Dental vibration device

Abstract

To provide a dental vibration device.SOLUTION: The dental vibration device includes a controller, a mouthpiece 200, and a plurality of transmission elements. The transmission elements include a central transmission element 120, a left transmission element 130, and a right transmission element 140. The controller is housed in a casing 110. Each transmission element is coupled to a vibration motor. Each transmission element extends from the casing and is inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is composed of an anterior teeth part 220, a left posterior teeth part 230, and a right posterior teeth part 240 spaced apart from each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - reference to Related Applications) This application claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 464,141, filed on May 4, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 467,855, filed on May 19, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application generally relates to dental vibrating devices, and more particularly to dental vibrating devices used to generate occlusal loads on teeth and periodontal tissues based on simulated human feeding movements.

Background Art

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a dental vibrating device including a controller housed in a housing, three spaced - apart vibration - conducting elements each extending from the controller housing and connected to a vibration motor, and a mouthpiece into which the three vibration - conducting elements are inserted. The mouthpiece is adapted to fit into the space between a patient's upper dental arch and lower dental arch and conforms to the shape of the dental arch. However, there are still some problems that need to be improved in current dental vibrating devices.

[0004] For example, the first problem is that vibrations can be transmitted towards the brain, which may cause discomfort to the patient. When vibration energy is released along the load - conducting surface, some vibrations are transmitted perpendicularly to the upper tooth contact surface, which heads towards the frontal region of the brain.

[0005] The second problem is that a single U - shaped mouthpiece with three spaced - apart load - conducting elements inserted therein can cause vibration interference between the elements. That is, vibrations from one vibration - conducting element can be felt in other parts of the mouthpiece without much attenuation.

[0006] The third problem is that when used during orthodontic treatment for malocclusion, the dental vibration device needs to be adjusted according to the changing occlusal conditions. For example, in the early stages of treatment, the posterior teeth may not be able to contact the mouthpiece placed in the patient's relaxed oral cavity.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Therefore, how to solve the above-mentioned problems has become an important issue.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention provide a dental vibration device including a controller, a mouthpiece, and a plurality of conductive elements including a central conductive element, a left conductive element, and a right conductive element. The controller is housed in a housing. Each conductive element is connected to a vibration motor. Each conductive element extends from the housing and is inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is composed of a front tooth portion, a left posterior tooth portion, and a right posterior tooth portion that are spaced apart from each other.

[0010] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece further includes a lip and cheek margin portion, and the front tooth portion, the left posterior tooth portion, and the right posterior tooth portion are connected to the lip and cheek margin portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece further includes a shield portion that extends forward from the lip and cheek margin portion, and the shield portion covers the lip to prevent saliva from leaking.

[0012] In some embodiments, the thickness of the anterior tooth portion, the left posterior tooth portion, and the right posterior tooth portion in the overall lateral view gradually decreases from the front end to the rear end.

[0013] In some embodiments, the anterior tooth portion of the mouthpiece has an additional thickness in the direction of the upper teeth. When the mouthpiece is placed in the patient's mouth, the patient's upper anterior teeth push the anterior tooth portion downward, causing the mouthpiece to tilt downward at the front end.

[0014] In some embodiments, each of the left posterior tooth portion and the right posterior tooth portion has an additional thickness in the direction of the lower teeth. When the mouthpiece is placed in the patient's mouth, the patient's lower posterior teeth push the left posterior tooth portion and the right posterior tooth portion upward, causing the mouthpiece to tilt upward at the rear end.

[0015] In some embodiments, the anterior tooth portion of the mouthpiece is restricted from vibrating in the vertical direction, and the left posterior tooth portion and the right posterior tooth portion of the mouthpiece are restricted from vibrating in the horizontal direction.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vibration direction of the left posterior tooth portion is different from that of the right posterior tooth portion.

[0017] In some embodiments, when observed from the front side of the patient, the vibration directions of the left posterior tooth portion and the right posterior tooth portion form an inverted V shape.

[0018] In some embodiments, the central conduction element is inserted into the anterior tooth portion of the mouthpiece and is mainly restricted from vibrating in the vertical direction. The left conduction element is inserted into the left Rear tooth portion of the mouthpiece and is mainly restricted from vibrating in the horizontal direction. The right conduction element is inserted into the right Rear tooth portion of the mouthpiece and is mainly restricted from vibrating in the horizontal direction.

[0019] In some embodiments, the dental vibration device further includes a flexible film that wraps around the housing and the mouthpiece.

