Swallowing training device and swallowing training system

Abstract

To make it possible to recover functions of a variety of muscles related to a motion of swallowing a masticatory material in relation to dysphagia.SOLUTION: Beltlike electrodes 2, 2 are provided in a longitudinal direction of a belt 1 inside the belt 1 in contact with the throat of a human body and, at both ends of the belt 1, a male 10 of a hook-and-loop fastener and a female 11 of the hook-and-loop fastener are provided and are wound around the throat. Also, a tongue depressor 12 to be an electrode 21 can depress the tongue. One of output ends of an output part 31 of low-frequency pulse oscillator is electrically connected to the electrodes 2, 2 and the other output end is electrically connected to the electrode 21 of the tongue depressor 12. Thus, electrodes are brought into contact with both the tongue and the throat, and low frequent pulse current can be applied from the tongue to the throat.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a swallowing exercise device and a swallowing exercise system for exercising the muscles in the part from the mouth to the pharynx, particularly for overcoming swallowing disorders by exercise.

Background Art

[0002] It is known that problems such as swallowing disorders are caused by diseases such as cerebral infarction and aging. When there is a swallowing disorder, saliva, food, gastric juice, etc. may enter the trachea. During sleep, saliva may also enter the trachea unconsciously. This may cause aspiration pneumonia, which is a terrible disease that can be life-threatening for the elderly.

[0003] Regarding the muscles of the tongue, the function can be restored by exercises such as sticking out the tongue. However, for the various muscles involved in the action of swallowing food, if one does not actually eat, it is impossible to build the muscle strength for swallowing.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since a large number of nerves and muscles in the oral cavity, pharynx, and esophagus cooperate to function in swallowing, it is currently quite difficult to make a person eat when they are unable to do so. The swallowing movement is divided into three stages. In particular, in the second stage, the tongue muscles, middle pharyngeal muscles, and lower pharyngeal muscles cooperate to function, and there is no other way but to actually move these muscles to restore the function. In addition, various muscles such as the posterior belly of the digastric muscle of the jaw, the anterior belly of the digastric muscle of the jaw, the omohyoid muscle, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the clavicular head, the masseter muscle, the levator scapulae muscle, the thyrohyoid muscle, the sternothyroid muscle, and the scalenus muscle are also functioning.

[0005] Therefore, the problem of the present invention is whether it is possible to solve such problems and somehow restore the functions of the various muscles involved in the action of swallowing food.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Prior to solving the above problems, the inventor recalled that there was a technique that could contract the muscles of the throat to recover or enhance muscle strength by applying a low-frequency electric current from the outside to the throat even during non-meal times. However, the inventor considered that applying the low-frequency electric current from outside the throat might only affect the surrounding area. Eventually, the inventor came up with the idea that by applying a low-frequency electric current through the tongue muscles to the throat muscles via the tongue inside the mouth, it might be possible to contract these muscles to recover or enhance muscle strength.

[0007] That is, the above problems are solved by providing a low-frequency pulse current generation unit, a tongue conductor for applying this pulse current to the tongue of a human body, and a throat conductor for applying this pulse current to the throat of a human body, where the throat conductor and the tongue conductor each have a means for contacting the human body. Since a general one can be used for the low-frequency pulse current generation unit, it can be said that the main part of this invention lies in the configuration around the conductor for applying the low-frequency pulse current through the tongue muscles to the throat.

[0008] When a low-frequency pulse current oscillated from the generation unit is applied between the tongue part and the throat part of the human body via the conductor, this low-frequency pulse current contracts various muscles between the tongue part and the throat part involved in the action of swallowing food, so that the muscles are exercised and their muscle strength is enhanced. Therefore, it is possible to build the muscle strength for swallowing things in the same way as when actually eating. Here, a particularly important point is that the low-frequency pulse current is applied to the tongue part inside the mouth. The application of this low-frequency pulse current to the tongue part and the throat part can be carried out even while watching TV or reading, and it enables muscle exercise not only at home but also when away from home. This can be said to be correct training.

