Vibration type periodontal tissue massager

Abstract

To develop a periodontal tissue massager which can adjust the relative magnitude ratio of the action in the arterial system and the action in the lymphatic system of the applied vibrational stimulation, reduce unnecessary vibrations and noise by generating the vibrational stimulation with a simple mechanism and small power, and is applied in the narrow oral environment filled with saliva to simultaneously massage multiple interdental papillae in a closed-mouth state.SOLUTION: According to the present invention, a variable resistor is provided in a vibration motor control circuit of a periodontal tissue massager that uses a vibration motor. Continuous adjustment of the variable resistor is possible within a range to the stop of the vibration motor from the rated output of the vibration motor. The vibration of the vibration motor is transmitted to the oral mucosa by inserting the vibration motor that has the waterproof property to the oral cavity without using a motion conversion mechanism or motion transmission mechanism other than the vibration motor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a periodontal tissue massaging device that uses vibration stimulation. [Background technology]

[0002] Periodontal disease is an infectious disease caused by anaerobic bacteria that involves resorption of the alveolar bone in the oral mucosa. Therefore, causal treatment involves removing bacteria from the cervical area of ​​the teeth, which is the boundary between the inside of the body and the outside world and the site of bacterial entry. The most basic treatment for periodontal disease is removal of plaque. However, it has been reported that massaging the gums with a toothbrush is more clinically effective than removing plaque when treating periodontal disease (see non-patent literature 1 and 2). However, although images of periodontal tissue cells after the results of brushing have been shown, the mechanism by which gum massage improves periodontal disease has not been elucidated, the functional mechanism that leads to this improvement has not been elucidated.

[0003] It is generally believed that the effect of massage is simply to promote peripheral blood circulation, but it is thought that the function of the three types of vascular systems that make up the microcirculatory system is all involved in the creation of a massage effect, and that it is not necessarily just the promotion of blood circulation. For example, in the case of ultrasonic massage, when ultrasonic waves are absorbed under the epidermis, the vibration energy is converted into thermal energy, which heats the subepidermal tissue. In the case of infrared irradiation, the subepidermal tissue is heated by the radiation of heat rays that have the ability to penetrate infrared rays. High frequency massage also utilizes the property of high frequency waves penetrating deep into tissue to generate Joule heat in deep tissues such as muscles, thereby heating the deep tissue. Therefore, the essence of the action of the massage described above is a thermal effect, and as the temperature of the tissue rises, tissue metabolism is promoted by the Q10 effect, but the thermal effect also widens the diameter of the arteries, which increases the perfusion pressure and blood flow to the tissue, promoting venous blood flow and enabling further metabolic promotion. The increase in tissue fluid and temperature rise due to the increased blood flow also promotes peristalsis of the lymphatic vessels, so the main target area of ​​massage manipulations that produce a thermal effect is the arterial system.

[0004] In contrast, low-frequency muscle massage uses the electrical stimulation of low-frequency current to cause muscle relaxation and contraction, and generates intermittent pressure around the muscles, which acts on veins with venous valves to produce a powerful pumping and milking action, increasing venous blood flow and increasing the amount of blood perfusion through the muscles, which passively increases arterial blood flow. Furthermore, the increase in muscle metabolism and the increase in arterial blood flow that leads to an increase in muscle temperature and muscle movement all have the effect of inducing or promoting peristalsis in the lymphatic vessels, and it is believed that these actions work together to improve the microcirculatory function and metabolism of tissues, leading to recovery from fatigue and a feeling of refreshment. Therefore, the main target area for massage manipulations that promote blood flow is the venous system.

[0005] In pneumatic lymphatic massagers (see Non-Patent Document 3), an air bag is used to apply intermittent pressure stimulation to tissues to the extent that it does not inhibit blood circulation, which creates a pumping effect in veins and lymphatic vessels that have valves, and also increases tissue pressure, which promotes the uptake of tissue fluid into the veins and lymphatic vessels and promotes the discharge of tissue fluid. The main target sites of the massage operation that promotes the discharge of tissue fluid are the venous system and lymphatic system.

[0006] The microcirculatory system has complex interactions, and the action of a massage affects all of the arterial, venous, and lymphatic systems in the massaged area. Therefore, the target areas of a massage cannot be simply divided, but there are three types of massage: massage methods that primarily function with the arterial system, massage methods that primarily function with the venous system, and massage methods that primarily function with the lymphatic system.

