Diagnostic method software

Abstract

The invention relates to diagnostic method software for providing data for producing an occlusive mouthguard for a person, wherein an actual tooth space state and / or tooth position (1) and an actual jaw function (2) are acquired, wherein - an actual body posture (3) is acquired, and - an actual plantar pressure (4) is acquired, and - the actual tooth space state and / or tooth position (1) is compared with a target tooth space state and / or tooth position (11) in order to determine a first deviation (a) between the actual tooth space state (1) and the target tooth space state (11), - the actual jaw function (2) is compared with a target jaw function (12) in order to determine a second deviation (b) between the actual jaw function (2) and the target jaw function (12), - the actual body posture (3) is compared with a target body posture (13) in order to determine a third deviation (c) between the actual body posture (3) and the target body posture (13), - the actual plantar pressure (4) is compared with a target plantar pressure (14) in order to determine a fourth deviation (d) between the actual plantar pressure (4) and the target plantar pressure (14), wherein - the acquired data are used to produce the occlusive mouthguard, in a manner suitable for reducing the deviations (a, b, c, d).

Description

[0001] Prof. Dr. Tilman Fritsch Alpentalstr. 2 DE-83457 Bayerisch Gmain

[0002] Diagnostic procedure software

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention relates to a diagnostic procedure software according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] Oral appliances, such as splints made of hard or soft plastic (hereinafter referred to as "splint"), have been used successfully in dentistry for many years. They serve to stabilize loose teeth, correct tooth positions, apply medications or cosmetic bleaching agents, treat temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), and optimize performance, particularly in the field of sports dentistry. In sports dentistry, the effect of the splints is evaluated by measuring body load, balance, and foot pressure plates. Additionally, measurements of running gait and spinal alignment are taken in connection with splint wear.

[0007] Current therapeutic approaches view the masticatory system and posture as static systems and do not take into account the mutual pathological changes that can lead to compensatory movements, compensatory postures, and gradual changes in posture and movement.

[0008] Object of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide diagnostic software for the production of a jaw splint that not only enables the correction of mostly functional dental, orthodontic, and maxillofacial surgical conditions, but also allows for a holistic view of the individual and enables the rapid and targeted production of a customized jaw splint. Furthermore, the masticatory system and posture are no longer to be viewed as static systems. Instead, the reciprocal pathological changes that can lead to compensatory movements, postures, and gradual changes in posture and movement are to be taken into account.

[0010] Solution to the task

[0011] The features according to claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] The diagnostic software presented here encompasses the analog and / or fully digital collection of data on posture, body dynamics, and mobility, in comparison with the structures of the oral cavity and its surroundings. This data collection is correlated with the general medical history and the subjective description of the illness, taking neurobiological aspects into account. The aim is the gradual correction of postural and / or movement abnormalities using jaw splints, possibly in combination with accompanying dental treatments. The resulting data set should enable detailed diagnoses that allow for the conclusion of complex relationships, which can then be treated using jaw splints, possibly supplemented by dental procedures.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to make the dynamics between posture and the masticatory system measurable and to place them in a neurobiological context. The individual phases of deviation from the physiological norm are to be recorded and dynamically transformed into a biological optimum through the gradual use of splints, optionally supported by dental and / or orthodontic interventions.

[0015] The invention further aims to analyze the correlation between the acquired measurement data, analog and / or digital, using a central artificial intelligence (AI) (via deep learning or machine learning) in such a way that mutual inferences about existing patterns are made possible. This evaluation should lead to a reduction in the required measurement procedures in the long term. This will make it possible to draw conclusions about posture, dynamics, and mobility from partial diagnoses, for example, the analysis of oral structures such as tooth position – and vice versa.Since these are dynamic processes within the realm of body dynamics, which are subject to constant change, machine learning software is particularly well-suited for performing on-the-fly calculations. The primary focus is not on the software itself, but rather on the combination of foot pressure, posture, the current state of the dental space and / or tooth position, and the current jaw function. This combination of bodily characteristics allows for the sufficiently precise determination of the most important parameters for creating a suitable jaw splint, which can then be adapted to the body's dynamics in a subsequent step.

[0016] In addition to measurements, an oral occlusal appliance, referred to in the context of the invention as a jaw splint, serves a therapeutic purpose. This jaw splint can be one-piece or two-piece, for the upper and / or lower jaw, separate or connected, and made of a hard, soft, or multi-layered plastic. The jaw splint represents a key therapeutic approach for guiding the patient step by step through various treatment stages and supporting desired changes. These changes can be achieved either solely through the use of the jaw splint or in combination with dental and / or orthodontic treatments.

[0017] A mandibular splint is particularly preferred. This is advantageous because the mandible is dynamic, whereas the maxilla is more static. Consequently, the use of a mandibular splint has the advantage of triggering a constant chewing stimulus, especially if the splint is thicker than 4 mm. This constant chewing stimulus improves the desired corrective movements from the current state to the target state of the physical characteristics described in more detail below.