[0009] The conductor of this invention is characterized by having means for contacting the tongue to pass a pulsed current through the tongue muscles and means for contacting the throat to pass a pulsed current through the throat muscles. The conductor is an electrode, and preferably one made of conductive polyester, which gives little tingling sensation to the skin. There has never been an exercise device using low-frequency pulses for exercising the tongue muscles and throat muscles to overcome dysphagia like this invention, nor has there ever been one having the function of contacting electrodes to both the tongue and the throat. This invention is the first one to attempt to train the tongue and throat muscles related to swallowing.

[0010] The above problem is also achieved by providing a generation unit for generating two pulsed currents with different frequencies, a conductor for the tongue for applying each pulsed current to the tongue part of the human body, and a conductor for the throat for applying each pulsed current to the throat part of the human body, wherein the conductor for the tongue and the conductor for the throat each have means for contacting the human body, which is characterized as a dysphagia exercise device. Since a general one can be used for the generation unit of the low-frequency pulsed current using interference waves, it can be said that the main part of this invention lies in the configuration around the conductor for applying the low-frequency pulsed current to the tongue part and the throat part.

[0011] When the low-frequency pulsed current oscillated from the generation unit is applied between the tongue part and the throat part of the human body through the conductor, it is the same as the invention of claim 1 described above in that it attempts to contract various muscles between the tongue part and the throat part involved in the action of swallowing the masticated food, exercise the muscles, and enhance the muscle strength. However, the invention of this claim 2 is to apply a pulsed current to a muscle part with a greater depth in the throat. That is, two low-frequency pulse oscillators (generation units) with different frequencies are prepared, and two low-frequency pulsed currents are crossed and applied from two pairs of conductors into the target throat muscles to cause mutual interference, so as to give a low-frequency stimulus of interference waves to the throat muscles. Basically, it is the same for the tongue part, but the distance between the two pairs of conductors becomes closer due to the size of the tongue part.

[0012] These two pairs of conductors are characterized by having means for contacting the body as described above. The conductors are electrodes, and those that give little tingling stimulation to the skin are used. As a suitable example, those made of conductive polyester are mentioned. There has never been an apparatus for exercising the muscles of the tongue to the throat by low-frequency stimulation of interference waves to overcome dysphagia as in this invention, nor has there ever been one having the function of bringing two pairs of electrodes into contact with the tongue or throat. Only this invention can train the muscles of the tongue and throat related to swallowing.

[0013] Now, in this invention, the means for contacting the throat can be a belt that positions the conductor at a part of the throat muscle and wraps around the neck. The belt is wrapped around the neck so that the conductor hits the throat part. This allows the conductor to be easily and surely brought into contact with the throat part. In addition, if it is provided so that the movement of the conductor in the direction around the neck with respect to the belt can be adjusted, it becomes possible to finely adjust the position of the conductor according to the position of the neck muscles from adults to children. Fasteners such as buckles and hook-and-loop fasteners are attached to the belt.

[0014] Also, in this invention, the means for contacting the throat can be a clip that positions the conductor at a part of the throat muscle and turns forward from the back side of the neck to the throat side. When the clip (neck band) is hung from the back side to the front side of the neck, the conductor provided on the clip comes into contact with and is fixed to the skin of the throat part where the throat muscle is located. The clip has the advantage of being easy to attach and detach to the throat.

[0015] Also, in this invention, the means for contacting the throat can be an adhesive pad that positions the conductor at the throat part and is detachable from the throat part. Due to the special structure of the surface of the conductor called the adhesive pad that touches the jaw, the conductor can be adsorbed to the skin of the throat part where the throat muscle is located. The adhesive pad is detachable from the skin.

[0016] In the present invention, the means for contacting the throat may be a suction cup that positions the conductor at a throat site and is detachable from the throat site. Due to the special structure of the surface of the suction cup that touches the throat, the conductor can be adsorbed to the skin of the throat. The suction cup is detachable from the skin.