[0007] On the other hand, the above tooth brushing method, which places more emphasis on massaging the gums rather than removing plaque, is characterized by the fact that intermittent pressure stimulation is applied to the gums at the interdental papilla compared to other tooth brushing methods. However, since the body has a reflux support mechanism that sends venous blood and lymph fluid to the central side with slight pressure fluctuations, it is possible that a similar mechanism works in this tooth brushing method to promote venous blood flow and lymphatic transport, which is the reason for its high clinical effectiveness. Extracellular fluids are divided into blood, tissue fluid, and lymphatic fluid, and although the heart has a high pumping ability to eject blood, it does not have a high ability to return venous blood and does not have the ability to return lymphatic fluid. Therefore, the body has a mechanism to return venous blood and lymphatic fluid to the heart without the help of the heart. It is a mechanism that utilizes the surrounding pressure fluctuations to promote the return of venous blood and lymph to the heart, based on the rectifying action of the valves in the veins and lymphatic vessels, which prevent backflow and only allow venous blood and lymph to flow toward the central nervous system, and the natural principle that blood and lymph flow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The pulsation of the arteries in the accompanying veins promotes the return of venous blood in the adjacent veins, and even the fluctuations in intracavitary pressure in the thoracic and abdominal cavities associated with respiratory movements function within this mechanism; however, this function is particularly great in the vascular system sandwiched between the leg muscles, and the muscle movement of the legs acts like a pump to promote the return of venous blood and lymphatic fluid, which is generally known as the muscle pump effect (see non-patent document 4). If we think of this in terms of massaging the gums with a toothbrush, the pressure applied to the gums compresses the veins, flattening them and increasing the internal pressure of the veins, but backflow to the periphery is prevented by the venous valves on the peripheral side.However, on the central side, the venous valves on the central side open to the central side, and the venous blood in the pressurized veins is sent to the central side where the pressure is lower. Thereafter, when the pressure on the blood vessels is removed, the vessels, which have become flattened after releasing venous blood, move back to their original shape due to their elasticity. At this time, negative pressure is generated within the vessels, and venous blood from the periphery is drawn into the empty vessels, causing them to fill with venous blood again. At that time, the venous valves on the central side are closed, preventing the venous blood from flowing back to the peripheral side, but the venous valves on the peripheral side are open, allowing venous blood to flow in from the peripheral side and accumulate within the vessels. The next pressure stimulus fills the venous blood again, and it is then sent out to the central side. The promotion of peripheral circulation by pumping action is achieved by repeating this efficiently, but in order to make this possible, the inside of the blood vessels must be filled with venous blood again before pressure is applied again, and it is necessary to wait until venous blood from the periphery flows into the blood vessels after the blood is pumped out and fills them again. Therefore, it is necessary to allow sufficient time before applying pressure again (refill time), which is an important condition for generating an efficient pumping action by intermittent pressure stimulation. However, if the massage method involves the next intermittent pressure stimulus coming at a rapid frequency before the blood vessels have filled with sufficient venous blood, and this cycle is repeated, the next pressure stimulus will be repeated before there is sufficient venous blood remaining in the blood vessels to be pumped out. As a result, the amount of venous blood pumped per time gradually decreases, and finally, effective venous blood pumping does not occur, which is essentially equivalent to blocking the veins. This phenomenon is similar to the mechanism behind ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation, in which effective cardiac output drops dramatically despite a high heart rate, leading to serious conditions. However, no quantitative data was available regarding the appropriate frequency of intermittent pressure stimulation during brushing. Therefore, applying the maximum heart rate of approximately 200 beats per minute, which is thought to be the most frequent physiological periodic pressure fluctuation occurring in the human body, it can be inferred that intermittent pressure stimulation at a frequency of approximately 200 beats per minute or less is already a frequency that functions physiologically in the body and is a frequency that is sufficient to ensure the refilling time required by peripheral veins with valves. Therefore, in this tooth brushing method in which the toothbrush is operated with the hand, which is considered to have a large massaging effect, it is considered that the frequency of operation will not deviate from the above range. However, for a pumping action to occur, the presence of venous valves is necessary in the pressurized area, and in periodontal tissues, a large number of venous valves are only found at the gingival junction of both the upper and lower jaws (see non-patent document 5). Therefore, it is thought that intermittent pressure stimulation limited to the gums of the interdental papilla does not produce a pumping action that promotes blood flow, and the high clinical effect of intermittent pressure stimulation limited to the gums of the interdental papilla can be considered to be due to factors other than the promotion of blood flow, which is mainly related to arteries and veins.