[0018] The diagnostic software according to the invention serves to provide data for the production of a jaw splint for a person. The acquired data can be made available to an automated manufacturing device, such as a 3D printer or similar. Alternatively, the data can also be made available to a suitably trained person for manual production. The diagnostic software is a program that correlates the stored data with one another, self-learning to establish relationships and correlations between posture and / or body dynamics, foot pressure, and, for example, the current state of the dental cavity. Once a sufficiently large amount of data is available, the software automatically makes suggestions for the design of the jaw splint.

[0019] This process involves recording the current state of the dental cavity and jaw function. The current dental cavity and jaw function are recorded by measuring the oral findings in the form of oral scans. Hard tissue diagnostics are performed using radiographic procedures. Oral scans and radiographic diagnostics provide information in line with the three pillars of NAM dentistry (toxicology, silent inflammation, and functional disorders), which contribute to the overall diagnostic picture. In addition to the scans, jaw function measurements are performed digitally and / or analogously through dynamic temporomandibular joint (TMJ) recording of jaw movements. These scans can be obtained using ultrasound, X-rays, or similar methods.

[0020] Furthermore, the current body posture is recorded. The measurement of the current body posture is carried out digitally and / or analogously using body scans.

[0021] Actual foot pressure and / or dynamics are also recorded. Actual foot pressure measurement can be performed digitally or analogously, either statically and / or dynamically, using foot pressure plates and / or treadmills with integrated foot pressure sensors. The recorded data is stored analogously and / or digitally.

[0022] Next, the actual state of the dental cavity is compared to the target state. Comparison means that an actual / target comparison takes place. This determines an initial deviation between the actual and target dental cavity states. This deviation can also be zero if the actual and target dental cavity states coincide.

[0023] The same process occurs when comparing the actual jaw function with a target jaw function. In this case, a second deviation between the actual and target jaw function is determined. This deviation can also be zero if the actual and target jaw functions coincide.

[0024] The present invention relates to a method for measuring and evaluating posture, mobility, and body dynamics with respect to oral structures such as dentition, bite dynamics, muscle dynamics in and around the oral cavity, and the control of the primary and secondary masticatory muscles. The aim is to identify and describe phases (see the 5th phase of functionality in NAM dentistry) or patterns of deviations from the physiological norm. Since these phases often dynamically transition into others, repeated measurements are necessary to progress stepwise from one phase to the next until a biological optimum is reached.

[0025] Additionally, the actual posture is compared with a target posture to determine a third deviation between the actual and target postures. This deviation can also be zero if the actual and target postures coincide.

[0026] Similarly, the actual foot pressure is compared with a target foot pressure to determine a fourth deviation between the actual and target foot pressures. This deviation can also be zero if the actual and target foot pressures coincide.

[0027] The collected data will be used to manufacture the jaw splint. The splint will be designed to minimize the identified deviations between the current and target states. The collected data will be used for the automated production of the jaw splint. In this context, "automated" means that either the manufacturing device, such as the aforementioned 3D printer, is directly instructed by the data to produce a jaw splint that matches the specifications, or a person with dental technology training receives the data to manually fabricate the jaw splint from a suitable material.

[0028] Complementary medical measurements, such as bioresonance and / or auriculotherapy measurements and / or other complementary measurement methods, are transmitted digitally.

[0029] The underlying target values ​​are determined, for example, from optimal posture, taking into account age, gender, and general health. The same applies to optimal foot pressure, etc.

[0030] In the current dental space condition, one or more mandibular occlusion points of the teeth are recorded, whereby the mandibular occlusion points are designed by the jaw splint to reduce the deviations.

[0031] Typically, only mandibular occlusion points are recorded when assessing the current dental situation. However, the possibility of recording one or more maxillary occlusion points should also be mentioned in order to reduce deviations using a jaw splint.

[0032] Furthermore, the actual head position is compared with a target head position to determine a fifth deviation between the actual and target head positions. The collected data is then used for the automated production of the jaw splint. The current state of the head, neck, cervical spine, airways, eyes, coordination, and / or hard tissue structure can also be recorded and compared with a respective target state to identify further deviations. The additional data collected is then used for the automated production of the jaw splint.

[0033] Volumetric tomography and / or magnetic resonance imaging procedures are used to determine the current condition of the head, neck, cervical spine and airways.

[0034] In particular, the hard tissue structures of the jaw, the cervical spine and their course, and / or the airways, including important anatomical structures such as the hyoid bone, are assessed using X-ray diagnostics such as orthopantomography and / or volumetric tomography. This imaging depicts all relevant structures from the jaws to the cervical spine. The measurement of the soft tissue structures of the jaw, the cervical spine and their course, and / or the airways, including important anatomical structures such as the hyoid bone, is performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The relevant structures from the jaws to the cervical spine are visualized.

[0035] The current state of the eyes (eye movement, visual acuity and / or reaction ability) and coordination ability are measured using functional optometric methods.

[0036] Pathological compensatory postures and tensions in the body are documented thermographically.

[0037] Body dynamics measurements are performed digitally and / or analogously through motion scans of the body, both dynamically and statically, particularly during extensions. Clinically relevant anamnesis and neurobiologically relevant questions are also recorded, and this data can be entered into the diagnostic software.