[0020] In some embodiments, the flexible film extends between the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion to form a contact portion, and when the patient's tongue contacts the surface of the contact portion, the tongue is constrained to the contact portion side.

[0021] In some embodiments, the flexible film has an opening that allows the flexible film to be pulled out from the dental vibrating device and discarded after use.

[0022] In some embodiments, the dental vibrating device further includes a flexible film that is connected to the mouthpiece and is located between the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the dental vibrating device is configured to fix the housing to the patient and further includes a fastening member having a ring portion with a buckle.

[0024] In some embodiments, the ring portion is configured to pass under the bottom of the housing and further pass above the patient's ear, and the ring portion surrounds the patient's head.

[0025] In some embodiments, the fastening member has elasticity, and the ring portion is formed and released by the buckle.

[0026] In some embodiments, the dental vibrating device further includes a flexible film that wraps the housing and the mouthpiece, and the fastening member surrounds the flexible film to fix the flexible film to the housing.

[0027] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece further includes a plurality of anti-slip pieces that protrude from the upper surfaces of the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion.

[0028] In some embodiments, the upper surface of the front tooth portion is substantially parallel to the lower surfaces of the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description and examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] The configuration and use of embodiments of the dental vibrating device are described in detail below. However, it should be understood that these embodiments provide a number of applicable inventive concepts that can be embodied in various specific contexts. The specific embodiments described are merely illustrative of the specific ways in which those embodiments are constructed and used, and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0031] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Unless otherwise defined, each term is defined in a commonly used dictionary and should be understood to have a meaning consistent with the relevant art and background or context of this disclosure, and should not be construed in an idealized or overly strict form.

[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the present invention, the dental vibration device V includes a vibrator 100 and a mouthpiece 200. When a patient uses the dental vibration device V, the vibrator 100 is inserted into the mouthpiece 200, and the mouthpiece 200 can be installed in the patient's mouth. When the vibrator 100 vibrates, the chewing habits of the patient, which have persisted over a long period of time and are accompanied by abnormal patterns, can be treated or adjusted.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vibrator 100 mainly includes a housing 110, a central conduction element 120, a left conduction element 130, a right conduction element 140, a plurality of vibration motors 150, and a controller 160. The central conduction element 120, the left conduction element 130, and the right conduction element 140 are connected to the housing 110 and extend rearward N1 from the housing 110. The central conduction element 120, the left conduction element 130, and the right conduction element 140 respectively correspond to the patient's front teeth, left rear teeth, and right rear teeth. Therefore, the central conduction element 120 is disposed between the left conduction element 130 and the right conduction element 140, and the length of the central conduction element 120 extending is shorter than the lengths of the left conduction element 130 and the right conduction element 140. In this embodiment, the length of the left conduction element 130 extending is substantially the same as the length of the right conduction element 140 extending, but it is not limited thereto.

[0034] Each conductive element is respectively connected to one of the vibration motors 150, so that the vibration energy from the vibration motor 150 can be transmitted to the central conductive element 120, the left conductive element 130, and the right conductive element 140. In this embodiment, the vibration motor 150 is located at an extraoral site of the central conductive element 120, the left conductive element 130, and the right conductive element 140.

[0035] The controller 160 is housed within the housing 110 and is electrically connected to the vibration motor 150. The controller 160 is configured to transmit a signal to the vibration motor 150 to activate or stop the vibration motor 150. In other words, each vibration motor 150 can be individually activated by the controller 150. Then, the vibration energy from the vibration motor 150 is transmitted along the conductive elements to the intraoral sites of the central conductive element 120, the left conductive element 130, and the right conductive element 140.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 2 and FIG. 4, the mouthpiece 200 mainly includes a lip and cheek margin 210, an anterior tooth portion 220, a left posterior tooth portion 230, a right posterior tooth portion 240, and a shield portion 250. The right posterior tooth portion 240, the anterior tooth portion 220, and the left posterior tooth portion 230 are connected to the lip and cheek margin 210 and extend rearward in the direction N1, and the shield portion 250 is connected to the lip and cheek margin 210 and extends forward in the direction N2. The mouthpiece 200 has an internal space S that extends throughout the lip and cheek margin 210, the anterior tooth portion 220, the left posterior tooth portion 230, the right posterior tooth portion 240, and the shield portion 250. An opening 251 that exposes the internal space S to the external environment is formed in the shield portion 250. Thus, the central conductive element 120, the left conductive element 130, and the right conductive element 140 of the vibrator 100 can be inserted into the internal space S through the opening 251. Specifically, the central conductive element 120, the left conductive element 130, and the right conductive element 140 are configured to be inserted into the anterior tooth portion 220, the left posterior tooth portion 230, and the right posterior tooth portion 240 of the mouthpiece 200, respectively. In this embodiment, the mouthpiece 200 is made of an elastic material suitable for intraoral dental use, such as silicone, but is not limited thereto.