[0008] The interdental papilla of periodontal tissue has a rich network of capillaries just beneath the epithelium and is also characterized by being rich in lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic vessels have the property that slight pressure fluctuations, slight tension, slight vibrations, etc. can induce peristalsis when peristalsis has stopped, and promote peristalsis when peristalsis is occurring (see non-patent document 6). Therefore, it is thought that the intermittent pressure stimulation to the gums caused by brushing promotes peristalsis in the lymphatic vessels. Furthermore, granular components such as blood cells, bacteria, and their debris that seep into tissue spaces due to inflammation, as well as substances with large molecular weights such as proteins, cannot pass through capillaries (see Non-Patent Document 6), so they can only be eliminated from periodontal tissues through the lymphatic vessels, which allow them to pass through. Therefore, the effect of brushing on improving inflammatory symptoms is a phenomenon that cannot be considered without the involvement of the lymphatic system. Blood, lymph, and tissue fluid are extracellular fluids within the body. Water, gases, electrolytes, other solutes, and small amounts of proteins with small molecular weights in the blood pass through the capillary walls and reach the tissue spaces where they are affected by cellular metabolism. Most of them then return to the blood vessels, but tissue fluid containing small amounts of proteins and other substances with large molecular weights moves into the lymphatic vessels to form lymphatic flow. The lymph flows into the venous angle, allowing all of the pumped blood to return to the heart. The main driving force of lymph flow is said to be active contraction of the lymphatic vessel wall, but passive pressure fluctuations due to external forces such as muscle contraction, arterial pulsation, tissue massage, and respiratory movement also have a significant effect on promoting lymph flow and lymphatic return (see Non-Patent Document 6). Therefore, it is considered that the intermittent pressure stimulation by the toothbrush has the effect of drawing tissue fluid into the lymphatic vessels by tensioning the anchoring filaments of the lymphatic vessels, inducing or promoting peristalsis of the lymphatic vessels, promoting lymph flow, and increasing lymphatic transport. It is considered that the complex immune-related substances and inflammatory substances that are generated in a chain reaction due to inflammation, such as bacteria and white blood cells that can only be transported by lymphatic vessels, as well as their dead bodies, toxins, various enzymes that cause tissue dissolution, migration factors that cause cell infiltration, vascular permeability enhancing factors, blood coagulation factors, etc., are discharged from the periodontal tissues through the lymphatic vessels, and the negative chain reaction of inflammation is stopped by purifying the periodontal tissue, which suppresses the increase in vascular permeability and discharges substances with large molecular weights, thereby decreasing the colloid osmotic pressure of the tissue fluid. Therefore, according to Starling's hypothesis (see Non-Patent Document 6), the inflow of tissue fluid into the venous capillaries increases, increasing the venous blood flow, which in turn decreases the hematocrit value and the viscosity of the plasma, making it easier for venous blood to flow, and therefore the arterial blood flow is passively increased. This increases the amount of oxygen supplied to the periodontal tissues, improves the anaerobic environment within the tissues, suppresses anaerobic bacteria, and normalizes and enhances the metabolism of the periodontal tissues, thereby increasing the collagen synthesis ability and the proliferation ability of fibroblasts. It is also thought that the turnover of junctional epithelial cells is normalized, thereby restoring the repair and defense abilities of the periodontal tissues and promoting the healing mechanism of periodontal disease. From the above, it can be considered that the reason why inflammatory symptoms of the oral mucosa are improved and a high clinical effect is obtained by brushing the gums using this method is that the intermittent pressure stimulation induces and promotes the inflow of tissue fluid into the lymphatic vessels, and the peristaltic movement of the lymphatic vessels, thereby promoting lymph flow, thereby increasing lymphatic transport. Therefore, if you are suffering from periodontal disease, a massage that primarily stimulates the lymphatic system may be appropriate.

[0009] In contrast, in healthy periodontal tissues that are clearly not affected by periodontal disease, there are no abnormalities in the amount or composition of tissue fluid, and there are no abnormalities in the function of the microcirculatory system. Therefore, rather than expelling tissue fluid, delivering sufficient nutrients and oxygen to each cell in the periodontal tissue to promote metabolism will activate each cell and maintain the health of the tissue, maintain an aerobic environment within the periodontal tissue, and suppress anaerobic bacteria. Therefore, massage that stimulates the arterial system is thought to be effective in preventing periodontal disease.

[0010] However, an increase in tissue blood flow due to an increase in arterial blood flow physiologically increases the amount of plasma filtered from the arterial capillaries in proportion to the blood flow. Therefore, if vascular permeability is increased due to inflammation, etc., there is a risk that tissue fluid will increase excessively and cause edema. Furthermore, edema increases the distance that oxygen diffuses from the capillaries, leading to a lack of oxygen supply in periodontal tissues, creating an anaerobic environment and worsening the inflammation. On the other hand, the gingival epithelium at the inner edge of the tooth at the transition point between inside and outside the body is constantly exposed to bacterial invasion, and it is therefore necessary to consider the possibility that people generally suffer from periodontal disease without realizing it, and that vascular permeability may be constantly increased. Therefore, when brushing the gums, it is desirable to perform a massage that not only promotes arterial blood flow, but also venous blood flow and lymphatic flow. Alternatively, performing a massage with these effects afterwards is also effective in suppressing edema caused by massage and preventing the worsening of inflammation, and is also thought to be effective in improving the microcirculatory system and preventing periodontal disease.

[0011] It has long been known that large amplitude vibration stimuli such as from rheumatoid artery reduce the sensitivity of blood vessels to noradrenaline (NA), expanding the diameter of the arteries and increasing blood flow; however, after vibration stimulation, there is an increase in sensitivity to NA, which causes white wax disease, as part of research into the mechanism of white wax disease onset (see Non-Patent Document 6). However, at the same time, it was also revealed that the increase in sensitivity to NA after such large-amplitude vibration stimulation did not occur if the frequency of the vibration stimulation was 10 Hz or less, or if the vibration stimulation duration was 30 minutes or less (see non-patent document 6).