[0017] In the present invention, the means for contacting the throat may be a bifurcated handle that positions the conductor at a throat site, with the conductor provided at its tip, and the conductor can be attached to and detached from the throat site. Hold the bifurcated handle in the hand and use it by pressing the left and right conductors provided at the bifurcated tips against the skin of the throat site where there are throat muscles. The force adjustment and the position where the left and right conductors are pressed can be freely adjusted with the hand holding this. If the conductor is configured as a roller, it can be rolled along the throat muscles for contact, making it feel more like training.

[0018] Next, in the present invention, the means for the tongue conductor to contact the human body can be a tongue depressor. A tongue depressor is also called a spatula and is a tool used to hold down the tongue when examining the mouth and throat. Generally, since stainless steel ones that are used while managing sterilization and disinfection are used, the present invention may also use this or something similar. Alternatively, it may be a disposable wooden one with a conductor provided. In terms of being a tool for holding down the tongue, the tongue depressor is suitable as the above-mentioned contact means.

[0019] In the present invention, the means for the tongue conductor to contact the human body can be a finger pouch for touching the tongue. The above-mentioned conductor is provided in the finger pouch, worn on the fingertip, and used so that the conductor contacts the tip of the tongue.

[0020] In the present invention, the means for the tongue conductor to contact the human body can be a suction cup that is detachable from the tongue. Since the tongue is wet with saliva, the suction cup is easy to adsorb, and there is no particular difficulty in removing the suction cup.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, the low-frequency pulsed current generated in the generating unit is made to flow from a conductor having means for contacting the tongue to the tongue muscles and from a conductor having means for contacting the throat to the throat muscles. Therefore, the functions of various muscles involved in the action of swallowing food can be easily restored as training. It is a gift of a function that has never existed before to apply a low-frequency pulsed current between the tongue and the throat by bringing electrodes into contact with both the tongue and the throat.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

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Figure 14

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Examples

[0023] This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. This device is provided with two strip-shaped electrodes 2, which are conductors, vertically separated inside a belt 1 that touches the throat of the human body and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the belt 1. Male 10 and female 11 of a hook-and-loop fastener are provided at both ends of the belt 1. The belt 1 is made of leather, and the electrodes 2, 2 are made of conductive polyester. In addition, a wire 20 for electrically connecting one output end of the output section 31 of a low-frequency pulse oscillator represented by the block diagram in FIG. 3 is connected to the electrodes 2, 2.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows the tongue pressure element 12, which is made of stainless steel. That is, the tongue pressure element 12 itself is an electrode 21, and a wire 22 for electrically connecting the other output end of the output section 31 of the low-frequency pulse oscillator is connected thereto.

[0025] The low-frequency pulse oscillator is composed of a control section 3 that controls the operation of various electronic components constituting it, an oscillation section wave shaping section 30 that oscillates a low-frequency pulse and shapes its waveform, an output section 31 for outputting this to an external conductor (electrodes 2, 21), and a power supply section 30 for supplying power to the control section 3 and the like. Therefore, the low-frequency pulse output from the output section 31 flows between the muscles of the tongue and the muscles of the throat via the electrode 20 and the electrode 22.

[0026] For this reason, with one side of the conductors, the electrodes 2, 2, touching the throat, the belt 1 is wound around the neck and fastened together with the male 10 and female 11 of the hook-and-loop fastener. At the same time, with the other conductor, the electrode 21, touching the tongue, the tongue pressure element 12 is used to press against the tongue. In this way, a low-frequency pulse is generated between the electrode 2 and the electrode 21 and applied in series between the muscles of the tongue and the muscles of the throat, so that the muscles of the throat related to swallowing are trained.