[0037] In this embodiment, it should be noted that the front tooth portion 220, the left rear tooth portion 230, and the right rear tooth portion 240 are spaced apart from each other (in other words, there is a gap G1 between the front tooth portion 220 and the left rear tooth portion 230, and there is a gap G2 between the front tooth portion 220 and the right rear tooth portion 240). This configuration with gaps can reduce the amount of interference due to vibration, and the vibration energy can be transmitted more efficiently from the front tooth portion 220, the left rear tooth portion 230, and the right rear tooth portion 240 to the front teeth, the left rear teeth, and the right rear teeth respectively.

[0038] The thickness of the front tooth portion 220, the thickness of the left rear tooth portion 230, and the thickness of the right rear tooth portion 240 in the overall side view gradually decrease from the front end 202 towards the rear end 202 (for example, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 4). Therefore, when the mouthpiece 200 is installed in the patient's mouth, the front tooth portion 220, the left rear tooth portion 230, and the right rear tooth portion 240 act as struts to keep the jaw in an open state. As a result, the patient can rest the jaw muscles while keeping the mouthpiece 200 installed in the mouth and the jaw open.

[0039] In this embodiment, the front tooth portion 220 further has an additional thickness D1 in the direction of the upper teeth, and the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 have an additional thickness D2 in the direction of the lower teeth. In other words, the front tooth portion 220 has a portion that protrudes upward from the upper dotted line that gradually decreases in FIG. 4, and each of the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 has a portion that protrudes downward from the lower dotted line that gradually decreases in FIG. 4.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5, due to the additional thickness D1 described above, when the mouthpiece 200 is installed in the patient's oral cavity, the patient's upper front teeth push the front tooth portion 220 downward, causing the mouthpiece 200 to incline downward at the front end 202. Similarly, due to the additional thickness D2 described above, when the mouthpiece 200 is installed in the patient's oral cavity, the patient's lower rear teeth push the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 upward, causing the mouthpiece 200 to incline upward at the rear end 201. Therefore, the vibration energy will be directed towards the tip of the nose rather than towards the brain, preventing discomfort to the patient. Also, in the early stages of treatment, it is possible to avoid the situation where the rear teeth cannot contact the mouthpiece installed in the patient's relaxed oral cavity. The dental vibration device V can accommodate the changing occlusion during orthodontic treatment by inclining the mouthpiece 200 downward at the front end 202 when installed in the patient's oral cavity.

[0041] In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 200 has only the additional thickness D1 at the front tooth portion 220, and the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 do not include an additional thickness. In some embodiments, the mouthpiece 200 has only the additional thickness D2 at the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240, and the front tooth portion 220 does not include an additional thickness.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface 221 of the front tooth portion 220 may be substantially parallel to the lower surfaces 231 of the left rear tooth portion 230 and 241 of the right rear tooth portion 241 so that the patient's occlusion is easier.

[0043] Also, the mouthpiece 200 may further include a plurality of anti-slip pieces 260 connected to the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 and protruding from their upper surfaces 232 and 242. The anti-slip pieces 260 can also make it easier for the patient to perform occlusion.

[0044] The shield part 250 is connected to the lip and cheek edge part 210 and extends in the forward direction N2. The forward direction N2 is opposite to the backward direction N1. When the mouthpiece 200 is installed in the patient's mouth, the shield part 250 can cover the periphery of the face around the lips and prevent saliva from leaking.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the front tooth part 220 of the mouthpiece 200 is mainly restricted to vibrate in the up-and-down direction V1, and the left rear tooth part 230 and the right rear tooth part 240 of the mouthpiece 200 are mainly restricted to vibrate in the left-and-right direction V2. Thereby, the chewing habits of the patient with abnormal patterns can be effectively treated or adjusted.