[0012] In addition, experiments on the application of oscillatory internal pressure to lymphatic vessels have revealed that small amplitude oscillatory internal pressure changes induce motility in stationary lymphatic vessels and promote the existing peristaltic rhythm in lymphatic vessels that already exhibit motility (see Non-Patent Document 6).

[0013] Meanwhile, in recent years, it has been elucidated that NO (nitric oxide) is a substance that relaxes the smooth muscle of the vascular wall and expands the diameter of the vessel, discovered by Furchgott et al. in 1980 (see Non-Patent Document 7). Since then, it has been known that when the blood flow velocity increases, the shear stress stimulus to the endothelial cells of the arteriole increases, causing the endothelial cells to secrete a large amount of NO, which relaxes the vascular smooth muscle and expands the diameter of the vessel, and similarly, NO is produced and secreted in the endothelial cells of the lymphatic vessels in proportion to the magnitude of the shear stress stimulus caused by the lymph flow (see Non-Patent Document 8). In addition, since lymphatic vessels have extremely large passive extensibility, when NO is secreted from the endothelial cells of the lymphatic vessels, the smooth muscles of the lymphatic vessels relax and lymph is temporarily stored in the lymphatic vessels. However, each time a certain amount of lymph is stored, the smooth muscles of the lymphatic vessel walls are stretched, causing a reflex contraction in response to the tension generated, and a large amount of stored lymph is quickly sent out toward the central side, thereby promoting lymphatic transport (see Non-Patent Document 8). From the above, it is believed that the endothelial cells of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels are subjected to shear stress stimuli caused by blood flow, and as blood flow and lymphatic flow increase, the shear stress stimuli become greater, and NO, a smooth muscle relaxant, is produced and secreted. Therefore, it is believed that vibration stimuli that affect the flow rate of blood flow and lymphatic flow can relax the smooth muscles of arterioles and lymphatic vessels, promoting arterial blood flow and lymphatic transport. [Prior art documents]

[0014] [Non-Patent Document 1] Tatsuo Watanabe: Toothpick method Okayama Dental Journal 26 63-73, 2007 [Non-Patent Document 2] Manabu Morita et al.: Comparison of massage effects between the toothpick method and the Bass method combined with flossing. Journal of the Japanese Society for Oral Hygiene 47 158-163, 1997 [Non-Patent Document 3] Seiji Kato The Science of Lymph Kodansha 168-169, 2016 [Non-Patent Document 4] Haruo Ikegami Exercise Physiology Asakura Publishing Co., Ltd. 58-59, 1987 [Non-Patent Document 5] Kazuto Takahashi: Let's know about gums (2) Dental Outlook 70(1), 104-120, 1987 [Non-Patent Document 6] Takehiko Azuma and Ryo Kamiya Microcirculation Corona Publishing 1983 [Non-Patent Document 7] Palmer,RM,Ferrige,AG,& Moncada,S.Nitricoxide release accounts for the biological activity of endothelium -derived relaxing factor.Nature,327(6122),524-526,1987 [Non-Patent Document 8] Toshio Ohashi The Mysteries of Lymph [Non-Patent Document 9] NHK Special "The Human Body 3" The amazing function of bone messenger substances (osteocalcin, osteopontin, and sclerostin)! Broadcast on 2018,01,07 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0015] Vibration stimulation is said to be able to relieve muscle fatigue and provide a feeling of refreshment, and is already widely used in body massage, but its mechanism has generally been thought to be through its effect of promoting blood circulation. Various massage devices that use vibration stimulation for periodontal tissues are provided, and it is thought that these have an effect on both the arterial system and the lymphatic system. However, in periodontal tissue massage, no distinction is made between the effect on the arterial system and the effect on the lymphatic system, and there is no technical idea of ​​adjusting the relative proportions of the magnitude of the vibration stimulation's effect on the arterial system and the magnitude of its effect on the lymphatic system. Thus, no vibrating periodontal tissue massager with a function for stepless adjustment of vibration motor output has been developed, with the aim of enabling stepless use from a vibration intensity that acts comfortably on the arterial system to the smallest possible vibration intensity that suppresses the effect on the arterial system and emphasizes the effect by the lymphatic system. The objective of the present invention is to develop a vibrating periodontal tissue massager for the purpose of preventing and treating periodontal disease, which allows adjustment of the relative proportions of the magnitude of the effect of the arterial system and the magnitude of the effect of the lymphatic system when subjected to vibration stimulation, reduces unnecessary vibration and noise, generates vibration stimulation with a simple mechanism and low power, enables the device to be applied to the narrow oral cavity environment filled with saliva to massage the periodontal tissues with the mouth closed, and has the function of massaging multiple interdental papillae simultaneously. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The blood flow to tissues is controlled by the arterioles, which are the target of vibration stimulation during massage, and their blood pressure is 40-45mmHg. Similarly, the lymphatic pressure in the lymphatic vessels, which are the target of vibration stimulation, is lower than the tissue pressure, at 2-5mmHg or less, so there is a difference of about 400g / cm between the arteriole pressure and the lymphatic pressure. 2 There is a pressure difference of the above magnitude (see Non-Patent Document 6). In addition, while arterioles have thick walls compared to their diameter and have a well-developed smooth muscle layer, lymphatic capillaries consist of a single layer of flat endothelial cells, and even when the walls of lymphatic capillaries gradually thicken to become thin lymphatic vessels with valves, the wall is still thin, with only collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and a small amount of smooth muscle fibers present on the outside of the endothelial layer. Furthermore, lymphatic vessels have the property of sensitively responding to small pressure fluctuations, vibration stimuli, stretching stimuli of the lymphatic vessel walls, etc., and inducing or promoting peristaltic movement. In addition, in the oral mucosa, small arteries are located deeper than many lymphatic vessels. From these findings, it can be assumed that the vibration stimulus applied to the surface of the oral mucosa has a different effect on the flow within the small arteries and lymphatic vessels, and that the small arteries and lymphatic vessels in the massaged area have different sensitivities to the applied vibration stimulus. Therefore, by providing a massage device with the function of steplessly adjusting the intensity of the vibration stimulation caused by the massage, from a vibration intensity that feels comfortable to a vibration intensity that is barely perceptible, it becomes possible to steplessly change the vibration intensity from one that produces a large effect of NO in the arterial system to one that produces very little effect, and it becomes possible to change the relative ratio with respect to the magnitude of the effect of NO in the lymphatic system, and it becomes possible to steplessly adjust the range from a vibration intensity that emphasizes the effect in the arterial system to a vibration intensity that suppresses the effect in the arterial system and emphasizes the effect in the lymphatic system. Therefore, in the present invention, the vibration motor control circuit is equipped with a variable resistor, which can be adjusted steplessly within the range from the rated output state of the vibration motor to when the vibration motor stops, and the main means is to use a vibration motor as a source device for generating vibrations, and to directly insert the vibration motor into the oral cavity to transmit vibrations to the oral mucosa without using any motion conversion mechanism or motion transmission mechanism other than the vibration motor, and also to have the vibration motor be waterproof and have a vertically elongated cylindrical shape, and to have a thin shape as the transition part between the intraoral installation part and the extraoral installation part that connects the vibration motor and the vibration motor control circuit. Effect of the Invention The effects of the present invention are as follows.