Embodiment

[0027] This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a clip 4 having electrodes 23, 23 at both ends for contacting the throat and extending from the back side of the neck to the front side of the throat. This clip 4 is made of spring and is provided with throat contacts 40, 41 at both ends. Each of the electrode 23 inside the throat contact 40 and the electrode 23 inside the throat contact 41 is configured to be able to closely contact the throat. Also, the throat contacts 40, 41 are provided so as to be movable on the clip 4 as shown by the arrow lines, and are configured to be able to adjust the position of the low-frequency pulse applied to the throat side. Although a wire 24 is connected to the electrode 23 on the throat contact 41 side, a part of this wire 24 passes through the inside of the clip 4 and is wired to the electrode 23 on the throat contact 40 side. This wire 24 is electrically connected to the output end on one end side of the output section of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown).

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a rubber finger cot 42 provided with a stainless-steel electrode 25 for contacting the tongue side, and a wire 26 for electrically connecting it to the output end on the other end side of the output section of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown) is connected.

[0029] When this clip 4 is hung from the back side of the neck toward the front side, the electrodes 23, 23 provided at both ends of the clip 4 come into contact with and are fixed to the skin of the throat part where the throat muscles are located. According to the springy clip 4 (neck band), there is an advantage that it is easy to attach and detach the electrodes 23, 23 to and from the throat. Also, the finger cot 42 is put on a finger such as the index finger, and the electrode 25 is brought into contact with the tongue. In this way, the low-frequency pulse oscillator is turned on and used so that a low-frequency pulse current is applied in series between the tongue muscles and the throat muscles.

Embodiment

[0030] This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8. This device includes four polyurethane gel adhesive pads 5, 50 and 51, 52, which are arranged in two sets of two and adhere to the larynx of the human body. Electrodes 27, 27 made of conductive polyester are attached to the adhesive pads 5, 50 among them. Also, electrodes 28, 28 made of conductive polyester are attached to the adhesive pads 51, 52. Wires 29, 29 for electrically connecting the electrodes 27, 27 to the output end on one end side of the first output part 61 of the low-frequency pulse oscillator represented by the block diagram in FIG. 8, and wires 200, 200 for electrically connecting to the output end on one end side of the second output part 63 are connected.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows the tongue pressure sensor 53, which is made of insulating plastic and has an electrode 201 electrically connected to the output end on the other end side of the first output part 61 of the low-frequency pulse oscillator via a wire 203, and an electrode 202 electrically connected to the output end on the other end side of the second output part 63 of the low-frequency pulse oscillator via a wire 204. The electrode 201 and the electrode 202 are provided separately.

[0032] The low-frequency pulse oscillator includes a control unit 6 that controls the operation of various electronic components constituting it, an oscillation unit waveform shaping unit 60 that oscillates a low-frequency pulse and shapes its waveform, a first output part 61 for outputting this to an external conductor (electrodes 27, 201), a modulation unit 62 that modulates the output of the oscillation unit waveform shaping unit 60, a second output part 63 for outputting this to an external conductor (electrodes 28, 202), and a power supply unit 64 for supplying power to the control unit 6 and so on. Therefore, the low-frequency pulse output from the first output part 61 flows through the electrode 27 to the muscles of the larynx and through the electrode 201 to the muscles of the tongue, and the low-frequency pulse output from the second output part 63 flows through the electrode 28 to the muscles of the larynx and through the electrode 206 to the muscles of the tongue, and two kinds of low-frequency pulses interfere inside these muscles to generate a new interference wave.

[0033] Since each adhesive pad on the throat side is a polyurethane gel, it can be attached to and detached from the throat. On the other hand, the electrodes 201 and 202 serving as the other conductors are used by holding the tongue presser 53 in the hand and pressing the tongue. Thus, a first low-frequency pulse flows between the electrode 27 and the electrode 201, and a second low-frequency pulse flows between the electrode 28 and the electrode 202. The two low-frequency pulses of different frequencies interfere inside the muscles of the tongue and throat to form a new interference wave, and the muscles of the tongue and throat related to swallowing are trained. There has never been such a thing as flowing two low-frequency pulse currents of different frequencies between the tongue and the throat like this.