[0046] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the vibrator 100 may further include a plurality of hinges 170. The hinge 170 can reduce the freedom of movement of the left conduction element 130 and the right conduction element 140 in the up-and-down direction V1 and allow the left conduction element 130 and the right conduction element 140 to move more in the left-and-right direction V2. The vibration motor 150 corresponding to the central conduction element 120 may be coupled to the housing 110 so that the central conduction element 120 can be moved more in the up-and-down direction V1.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the present invention, the front tooth part 220 of the mouthpiece 200 is mainly restricted to vibrate in the up-and-down direction V1, the left rear tooth part 230 and the right rear tooth part 240 of the mouthpiece 200 are mainly restricted to vibrate in the left-and-right direction V2, and the vibration direction of the left rear tooth part 230 is different from the vibration direction of the right rear tooth part 240. When observed from the front side of the patient, the vibration directions of the left rear tooth part 230 and the right rear tooth part 240 can form an inverted V shape. Since this vibration configuration is close to the chewing movement of a general person, the chewing habits of the patient with abnormal patterns can be effectively treated or adjusted.

[0048] In some embodiments, the vibration motor 150 in the central conduction element 120 can vibrate mainly only in the vertical direction V1, and the vibration motors 150 in the left conduction element 130 and the right conduction element 140 can vibrate mainly only in the horizontal direction V2.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, in another embodiment of the present invention, the dental vibration device V includes a vibrator 100, a mouthpiece 200, a flexible film 300, and a fastening member 400. Since the structures of the vibrator 100 and the mouthpiece 200 are the same as those in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7, their features will not be repeated for simplicity.

[0050] The flexible film 300 wraps the vibrator 100 and the mouthpiece 200 connected to each other, and a portion of the flexible film 300 between the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 of the mouthpiece 200 can be defined as a contact portion 310. The fastening member 400 is fixed to the housing 110 and has a ring portion 410 with a buckle 420.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, during use of the improved dental vibration device V, the mouthpiece 200 is installed in the patient's mouth, and the ring portion 410 of the fastening member 400 passes under the bottom side of the housing 110 and surrounds the patient's head. At least a part of the ring portion 410 is disposed above the patient's ear (i.e., between the patient's ear and the top of the head). Therefore, the mouthpiece 200 can be inclined at the front end 202, and the vibration energy directed to the brain can be reduced.

[0052] The fastening member 400 may be made of an elastic material, and the ring portion 410 may be formed and released by the buckle 420. Therefore, the fastening member 400 can adapt to the heads of patients of various sizes, and the assembly of the fastening member 400 can be facilitated.

[0053] Continuing with FIG. 9, during use of the dental vibrating device V, the patient's tongue T contacts the lower surface 311 or the upper surface 312 of the flexible film 300 at the contact portion 310. Since the position of the patient's tongue T is restricted, the respiratory tract from the nasopharynx through the oropharynx to the laryngopharynx is not blocked by the palatine uvula, so the problem of snoring can be avoided.

[0054] The flexible film 300 may be made of, for example, polyethylene (PE). In this embodiment, the flexible film 300 may include an opening 340, and the flexible film 300 and the fastening member 400 may be disposable. After the patient uses the dental vibrating device V, the fastening member 400 can be removed, and the vibrator 100 and the mouthpiece 200 can be removed from the opening 340. Then, the flexible film 300 can be disposed of (discarded). Since the vibrator 100 and the mouthpiece 200 do not directly contact the patient's mouth, the cleaning process can be omitted.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 10, in another embodiment of the present invention, the dental vibrating device V includes a vibrator 100, a mouthpiece 200, a flexible film 300, and a fastening member 400. Since the structures of the vibrator 100, the mouthpiece 200, and the fastening member 400 are the same as those in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, their features will not be repeated for simplicity. In this embodiment, the flexible film 300 is directly fixed to the mouthpiece 200 and is disposed between the left rear tooth portion 230 and the right rear tooth portion 240 of the mouthpiece 200, so that the patient's teeth can directly contact the mouthpiece 200 and receive vibrations.

[0056] In summary, an embodiment of the present invention provides a dental vibrating device including a controller, a mouthpiece, and a plurality of conductive elements having a central conductive element, a left conductive element, and a right conductive element. The controller is housed in a housing. Each of the conductive elements is connected to a vibration motor. Each of the conductive elements extends from the housing and is inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is composed of an anterior tooth portion, a left posterior tooth portion, and a right posterior tooth portion that are spaced apart from each other.

[0057] Although several embodiments of the present disclosure and their advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various exchanges, substitutions, and changes may be made to this specification without departing from the spirit and scope of each appended claim. For example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that many of the features, functions, processes, and materials described in this specification can be modified while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, the scope of this application is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments consisting of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, means, methods, and steps described in this specification. Since those skilled in the art can readily understand from the disclosure of the present application, processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described in this specification, whether existing or later developed, can be used in accordance with the present disclosure. Therefore, each appended claim is intended to include such processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps within their scope. Furthermore, the broadest interpretation must be given to each appended claim so as to include all such modifications and similar configurations within their scope.