[0017] It is well known that the strong vibrations to which people who use chain saws and other tools are exposed act on the arteries, sympathetic nerves, lymphatic vessels, etc., causing a type of vibration injury known as white finger disease. It was also known that vibrations could cause a phenomenon similar to white fistula in the arteries when used with motorcycle handlebars or shoulder vibrators [see non-patent document 8]. The vibration generated by the vibration motor used in the present invention has a smaller amplitude than that of commonly available electric toothbrushes, a smaller frequency than that of electric toothbrushes called ultrasonic toothbrushes or sonic vibration toothbrushes, and the intensity of the vibration stimulation acting on the blood vessels includes a smaller range than other electric toothbrushes and gum massage devices currently in use. Furthermore, the vibration intensity can be adjusted steplessly by a variable resistor having an operating unit from the rated output state of the vibration motor to the point where the vibration stops, so that it can be used steplessly in the range from normal sensible vibration intensity to a weak vibration intensity that can be detected. By utilizing the difference in the magnitude of the effect of the applied vibration stimulation on small arteries and the magnitude of its effect on the lymphatic vessels, it is possible to use it selectively between an effect mainly on the arterial system and an effect mainly on the lymphatic system. This makes it possible to selectively use vibration stimulation massage, which is highly effective in protecting healthy gums and preventing periodontal disease, and vibration stimulation massage, which is highly effective in promoting the healing mechanism of periodontal disease.In addition, since the vibration intensity can be adjusted continuously, it is possible to gradually increase the vibration intensity according to the improvement status of the periodontal disease, and it is possible to always use an appropriate and safe vibration intensity.

[0018] The device of the present invention does not contain any mechanical driving mechanisms or vibration transmission mechanisms other than the vibration motor, and therefore does not generate energy loss or unnecessary vibrations and noise associated with motion conversion and motion transmission.The vibration motor is shaped like an elongated cylinder and is waterproof, making it easy to insert and hold in a small area of ​​a moist oral cavity along the dentition.In addition, because the neck of the structure is long and slender, it is easy to insert the vibration motor into the oral cavity and seal the oral cavity with the lips, making it easy to massage with the mouth closed.

