and degrees of freedom of movement of the mandible

Abstract

Head bow as a carrier for position / motion measuring sensors to be fixedly attached to the upper jaw of a person, as a functional component of a device for determining the position and degrees of freedom of movement of the mandible relative to the upper jaw, in a central part which is configured as a sensor carrier part and includes a nose support for support on the nasal root, and two bracket parts attached to the ends of the device with joints, configured in such a way that, in the state of use, they lie against the left and right sides of the person's head above the ears in order to temporarily fix the head arch there, wherein The bracket parts, in the top view of the head arch, each comprise a first section in which they have a greater distance than the width of the corresponding section of the head, and a second section in which, in the rest state, they have a smaller distance than the width of the head, and the joints for connection with the middle part and / or the bracket parts themselves are designed to be spring-elastic in such a way that, in the state of use, an elastic widening of the distance between the two second sections of the two bracket parts to a distance corresponding to the width of the head and an elastic pressing against the side surfaces of the head is achieved.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a head bow as a carrier of position / motion measuring sensors to be fixed to the upper jaw of a vertebrate, as a functional component of a device for determining the position and degrees of freedom of movement of the lower jaw of the vertebrate relative to the upper jaw.

[0002] Devices for recording the mandibular position and movements of a patient, which operate with ultrasound or infrared position sensors and include a head or forehead arch to be fixed in the forehead region of the person (or other vertebrate) being examined, have long been known and in practical use. An early arrangement of this type is described, for example, in CH 658 178 A5.

[0003] Further developments of such measuring arrangements are (among other things) the subject of developments by the applicant; see, for example, DE 10 2004 002 953 A1 or DE 10 2008 044 746 A1.

[0004] The invention aims to provide an improved and reliable headgear that enables the simple acquisition of positional data from a sensor attached to the subject's mandible and is easy to use in practice and comfortable for the patient to wear. Furthermore, the headgear should remain stable on the head, particularly during head movements, and exhibit minimal influence from the masticatory muscles during mandibular movements.

[0005] This problem is solved by a letterhead with the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the inventive concept are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] The invention is explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the figures. These show: Fig. 1. A general view of the head arch, in perspective representation, Fig. 2 a top view of Fig. 1, with two cord sections, and Fig. 3 A top view in the upside-down and fixed position.

[0007] The figures show a headpiece 1 with the functions described above. This includes a central section 3 as a sensor carrier for a sensor system (not shown in detail here), which has a nose support 5. The nose support 5 carries a support element 5a, which is made of or coated with a soft, non-slip material that is resistant to skin contact.

[0008] Two bracket sections 11, 13 are rotatably attached to the two lateral ends of the central section 3 via a pivot joint 7, 9. The bracket sections 11, 13 each comprise, in an integral design, a first section 11a, 13a and a second section 11b, 13b. Between the first and second sections of both brackets, there is an obliquely curved transition area. The first sections 11a, 13a are spaced further apart than the width of the corresponding section of the head, while the second sections 11b, 13b, in the rest position (i.e., when not placed on the head of the support), are spaced further apart than the width of the head.

[0009] The joints 7, 9 for connection with the central part 3 and / or the bracket parts 11, 13 themselves are designed to be spring-elastic in such a way that, in the operating state, an elastic widening of the distance between the two second sections of the two bracket parts is permitted to a distance corresponding to the width of the head, and consequently, an elastic pressing of the bracket parts against the rear side surfaces of the head is achieved, as shown in Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0010] Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows that a cord section 15, 17 is attached to or near the free ends of each of the headband sections, configured such that the free ends of the two cord sections can be fixed together behind the back of the head when in use. The figures also show that each cord section comprises a sleeve 15a, 17a, configured for slipping onto and frictionally locking the free ends of the headband sections.

[0011] Fig. Figure 3 shows that a cord clamp 19 is provided to fix the free ends of the two cord parts.

[0012] Preferably, at least the sleeve of the cord sections is made of an elastic, rubber-like material that is non-slip against the scalp and hair. Alternatively, the entire cord section can be made of such a material. Furthermore, the clip sections can have at least an inner coating that is non-slip against the scalp and hair, and in particular a soft one. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] CH 658 178 A5

[0002] DE 10 2004 002 953 A1

[0003] DE 10 2008 044 746 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Head bow as a carrier of position / motion measuring sensors to be fixed to the upper jaw of a person, as a functional component of a device for determining the position and degrees of freedom of movement of the mandible relative to the maxilla, in a central part which is configured as a sensor carrier part and includes a nasal support for support on the root of the nose, and two bracket parts attached to the ends of the device with joints, configured in such a way that, in the state of use, they lie against the left and right sides of the human head above the ears in order to temporarily fix the head arch there, whereby The bracket parts, in the top view of the head arch, each comprise a first section in which they have a greater distance than the width of the corresponding section of the head, and a second section in which, in the rest state, they have a smaller distance than the width of the head, and the joints for connection with the middle part and / or the bracket parts themselves are designed to be spring-elastic in such a way that, in the state of use, an elastic widening of the distance between the two second sections of the two bracket parts to a distance corresponding to the width of the head and an elastic pressing against the side surfaces of the head is achieved. [2] Head bow according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sections of the stirrup parts are formed integrally. [3] Head bow according to claim 2, wherein the first and second sections of the stirrup parts are connected by a transition area which transitions into both the first and the second section by a bend. [4] Headpiece according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second sections of the headpiece parts are slightly curved inwards to adapt to a head shape. [5] Headband according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a cord part is attached to or near the free ends of the headband parts, which is configured such that the free ends of the two cord parts can be fixed together behind the back of the head in the state of use. [6] Bow head according to claim 5, wherein a cord clamp is provided for fixing the free ends of the two cord parts. [7] Head bow according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cord parts each comprise a sleeve configured for slipping and friction-fit fixing onto the free ends of the bow parts. [8] Headband according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the headband parts and / or the nose support on the middle part have at least on the inside a non-slip, in particular soft, coating against the scalp and hair. [9] Head bow according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least the sleeve of the cord parts consists of an elastic, rubber-like material which is non-slip against the scalp and hair.

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