Embodiment

[0034] This embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As means for contacting the throat, two suction cups 70 and 71 connected by a clip 7 are used. An electrode 205 is attached to the center of the suction cup 70, and an electrode 206 is attached to the center of the suction cup 71. Wires for electrically connecting to one output end of the output section of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown) are connected to the electrodes 205 and 206.

[0035] As means for contacting the tongue, an electrode 207 at the center of a suction cup 72 to which a wire for electrically connecting to the other output end of the output section of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown) is connected is used.

[0036] By pinching the clip 7 having a U shape in the depth direction of FIG. 9 with a finger and pressing the suction cups 70 and 71 against the skin of the throat part where the throat muscles are located, the suction force of the suction cups 70 and 71 acts on the skin, and the electrodes 205 and 206 come into contact with and are fixed to the skin of the throat part. The suction cups 70 and 71 are easy to peel off from the skin despite strong suction. Also, the suction cup 72 is pressed against the tongue with the side of the electrode 207 facing the surface of the tongue to be adsorbed and fixed.

[0037] When the low-frequency pulse transmitter (not shown) is turned on in this way, a low-frequency pulse is generated between the pair of electrodes 205 and 206 and the electrode 207, and the low-frequency pulse is applied in series between the tongue muscles and the throat muscles, so that the throat muscles related to swallowing are trained.

Example

[0038] This example will be described with reference to FIG. 11. The tip of the handle 81 is bifurcated into branches 82 and 83, and throat contacts 84 and 85 are attached to the respective tips thereof facing inward. An electrode 208 is attached to the throat contact 84, and an electrode 209 is attached to the throat contact 85. Each of the electrodes 208 and 209 inside these throat contacts is configured to be able to closely contact the throat.

[0039] Also, as the means for contacting the tongue (not shown), the one having the electrode 207 at the center of the suction cup 72 of the above-described Example 4 is used.

[0040] The handle 81 is provided with a low-frequency pulse oscillator 8. One end side of this output is applied to the electrodes 208 and 209 by wires (not shown) inside the branches 82 and 83. The other end side of the output is also applied to the electrode 207 at the center of the suction cup 72. The suction cup 72 (not shown) is placed with the side of the electrode 207 facing the surface of the tongue, pressed against the tongue and adsorbed and fixed. Hold the low-frequency pulse oscillator 8 of the handle 81, and press the electrodes 208 and 209 at the cushion-like throat contacts 84 and 85 at the tips of the bifurcated branches 82 and 83 against the skin of the throat part where the throat muscles are located. When the switch 80 of the low-frequency pulse oscillator 8 is turned on, a low-frequency pulse is generated between the pair of electrodes 208 and 209 and the electrode 207, and the low-frequency pulse is applied in series between the tongue muscles and the throat muscles.

Example

[0041] This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. This device has rollers 93 and 94 rotatably attached to the rotating shafts 91 and 92 provided at the tips of the bifurcated left and right branch portions 9 and 90 made of elastic plastic and facing the throat. An electrode 210 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of this roller 93, and an electrode 211 is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the roller 94. Pairs of the electrodes 210 and 211 are each electrically connected to the output end on one end side of the output portion of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown).

[0042] Although not shown, as the means for contacting the tongue, a device having the electrode 207 at the center of the suction cup 72 of the above-described Example 4 is used. This electrode 207 is electrically connected to the output end on the other end side of the output portion of a low-frequency pulse oscillator. The electrodes 210, 211, and 207 are made of conductive polyester.

[0043] The suction cup 72 (not shown) is pressed against the tongue surface with the side of the electrode 207 facing the tongue and adsorbed and fixed. The bifurcated left and right branch portions 9 and 90 are gently held, and while rolling the left and right rollers 93 and 94 against the skin of the throat part where the throat muscles are located, a low-frequency pulse is applied in series between the tongue muscles and the throat muscles.