[0038] The splints are individually manufactured based on the measurement data. Based on the data pool and the defined (health) condition, the jaw splints can be milled analogously and / or digitally, and / or thermoformed and / or injection molded and / or printed. The jaw splint can be made of a hard and / or soft and / or multi-layered plastic.

[0039] Supportive exercises for improved muscle control, muscle building, posture optimization and / or stretching to increase mobility can be provided to the person analogously and / or digitally, for example via an app.

[0040] Depending on the progress of the exercises and / or after a certain period of time, a new measurement can be taken, leading to the fabrication of a new jaw splint. Depending on the available data, it is also possible to fabricate a new splint for the next phase without a new measurement.

[0041] Character description

[0042] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments and from the drawings; these show in their single figure a schematic representation of a target measurement data state and a current measurement data state.

[0043] Example of implementation

[0044] The single figure shows a schematic representation of a target measurement data state Ms and a current measurement data state Mi.

[0045] The measurement data includes information on posture, body dynamics and mobility, as well as on the structures of the oral cavity and its surroundings. Using diagnostic software for the production of a jaw splint (not shown in detail) for an individual, deviations between the actual and target states are determined, and the collected data is used for the automated production of the jaw splint.

[0046] First, the current state of the dental cavity (1) and the current function of the jaw (2) are recorded. Furthermore, the current posture (3) and the current pressure on the sole of the foot (4) are recorded.

[0047] The actual tooth cavity condition 1 is then compared with a target tooth cavity condition 11. This determines an initial deviation α between the actual tooth cavity condition 1 and the target tooth cavity condition 1.

[0048] The same process is performed when comparing the actual jaw function 2 with a target jaw function 12. This determines a second deviation b between the actual jaw function 2 and the target jaw function 12. Additionally, the actual body posture 3 is compared with a target body posture 13 to determine a third deviation c between the actual body posture 3 and the target body posture 13.

[0049] Likewise, the actual foot pressure 4 is compared with a target foot pressure 14 to determine a fourth deviation e between the actual foot pressure 4 and the target foot pressure 14.

[0050] The collected data will then be used to manufacture the jaw splint, which should be suitable to reduce deviations a, b, c and d.

[0051] In the current dental space condition and / or tooth position 1, maxillary occlusion points of the teeth are recorded, whereby the maxillary occlusion points are designed by the jaw-tooth splint to reduce the deviations a, b, c and d.

[0052] In the current dental space condition and / or tooth position 1, mandibular occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors of the teeth are recorded, whereby the mandibular occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors are designed by the jaw splint to reduce the deviations a, b, c and d.

[0053] Reference symbol list

Claims

Patent claims 1. Diagnostic procedure software for providing data for the manufacture of a jaw splint for a person, wherein an actual dental space condition and / or tooth position (1 ) and an actual jaw function (2) are recorded, characterized in that - an actual body posture (3) is recorded, and - an actual foot pressure (4) is recorded, and - the actual tooth space condition and / or tooth position (1 ) is compared with a target tooth space condition and / or tooth position (1 1 ) in order to determine an initial deviation (a) between the actual tooth space condition (1 ) and the target tooth space condition (1 1 ), - the actual jaw function (2) is compared with a target jaw function (12) in order to determine a second deviation (b) between the actual jaw function (2) and the target jaw function (12), - the actual body posture (3) is compared with a target body posture (13) in order to determine a third deviation (c) between the actual body posture (3) and the target body posture (13), - the actual floor pressure (4) is compared with a target floor pressure (14) to determine a fourth deviation (d) between the actual floor pressure (4) and the target floor pressure (14), wherein - the collected data will be used to manufacture the jaw splint, suitable for reducing the deviations (a, b, c, d).

2. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the current dental space condition and / or tooth position (1), maxillary occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors of the teeth are detected, wherein the maxillary occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors are determined by the A jaw splint is designed to reduce deviations (a, b, c, d).

3. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 1, characterized in that, in the current state of the dental space and / or tooth position (1), mandibular occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors of the teeth are detected, wherein the mandibular occlusion points and / or dynamic vectors are designed by the jaw splint to reduce the deviations (a, b, c, d).

4. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 1, characterized in that an actual head position is compared with a target head position in order to determine a fifth deviation between the actual head position and the target head position, and the recorded data are used for the automated production of the jaw splint.

5. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 1, characterized in that an actual state - of a head, - of a neck, - a cervical spine - of the respiratory system - Eyesight and coordination skills - a hard tissue structure is recorded and compared with a respective target state in order to identify further deviations, whereby the additional recorded data is used for the automated production of the jaw splint.

6. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 5, characterized in that the actual states of the head, neck, cervical spine and airways are recorded using volume tomography and / or magnetic resonance tomography.

7. Diagnostic procedure software according to claim 5, characterized in that the actual states of the eyes and the coordination ability are recorded functionally using optometric techniques.

8. Diagnostic software according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquired data are used for the automated production of the jaw splint.

9. Diagnostic software according to claim 1, characterized in that measurements of body dynamics are acquired dynamically as well as statically, digitally and / or analogously, by means of motion scans of the body, and are compared with a respective target state in order to determine any further deviations.

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