[0019] The device of the present invention is not an interdental insertion type massage device in which a vibrator is inserted buccal-lingually into the interdental space, but rather, in the narrow space between the teeth and the cheek or between the teeth and the tongue, it can easily come into contact with the bases of multiple interdental papillae in the cervical area along the teeth running in the mesio-distal direction, and can simultaneously massage the bases of multiple interdental papillae, which has the advantage of being highly efficient in massaging the interdental papillae, which are a common site for periodontal disease.

[0020] In the embodiments according to claims 1 and 2 of the present invention, in which a waterproofed lead wire connects a vibration motor that is waterproof and inserted into the oral cavity to a vibration motor control circuit placed outside the oral cavity, it is possible to close the mouth with the vibration motor inside the oral cavity and massage the gums with the mouth in the closed state. This makes it easy to swallow saliva with the mouth closed, and there is no need to frequently take the intraoral application part of the device outside the mouth to swallow or spit saliva, nor does saliva drip from the mouth, as occurs when massaging with the mouth open.It is therefore possible to massage the periodontal tissues efficiently and quietly, anytime, anywhere, while doing other activities, without bothering others.This makes it easy to increase the frequency and duration of massages per day, and therefore one can expect to see greater massage effects sooner.

[0021] In the present invention, in healthy periodontal tissue, it is possible to adjust the vibration stimulation intensity to a comfortable level by operating the variable resistor, which promotes arterial blood flow to deliver sufficient nutrients and oxygen to each cell of the periodontal tissue, activates each cell, maintains the metabolic health of the tissue, maintains the periodontal tissue in an aerobic environment, and helps suppress anaerobic bacteria.In addition, since lymphatic flow is promoted at the same time, it is possible to help maintain the health of the amount and composition of tissue fluid, maintain normal metabolism and turnover of the junctional epithelium, and help to physiologically exude healthy gingival crevicular fluid and leukocytes into the gingival crevice, thereby promoting the function of the physiological defense mechanism of the periodontal tissue and preventing periodontal disease.

[0022] Even light rubbing of the skin surface can induce or promote lymphatic peristalsis, and is therefore used in cosmetic and edema treatments, but does not affect the hemodynamics of small arteries. In the present invention, the vibration intensity can be adjusted continuously by a variable resistor with an operating unit from the rated output state of the vibration motor to the point where vibration stops, and it is possible to use vibrations that are weak enough to be detected.Therefore, when the presence of periodontal disease is suspected or known, it is possible to use a corresponding weak vibration stimulus as a massage operation that suppresses the action of the arterial system and promotes the action of the lymphatic system. This will prioritize and promote the discharge of tissue fluid that has become abnormal in volume and composition from periodontal tissues, halting the progression of inflammation, normalizing the microcirculatory system and metabolism, and is expected to have the effect of promoting the healing of periodontal disease.

[0023] Vibrations have the property of easily transmitting through bones, so vibrations applied to the gums are transmitted to the inner ear by bone conduction, and the vibration stimulus can be perceived as sound. Thus, the device according to the present invention makes it possible to apply vibration stimulation to the maxillofacial bones. On the other hand, it is known that bone cells sense impacts applied to the bone and stimulate osteoblasts to promote bone formation, and that if there is a prolonged period of no impact, bone cells secrete large amounts of sclerostin, inhibiting osteoblast division and reducing the number of osteoblasts [see non-patent document 9]. Therefore, it is expected that vibration stimulation to the bone will stimulate bone cells to promote bone formation, or inhibit the secretion of sclerostin, thereby supporting normal bone remodeling. When the device of the present invention is used to massage the base of the interdental papilla, the vibration motor is positioned along the cervical portion of the tooth, so that the vibration is also transmitted to the alveolar bone. This is expected to stimulate the alveolar bone with vibration, promoting bone formation by osteoblasts and suppressing resorption of alveolar bone due to periodontal disease. In addition, the vibrations generated by chewing are transmitted through the teeth to the alveolar bone, but when teeth are lost, the vibrations transmitted to the alveolar bone decrease, which is thought to promote the loss of alveolar bone. Therefore, application of the present invention to a site where teeth have been lost can be expected to have the effect of inhibiting resorption of alveolar bone. Furthermore, by directly contacting the neck of the tooth with a vibration motor, it is possible to vibrate the tooth through resonance. This will make it possible to assist alveolar bone remodeling by applying impact vibration stimulation to the alveolar bone, and to increase arterial blood flow to the periodontal ligament by applying direct vibration stimulation to the periodontal ligament, thereby increasing the production of gingival crevicular fluid, making it possible to conduct research into their clinical use.