[0044] By adjusting the force with which the left and right rollers 93 and 94 are pressed against the throat, the left and right branch portions 9 and 90 open and close slightly, so the burden on the throat is small. Also, since the electrodes 210 and 211 can be rolled along the throat muscles and brought into contact, it feels more like training.

Example

[0045] The tongue conductor of this example will be described with reference to Figs. 13 and 14. The tongue pressure element 13 is made of stainless steel, and the tongue pressure element 13 itself is an electrode 212, and a wire 214 for electrically connecting to one output end of the output portion of a low-frequency pulse oscillator (not shown here) is connected.

[0046] The tongue depressor 13 is also provided with a suction recess 213, which functions like the suction cup described above. That is, when the tongue depressor 13 is applied to the tongue T from the surface of the suction recess 213, it will be adsorbed and fixed to the tongue T. Therefore, the tongue depressor 13 can be released from the hand. It is also easy to remove the tongue depressor 13 from the tongue T. Note that a plurality of suction recesses may be provided on the tongue depressor.

Industrial Applicability

[0047] This invention contributes to the industry in that a low-frequency pulsed current is passed from a conductor having means for contacting the tongue to the tongue muscles and from a conductor having means for contacting the throat to the throat muscles, so that the functions of various muscles involved in the action of swallowing chewing substances between the tongue and the throat can be easily restored as training. Note that this invention can also be configured for use with pets.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0048] 1 Belt 10 Male of Hook-and-loop Fastener 11 Female of Hook-and-loop Fastener 12 Tongue Depressor 13 Tongue Depressor 2 Electrodes 20 Electric Wires 21 Electrodes 22 Electric Wires 23 Electrodes 24 Electric Wires 25 Electrodes 26 Electric Wires 27 Electrodes 28 Electrodes 29 Electric Wires 200 Electric Wires 201 Electrodes 202 Electrodes 203 Electric Wires 204 Electric Wires 205 Electrodes 206 Electrodes 207 Electrodes 208 Electrodes 209 Electrodes 210 Electrodes 211 Electrodes 212 Electrodes 213 Suction Recess 214 Electric Wires 3 Control Unit 30 Oscillator Waveform Shaping Unit 31 Output Unit 32 Power Supply Unit 4 Clip 40 Throat Applicator 41 Throat Applicator 42 Finger Sack 5 Adhesive Pads 50 Adhesive Pads 51 Adhesive Pads 52 Adhesive Pads 53 Tongue Depressor 6 Control Unit 60 Oscillator Waveform Shaping Unit 61 First Output Unit 62 Modulation section 63 Second output section 64 Power supply section 7 Knob 70 Suction cup 71 Suction cup 72 Suction cup 8 Low-frequency pulse oscillator 80 Switch 81 Handle 82 Branch part 83 Branch part 84 Throat support 85 Throat support 9 Branch part 90 Branch part 91 Rotation axis 92 Rotation axis 93 Roller 94 Roller N Neck T Tongue

Claims

Claims 1. A tongue conductor having a first tongue electrode and a second tongue electrode, A larynx conductor having a pair of first larynx electrodes and a pair of second larynx electrodes, A first output unit for applying a first low-frequency pulsed current between the tongue part and the larynx part through the first tongue electrode and the pair of first larynx electrodes in a state where the tongue conductor is in contact with the tongue part of the human body and the larynx conductor is in contact with the larynx part of the human body; A second output unit for applying a second low-frequency pulsed current having a frequency different from that of the first low-frequency pulsed current between the tongue part and the larynx part through the second tongue electrode and the pair of second larynx electrodes in a state where the tongue conductor is in contact with the tongue part of the human body and the larynx conductor is in contact with the larynx part of the human body; And a control unit for controlling the operations of the first output unit and the second output unit. A swallowing training device. Claims 2. The swallowing training device according to claim 1, wherein the contact means of the larynx conductor with the human body is such that rollers, which are the larynx conductors, are rotatably attached to respective left and right rotation shafts provided at the tips of bifurcated left and right branch portions so as to face the larynx.

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