[0058] Although the present invention has been described from the perspective of preferred embodiments using examples, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, it is intended (as will be apparent to those skilled in the art) to cover various modifications and similar configurations. Therefore, the broadest interpretation must be given to each appended claim so as to include all such modifications and similar configurations within their scope.

Claims

1. A controller housed within a housing, a mouthpiece, a plurality of conductive elements including a central conductive element, a left conductive element, and a right conductive element, comprising: each of the conductive elements is connected to a vibration motor, extends from the housing, and is inserted into the mouthpiece, the mouthpiece is composed of a front tooth portion, a left rear tooth portion, and a right rear tooth portion that are spaced apart from each other, the front tooth portion of the mouthpiece is mainly restricted to vibrate in the vertical direction, and the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion of the mouthpiece are mainly restricted to vibrate in the left - right direction, a dental vibration device.

2. The mouthpiece further includes a lip - cheek margin portion and a shield portion extending forward from the lip - cheek margin portion, the front tooth portion, the left rear tooth portion, and the right rear tooth portion are connected to the lip - cheek margin portion, and the shield portion can cover the lip to prevent saliva from leaking out. The dental vibration device according to claim 1.

3. In an overall side view, the thickness of the front tooth portion, the thickness of the left rear tooth portion, and the thickness of the right rear tooth portion gradually decrease from the front end to the rear end. The dental vibration device according to claim 1.

4. The front tooth portion of the mouthpiece has an additional thickness in the direction of the upper teeth with respect to the thickness of the front tooth portion. When the mouthpiece is installed in a patient's mouth, the patient's upper front teeth push the front tooth portion downward, causing the mouthpiece to tilt downward at the front end. The dental vibration device according to claim 3.

5. Each of the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion has an additional thickness in the direction of the lower teeth with respect to the thickness of each of the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion. When the mouthpiece is installed in a patient's mouth, the patient's lower rear teeth push the left rear tooth portion and the right rear tooth portion upward, causing the mouthpiece to tilt upward at the rear end. The dental vibration device according to claim 3.

6. The vibration direction of the left rear tooth portion is different from the vibration direction of the right rear tooth portion. When observed from the front side of the patient, the vibration direction of the left rear tooth portion and the vibration direction of the right rear tooth portion form an inverted V - shape. The dental vibration device according to claim 1.

7. A controller housed within a housing, a mouthpiece, a plurality of conductive elements including a central conductive element, a left conductive element, and a right conductive element, comprising: Each of the conductive elements is connected to a vibration motor, extends from the housing, and is inserted into the mouthpiece. The mouthpiece is composed of a front tooth part, a left rear tooth part, and a right rear tooth part that are spaced apart from each other. The central conductive element is inserted into the front tooth part of the mouthpiece and is restricted to vibrate mainly in the vertical direction. The left conductive element is inserted into the left rear tooth part of the mouthpiece and is restricted to vibrate mainly in the left-right direction. The right conductive element is inserted into the right rear tooth part of the mouthpiece and is restricted to vibrate mainly in the left-right direction. A dental vibrating device

8. The dental vibrating device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible film that wraps around the housing and the mouthpiece.

9. The flexible film extends between the left rear tooth part and the right rear tooth part to form a contact part. When the patient's tongue contacts the surface of the contact part, the tongue is restricted to the contact part side. The dental vibrating device according to claim 8.

10. The dental vibrating device according to claim 1, further comprising a flexible film. The flexible film is connected to the mouthpiece and is located between the left rear tooth part and the right rear tooth part.

11. The dental vibrating device according to claim 1, is configured to fix the housing to the patient, and further comprises a fastening member having a ring part with a buckle.

12. The ring part is configured to pass under the bottom of the housing and further over the patient's ear, and the ring part surrounds the patient's head. The fastening member has elasticity, and the ring part is formed and released by the buckle. The dental vibrating device according to claim 11.

13. The dental vibrating device according to claim 11, further comprises a flexible film that wraps around the housing and the mouthpiece, and the fastening member surrounds the flexible film to fix the flexible film to the housing.

14. The upper surface of the front tooth part is substantially parallel to the lower surfaces of the left rear tooth part and the right rear tooth part. The dental vibrating device according to claim 1.

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