[0024] Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammation of the oral mucosa accompanied by resorption of alveolar bone caused by bacteria, while chronic sinusitis is also a chronic inflammation of the nasal turbinate mucosa caused by bacteria. The nasal turbinate mucosa, which is rich in veins and lymphatic vessels, is prone to swelling due to congestion or increased vascular permeability, and is prone to mucosal thickening and nasal congestion. The state of the nasal mucosa in chronic sinusitis and the oral mucosa in periodontal disease can be considered to be similar in that they are both chronic inflammation of the mucosa caused by bacteria. Since promoting lymphatic flow in the gums through massage is effective in preventing and treating periodontal disease, it is thought that massage aimed at promoting lymphatic flow in the nasal turbinate mucosa may also be effective in improving inflammatory symptoms, inhibiting thickening of the nasal mucosa, and alleviating nasal congestion. Therefore, by using the present invention to vibrate the maxilla through the alveolar mucosa, or the nasal bone through the nose, it is possible to massage the nasal turbinate mucosa with a vibration intensity that primarily activates the lymphatic system through the vibration stimulation transmitted by bone conduction. In an embodiment of the present invention according to claim 2, it is easy to manufacture a device that holds a vibration motor in contact with the nose, and it is expected to promote the discharge of tissue fluid from the nasal mucosa tissue, inhibit thickening of the nasal mucosa, and improve or prevent nasal congestion.

[0025] In the embodiment of the present invention according to claim 2, impressions of the upper and lower jaws are taken, and a plurality of vibration motors covered with waterproof elastic resin are arranged on the upper and lower jaw models so as to contact the base of the interdental papilla of each dentition, and a mouthpiece can be produced in which the vibration motors are fixed to the mouthpiece. In this case, each vibration motor is connected in parallel to the only power supply unit, and it is also possible to provide a variable resistor for each vibration motor and control each vibration motor individually. By installing a vibration motor in the mouthpiece, it is possible to carry out other tasks while wearing the mouthpiece anytime, anywhere, and it is possible to massage the gums of both the upper and lower jaws in a short time at once with a vibration intensity appropriate to the condition of each gum, shortening the time it takes to achieve results.In addition, the vibration motor can also be fixed and installed in a floor-type splint, which has the advantage of making it easy to apply in clinical practice.

[0026] The device according to the present invention is a device dedicated to massage and has no cleaning function at all. However, since it is possible to massage the gums anytime and anywhere, when brushing teeth in the bathroom or elsewhere, one need only concentrate on removing plaque. This makes it possible to clearly separate the functions that an oral hygiene device should have: tooth cleaning function and gum massaging function. This makes it easier to use the separate functions of specialized equipment, each with its own high performance, and by using a combination of highly accurate and efficient functions, we can expect to see significant improvements in oral health in an efficient manner.

[0027] The device of the present invention has no mechanical drive mechanism or motion transmission mechanism other than the vibration motor, so it does not produce unnecessary vibrations or sounds. In addition, the vibration sound transmitted to the inner ear by bone conduction is monotone, which reduces discomfort. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] Figures 1 to 6 [Figure 1] Electrical circuit diagram of an electrical device including a vibration motor and a vibration motor control circuit with a variable resistor according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a vibrating periodontal tissue massager according to the embodiment of claim 1, in which a waterproof, cylindrical vibration motor covered with an elastic resin film is installed in the head and the neck is slender and elongated. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing how the embodiment according to claim 1 is used in the oral cavity. [Figure 4]Electrical circuit diagram of an electric device according to claim 2, in which two vibration motors are connected in parallel with vibration motor control circuits each having a variable resistor. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of a vibration type periodontal tissue massager according to the embodiment of claim 2, in which two vibration motors, each of which is vertically elongated and cylindrical and covered with a waterproof elastic resin film, are connected to a vibration motor control circuit via a connector. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the vibration motor of the embodiment according to claim 2 is placed in the oral cavity against the bases of the left and right buccal interdental papillae. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is an electric circuit diagram of an electric device according to an embodiment of the present invention according to claim 1, showing the connection of a vibration motor (1), a battery (2) which is a dry cell or a rechargeable battery, a power switch (3), and a vibration motor control circuit (9) which is composed of a variable resistor (4) with an operating unit. It shows that the electric device of this embodiment is composed of a vibration motor (1), a battery (2) which is a dry cell or a rechargeable battery, the power switch (3), and a variable resistor (4) with an operating unit. The power is turned on by operating the power switch (3), and turned off by operating it again. The vibration intensity is adjusted by continuously changing the resistance value by operating the control part of the variable resistor (4). The variable resistor (4) adjusts the motor output in a stepless manner from when the vibration motor is operating at rated output to when the vibration motor stops. In addition, by using a connector to connect the vibration motor (1) to the vibration motor control circuit (9) consisting of the battery (2), power switch (3), and variable resistor (4), it is possible to make it detachable between the neck portion (6) and the handle portion (7), or it is also possible to make the detachable parts the neck portion and the head portion; however, in this embodiment, it is a non-detachable integrated type.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the above-mentioned embodiment according to claim 1, and shows that the resin structure in which the vibration motor is installed and the vibration motor control circuit (9) is housed is composed of a head portion (5) in which the vibration motor (1) is installed, a long, gunstock-shaped neck portion (6), and a handle portion (7) in which the vibration motor control circuit (9) is housed and installed, and that these are configured as an integrated unit. The vibration motor (1) is a long, cylindrical motor covered with an elastic resin film that is waterproof and prevents teeth from breaking. The motor is mounted on the head (5) facing inward of the main body. A waterproof lead wire is embedded in the thin neck portion (6), and the lead wire electrically connects a vibration motor control circuit (9) housed within the handle portion (7) to the vibration motor (1) installed in the head portion (5). The surface of the handle portion (7) is provided with a power switch (3) button and a variable resistor control (4), which can be used to turn the power on and off and adjust the vibration intensity. In this embodiment, the neck portion (6) has an elongated butt-like shape, but the shape of the neck portion is not limited to this as long as it is thin. In addition, by providing a row of hemispherical protrusions on the elastic resin coating, or by placing a row of elastic brush bristles with round tips on the surface of the vibration motor, it becomes easy to directly vibrate and stimulate the interdental papillae.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing how the above embodiment is used in the oral cavity, showing the vibration motor (1) mounted on the head portion (5) being directly applied to the base of multiple interdental papillae. Since the neck portion (6) is thin, it is possible to massage the oral mucosa with the head portion (5) placed in the oral cavity with the mouth closed.

[0032] FIG. 4 is an electric circuit diagram of an embodiment according to claim 2 of the present invention, in which two vibration motors (1), (1) are connected in parallel to one vibration motor control circuit (9) consisting of a battery (2) which is a dry cell or a rechargeable battery, a power switch (3), and a variable resistor (4) equipped with an operating unit. The power supply is turned on by operating the power switch (3) operation button, and turned off by operating it again. The vibration intensity is adjusted by continuously changing the resistance value by operating the variable resistor control part (4), and it is possible to adjust the motor output in a stepless manner from when the vibration motor is operating at rated output to when the vibration motor stops. The two waterproof vibration motors (1), (1) are each covered with an elastic resin film, and the vibration motors (1), (1) can be detachably connected to a vibration motor control circuit (9) in the handle via their respective lead wires and a common connector (8). The dashed line (10) indicates the connection points in the electrical circuit when two vibration motors and a vibration motor control circuit are connected in a detachable manner. To the right of the dashed line (10) is the vibration motor control circuit (9), and to the left are the two vibration motors (1), (1).

[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the above embodiment according to claim 2, showing two vertically elongated cylindrical vibration motors (1) covered with an elastic resin film and waterproof, each connected to a vibration motor control circuit (9) in the handle portion (7) via a common detachable connector (8) by a waterproof-coated lead wire (11). A power switch (3) and a variable resistor control (4) are provided on the surface of the handle (7), which can be used to turn the power on and off and adjust the vibration intensity.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the use in the oral cavity of the above-mentioned embodiment according to claim 2, showing that the vibration motors (1), (1) are positioned against the bases of multiple interdental papillae on the buccal side of the left and right lower jaw dentition. This is a throw-in type device, and it is easy to massage the gums with the mouth closed while holding the vibration motor (1) between the cheek and the teeth, so there is no need to use hands and the gums can be massaged quietly while performing other actions.

[0035] Since the vibration motors are small and independent, and the lead wires (11) are flexible, it is possible to manufacture a mouthpiece or floor-type device equipped with a vibration motor.

[0036] [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1. Vibration motor 2. Battery 3. Power Switch 4. Variable resistor with control unit 5. Head section 6. Gunstock-like neck 7.Handle section 8. Connector 9. Vibration motor control circuit 10. Dashed Line 11.Waterproof coated lead wire

Claims

1. A massage device comprising an electric device consisting of a vibration motor control circuit made of a variable resistor equipped with a battery, a power switch, and an operating unit, and a vibration motor, and a resin structure in which the electric device is installed, as main components, the resin structure being made up of a head section, a thin, vertically elongated neck section connected to the head section, and a handle section connected to the neck section, the vibration motor control circuit being housed and installed within the handle section, a waterproof vibration motor being installed in the head section connected to the neck section with the long axis direction of the vibration motor parallel to the long axis direction of the neck section, and the vibration motor and the vibration motor control circuit being connected by lead wires embedded in the neck section, thereby forming a vibration type massage device in which the electric device is installed in an integrated resin structure, the variable resistor equipped with an operating unit, which is a component of the vibration motor control circuit, is capable of stepless adjustment within the range from the rated output of the vibration motor to stopping.

2. A vibrating massage device whose main components are a resin structure, the vibration motor control circuit being comprised of a battery, a power switch, and a variable resistor equipped with an operating unit, an electrical device consisting of waterproof lead wires, and one or more vibration motors, the vibration motor control circuit being housed and installed within the resin structure, and the one or more vibration motors being connected in parallel to the vibration motor control circuit by waterproof lead wires, characterized in that the variable resistor equipped with an operating unit, which is a component of the vibration motor control circuit, is capable of stepless adjustment within the range from the rated output of the vibration motor to when it is stopped.

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